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  3. 10 Best Curl Creams 2023 | UK Hair Specialist Reviewed
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10 Best Curl Creams 2023 | UK Hair Specialist Reviewed

Those among us with naturally curly and wavy hair will know that it can be both a blessing and a curse. While it’s a serious ego boost to be the envy of your straight-haired friends, preventing your waves from turning into a frizzy mess can be a real nightmare. Curl creams offer an easy way to style and maintain shiny, bouncy locks, so don’t tear your hair out sifting through endless products, try a curl cream instead!

This comprehensive guide explains every benefit of investing in a curl cream - including explanations on the best ingredients - to strengthen, moisturise, and define your curls covering curl types 2 to 4. We have handpicked our favourite products from brands such as Maui Moisture and Curlsmith to bring you the best investments on the UK market.
Last updated 06/02/2023
UK Curly Girl
Expert
Hair Blogger and Entrepreneur
UK Curly Girl

Shannon of UK Curly Girl is a natural curly hair blogger, YouTuber and owner of 'O So Curly'. She's a huge fan of natural beauty and hair products, and a self-proclaimed 'product junkie'.

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Table of Contents

With Specialist Advice From UK Curly Girl

With Specialist Advice From UK Curly Girl

Shannon of UK Curly Girl is a naturally curly hair blogger, YouTuber and owner of brand 'O So Curly'. She's a huge fan of natural beauty and hair products, and a self-proclaimed 'product junkie'.


With a gorgeous head of curls herself, she's previously shared her favourite curly hair accessories and deep conditioners with us, so we thought we'd ask her to share some pointers to think about when buying curl creams, too! 

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What Is a Curl Cream?

What Is a Curl Cream?
A curl cream is a type of hair styling product used to fight frizz and define curls. Unlike other styling products like gels or mousses, curl creams add moisture to the hair by penetrating the shaft, rather than just sitting on top and giving the illusion of smoother locks.


Their nourishing and conditioning properties prevent your hair from looking limp without leaving it feeling sticky or crunchy. Using a curl cream as a follow-up product after washing your hair can help you cut down on heat styling and aids in detangling particularly unruly tresses.

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How to Choose a Curl Cream in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Pick A Curl Cream Which Will Match Your Hair Type 
  2. Think About What Ingredients Will Benefit Your Hair The Most 
1

Choose the Right Curling Cream for Your Hair by Matching It to Your Hair Type

Choose the Right Curling Cream for Your Hair by Matching It to Your Hair Type

Type 2 Hair: If You’re Hair Falls in Loose Waves, Pick a Cream Designed That Aims to Reduce Frizz

Hair that falls in loose waves is classified as curl type 2. Type 2 hair isn’t as dry as other curl types making it more resilient and less prone to breakage. While individuals with type 2 hair don’t require the same degree of moisturisation as type 3 or 4s, wavy hair still tends to become frizzy easily. For type 2s, we recommend products with light moisturisation that are designed to combat frizzy hair.
UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

Type 2 hair is usually prone to frizz so you want to use products that will help to combat it. You'll find water-based products with ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, jojoba oil and natural oils great for this. You can then top it off with a moisturising curl gel or custard/jelly to define and hold the curl pattern in place - leaving no room for frizz!

Type 3 Hair: For Those With Corkscrew Curls, Opt For a Cream That Contains Moisturising Ingredients

Curl type 3 hair refers to corkscrew or spiral curls that follow either an “s” or “z” pattern. Those with type 3 hair tend to suffer from dryness more than type 2s and may find their locks often become dull or tangled. Type 3s will want to look for products with medium moisturisation that define curls to prevent hair from becoming knotted or tangled.
UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

My hair loves a curl cream with slip! This helps with detangling and defining the hair all in one, use curl creams that are thick but yet have a more water-based feel than a creamy natural shea butter feel. This will help with the detangling and when applied in sections you'll be sure to get defined results.

Type 4 Hair: Tightly Coiled or Coarse Hair? Opt For Creams to Hydrate and Elongate Curls

Those with curl type 4 have coarse or very tightly coiled hair. Type 4 hair is prone to becoming extremely dry making it the most fragile of all hair types. Type 4s may also experience hair shrinkage, where the lengths of the hair appear shorter due to the curls’ tendency to coil up extra tightly. Products that offer a high level of hydration elongate curls to minimise the effects of shrinkage.
UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

With this hair type, you will often have thicker and naturally dryer hair. Due to this, you will want to opt for the curl creams that are more like butter, look out for ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter and mango butter as these will help to seal in the much-needed moisture your curls need.

