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The best curl creams can really take your hair care routine to the next level. For the uninitiated, these are styling products designed for use on coily, curly, and wavy hair types to create more defined curls while addressing issues such as frizz and dryness.
When picking out a good curl-defining cream, consider your curl pattern, and the condition of your hair. Type 4 hair, for example, is prone to dryness and tends to respond well to formulas containing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, which help seal in moisture and reduce frizz.
The good news is that there are dozens of options to choose from, and we spent months incorporating several different types into our hair care routines before narrowing down our favourites down to the ultimate list of the best curl creams below. Whether you’re looking for a multitasker that hydrates and prevents breakage (like our best overall winner) or one that perfectly defines waves for your wash-and-go, there’s something here for every hair type and need.
Best Overall: Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
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Best for: Taming frizz and smoothing hair.
Pros: Excellent at reducing frizz and smoothing hair.
Cons: Not always moisturising enough for very thick or dry hair.
This silicone‑free curl cream feels like a dream for curly hair types – it tames frizz, conditions from root to tip and leaves your hair silky, shiny and super soft, all while adding moisture without any greasy weight. Perfect for smoothing unruly strands and enhancing natural texture with a long‑lasting finish.
Testing notes: “I’ve been using the Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream on damp hair before blow‑drying and it tames frizz while leaving my hair softer and smoother," says Mayola. I love how lightweight it feels and how it adds a bit of shine without greasiness.”
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Best for Volume: Aveda Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Enhancer Cream
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Best for: Volumising hair.
Pros: Hydrating, nourishing and suitable for a range of hair types.
Cons: May feel heavy for finer curls.
This plant-powered formula enriched with kokum butter, soybean oil, glycerin, and hydrolysed pea proteins is designed to nourish, hydrate, and define every strand. Lightweight yet deeply conditioning, it leaves hair soft, shiny, and effortlessly manageable, making waves and curls look polished all day. We think it's perfect for anyone craving natural bounce with a sleek, frizz-free finish.
Testing notes: “I’ve been using this curl cream for a few weeks, and honestly, my curls have never looked this defined," says Mayola. The formula really hydrates my dry lengths without weighing my hair down, and the frizz control is actually noticeable — my waves feel noticeably more defined too. The best part? No crunchy, stiff feel like so many hair gels and mousses leave behind."
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Best Affordable Curl Cream: SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Best for: Taming frizz and definition.
Pros: Moisturises really well at under £10; manages frizz.
Cons: It’s really thick, so your hair might not fully absorb it.
This SheaMoisture bestseller is an oldie but goodie, and it was highly recommended by people in my immediate friend group when I first went natural in college. I’m happy to say it definitely lives up to the hype. It features ingredients like coconut oil and silk protein, which moisturise the hair from inside the shaft, and prevents common curl concerns like frizziness.
Testing notes: Sometimes I use this after washing and blowing out my coils (I prefer to do twist-outs on stretched hair), and even after applying it to my hair in a stretched state, the curls still manage to look like healthy spirals. I’m also a really big fan of the way this product makes my hair feel — after unraveling my twists, I usually find myself continuously touching my curls because of how satisfied I am with how soft and moisturised my hair feels. My only gripe is that this is a product that sort of sits on your hair — it’s pretty thick, so that’s to be expected — so if you’re someone who touches your hair often, you’ll definitely be able to feel that there’s something on your strands.
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Best for Moisturising: Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Conditioner
Best for: Moisture retention
Pros: Scent is long-lasting and pleasant; light texture so doesn’t weigh hair down.
Cons: Doesn’t address frizz.
This one doesn’t have the thickness of a curl cream (because it’s not a curl cream, per se), but it has easily become one of my favourite products in recent months. Our editors recommend this leave-in conditioner for curly hair. It has a milky texture that’s just a tad runnier than a lotion, and it features unique add-ins like rice amino acids, which can seal the outer cuticles and ensure your curls don’t become frizzy, and tomato, which is supposed to support moisture retention.
Testing notes: This is another cream that I typically like to apply on blown-out hair before twisting and setting for a few hours or overnight. I typically apply it from root to end before adding mousse. Mousse can sometimes harden my curls (it’s a holding product for a reason) or dry them out, but I’ve noticed that whenever I apply this to my hair first, I can alleviate that issue and wake up with very soft, defined, and moisturised curls.
Best for Wash-and-Gos: Fenty Beauty The Homecurl Curl-Defining Styling Cream
Best for: Wash-and-go styling.
Pros: Holds hair in place without hardening or scrunchy texture.
Cons: Scent might be overpowering if you don’t like fragrance.
This is one of our favourites because of its hybrid gel-cream texture: It has the softness of a moisturiser but provides the hold and definition of a gel, which you don’t find in too many curl creams. The star ingredient is mango butter, which moisturises and gives the product a sweet, fruity scent that doesn’t linger too much.
