Are you on the hunt for the best curl defining cream for your natural hair? In this post, I have compiled a list of the ten best curl defining products for 4c hair.
What’s a curl defining cream?
Curl defining creams are meant to bring out the natural curls in your hair. They’re often used to achieve the best twist out, braid out or a curly hairstyle of your choice.
Before we get into it, I want to point out that cremes, custards and curling puddings are pretty much all the same product! A brand might use different names to define their product, but know that they all do the same job.
In terms of when to use a curling cream, you will use it to twist or style your hair after applying a leave-in conditioner. This is the 5th step in my 5-step wash day system. Curl defining products works best on freshly washed hair.
To refresh your curls mid-week, you can do a co-wash first before adding more curling cream. That’s because curling cremes are usually very thick, so you want to avoid pilling products on your hair.
Whatever product you end up choosing, make sure it keeps your hair moisturized and doesn’t dry it out.
How To Get The Best Twist Out
To get the best twist out or defined curls, you want to start with freshly washed hair that has been detangled. Start twisting small sections of your hair and take your time twisting. Be sure to apply enough products to your hair and leave the twists in your hair for at least a day. Best to leave it in for a few days.
You should also make sure that your hair is moisturized because dry hair will come out frizzy!
When you take down your twists, make sure to separate the twists gently so that it doesn’t frizz. Again, ensure that your hair is moisturized when you take it down, so you don’t end up with a frizzy twist out.
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*This post contains affiliate links which means that I make a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase with my link.*
What is the best curl defining products for my 4c hair?
1. EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme
Product Promise: Infuses moisture to strengthen hair, provides frizz control, and optimizes style definition. Humidity-resistant formulation to define and separate curls and waves. This product infuses moisture to strengthen hair, provides frizz control, and optimizes style definition.
5 Star Review: “My hair texture went from dry to soft luscious curls”
2. EARTHTONES NATURALS Perfectly Twisted™ Curl Styling Cream
SAVE 10% off your first purchase. Enter EARTHTONES10 at checkout. GO HERE to try it out.
Product Promise: This concentrated, versatile styling cream-gel is packed with moisturizing ingredients for softly enhancing curls, adding definition and hold to puffs, twists, braids, and other natural hairstyles. This cream reduces frizz, adds shine, moisturizes, and softens the hair.
5 Star Review: “I found this product gave my hair hydration from root to tip”
3. As I Am Twist Defining Cream![]()
Product Promise: Provides the ultimate hydration and contains a wondrous organic compound blend that works to block build-up and stimulate healthy hair growth.
5 Star Review: “This stuff is MAGIC! It leaves my twists shiny and when I take them out, the definition is BOMB!”
4. Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream![]()
Product Promise: Embrace your curls, kinks or waves with Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream. It is formulated to define, moisturize, and leave your hair smooth, frizz-free, and full of life. Made with 100% Shea butter, it activates curls while delivering volume for frizz-free bouncy results. This hair care product is gentle enough for daily use. It is the ideal wash-and-go solution for restoring your real, authentic beauty.
5 Star Review: “I am natural with a twa (teeny weeny afro) and have tried several curl defining products! I have only been naturaI for 3 months and can honestly say, by far, Cantu Curl Activator is the best! It seriously defines your curls and doesn’t dry them out. I use the LOC method which helps as well. I can now give up the title of being a product junkie as I am sticking with the Cantu Curl Activator!!”
5. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie![]()
Product Promise: Our Curl Enhancing Smoothie, enriched with Silk Protein, Neem and Coconut Oils, and Shea Butter, helps to define curls, restore moisture, reduce frizz, and create shine. Great for conditioning hair without weighing it down for bouncy, healthy curls.
5 Star Review: “This product has been one of my favorites for a few years. It’s perfect for styling and/or twisting thick natural hair.”
6. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Supercurl Miracle Moisture Creme ![]()
Product Promise: This creamy hydrator has dual-power abilities to stretch out and detangle curls in very kinky, tight textures, yet define curls in medium to loose curly textures.
5 Star Review: “I love the smell & it defines my curls perfectly!”
7. Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curling Creme
Product Promise: Infuses moisture into each strand, leaving the hair radiant and defined to produce smooth wash and go styles
5 Star Review: “It works great and it gives my hair a softer feel.”
8. Naturally Smitten Hydrating Hair Custard
Product Promise: Hydrating hair custard’s thick and concentrated consistency is an excellent staple for cold and dry climates and is not too heavy for humid summer weather. Pamper your coils with this creamy moisturizing blend of natural goodies that your hair will absolutely love. It’s a unique moisturizer that adds shine and gives definition.
