Make your curls and coils POP with our top defining product picks.
Looking for a product that will define your natural curl pattern? There are so many gels, custards and curl creams, that it can be confusing and frustrating to find the right one, so we’ve put together a list of our favorite top curl definers. Remember: no two heads of hair are the same, even if they fall in the same curl category. What works for thin 4b hair may not work for thick 4b hair, and what you thought wouldn’t work on your hair texture turns out to be a holy grail!
1. Tigi Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier
Tigi’s Curls Rock Amplifier has the texture of a creamy hair lotion. Curlies with different curl patterns love it and agree on one thing: you only need about a pea-sized amount to get defined hair. If you apply too much to each section, expect crunchy curls! Make sure to use your favorite leave-in conditioner underneath so the styler doesn’t dry out your hair.
Curls Rock Amplifier; $16.95
MORE: Curl Clumping Tutorial
2. Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
Most naturals tell us that Kinky-Curly Curling Custard is a tough product to master. It’s full of nourishing botanicals like agave nectar extract, aloe vera juice and marshmallow, and has a very slippery and goopy texture. A little goes a long way, as it instantly clumps and smoothes your coils. Expect extremely shiny and springy coils. Although it works best on very tight, coarse coils in the “4” category, it might pack too much of a punch for loose curls. Be sure to pair it with a leave in conditioner like Kinky-Curly Knot Today.
3. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Gel
The Ouidad brand is on many a holy grail list and it’s because their products don’t make you choose between defined and moisturized hair – you can have both! Meadowfoam seed oil helps hydrate and clump, leaving you with juicy curls. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Gel is great for thick type 3 curls.
Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Gel; $22
MORE: Using Olive Oil for Hair
4. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
It’s dense, rich, and packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and coconut oil. If you don’t like the crunch of gels, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie provides a more natural, touchable look. Since it’s not a gel, it might be difficult to define tighter coils and springs. Those with looser curls can expect soft, shiny, and light curls instead of the wet, heavy look that gels might give.
5. AG Re:coil
Re:coil is a creamy, lightweight frizz fighter. Those who’ve had great results gush about bouncy, shiny, carefree curls. Those who had to pass said it wasn’t heavy enough for coarser hair textures. In humid months, use it under your favorite gel to keep the frizzies at bay. As it gets colder, it’s great as a standalone product.
AG Re:coil; $18
6. Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper
Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper is a water-based styler fights frizz and gently clumps curls, so those with thick, 3b and up hair may want to pair it with a gel for more definition and hold. It’s smooth like a serum, but creates definition like a gel. If you don’t like layering products or it doesn’t take much to define your waves or curls, give Curl Keeper a try. You can reactivate it with water as the week progresses!
7. Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls
Give Quick Curls a try if you have waves and loose curls or fine, thin curlier hair. It’s a light cream, so it won’t weigh down your hair. If your hair regimen has more scrunching than meticulous raking and finger styling, your hair might love this product.
MORE: Miss Jessie’s Videos
8. Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme
Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme combines the moisturizing benefits of a leave-in conditioner with the smoothing and holding properties of a gel. It’s lighter than dense creams or stiff gels, and can act as your leave-in and styler in one! Those with 3c-4a hair seem to love this product. Give it a try if you want a light, bouncy wash and go.
9. Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue
A lot thicker than Quick Curls, Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue is meant for dense, thick heads of highly textured hair! The Miss Jessie’s website says this medium hold styling cream is perfect for “pogo stick oingy boingy curls”. Rake and smooth it onto your hair section by section and watch the curls bounce back!
10. Curls Curl Gel-les’C
Curls Curl Gel-les’C is a very lightweight, serum-like gel, perfect for preventing frizz on looser curls and defining fine (as opposed to coarse), tight coils. If you need high hold and staying power, this might be better to use on top of a conventional gel.
Curls Curl Gel-les’C; $25
MORE: Curly Hair Growth Chart
This entry was posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 at 2:15 pm and is filed under Curly Hair (Type 3a), hairstyles, Kinky Hair (Type 4a), Products. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Kinky Curly Custard works the best for my 4a hair. I’ve tried Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls and Merengue and both worked ok, but didn’t define my curls as well as Kinky Curly. Also Miss Jessie’s products would leave my hair feeling a little dry because they contain “-cones” in the ingredients.
August 25th, 2010 at 9:49 am
right on – love Ouidad climate control gel and agree with the Tigi amplifier. both of these are sooo great for by 2C beachy waves. great recommendations!
August 25th, 2010 at 9:52 am
I think that list needs Spiral Solutions Curl enhancing Jelly.
I also like flaxseed gelee for this…and that folks can make at HOME cheaply! And customize as needed.
Re:coil really works well for me in this regard.
August 25th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I am a cotton head nothing really works for my head..I use to hate my cotton hair but I have gotten use to it now…I just keep in condtioned really good and wear a afro puff must of the time.
August 29th, 2010 at 10:01 am
I’ve had great success with LA Looks Sports Gel. It gives great definition and it’s CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!
August 29th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Curl Junkie: Curls in a Bottle!!!!
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:53 am
I wonder what the best product is for 2c hair type?…..I can never find a product to define curls
HELP PLEASE.
October 12th, 2012 at 5:56 am
I define my 4c curls with a mixture of shea butter and other oils whipped together on wet hair. It gives me a friz-free well defined twist-outs
October 14th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Honorable mention to Motions Naturally You “Define My Curls Creme”….hands down the best I’ve tried so far, gives definition and brilliant shine on my 4C hair!
April 18th, 2013 at 3:48 am
every beautiful woman a essential temperament Handbags
http://www.myhandbagsshoes.com/
Myhandbagsshoes.com wholesale cheap replica handbags,shoes,wallets,belts,sunglasse,the brand including louis vuitton,hermes,dior,fendi,prada,celine,miu miu,christian louboutin,etc.