Testing notes: “My hair is curly and prone to frizz, so I love using a curl cream that keeps it perfectly moisturised” says Glamour commerce writer Mayola. “One of the reasons why the Fenty Hair Curl Cream separates itself from my cult-favourite products is its gel-cream formula. It moisturises and enhances my curls while controlling frizz and maintaining my wash-and-go style for multiple days.”
Best for Frizz Control: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining & Frizz Taming Hair Cream
Best for: Smoothing frizz.
Pros: Inexpensive; addresses frizziness.
Cons: Has a sticky texture.
In a lot of cases, frizziness occurs when hair is lacking moisture, so this cream features a blend of keratin amino acids and rice protein to address dryness from inside the strands. Remember: Keratin is a protein that can repair the structure of the hair, but it can also moisturise and smooth the cuticle so that frizz is less of an issue. Rice protein can also coat the hair and provide a light protective barrier so that said moisture can be retained, resulting in less frizz overall. The cream has a semi-thick, lotion-y texture that can be used to define wet or dry curls, and it doesn’t hurt that you can purchase it for under £25.
Testing notes: “I loved the definition on this one,” Hardy says. “When my hair dried down, it fluffed up nicely while still maintaining the definition.” According to Hardy, this cream’s only downside is that the texture feels a bit sticky.
Best for Coily Hair: Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream
Best for: Light hold and curl definition.
Pros: Provides hold all day; works on coily hair.
Cons: Pricey for amount of product.
This is a curl “cream” that actually has the consistency of a gel, which would explain how it does such a great job of holding your hair in place. Products like this often have a reputation of making the hair feel hard, dry, or crunchy, but thanks to the inclusion of moisturising ingredients like oat peptide, you can expect your curls to feel soft whether you style it in a braid-out, a twist-out, or an air-dried style.
Testing notes: “This smells absolutely amazing and has an incredibly smooth, luxurious texture,” Mayola says. “From the first day I applied it, I noticed a lot of definition in my hair, and best of all, it didn’t leave it feeling crunchy, sticky, or weighed down at all. It gave my hair a natural, soft bounce while keeping everything perfectly in place. A solid 10 out of 10 from me!”
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Best for Dry Hair: Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Hair Pomade
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Best for: Curly, textured hair.
Pros: Nourishing and hydrating.
Cons: Premium price point.
If your hair’s craving some serious TLC, make a beeline for Charlotte Mensah's Manketti Oil Pomade. This lightweight, silky pomade is perfect for everyday use or as a finishing touch to elevate any hairstyle. Packed with a myriad of nourishing oils, shea butter, and cocoa butter, it hydrates, tames frizz, and adds subtle shine without feeling heavy or greasy.
Testing notes: “What I love most about the Manketti Oil Pomade is how a tiny amount goes such a long way. Just a dab smooths my frizz, adds shine, and softens my hair, making it my absolute go-to for everyday styling.”
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Best for Curl Definition: Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Activating Lotion
Best for: Wavy, curly and coily hair types.
Pros: Enhances natural curl definition.
Cons: The texture may be too light for very dry hair.
Designed to wake up your natural texture without any crunchy cast, this lightweight curl lotion glides through damp hair and delivers soft, defined curls. We love the delicate, floral scent that adds a subtle, uplifting touch to your hair care routine without lingering too heavily. It's great for everything from wash‑and‑go routines to protective styles.
Testing notes: "Since switching to this product, my curls feel soft, bouncy, and overall a lot more defined throughout the day. The hibiscus scent is simply gorgeous; it’s like a mini treat every time I style my hair. A little goes a long way, and because it’s so reasonably priced it's officially become a staple in my routine!”
Best for Wavy Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
Best for: Controlling frizz.
Pros: Provides long-lasting hold; works great on wavy and curly coiled textures.
Cons: Might feel heavy if you use too much product.
This curl cream marries the anti-humidity properties we love in Ouidad’s classic anti-humidity hair gel with the soft texture of a lightweight cream. You’ll get bouncy, noticeable definition with this and you don’t have to follow up with gel or mousse (though you can if you prefer). While this is suitable for all curl types, Jason Hallman, a Ouidad stylist, says that he recommends it to his clients in his salon with waves for “definition without weight.”
Testing notes: Glamour contributor Aimee Simeon has curlier hair but loves that this formula feels really lightweight, therefore making it a versatile option for a range of curl types. “Though my hair is on the curlier side, this cream is a great option for coils, waves, and everything in between, thanks to its super lightweight texture. It has a thin, cream-like consistency that I’d reach for when I want bouncy curl definition without the crunch that you’d get from a gel or mousse,” she says. “I like using this one in small sections in the shower (so, applying while my hair is essentially sopping wet). This gives me the best fluffy, bouncy definition that looks and feels effortless.”