2

Check for Key Ingredients That Moisturise, De-Frizz and Define Curls

Check for Key Ingredients That Moisturise, De-Frizz and Define Curls

For Dry Hair: Look Out for Moisturising Ingredients Such as Shea Butter and Plant-Based Oils

Curly hair is more prone to becoming dry and frizzy than straight hair because of the way it grows. The shape of the hair follicle determines the curvature of the strand; symmetrical follicles produce straight strands, whereas asymmetrical follicles produce curls.


Unfortunately, this asymmetry inhibits the natural oils secreted by the scalp from fully coating each strand. Furthermore, the uneven shape creates areas where the cuticle is lifted, leaving the internal structure of the hair exposed and vulnerable to damage. Some highly moisturising ingredients to look for on the label are shea butter, and rich plant-based oils such as coconut, avocado and olive.


For more products which will help curly hair looking and feeling healthy, why not look at our recommendations for the best shampoos, conditioners and hair dryer diffusers for curly hair!

UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

Avocado is not just only great for your body, but has amazing benefits for your hair! This is why you will find many avocado masques and deep conditioners on the market or in DIY hair care recipes. Mixing both avocado and olive oil together is a match made in heaven! The 2 combined will give moisture to dry hair but also strengthen it thanks to its protein.

Adding Definition: Find Products That Contain Aloe Vera

Using products that define individual curls makes the hair appear healthier and fuller. Uneven, flyaway strands not only become tangled more easily but cause your hair to lose its shape, leaving it looking less like a crown of ringlets and more like a mop.


The pulp or gel of the aloe vera plant is incredibly sticky, making it a fantastic natural alternative to chemical styling products. It provides a medium hold and washes out easily with moisturising properties that leave curls feeling light and bouncy.

UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

I love Aloe Vera for a hair moisturiser! I have used it straight from the Aloe plant onto my curls whilst damp to give my hair definition with a soft hold and it works wonders (however it can get messy!). Luckily, there are many products that include Aloe Vera as a key ingredient. Its slip is unmatched so if you are looking for 100% natural ways to style your hair, this plant is the one for you!

For Battling Humidity: Opt For Creams That Contain Polyquaterniums to Add a Barrier to Your Hair Strands

Humidity plays havoc on curly hair – all too often you spend ages perfecting your hairdo just to have it ruined by the weather. Curly hair is also particularly porous, so when it’s humid the hair fibres set about absorbing water particles from the air, which in turn alters the structure of the strand.


Polyquaternium is the name given to a category of large, positively charged molecules called polymers that are used in cosmetics and grooming products. The positively charged polyquats are attracted to the negative charge of our hair, which forms a strong electrostatic bond.


This interaction creates a protective barrier along the surface of the hair, which prevents moisture from getting in and helps to retain the shape and structure of the curl in humid weather. So, keep an eye out for products with polymers, listed in the ingredients as “polyquaternium-” followed by a number, such as polyquaternium-37.

UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

Polyquaterniums are great for protecting your curls from the humidity! When I travel to Florida often my hair reacts badly to the humidity causing a lot of dryness and frizz but if I opt for products like polyquats I get better results! These coat the hair strand preventing the humidity from getting into the hair, they help to maintain the oils and water in your products.

Strengthening Brittle Hair: Find Products Containing Silk Proteins Such as Keratin, Jojoba and Wheat Protein

If you find your hair to be brittle and prone to breaking, it could be because it’s lacking in protein. Our hair is made from a type of protein called keratin, and each cuticle is made up of tiny keratin bonds. Gaps between keratin bonds cause the hair to become brittle, making it easier for lengths to snap off.


Curly hair, especially very kinky hair that follows a zig-zag pattern, is more likely to have breaks in the keratin along the shaft. Silk protein strengthens the hair by filling in the gaps between the keratin bonds, thus repairing the cuticle and helping it to resist breakage. Other hair-strengthening proteins you can keep an eye out for include jojoba protein and wheat protein.

UK Curly Girl
Hair Blogger and EntrepreneurUK Curly Girl

Dry brittle curly hair can be a nightmare to live with, when you have heat, colour or chemical damage your curls become weak and often you will find it even harder to apply moisture. 


Silk protein can help to combat that as it will repair the hair bonds from the inside which, in turn, over time allows the hair to become smoother and open to accepting moisture. You can find this in many protein strong treatments and deep conditioners, be sure to read the instructions as if not used correctly you can end up damaging your hair further.

