Style
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As much as I love a good twist out, finger coil, or flexi rod set, there's nothing quite like rocking my own corkscrew curls. Equipped with my go-to curl enhancers for defining natural hair, I can transform frizzy bedhead into a shiny, coily spectacle.
I take it as a compliment when my hair is mistaken for a wig. It lets me know that I'm using natural hair products that actually work well for my mane. There's certainly a definer that can amplify your texture, too, whether you have loose S-shaped curls or tightly coiled Z-shaped kinks. Above all, the key to healthy looking curls is keeping your strands as hydrated as possible. So, the best curl creams will have hold and moisturizing ingredients. Complimented with a nourishing cleansing and conditioning regimen, the right curl maker can add pizazz to your mane with no rollers, rods, or extra styling necessary.
It can take a bit of trial and error to discover that holy grail product that hydrates and shapes your curls to perfection. To help narrow your search, check out 17 of the best curly hair products that give curl type 3 and 4 spirals beautiful hold.
1Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker
Curl Maker, $22, Camille Rose Naturals
A staple in my wash and go regimen, the Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker is a smooth jelly that gives maximum hold to curls. Enriched with vitamin E and B-12, nettle root, and aloe juices, it promotes healthy hair growth as it defines.
2Miss Jessie's Coily Custard
Coily Custard, $14, Miss Jessies
Use this anti-frizz custard on even the kinkiest type 4 hair for loose, moisturized curls. Scrunch it through your mane to stimulate your curl pattern or use it with a diffuser for big hair.
3Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Curl Enhancing Smoothie, $13, Ulta
Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a cult favorite for a reason. It moisturizes, tames frizzies, and gives soft hold to misbehaving curls like no other.
4Andre Walker Hair Beautiful Kinks Styling Creme Gelee
Beautiful Kinks Styling Creme Gelee, $16, Target
My corkscrew texture is no match for Andre Walker Hair's Beautiful Kinks Creme. It transforms my normally tight coils into a stretched and curly masterpiece with no flaky residue left behind.
5Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
Coconut Curling Cream, $6, Sally Beauty
At such an affordable price point, Cantu's Coconut Curling Cream is heavenly. Formulated without harsh ingredients, this thick definer leaves hair soft, manageable, and noticeably shinier. Plus, it smells great!
6Wonder Curl Get Set Hair Jelly
Get Set Hair Jelly, $15, Wonder Curl
Expect to see miraculous results with this aloe vera rich hair jelly. It fights humidity and slicks even the unruliest strands with a strong hold that'll last all day.
7Jessi Curl Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion
Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion, $17, Jessi Curl
Turn waves into full blown curls with the Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion. It's seriously witchcraft the way it defines textured hair.
8Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme
Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme, $9, Sally Beauty
There's not a moisturizing agent you won't find within this curl cream. It's formulated with aloe juices, coconut milk, avocado oil, and more for the ultimate hydration.
9Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly
Blueberry Bliss CURL Control Jelly, $18, Curls Biz
A little goes a long way with Curls' Control Jelly. I can never get enough of its blueberry scent and the way it makes my coils shine. For strong hold, make this curl enhancer and growth stimulant your go-to.
10Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
Curling Custard, $13, Target
Enhance your natural texture like never before with a product like the Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. Yet another strong-hold gel, it's sure to make your styling efforts withstand the elements.
11Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Gel
Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel, $26, Ulta
Great for type 3 hair, the Curl Quencher Gel features moisturizing emollients that hydrates the thirstiest strands. It's practically a conditioner and styler in one.
12Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme
Coffee-Coco Curl Creme, $28, Amazon
Formulated to take the place of a leave-in, this curl cream is a styler that moisturizes using exotic oils and natural ingredients. Try it after cleansing or co-washing and watch it perform hair miracles.
13Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel
Olive Oil Styling Gel, $6, Amazon
Eco Styler Gel seriously does it all. Popularly used as a edge control gel for laying baby hairs and slaying sleek styles, it also works for defining your texture. It contains pure olive oil for conditioning so feel free to run it through wash and go hair to make your curls last much longer.
14Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer
Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer, $16, Alikay Naturals
Moisture, moisture, moisture is what the Shea Yogurt is all about. Banish dryness, breakage, and tangles with this creamy dream that gives moisture therapy to your texture without build-up.
15DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler
SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler, $21, Amazon
Just think of the three S's when it comes to Deva Curl's SuperCream. A coconut oil infused styler that softens, shapes, and smooths curly textures, it's a must-have with a dreamy scent.
16ORS Curls Unleashed Curl Defining Creme
Curl Defining Creme, $10, Sally Beauty
Coconut, sweet almond, and safflower oils make this cream just as nourishing as it is great for elongating tight coils. Free of mineral oils, you can count on it to truly smooth your texture.
17Creme Of Nature Argan Buttermilk Leave-In Hair Milk
Buttermilk Leave-In Hair Milk, $8, Sally Beauty
If there's one thing I use daily, it's the Creme of Nature Argan Buttermilk. It's the one product I can count on to hydrate my strands and keep them super soft. There's not one person I haven't shocked when I said all I did was dampen my hair and distribute this leave-in throughout my mane for a big, super curly fro. It's seriously magic!
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It's going to take some experimentation, but trust that your elixir for frizz-free, bomb.com curls is out there. Your natural hair journey continues!