We’ve all been there: frozen in the drugstore natural hair care section, starring at all the custards, creams, butters, mousses, and gels. It’s a lot of work trying to decipher what each one is and what they actually do for your unique natural curls and coils.
Knowing what curly hair products to use and when isn’t always just about the product, it also depends on your individual hair texture, curl pattern, density, and porosity. As such, there can be a lot of trial and error involved when it comes to trying new products.
We get it and we want to help. A good place to start is with a lush formula like our Moisture Miracle Curling Cream to add shine, moisture and definition to curls and coils. Unfortunately, no matter how great a product might be, if you’re not using natural hair curling creams in the most optimal way, you won’t be getting the best results.
Make sure you are getting the most out of your curling cream with our expert tips and tricks. Plus, learn more about what differentiates curling creams from other textured hair products and why it’s important to add one to your natural hair care arsenal.
What is Curling Cream?
When it comes to categorizing natural hair products there are certain “families” that exist. These are broad groupings such as cleansers, conditioners, moisturizers, stylers, and serums. For example, things like gels, pomades, and mousses generally fall under stylers.
Hair milks, butters, and hydrating mists are usually considered moisturizers. The lines are often blurred when it comes to creams, custards, and puddings because many of them are highly moisturizing stylers, intended to both hydrate and hold your curls. Each product’s thickness, texture, and water content can influence the balance between styler and moisturizer.
Curling creams with hold are often used as gels, but their consistency and intense hydration actually makes them closer to conditioners. Both creams and gels coat the hair to set styles and seal in moisture, but gel forms a stronger cast around each strand. That’s why hair gels often give your strands that unpleasant crunchy texture.
Creams however, give hair a more thin, flexible hold to keep curls and coils soft and bouncy. Creams also condition and moisturize the hair shaft from inside out, taming frizz and smoothing cuticles to prevent tangling.
Why do I Need Curling Cream?
What makes hair creams so well, creamy, is the combination of oil and water. Just as you need to moisturize your skin to keep it from getting ashy or flaky, your hair needs the same TLC. This is especially true for type 3 and type 4 curly girls since our strands tend to get super dry and need as much nourishment as possible.
In addition to providing deep hydration, the purpose of a curl cream is to define your unique curl pattern. Actually, they don’t just define but enhance your curls to make them the very best they can be.
A curling cream is the ideal mixture of moisture and hold to style and refresh dry textures like curls and coils while simultaneously hydrating your thirsty strands.
Getting the Most Out of Moisture Miracle Curling Cream
Curling cream is almost like a second conditioner and you shouldn’t be afraid to apply it all over strands and really work it into your curls. Unlike conditioners however, creams will provide curl definition and hold which makes them a worthy addition to your natural hair care arsenal.
There are an abundance of natural hairstyles you can create with curling cream. We might be biased but we love our nourishing formula to provide deep moisture and radiant shine without weighing down your curls.
How to Use Curling Cream For a Wash-n-Go
One of the best (and easiest) ways to use a curling cream is for a simple wash and go. Most curl creams can be applied to dry or wet hair which makes the styling opportunities endless, but we prefer using it on very wet strands.
Curl creams work best on very wet hair because it allows the product to be applied more evenly. Immediately after rinsing out your conditioner, skip towel-drying and instead, apply curling cream while hair is still wet. If your hair has dried in the time it takes you to get out of the shower, use a spray bottle to rewet the hair evenly first.
Using a generous amount of Moisture Miracle Curling Cream, rake (never scrunch!) it through hair with fingers or a wide tooth comb, working the product from your roots to ends. Once it’s evenly distributed through hair, you can gently scrunch out excess water.
This method helps you get the best version of your curls since they are smoothest when they’re wet. Once you’ve got your curls fully coated in the cream, don’t touch them too much as they dry, otherwise you might cause them to frizz.
Air dry or gently blow dry hair with a diffuser on a low setting, then you can fluff it to your liking. It’s common to use a bit of gel on top of a curling cream that isn’t strong enough, but a defining formula like ours has enough hold to keep your curls in place all day. This curly queen’s video tutorial shows how to properly apply the product and let’s you see the beautiful results.
How to Style With Curling Cream
While we love a good wash and go, there are tons of other standout natural hairstyles you can get with curling creams. No matter what hairstyle you’re going for, start by following the same steps laid out above for a wash and go.
However, when using curling cream to style hair into more intricate looks, rub the cream formula between your fingers before applying to hair and run through with fingers instead of a comb.
Then, instead of drying and fluffing your curls, work your hair into your favorite style. One of the quickest is going to be virtually any type of twist. This awesome flat twist out tutorial shows how to use our Moisture Miracle Curling Cream for maximum hold and moisture.
For a variation on the wash and go, add a small French braid or a few cornrows on the side of your head for that extra oomph. You can also use curling cream to moisturize and define your curls, then throw them on top of your head into a flirty pineapple puff and leave two strands hanging out above your ears.
Whether you’re a curling cream newbie or have bathroom cabinets full of curly hair products, it’s important to remember that the application is almost just as important as the product formula itself.
Proper cream etiquette and use will ensure your curls and coils remain free from frizz while looking fly. Happy curling!
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at care@africanpride.com