If you’re a curly haired girl, knowing how to use a curl cream is an essential beauty skill for achieving beautiful, defined curls.
The good news is that it isn’t complicated getting to grips with curl creams, but a few simple (yet important) steps that can help you get the bouncy curls of your dreams. To help advise you on the dos and don’ts, we’ve enlisted a trio of pro hairstylists – Arkive founder Adam Reed, Silke London co-founder Maria Sotiriou and founder of Spectrum One Hair Extensions founder Katy Grimshaw – to get their best tips and tricks.
Keep reading to find out how to use curl cream correctly, according to experts.
Curl creams I love:
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What is curl cream?
If you’re not familiar with what a curl cream is, you might confuse it with the wealth of other hair products out there. Simply, “curl cream is a styling product designed to enhance and define natural curl pattern while keeping hair soft and touchable,” hairstylist and Arkive founder Adam Reed tells Glamour. “It helps reduce frizz, add moisture and encourage curls to form in a more uniform, controlled way without stiffness.”
Ultimately, a curl cream gives you more control over the definition of your curls, while keeping them soft – unlike other hair styling products that retain the hair pattern with stiffness.
How does curl cream differ from other curl products?
If you haven’t heard of curl cream before, you might be confused as to why you need to add another hair product into your routine when you’re already using other curl products like leave-in conditioner or mousse.
“Each product has a different role, curl cream will give curl and wave definition without frizz,” says Maria Sotiriou, co-founder of Silke London. “Curl cream is formulated from humectants (which attract moisture into hair), emollients, oils and proteins. It dries leaving hair soft, shiny without frizz without a hard cast (that stiff and crunchy feeling).”
Multitasking products for softer, shinier strands.
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Meanwhile, a mousse is a styling product that comes in a variety of different strengths. “Its job is to hold curl shape without weighing it down, foaming agents and alcohol evaporate quickly leaving a light cast on the hair,” Maria continues. “Mouse is generally applied after a curl cream to solidify the curls formed. The cast will need to be broken using a oil serum once hair has dried.”
Finally, a leave-in conditioner can replenish much-needed moisture within the hair to leave it with a soft and smooth texture, but doesn’t define curls to last. “It focuses primarily on hydration and detangling, with minimal hold,” says Katy Grimshaw, founder of Spectrum One Hair Extensions.
What curl types should use a curl cream?
Identifying what kind of curl type you are is essential to selecting the best curl cream for your hair. The great news is that almost all curl types can benefit from using a curl cream, but “it’s particularly great for type 2 waves through to type 3 curls that need help with definition and frizz control,” says Adam. “The key is always matching the product weight to your curl density, fine curls need lighter textures, tighter or drier curls can handle something richer.”
How to use curl cream
Now you’re familiar with what a curl cream is and how to find the right one for your curl type, the next step is learning how to use a curl cream correctly. After washing and detangling your hair, Adam suggests gently blotting your hair with a towel or t-shirt so it’s damp, not soaking wet.
“Work in sections, apply cream to palm of hands and rub together. Run the product through the roots to ends then rake your fingers through to form independent curls,” Maria says is the next step. Starting with a small amount and gradually increasing as you go is a good tip to ensure you don’t overload your hair with product. “How much product you use depends on the density, coarseness, porosity, and level of frizz.”
Once you’re satisfied that you’ve fully covered your hair with your chosen curl cream, Maria advises tipping your head forward and scrunching your hair upwards “to push the product into the hair shaft” and help form an independent cluster of curls. At that’s left is to leave to dry naturally, or use a diffuser attached to a hair dryer.
What mistakes do people make when using curl cream?
A common mistake when using curl cream is thinking that more product equals better-defined curls, when in fact, it has the opposite effect. “Over-application weighs curls down and can make them look greasy rather than defined,” says Adam. “Uneven distribution is another common issue, leading to inconsistent definition,” adds Katy on another common error which Maria says can be avoided by sectioning out the hair while applying your curl cream.
What other products can be used with a curl cream?
If you want to further enhance or strengthen your curls, your curl cream can be followed by additional styling products. A good thing to note, according to Katy, is applying in the correct order, so not to undo your hard work. “Applying products from lightest to heaviest helps maintain definition without weighing the hair down,” she says.
“Curl cream layers beautifully with a lightweight leave-in underneath for added moisture, or a small amount of gel or mousse over the top if you need extra hold,” adds Adam. “Curls are as much about maintenance as product, so a good diffuser and even a satin pillowcase also make a difference.”
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