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10 Best Curl Creams in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Maui Moisture

Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie 1枚目

The Best Creamy, Coconut-Based Curl Cream for All Hair Types

2

Curlsmith

Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream

Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream 1枚目

A Highly Moisturising Leave-in Conditioner and Primer That’s Rich in Natural Oils

3

Shea Moisture

Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie 1枚目

A Curl Cream With Silk Protein to Strengthen Weak or Damaged Hair

4

Cantu

Coconut Curling Cream｜Shea Butter for Natural Hair

Cantu Coconut Curling Cream 1枚目

An Intensely Hydrating Curl Cream for Dry and Brittle Hair, Packed With Nourishing Ingredients

5

Texture My Way

Keep It Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding

Texture My Way Keep It Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding 1枚目

A Non-greasy Super Lightweight Cream That Won’t Cause Build-up

6

Tigi Bed Head

Foxy Curls Contour Cream

Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Contour Cream 1枚目

An Anti-humidity Styling Cream That Provides Heat Protection and Medium Hold

7

Aunt Jackies

Curl La La Defining Curl Custard

Aunt Jackies Curl La La Defining Curl Custard 1枚目

A Curl Defining Absorbent Cream to Revive Wet or Dry Limp Hair

8

DevaCurl

Supercream Coconut Curl Styler Hair Cream

DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler Hair Cream 1枚目

A Premium All-In-One Curl Cream to Detangle, Define and Calm Frizz

9

Twisted Sista

Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel

Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel 1枚目

A Curling Gel With a Powerful 48 Hour Hold and Extra Moisturising Ingredients

10

Noughty

Wave Hello Curl Taming Cream

Noughty Wave Hello Curl Taming Cream 1枚目

A Lightweight Styling Cream for Wavy Hair to Reduce Volume and Frizz

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Maui MoistureCurl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie Image 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£8.99
    • Reference price
    £8.99

    The Best Creamy, Coconut-Based Curl Cream for All Hair Types

    The excellent Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie is a creamy coconut-based formula for thick hair. Knots and tangling can be exhausting for those with long or thick curls, but dab a bit of this curl cream on after washing and you will be amazed how easily your fingers glide through your hair.

    This product has something for every need and every hair type, whether you are looking for hydration, definition or anti-frizz. Use this curl cream in the shower for an intensely hydrating 3-minute conditioning mask or apply a small amount to damp hair to use as a leave-in treatment.
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    No.2

    Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream

    Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £22.00
    • Reference price
    £22.00

    A Highly Moisturising Leave-in Conditioner and Primer That’s Rich in Natural Oils

    Although this curl cream is one of the more expensive options on the list, with Curlsmith’s Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream a little goes a long way. Rich in shea butter, coconut and olive oil this product makes the perfect intense leave-in conditioner for dry hair.

    The ingredients in this product are organic, vegan and cruelty-free. Better yet, unlike some other deep conditioning creams on the market, this one won’t cause build-up making it suitable for use as a primer or with other hair care and styling products.
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    No.3

    Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

    Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £12.99
    • Reference price
    £12.99

    A Curl Cream With Silk Protein to Strengthen Weak or Damaged Hair

    The fact that this product is described as a smoothie rather than a cream will probably give you a good idea of its luxurious texture. Shea Moisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie gives you gorgeous defined curls leaving behind the sweet, tropical aroma of coconut and hibiscus.

    This curl cream contains silk protein to strengthen and protect weak and damaged hair. A great alternative to gel and a fantastic styling cream for corkscrew curls, twist-outs and braids. For the best results apply to dry or slightly damp hair.
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    No.4

    Cantu Coconut Curling Cream ｜ Shea Butter for Natural Hair

    Coconut Curling Cream Image 1
    Source：boots.com
    Reference price
    £7.99
    • Reference price
    £7.99

    An Intensely Hydrating Curl Cream for Dry and Brittle Hair, Packed With Nourishing Ingredients

    A good choice for type 4s, Cantu’s Shea Butter for Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream is filled with nourishing ingredients to moisturise and protect fragile hair. Intensely conditioning, this curl cream contains coconut oil, avocado oil and shea butter for natural rehydration.

    With no chemicals or harsh ingredients, this cream leaves behind a light and pleasant fragrance to keep hair smelling great between washes. Smooth straight onto damp hair to help elongate curls and reduce further shrinkage.
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    No.5

    Texture My Way Keep It Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding

    Keep It Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £6.98
    • Reference price
    £6.98

    A Non-greasy Super Lightweight Cream That Won’t Cause Build-up

    If you’re fed up of greasy products that cause build-up, Texture My Way Keep It Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding is the one for you. Over-washing strips hair of its natural oils and devastates already dry hair, but with this cream, you’ll be able to go longer between washes while keeping curls bouncy and looking great.

    This super-lightweight product with the texture of crème caramel beautifully defines and elongates curls to stop shrinkage letting you show off your length. To use, apply generously to wet or dry hair and massage in, starting from the scalp and working the product down evenly to fully coat the lengths of the hair.
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    No.6

    Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Contour Cream

    Foxy Curls Contour Cream Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £6.72
    • Reference price
    £6.72

    An Anti-humidity Styling Cream That Provides Heat Protection and Medium Hold

    Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Contour Cream is a great option when it comes to styling. This curl cream provides a medium hold without leaving hair feeling sticky or heavy. Best of all, the anti-humidity formula stops your ‘do from turning frizzy on even the dampest of days!

