Curl Cream Top 10
Which curl creams emerge as the top products in our 2024 test? Here you can find our top 10 in direct comparison plus valuable tips on how to use them!
Curl cream test
Beautiful natural curls are a wonderful thing! Unfortunately, they can also be quite stubborn and unruly. People who wear curly hair often suffer from dry ends, frizzy strands and a lack of shine in their hair! Therefore, the right care products are extremely important, especially for curls, because they need the necessary moisture to always look beautifully defined and shiny.
This works particularly well with a high-quality curling cream – also known as Curl Cream. Here we present our best 10 curl creams in a detailed product test with all the important information!
The 10 best curl creams
1st place: Revlon Curl Cream
We are very pleased to present Revlon - STYLE MASTERS Fanaticurls as our test winner among the 10 best curling creams! This excellent cream has performed outstandingly in our tests and in the experiences of our customers with curls and is therefore our first choice and recommendation for all those who want to create beautiful, defined curls.
Who is it suitable for?
This curl cream is the ideal solution for people with thick, curly or frizzy hair.
Main advantages
- Activation of the curls: The cream shapes and tames curly hair and reduces frizz.
- Maximum control and support: Even with thick hair, it enables optimal structuring of the curls.
- Heat protection: The hair is protected from heat.
- Easy to wash out: The product can be washed out with shampoo without any problems.
Application
Apply a generous amount of Style Masters™ FANATICURLS™ to damp hair. Do not rinse. Allow to air dry or use a diffuser.
Why we recommend it
As an experienced hair salon, we place great value on products that are not only effective, but also reliable. Revlon's curl cream meets all these requirements and more. Not only does it provide shiny, highly defined curls and offer maximum hold and control, but it also protects against moisture and preserves hair colour. Clients in our salon have had consistently positive experiences with this product and we recommend it with full conviction.
With its anti-humidity properties and ability to preserve hair colour, Revlon - STYLE MASTERS Fanaticurls Curl Cream offers an all-in-one solution for anyone who loves and cares for their curls.
In summary, Revlon Curl Cream is the undisputed number one in our ranking of the best curl creams and we are proud to recommend it to our customers and readers alike!
2nd place: Wella SP Styling Polished Waves Curling Cream
This hairdressing product will add elasticity, bounce and beautiful shine to your curls. The curl cream gives your hair a strong hold and optimally models it. It also protects your curls from UV rays and the heat of a hairdryer. This curling cream also has an anti-static effect against flyaway hair. Application: Distribute a small amount of the curl cream in damp or dry hair and style as desired. For extra hold and elasticity, you can dry your hair with the diffuser. If you want more bounce, let them air dry. You can also use the product to add small accents to your curls in dry hair. This curl cream can do practically everything and comes in a popular set of two. Content: 200ml.
- With UV and heat protection up to 200 degrees
- Without sticking
- Perfect styling including styling preparation
3rd Place: Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream
This popular curl cream gives the curls wonderful definition and offers a reliable anti-frizz effect. It transforms unruly, frizzy hair into gorgeous curls with natural bounce. This is ensured by a deep-acting formula made from coconut oil and the purest shea butter. This product is an ideal Hair care for curly and colored or chemically treated hair.
It does not contain any mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, gluten, propylene or paraffin. Application: Simply massage the curling cream evenly into damp hair from the roots to the tips. Do not rinse!
- No aggressive ingredients
- 100% Pure Shea Butter
- Also for colored hair
4th Place: John Frieda Curl Defining Cream
This product with rosehip oil from the Frizz Ease dream curls series gives you flexible, defined curls without any frizz! Unruly hair is tamed with immediate effect and in the long term. The effect lasts for 24 hours. This is ensured by curl-enhancing technology. Your curly mane is really revitalized, balanced and perfectly shaped. In addition, the hair shines particularly beautifully after using this curling cream. This John Frieda product is suitable for both natural and colour-treated hair. For the best possible complement, we recommend using the shampoo and conditioner from the John Frieda Frizz Ease dream curls range.
- With rosehip oil
- Lasts 24 hours
- For natural and colored hair
5th place: TIGI Catwalk by TIGI Curls Rock Amplifier Cream for curly hair
Are you in the mood for curls like on the catwalk? Then this product is just right for you! This cream optimally defines curls and enhances waves. The product also protects the hair from frizz and moisture loss and gives the style long-term hold - even in high humidity. It is also a rich care that provides an almost unreal shine!
Massage product into towel-dried hair from root to tip, then simply wrap hair around fingers to perfectly define curls. The contained vitamins B5 and E are rich in antioxidants and improve the hair texture. The curl cream has the beguiling fragrance "Fresh Nectar Leaf".
- Perfect hold even in high humidity
- Vitamins B5 and E for better hair texture
- Wonderfully intoxicating scent
6th place: Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream
Designed for wavy to frizzy hair, this rich curl cream is a leave-in Conditioner, which provides plenty of moisture, detangles unruly hair as if by itself and effectively combats frizz. With the help of this product, the curls always remain perfectly defined and noticeably soft. The finish looks totally natural and isn't sticky at all. The ingredients are extremely high quality: the product is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The unmistakable and signature Moroccanoil scent is addictive. Promised!
