Defining curly hair is an important part of the hair routine. When it comes to defining curly hair, you have many options and products to choose from. Two popular options are curl cream and curl gel. If you want to know the main difference and which one is right for you, this post is here to help you with that. We suggest in order to find the best product for your curls, get to know your curl type better. Thus if you want to learn more about your hair type so you can purchase the most suitable products for your curls, check Hair Type – Every Thing About It.
What is curl cream?
You may ask how is this creamy texture made. Curl cream is a combination of oil and water. And this is mainly what makes that creamy texture you feel. Curl cream coats the hair with a thin film that prevents it from locking or tangling. Using this product, you can create an even surface that allows hair to freely move past each other, locks in moisture, and promotes curl definition. When using curl cream, be cautious because too little can make curls frizzy and unruly, while too much can make them oily. Try a small amount of product, keep your porosity in mind, and see how your curls react. If necessary, add more curl cream and water. You should apply the curl cream to wet, clean hair. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, apply curl cream evenly to each strand. So, if you are looking for a way to define and soften your curls, curl cream can be a great option for you.
Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil in Cream, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in-conditioning Repair Cream, and Argan Oil Leave-in-conditioning Repair Cream are popular and highly recommended.
Take a look at INAHSI Rock Your Curls Curl Enhancing Cream & Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Twist & Braid Cream if you want to try some amazing creams.
INAHSI Rock Your Curls Curl Enhancing Cream
Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Twist & Braid Cream
What is curl gel?
Gel’s ingredients and how it works are different from creams. A gel contains solid particles that are in the liquid. When you apply a gel to your hair, these particles dry on your curls which will hold your curls. As always it is really important to buy good products. Gels can provide really good results for many curly hairs, but be careful with the gel you buy. Bad-quality gels will only make your hair greasy and weighed down. But, a good gel can provide the definition you want for your curls. If you want to learn more about the harmful ingredients in hair products, check Harmful Ingredients Of Hair Care Products.
Eco Styler has a fantastic range of curl gels that hydrate hair strands while keeping the hairstyle for a long time. We cannot say enough about Camille Rose Curl Maker and Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator gels. All these gels are produced from high-quality ingredients, and you need to find out which is the best one for your hair type.
Check out Alikay Naturals Hold It Styling Gel and Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Defining Gel If you want to try some great curl gels suitable for your curls.
Alikay Naturals Hold It Styling Gel
Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Defining Gel
Which one is the suitable product for me?
Although gels can provide a really good definition for your curl, they really can’t moisturize and hydrate your hair. This becomes more important when you have thick and dry coils. You can benefit from both types of hair products. Curl cream can provide the moisture and hydration you want and gel can bring some extra definition for you.
Now that you know the main difference between these two types of products, you can try them yourself. In the end, it totally depends on your hair type and texture. So, experiment with both to see what results you get.
How can I use both of them?
You can actually combine a gel with a cream. This will help to moisturize and then provide a definition of the gel.
First step: Apply the curl cream
First, cleanse with your favorite shampoo, then condition it. Now, it’s time to apply the cream to your curls. If you want to achieve a better result and to spread the product evenly through your hair, divide your hair into different sections. You can use hair clips to make everything easier for you when applying.
Second step: Apply the gel
You can apply the curl gel after you are done with the cream. You won’t need too much gel, it may weigh down your hair. Start with a little amount and if your hair needs more, apply a little more. You can also use a diffuser at the end to achieve more defined curls.
If you are not sure about using a diffuser, make sure to check this post about diffusing to prevent any damage: How To Diffuse Curly Hair Without Damaging it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curl Cream & Hair Gel:
Here we gathered the most frequent questions you asked us in the comments:
Hair becomes moisturized from the inside out so you won’t end up with frizzy, flaky hair. The hold provided by creams is generally not as strong as gels, so if your s-waves slide out and lose definition by the end of the day, you might consider layering a bit of both for definition and bounce.
Don’t completely dry your hair before applying the gel, as it is essential to have damp hair. A sink is also a good option for dampening your hair if you’re short on time. Note that gel can be less effective and look more “crunchy” if applied to dirty or greasy hair.
After you’ve styled and dried your hair, use dry hands to scrunch out your curls gently. Also before scrunching, you can rub a hair oil between your hands to soften the hair and add shine.
It is possible to enhance your natural hair without weighing it down by using curl cream.
It’s ideal to wake up in a gel cast and scrunch out the crunch. Yet, sleeping with wet hair isn’t good for your scalp and may cause fungal infections and breakage.
If your hair is very short, use about a dime size amount, medium length hair, two quarter-sized amounts, and for long and thick hair, use about two quarter-sized amounts.
It is best to apply curl cream as soon as possible after rinsing (or leaving in some conditioner). When you rake the cream evenly throughout wet hair, you’ll achieve the best style for your curls.
If you have found any method that works for your hair, feel free to share them in the comments. This can be very useful for those who have your hair type. What do you usually use to define and form your curls? Do curl gels work for your hair type and texture? Share your experience with these two types of products with us in the comments.