Best for Fine Hair: JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream
Best for: Air-drying waves or fine curls.
Pros: Lightweight formula; ideal for fine strands.
Cons: Not enough product for thick, coarse hair.
If your hair is on the fine side, you need a curl cream that is lightweight and buildable if you want more definition. We love this cream from JVN, which offers equal parts moisturising and holding power. “The formula is buildable, providing light hold if you start with a smaller amount,” says Jonathan Van Ness, the brand’s founder, who has wavy hair. “My favourite way to use it is to apply Air Dry Cream into very wet, detangled hair and then either scrunch, brush through, or do any curly/coily technique and let air-dry, or use a diffuser for the most beautiful version of your natural texture with just one product.”
Testing notes: Glamour tester Corinne Court liked this formula on her fine coils for definition without the crunch. “This was great for those air-dry days when I want soft, touchable definition,” she says. “It definitely is more of a lightweight product, which I appreciated, since heavier formulas typically weigh down my hair.”
Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Matrix A Curl Can Dream Moisturising Cream
Best for: Dry curl textures.
Pros: A little goes a long way; extremely hydrating.
Cons: Might feel too heavy for waves.
This is a thick cream formula (that comes in a jar) designed to define and moisturise without leaving behind a crunchy cast. If you have low-porosity hair (tightly closed cuticles that take a long time to absorb moisture), you might love the super-moisturising, thicker texture of this product, which will slick down flyaways and add slip to the hair’s cuticles, making your coils look smoother and more defined. A little goes a long way with this, and we recommend working in sections to distribute the formula evenly through your curls.
Testing notes: “I’ve tried a lot of curl creams over the years, and I’ve been scorned by formulas that leave a white cast of product on my curls — it’s the worst,” says Glamour contributor Aimee Simeon, who has tight 3c-4a coils. This formula is white in the jar but melts into the hair, leaving a cast-free shine that doesn’t feel heavy. A little goes a long way on hair with low porosity, and I usually find the most success when I apply it to small, wet sections using a spray bottle as I go. My coils are always very defined without the crunch of a gel or mousse.”
Best for High-Porosity Hair: Curlsmith Curlshield Cream
Best for: Taming frizz.
Pros: Lightweight, serum-like formula; addresses frizz.
Cons: Might be too runny for thick coils.
This cream has a lightweight, silky texture that will vanish into your skin if you rub it between your fingers. It does the same when applied to frizzy hair, gently reducing flyaways without making curls feel limp or flat. It also protects against heat from tools or the environment, so you don’t have to worry about frizz caused by humidity. It’s also light enough to reapply daily to areas that require extra smoothing without restyling your entire head.
Testing notes: Glamour tester Courtney Quinn loves that this helps define her curls while temporarily mending the look of split ends. “I am terrible about getting curly haircuts so I love using this on my ends to smooth and extend my time between salon visits,” she says. “It’s super lightweight and does a good job at locking in moisture without feeling heavy.” The best part? Quinn loves the refreshing smell of this, which makes her actually want to apply it every day.
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a curl cream?
When shopping for a curl cream, consider formulas with hydrating oils like coconut and avocado for shine. Finer textures might prefer a lightweight liquid cream or serums (like the Curlsmith Curlshield Cream), while thicker textures might like heavier formulas (typically found in jars) to pack moisture.
What’s better, curling creams or gels? What about curling creams or mousse?
It all boils down to your preferences. For definition without crunch, a curling cream is gold. Gels tend to provide a stronger hold that lasts for days but may leave strands stiff, while curly-hair mousses give a hold that feels more airy but may be sticky. Regardless of the formula you choose, test it out on a small section of hair before applying all over the head.
How often can you use curl cream?
You can use curl cream as often as you’d like, but since most sit on top of the hair, you may experience product buildup. In that case, be sure to cleanse with a clarifying shampoo when you want to reset your hair.
Tips for applying curl creams
Wondering how to use a curl cream? We've got a full guide on that, but for a few quick tips, see here:
- Work in small, wet sections if possible.
- Rake and distribute product through your hair from ends to roots to make sure curls are evenly coated.
- If air-drying or diffusing your curls, avoid fluffing and touching while damp to reduce frizz; fluff your curls with a pick or your hands when your hair is completely dry.
How we tested
Glamour editors and contributors with a range of curly hair types — from bouncy waves to coils — tried each curl cream on freshly washed hair over the course of several months. Testers applied the products according to package directions, often pairing them with leave-ins or gels as part of a typical curly routine. They evaluated how easily the cream distributed through wet hair, whether it created a cast, and how defined curls looked and felt post application. We noted how well each cream controlled frizz, how long definition lasted between washdays, and whether the formula caused any buildup or flaking.
