11 Best Curl Creams for Defined Waves, Curls and Coils
We've got a top pick for every curl pattern.
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As a curly girl, I’ve always viewed styling my 3C hair that tends to lean on the dry side as an intricate balancing act. I’ve tried various techniques including the LOC method, plopping and more to find a way to get a wash and go that looks flawless. But with all of my years of trial and error, I’ve finally landed on the key to keeping my strands happy and luscious: a curl cream.
Curly hair expert Brendnetta Ashley says, “a good curl cream is a balance of oils that will add shine while moisturizing the hair.” The creams typically have a consistency that is thicker than a leave-in conditioner, but also provides a soft hold — think a little less than your average gel. “It’s a thin coat to the cuticle layer to seal the cuticle down. So, it will control frizz and add moisture and shine without weighing the hair down,” Ashley adds.
Looking for your holy grail styler for your coils and waves? I’ve tapped Ashley, our GH editors — who also happen to have a range of curl types — and, of course, our pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute to provide you with the best curl cream options that will cater to all curl patterns from 2A to 4C.
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Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion
Pros
- Smoothes frizz
- Doesn't make hair crunchy
- Keeps curls moisturized
Cons
- Some reviewers find the scent strong
Key Ingredients: Argan Oil, vitamin E | Size: 10.2 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Don't be fooled by the name: This does-it-all Moroccanoil styling cream is GH's resident curly girl's go-to. It features nourishing ingredients including argan oil, argan butter and vitamin E, as well as a spicy amber and sweet floral scent. Plus, the brand says it can be used on medium to coarse hair types.
TESTER NOTES: "It adds flexible hold that's not crunchy at all and keeps curls intact and fuzz-free for days," says Good Housekeeping Institute Editorial Commerce and Product Reviews Director Jessica Teich. "I have high-porosity hair that dries really quickly so to keep it from frizzing up my hair on application, I add a bit of water to the product to thin it down before smoothing onto curls. The result is well-defined, hydrated curls with no crunchiness." Some reviewers found the scent to be strong.
RELATED: Best Anti-Frizz Hair Products in Our Lab's Humidity Chamber Testing
Garnier Fructis Style Curl Sculpt Conditioning Cream Gel
Pros
- Provides hold and taming benefits
- Bargain price
Cons
- Some reviewers noticed it leaves residue
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, mango glycerides, shea butter| Size: 5.1 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: An affordable curl cream and gel combo, this Garnier formula is a top seller, though some users noted it can leave residue on hair. It provides great hold, making it perfect for slicked-back styles or super-defined wash-and-go styling.
TESTER NOTES: "The initial application of this product leaves my curls looking defined and glossy. But after it dries, the cast has to be broken to reveal voluminous, bouncy curls," a GH staffer said.
Dyson Chitosan Pre-Styling Hair Cream
Pros
- Controls frizz
- Won't leave residue
Cons
- Pricey
Key Ingredients: Chitosan, argan oil, grapeseed oil | Size: 3.38 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Dyson's innovative styler comes in four formulations — Straight to Wavy Hair, Light Conditioning, Straight to Wavy Hair, Rich Conditioning, Curly to Coily Hair, Light Conditioning and Curly to Coily Hair, Rich Conditioning — making it easy for consumers to pick their preferred conditioning level. It also snagged a GH Beauty Award.
TESTER NOTES: In Lab trials with four professional hairstylists, three out of four agreed that the cream did not leave unwanted residue on their clients' hair and that the product did not weigh hair down. "The serum texture is great and reduced frizz and gave good shine," one tester said. "I would recommend for normal to thicker textures."
Pros
- Doesn't weigh hair down
- Provides soft hold
Cons
- Does produce a light cast
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, argan oil, monoi oil, lycii berry extract, black currant extract | Size: 5.1 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: With a light hold and frizz-fighting ingredients, this curl cream works to bring soft-to-touch definition to each curl. Though it does produce a slight cast, it gives hair a voluminous boost once the seal is broken.
TESTER NOTES: "I love that it keeps my curls moisturized and reduces frizz without making me sacrifice volume," one GH editor said. "Unlike other products I've used, this cream doesn't weigh my 3C hair down or make it oily. And it air dries with defined, yet voluminous curls."
SheaMoisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Pros
- Works well on thicker hair textures
- Defines, smooths and moisturizes
Cons
- May be too rich for fine hair
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, silk protein, neem oil | Size: 20 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: If you have dense curls, look no further than SheaMoisture's custard curl cream. Former GH Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin attests to the wonders of this curl cream: "It has enhanced my waves and made it easy for me to embrace my natural hair texture!"
TESTER NOTES: “It minimizes frizz, defines curls and moisturizes, but doesn’t feel sticky or oily,” said one GH editor. “A small amount goes a long way which is a plus for curly product-dependent hair — if I were to use just one product it would be this one." Bonus: “It smells like a tropical smoothie,” she added.
Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding
Pros
- Works on a variety of curl types
- Smoothes and defines curls
Cons
- Some find it sticky
Key Ingredients: Soybean oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil | Size: 8.5 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: A cult classic, this Miss Jessie's curl pudding cream is versatile enough to work on everything from waves to twist and braid-out styles. It is also perfect for smoothing frizz and producing a defined pattern with great shine.
TESTER NOTES: "This was my go-to for years, way before the curly hair market really expanded," a GH staffer said. "With it, my curls are frizz-free with great bounce. But the product is a bit sticky."
Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Bounty Balm Rich Curl Cream
Pros
- Helps detangle hair
- Moisturizes and minimizes frizz
Cons
- Some reviewers don't like its thin consistency
Key Ingredients: Olive fruit oil, citric acid, glycerin | Size: 5 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: For easily detangled, supple curls check out Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Bounty Balm. The brand claims that the cream can help protect curls from humidity.
TESTER NOTES: Ashley describes this product as her "absolute favorite curl cream." She says that it provides curls with "the perfect balance of moisture and frizz control."
Pros
- Not heavy on hair
- Shapes curls when air drying
Cons
- May not be as defining for coarse textures
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, blueberry seed oil, coconut milk | Size: 8 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: No crunchy curls with this cream! It's super lightweight and leaves your hair smelling fruity-fresh. Bonus: It can be used as a leave-in conditioner or a styler, according to the brand.
TSTER NOTES: "It keeps my curls defined if I air dry or diffuse," said one GH editor. Other reviewers also noted that it helps with frizz management.
Pros
- Comes in two scents
- Provides lasting moisture
Cons
- Some reviewers say it can be difficult to use on dry hair
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil | Size: 25 0z. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Whether you're looking to provide life and bounce to an otherwise dull wash-n-go or need some hold for a twist out or braid out style, this rich buttercream-consistency styling cream — which comes in Original, a sweet floral essence of neroli, rose and patchouli, and Palo Santo — is versatile enough to work on multiple hairstyles and features hydrating ingredients. But note that some reviewers found it difficult to use on dry hair.
TESTER NOTES: "Highly recommended this styling cream; it’s one of the absolute best," one reviewer said. "Leaves no white cast, it penetrates the hair shaft leaving it shiny, healthy and smooth!"
Pros
- Fights frizz
- Enhances curl definition
Cons
- Some find it sticky
Key Ingredients: Oat peptide, tapioca starch, sea buckthorn | Size: 6.7 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Amika claims that the tapioca starch in this product provides definition and the oat peptide forms a protective barrier, amplifying your hair's shine.
TESTER NOTES: "I compared a lot of different curl creams but kept coming back to Amika — and for good reason," an Amazon reviewer raved. "I have naturally wavy/curly hair, but it tends to get flat as the day goes on. With Amika, it stays curly and defined with little to no frizz all day." However, some reviewers found the product sticky.
RELATED: Best Products for Styling Wavy Hair
tgin Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer
Pros
- Rich enough for coarse hair
- Provides great curl definition and hydration
Cons
- May be too heavy for fine hair
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, vitamin E | Size: 12 oz. | Sulfate-Free: Yes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Parched coils will love this rich cream that is packed with moisture and hydration. It is formulated with coconut oil and vitamin E and helps promote long-lasting curl definition, according to the brand.
TESTER NOTES: "The moment that I put a generous amount of this cream on my dry 4C hair, it was as if it drank some cold iced water," an Amazon reviewer said. "The coils sprung and were defined instantly."