- Spicy amber scent
- Not sticky
- Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids
7th Place: Aunt Jackie's Curl La La Defining Curl Custard
This powerful product ensures natural-looking curls and waves that always look perfectly styled. It defines the head of hair and also provides a lot of moisture thanks to the shea butter and olive oil it contains. It is completely free of aggressive active ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, mineral oils and petrolatum. If you want to give your tired curls a particularly fresh shine, you've come to the right place with this curl cream!
- For a natural yet perfect look
- With shea butter and olive oil
- Free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oils and petrolatum
8th place: Curlsmith - Curl Defining Styling Soufflé
Tired curls? This curl cream is extremely moisturizing and gives your curls and waves new definition to perfection. Once applied, the product forms a protective barrier around your hair that locks in moisture over time, helping to shape the style. The curls may feel a bit harsh when drying, but once dry, all you have to do is gently push the hair upwards to create beautiful curls. Inspired by generations of homemade hair care products, the product contains only natural ingredients. The result is magical!
- Vegan
- Only natural ingredients
- For wavy to curly hair
9th place: Imbue Curl Empowering Creme Gel
This multifunctional curl cream ensures a secure hold, smooth softness and perfect shine. It wraps curls in a hydrating shell that delivers ultimate shine and vibrant bounce. Especially good for hard-to-tame strands. This product is sure to make her completely tame. A small amount that you knead into damp hair is enough for this. Then simply wrap or twist the curls around your fingers. Leave to dry if you like. The curls are particularly well defined if you blow-dry them with a diffuser.
- Vegan
- Fruity fragrance
- Strengthens the hair
10th place: Color Wow Dream Coat Curly Hair Styling Spray
This innovative product is an ultra-light styling spray that, once applied, spreads like a cream over naturally wavy or curly hair, giving it the perfect shape. Curls become shiny, perfectly twisted and crease-free after use. The alcohol-free spray is enriched with an Elasta-Flex, a combination of high-performance polymers that provide the hair with tons of moisture and refresh. The leave-in product combines all the benefits of a gel, serum and cream, making it a classic all-in-one product. Simply apply Dream Coat to damp or towel-dried hair after washing your hair. Then let your hair air dry or use a diffuser accessory blow-dry. Complete!
- non-alcoholic
- Elasta-Flex for lots of moisture
- Anti-Frizz
What does curl cream do to your hair?
A curl cream is there to breathe new life into your tired curls. Thanks to nourishing ingredients, your hair is better supplied with moisture and beautifully supple after each use. A curl cream will also help strengthen your hair and protect it from styling damage. It makes your curls bounce, shine, look more voluminous and much more defined. In addition, most products protect against annoying frizz. If you have wild curly hair, you should definitely not do without regular use of a curl cream!
Benefits of a curl cream in detail
Even if you might think that a curl cream does exactly the same thing as a curl mousse or a gel because of the similar name, there are still some differences or decisive advantages:
Reinforcement of the wave pattern
Whether you have soft waves or ringlets, a curl cream will enhance and define your natural curl pattern. This can be especially helpful if you just want to touch up your curls a bit between washes. Simply dampen the hair slightly, apply the curl cream and comb through from the middle to the tips.
Frizz is slowed down!
Who's in the mood for frizz? Really nobody! Luckily, a good curl cream can help tame frizzy strands all day long. A refresher during the day is no longer necessary!
Long-lasting moisture
Thanks to the high-quality ingredients found in curl creams, your hair will become much more moisturized with every single use. This makes it particularly supple. A curl cream will also help strengthen the hair and protect it from damage.
Radiance
Do your curls usually look dull? You can easily combat the problem with a good curl cream! Because it acts as an effective shine enhancer that smoothes the cuticle layer of the hair. Thus, the moisture can be better transported through the entire hair shaft. The result: Seductive shine!
Grippy hair without “gelcast”
One of the key benefits of a curl cream is that it adds definition to your hair without leaving a so-called "gel cast." If you've used curling gel before, you've probably noticed that it can often make your hair feel stiff. The reason is that the gel simply sets the curls in place by drying after application. This dry layer, also called gelcast, must then be combed out again to get soft curls. You can save yourself this styling step with a curling cream!
Pro tips for defined curls!
Here are a few more valuable tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your curly hair:
- Remove deposits: Even if you use the very best products, you won't see satisfactory results if your hair is weighed down by buildup. Therefore, clean them once a week with a scalp scrub!
- Let your hair air dry: We're big fans of just letting curls air dry. Because as little heat as possible helps to keep the hair healthy. Air drying can also be done overnight: it is best to wrap your hair in a bamboo towel!
- Throw away the brush: Instead of a hairbrush, we recommend using wide-toothed combs or simply using your fingers to detangle your curls. Brushes make hair frizzy. Instead, comb your hair for a few days and you'll quickly notice the difference!
- Beauty sleep for your curls: Did you know that the wrong pillowcase can damage your hair? We recommend a bamboo pillowcase - it can prevent tangles and breakage while you sleep.
Questions and answers
Can I also use a curl cream for straight hair?
A curl cream is made specifically for curly hair and really only works on hair that's already naturally curly or wavy. If you want to breathe new life into your straight strands, use mousse instead!
Are silicone products really that bad for my curls?
Yes, this also applies to straight hair, by the way! Constant use of products containing silicone can make hair look dull and dull over time. In addition, the silicone is deposited on the scalp and weighs down the hair. It is therefore better to use products without silicone!
Can I also use a curl cream as a man?
Naturally! A curl cream is of course completely gender-neutral.