    This curl cream offers heat protection making it suitable for use with a diffuser and other heat styling tools. If you prefer to let your hair air dry, Tigi’s Foxy Curls Contour Cream also works as a second-day style extender to freshen up your curls and redefine shape.
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    No.7

    Aunt Jackies Curl La La Defining Curl Custard

    Curl La La Defining Curl Custard Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £7.30
    • Reference price
    £7.30

    A Curl Defining Absorbent Cream to Revive Wet or Dry Limp Hair

    Aunt Jackie’s incredibly versatile Curl La La Defining Curl Custard can be used on wet or dry hair and is suitable for use with heat styling tools. Use this curl cream to set your style after washing or for reviving limp hair. The highly absorbent formula means you can use as much or as little as you need without it caking or drying and flaking.

    While type 2s with loose wavy hair probably won’t get a lot out of this product, we recommend the Curl La La Defining Curl Custard for type 3s and 4s with tight curls looking for an all-purpose leave-in conditioner and styling cream.
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    No.8

    DevaCurlSupercream Coconut Curl Styler Hair Cream

    Supercream Coconut Curl Styler Hair Cream Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £31.98
    • Reference price
    £31.98

    A Premium All-In-One Curl Cream to Detangle, Define and Calm Frizz

    This high-end all-in-one curl cream may carry a premium price tag, but for those willing to spend a bit more DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler hair Cream is certainly worth it. With only a tiny amount, this product detangles, defines, calms frizz, moisturises and strengthens.

    This curl cream has a myriad of different applications. For use on wet, dry or damp hair, apply it just out the shower or use it to fluff up second or third-day curls. If it’s volume you’re after, glide the product through your hair and shake at the root or try with a diffuser for added oomph!
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    No.9

    Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel

    Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £8.05
    • Reference price
    £8.05

    A Curling Gel With a Powerful 48 Hour Hold and Extra Moisturising Ingredients

    If you’re looking for a styling product that provides powerful hold, check out Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel. A fusion that combines the benefits of a curl cream and a gel, this product keeps curls in place for up to 48 hours while infusing moisture from coconut, avocado and almond oil.

    A great choice for those with wavy curl textures, type 2s and 3s and individuals with thin or fine hair looking to prevent frizz and add definition. Bear in mind that this product is more styling gel than it is nourishing cream, so it’s less suited for use as a leave-in conditioner and may be too harsh for dry or brittle hair.
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    No.10

    Noughty Wave Hello Curl Taming Cream

    Wave Hello Curl Taming Cream Image 1
    Source：amazon.co.uk
    Reference price
    £5.99
    • Reference price
    £5.99

    A Lightweight Styling Cream for Wavy Hair to Reduce Volume and Frizz

    Noughty’s Wave Hello Curl Taming Cream is a lightweight styling product for those looking to reduce volume and frizz. Best suited to type 2s and 3s with fine rather than coarse hair, Noughty’s QuinOxy formula creates a barrier that traps moisture and protects against humidity.

    This curl cream doesn’t offer much in the way of added moisturisation, which isn’t ideal if you have very dry hair. However, if you are prone to greasier locks, then it may just be the product for you, as it will keep strands in place without adding any extra oils!
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions
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    Do Curl Creams Work on Straight Hair?

    On their own, curl creams do not work with straight hair. As curl cream has been formulated to enhance curls, the product is not suited for those with straight hair. In fact, using a formulation such as this may weigh your hair down and not give you the desired look. 

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    How Much Curl Cream Should You Use?

    Balance is key. Too little won’t spread right and too much won’t sink in, leaving your hair oily later in the day. Aim for a ratio of 2:1 water to curl cream or 3:1 if your hair is particularly fine. Of course, it may take a little bit of trial and error.

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    Can You Use Curl Creams Everyday?

    Never say never, but using a curl cream too often may lead your hair to become heavy. So our advice is to use it sparingly, 1 or 2 times a week should suffice. Though if you see benefits in using it every day, there’s no need to stop!

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    Written and researched by Wren Mann

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    Top 5 Curl Creams

    No. 1: Maui Moisture｜Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

    No. 2: Curlsmith ｜Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream

    No. 3: Shea Moisture ｜Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

    No. 4: Cantu ｜Coconut Curling Cream｜Shea Butter for Natural Hair

    No. 5: Texture My Way ｜Keep It Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding

    View Full Ranking

    When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
    The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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