How we choose the best curl creams
While the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab hasn’t formally tested all of the curl creams listed here, some of these picks were tested in our annual Beauty Awards, in which we send styling products to professional stylists who use them in the salon and gave detailed feedback on how they perform. We also tapped our curly-haired editors and analysts to share their favorite products. This, combined with our decades of expertise, input from hair professional and customer reviews all came together to formulate this list.
What to look for when shopping for the best curl cream
Hair is unique, so when it comes to curl creams, there isn't a one size fits all option. There are a few key components to keep in mind when shopping for the best curl cream:
✔️ Hair texture: Before you buy a new curl cream, determine whether your hair is fine, medium or coarse. "Always seek guidance from your salon professional to help determine the hair type," says Gina Rivera, Celebrity Hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites. However, to quickly determine your hair's texture, consider proceeding with an at-home strand test. Take an individual strand of hair between your fingers. If you can hardly feel it, you likely have fine hair. If your hair typically holds a style well and you can feel it upon doing the strand test, then it's likely medium or coarse. Coarse hair can typically hold a curl well, but can often be difficult to style due to its density. If it feels thick and strong when doing the strand test, your hair is likely coarse.
According to Rivera, curl boosting sprays are typically a great choice for fine hair. "They can be spritzed evenly over hair and tend to be very lightweight," says Rivera. "This allows fine hair to maintain its curl rather than being weighed down." For medium hair, you can also look for a curl cream that is light in weight, which will help define the curl, while cutting down the frizz. Finally, if you have coarse hair, a denser curl cream can provide additional control and enhance style.
✔️ Curl type: Finding your curl type is essential to finding the right curl cream. To find your curl type, hop in the shower: It's easiest to determine when hair is soaking wet. "Detangle hair with a wet comb or brush and then you can start to look for the pattern of the hair," explains Rivera. Different types of curly hair, from wavy and loose to tight curls and coils, range by number. "For instance, slight to more distinctive waves fall in [Type 2] curls from A to C in distinction," says Rivera, while "loose, more spiral-shaped, curls tend to fall into the Type 3 category, ranging from A to C in subcategories," explains Rivera. Coily or kinky hair (i.e. hair that forms tight curls in a zig-zag pattern from the scalp) is a Type 4, ranging from A to C in subcategories.
✔️ Hair porosity: Your hair's porosity (a.k.a. your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture) informs how it retains product. High porosity hair tends to absorb water, oils and other products more easily than other hair types, though not for a long period of time. On the other hand, low porosity hair doesn't easily absorb water and treatment; instead, products tend to stay on the surface of the hair. To find whether your hair has high or low porosity, take notice of the way in which your hair absorbs products. Individuals with high porosity hair should reach for a denser curl cream and products with ingredients like shea butter and heavy oils. If your hair has a lower porosity, it's best to use light products that can penetrate easily, since the hair doesn't absorb moisture as easily.
✔️ Curl cream ingredients: Keep an eye out for hydrating ingredients since for the best spiral-y, bouncy curls, your hair needs moisture. "For hair to look its best, it's important to have a good daily wet line with hydrating properties packed with nutrients and vitamins," explains Rivera. Different types of hair (and different curl types!) require varying levels of moisture. "Curlier hair tends to be drier in nature and appearance, and the dehydration [is] more obvious as the [hair] goes awry and more frizzy," says London-based hairstylist Michael Van Clarke.
How do you apply curl cream?
To apply a curl cream, "start with a dime-sized amount for fine, thin hair types and a quarter-sized amount for thicker, coarser hair types," Nunzio Saviano, a hairstylist and founder of the eponymous salon in New York City advises. "Using your fingertips, gently smooth onto hair beginning below the roots so you don’t create a flat, limp top."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Good Housekeeping Beauty Director April Franzino wrote this article and is an expert in all hair product categories, from shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products and tools to hair color, professional services and more. April works closely with the GH Beauty Lab to coordinate hair product testing and translate test results into best-in-class compelling, factually accurate science-backed content for Good Housekeeping.
This article was most recently updated by GH Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins. She interviewed a stylist to get the details on what makes a good curl cream and the best curl cream products currently on the market. She has written on several beauty topics, including the best edge control, worked with the GH Beauty Lab and sought out thousands of consumer reviews to find the very best product recommendations.
April (she/her) is the senior beauty and style director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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