These Curl Creams Will Keep Your Waves Frizz-Free (2024)

There's something undeniably alluring about curls that sit just so and bounce about with your every move. But any curly girl knows that managing said ringlets is a lifelong struggle to find not only the right cut, but also the right products to suit your hair type.

When caring for curls, it all starts with scalp health, says master stylist Ona Diaz-Santin, owner of 5 Salon Spa in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Use a gentle shampoo at least a few times per month to rid the scalp of buildup that can affect the overall health of your hair. Then, consider using a hydrating mask before conditioning and detangling. Finally, don't be afraid to use a curl cream generously, says Diaz-Santin.

Curly hair can be very porous and dry, explains Devin Toth, a stylist at Salon SCK in New York City. "The purpose of curl cream is to nourish your hair—it helps keep it conditioned, smooth, supple, defined, and smooth," he says. But don't expect them to eliminate frizz altogether. "Curl creams will manage your flyaways without sacrificing any of your natural texture or body," adds stylist Allyson Carter. "Their main function is to provide definition to your curls, allowing them to take on their natural curl pattern."

To properly use a curl cream, don't towel-dry or apply any other products first, says Toth. Apply the cream directly to wet hair, brushing it through your locks using a wide-tooth brush or comb for even distribution.

Of course, you'll need to stock the right products first. "When buying a curl cream, look for products that contain ingredients that fall under the Curly Girl Method (CGM) guidelines," says Toth. "That pretty much excludes products that contain harmful chemicals and ingredients like sulphates, silicones, and parabens." Here, more than a dozen stylist-recommended curl creams you'll want to reach for over and over again.

"Most curly products cater to thick hair, but this cream works great for fine hair, too," says Toth. When it comes to defining curls, it's a real miracle worker, he says. Plus, it smells great.

No matter your hair type, this cream is ideal for definition and control, says stylist Keri Breanne. Just be sure to adjust the amount you're using accordingly—if you have finer hair, use less; thicker hair, use more.

This lightweight formula contains avocado, apricot, and coconut oils to hydrate and nourish curls without leaving curls crunchy, says Carter. Instead, you'll end up with soft, defined curls with all-day frizz control.

If you have thick, coarse, or generally unruly hair, this is a nice, heavy cream that help tame types 3A to 4C, plus adds shine, says Breanne. Just don't try to use it on fine hair, she cautions—it will feel more like a conditioner and unnecessarily weigh hair down.

Toth says this is a great-smelling cream that encourages curls into their natural shape, plus boosts volume—without crunch.

When looking for a curl cream, look for one without heavy oils or butters that can weigh down hair, says stylist Nycole Jones. This cream has more of a water base to soften and add shine but still let your curl's natural shape reign.

This affordable pick has more than 12,000 reviews on Amazon for good reason—stylists say it restores moisture and controls frizz to keep curls bouncy and soft.

A lightweight product that activates curls while providing definition and movement, says Breanne. It's great for the summer, since it's resistant to humidity and reduces frizz by as much as 50 percent. It also helps with UV and free radical pollution protection, she says.

Formulated with rice amino acids, avocado oil, and tomato fruit ferment, this leave-in curl cream boosts hydration, reduces frizz, and provides plenty of control but still leaves strands soft and flexible, says Jones.

If your 2A to 3A curls don't need a lot of help, you'll love this defining and frizz-reducing cream, says Breanne. It's also great for anyone sensitive to fragrances, since it has a natural scent.

For individuals with fine, thin curls, this lightweight, non-greasy formula will provide plenty of control and humidity resistance, says Breanne. It also adds plenty of softness and shine without weighing curls down too much.

When you want a really strong hold, you'll love this cream. It has all the benefits of a true gel but won't leave curls crunchy.

For thick hair that needs the strongest hold possible, Diaz-Santin says you'll get bouncy, frizz-free curls by applying this cream to hair liberally.

If versatility is what you're after, that's exactly what you'll get in this curl cream. "It can be used to create a multitude of styles, not just defining curls," says cosmetologist Stephanie Ayler. "It can even be used as an edge control."

Budget-friendly doesn't mean supbar, and this curling cream proves it. Ayler calls it "amazing," saying it provides ample moisture and hold.

Have damaged or dry hair? Try this curl cream, since it contains proteins and butters that soften and hydrate even the most parched heat- or color-treated hair.

Struggling with split ends or hair that just doesn't seem to grow? This is a high-quality and ultra-moisturizing formula that helps with length retention, says Ayler.