5 Star Review: “I really like this product. It kept my 4a hair moisturized all week. Hair is soft & shiny. ”
9. Taliah Waajid Curls, Waves, & Naturals Curly Curl Cream
Product Promise: Condition your curls and they’ll be defined like never before. Enhance texture in waves, curls, and coils without the frizz. For softly enhancing curls, adding definition and hold to puffs, twists, braids, and other natural hairstyles
5 Star Review: “I absolutely love this for my hair, the thick cream keeps hair soft and moisturized. It also does a great job of defining curls and unlike other hair creams.”
10. Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
Product Promise: This richly-hydrating solution for dry hair and damaged hair defines, conditions, and adds manageability without any harsh ingredients that can cause more damage. The nourishing formula is 100 percent pure shea butter and real coconut to smooth, soften and hydrate parched, frizzy hair
5 Star Review: “This product works great at moisturizing the hair. I use it daily. I bought it for my aunt who wears a short afro. Her hair was hard from wetting her hair daily to get curls. After the first use, her hair was insanely soft and her curls were defined. Now she only has to wash her hair once a week.”
What curl defining product have you tried? Which one will you be trying? Let us know in the comments section.
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All the products really looks amazing. Thanks alot
you’re welcome Louis. Thanks for stopping by.
My hair is soft fine and natural and I need a recommendation on a product
Do you know which is the least inexpensive? Trying to find the right product can become a tad bit costly. Thank you for the research and recommendation.
Hi Anita. Thanks for stopping by. Both Cantu products are the least expensive on this list. I’ve personally tried the Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream and it worked great on my 4c hair. You can order it on Amazon at https://goto.walmart.com/c/116548/568826/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&prodsku=22211252&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FCantu-Shea-Butter-Moisturizing-Curl-Activator-Cream-for-Natural-Hair-12-oz%2F22211252&intsrc=CATF_4278
What shampoo and conditioner do you use with the Taliah Curly Curl Cream and Sealer. I have 4c hair.
You can use any of their shampoo and conditioner line for best results.
I’m trying to determine for the soft fine texture 4c hair is the best curling cream? Our hair is not thick and dense but soft and fine tight kinky hair.need something in the middle of not too thick or thin product that can do all the things
Have you tried Eden BodyWork’s products? it’s supposed to provide a medium hold. Which other products have you successfully used in the past?
Taliah Wajid is the bomb. Which of the other curling cremes do you think is comparable to its’s consistency and curl defining ability? I have not come across anything that defines my coils like Taliah W.
hi Deirdre. it’s been a while since I tried Taliah’s products but most of the products on this list are comparable. it’s all a matter of trying them out to see which compares.
I’m not sure what my hair type is I’m still trying to figure this natural hair out. I’ve been trying the flat twist and use Uncle Funky Daughter curly magic water and gel but not sure if I’m doing things right or need to add another product that’s not expensive. I’m not sure but I don’t want to give up.
Hey Elonda.
The products on this list are in different price ranges. You can also try cheaper priced products to see what your hair needs. But you’ll also need a regimen that will help guide your hair routine.
I have a very thick n strong natural hair what’s the best conditioner, gel and curl activator for it
Hi Gifty. Most of the conditioners on this list work for thick hair. You can try them out one at a time to see which works best. For your “strong” hair, I recommend deep conditioning every week.
Hello what’s a good deep conditioning product would you recommend for 4c hair
Hi Karen. Here’s a post where I recommended good deep condtioners. You can also do a search on the site for more posts.
https://www.coilsandglory.com/moisturizing-deep-conditioners-for-natural-hair/
Hello,
I have 4c type hair. I currently use a mild relaxer on my hair. What are the best products I can use to keep moisture on the hair and it not be weighted down by oil. Also, do you have some hair styles best for this hair type?
Hi Julia. What’s a mild relaxer? Do you mean a texturizer? I focus on women with all-natural 4c hair. You can find products and hairstyles ideas by doing a search or going through the categories on the site. Here are some posts for hair products recommendations. https://www.coilsandglory.com/category/4c-natural-hair-products-recommendations/
I have thin hair but, I have been natural for a year. Just put color in now I need a good curl cream or activator. Help