The key to luscious, shiny, bouncing curls and coils, is, say it with us: hydration. While there are tons of products out there that promise supremely quenched ringlets, our curls have uniquely individual needs. Just like no two coils on the same head of hair are the same, neither will the same styling product give a similar result for different curl patterns.
When we say curls, coils, and kinks, we're specifically talking about 3A to 4C naturally curly hair. Tighter, type 4 textures need much more moisture than looser type 3 ringlets. For reference, my hair has a mix of textures, ranging from 4a to 4B [1] with a few 3c curls to the back of my head and some 4C kinks around the crown. Personally, my usual curly hair routine is minimal shampooing and maximum conditioning. I'm an advocate of a co-wash, although it might not be for everyone. In the mornings before work, I usually wet my hair liberally, dry it a bit with a regular t-shirt instead of a towel to reduce frizz, and then slather on my favourite curl defining, moisturising styling cream. When my hair might need some extra TLC or it may be looking a bit lacklustre, then I'll start my morning with a co-wash. I shampoo and condition maybe once a week, and deep condition once a week as well. Keep in mind that my hair is cut into a TWA (teeny weeny Afro) which is super low-maintenance. Another quick note I've learned from having my hair natural for only two years is that sometimes your curls get weighed down if you're layering on too much product, and once in a while it helps to use a clarifying shampoo to regain your bounce.
Some days, my routine comes out incredibly, while other days not so much. But your hair journey, as a woman with naturally curly hair, is a long road of acceptance and experimentation. Even if you have a similar mix of textures to mine, it's really a trial and error process of finding your perfect curly hair product cocktail. And even then, every day your hair will be in a different mood and respond to the same mix of products in different ways. Keep reading for nine curly hair styling creams that I've actually used, and what I really think.
Trevor Sorbie Tame & Define Firm Hold Curl Cream
Trevor Sorbie Tame & Define Firm Hold Curl Cream [3] (£7) was my first love after I did the big chop. Of all the products on this list, it smells the most amazing. The scent is a very strong fragrance, like a nice androgynous cologne. A strong scent might not be for everyone, but I did find that this curl cream did everything it said on the label: hydrate, define, and minimise frizz. It works well for medium curl textures (3C-4A) with 4C textures having, maybe, to layer a gel and serum on top.
Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk
Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk [4] (£10) is a silky, moiturising cream that actually works for all curl types. This is my current favourite because it's lightweight and really helps to define my tighter 4-type curls without using too much product. In my opinion, it's made with one of the best oils for coily hair — macadamia oil — that your hair will drink up so quickly and absolutely love. The mild scent of vanilla is a great bonus, too!
Shea Moisture Coconut Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Shea Moisture Coconut Curl Enhancing Smoothie [5] (£7, originally £11), made with silk protein and neem oil, is such an HG (holy grail) curly girl product. While some of my favourite products ever have been from Shea Moisture, like their Jamaican Black Castor Oil Mask, I have yet to try the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. But most of my curly-haired friends with 3C to 4C curl types have, and they constantly recommend this product to me. Definitely worth a try.
Christophe Robin Luscious Curl Cream with Flaxseed Oil
Christophe Robin Luscious Curl Cream with Flaxseed Oil [6] (£28) is surprisingly incredible. We're always a little skeptical of European brands that sell curly hair products, but Christophe Robin's range for curls is, honestly, one of the best we've ever used. For looser curl textures, it gives great definition with a soft, touchable hold. It's made with organic Aloe juice, moringa seed extract, and flaxseed oil — and damn, it's good.
Only Curls Hydrating Curl Creme
Only Curls Hydrating Curl Creme [7] (£16) is almost always sold out. It's made with shea butter, marula oil, and aloe. It moisturises well, but if you want definition, definitely layer their curl defining gel on top. This product may be good for 3B to 4A types but, despite the shea butter, it might be too light for tighter curl patterns.
Windle & Moodie Curl Enhancer
Hear me out. Windle & Moodie Curl Enhancer [8] (£16) is my current favourite, everyday curl enhancer. The texture is kind of a sticky, slippery, gel-cream that dries into a strong hold and high-gloss finish. This product actually surprised me because with all the curly hair styling products I've tried (and trust me, it's been a lot), Windle & Moodie's Curl Enhancer has the strongest hold, and best curl definition without that crunchy, flaky finish. I would recommend this product to my girls with coarser hair textures and tighter ringlets. It's definitely my favourite on the list, but keep in mind, what works for me might work differently for you.
Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream
Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream [9] (£5, originally £7) is, as the name says, made entirely from shea butter. This product works great for tighter curls (3C-4C) and might be a bit heavy for looser curl types. For 4C hair, it's recommended to use Cantu's Coconut Curling Cream on damp or wet hair, then layer on a stronger holding gel to separate and define.
DevaCurl SuperCream
DevaCurl SuperCream [10] (£25.50) is absolutely incredible. Most of DevaCurl products that I have personally used have worked like a dream with my mixed textures. It is so hydrating, perhaps the most hydrating of all the styling creams on this list. Although a bit spenny, the quality of the product and softness of the result is absolutely worth it. I can't rave about this product enough for all curl patterns.
Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Defining Crème
Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Defining Crème [11] (£18.50) actually surprised me. It's made with rice amino and avocado, and while it claims to be a defining gel, it was a bit too light for my coarser hair texture. What I loved was how deeply moisturising it was, but it would be best suited for looser type 3 curls.
Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream
Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream [12] (£24.50) is also a winner for moisture since it's made with their namesake brand of argan oil. It's one of those brands that has done so well for itself because it appeals to a wide range of hair textures, from silky straight, to bouncy coils. Morroccan oil will always have a special place in my heart as the first range of products I obsessed over at the start of my natural hair journey.
Bouclème Curl Cream
Bouclème Curl Cream [13] (£9.50) is a good shout for looser curls, definitely type 3 only. Despite having a mix of textures, I never found Bouclème to give me enough moisture, but all my type 3 curly girls literally can't get enough of this product. So, definitely one to try for thinner hair, and looser textures.