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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What is the best curl-defining products for my 4c hair?
1. EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme
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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
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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![]()
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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![]()
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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
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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
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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
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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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