How to use curl cream on natural hair

Do you feel confident using curl creams? Whether you're a rookie user, a self-proclaimed curl cream expert, or something in between, there might be some things you don't know about curl cream or tips that could help you. Let's talk about curl creams in general, and specifically Controlled Chaos Curl Crème, the crème de la crème of curl creams.

First, why do we call it Curl Crème and not curl cream? Well, because we're fancy! Calling it Curl Crème just bumps up the pizzazz-factor by another notch. Besides, it sets us apart—along with the amazing way it works on any curl type and nourishes your hair whilst styling!

Now, how to use curl cream... First, there are some basic rules to follow.

APPLY CREAM TO VERY WET HAIR.

When styling, you want to apply curl cream as soon as possible after rinsing (or leaving in some) conditioner. Your curls will style best if the cream is raked through wet hair, evenly coating each strand. Once you've distributed the cream throughout your curls, they should look smooth and clumped together in their natural curl pattern, not messy or separated strands. If they're not, try adding a bit more water (and maybe a teeny bit more cream) until you get there, raking it through with your fingers. Then, once the curls are nice and smooth, you can go back and scrunch out the excess water section by section. See our YouTube channel for tutorials on styling specific curl types, including men's and kids' curls!

THINK OF IT LIKE A CONDITIONER YOU WANT TO COAT YOUR STRANDS WITH. AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO GET YOUR FINGERS IN THERE.

If you have to run your fingers through your curls a few times to get them detangled, smoothed, and clumped together, that's okay—as long as they're soaking wet! You can also use a wide-tooth comb to ensure more even distribution if you'd like. This is a very important stage in styling, and you can twist and direct curls or sections where you'll want them to land when they're dry.

And some don'ts:

DON'T TOWEL-DRY HAIR BEFORE APPLYING CREAM.

Taking too much water out of your hair before adding the cream is counterproductive. Your curls are in their smoothest state when wet, and you want to capture that look (well, a dry-looking version of it) with styling. It's the only way to get the best version of your natural curls!

DON'T JUST SCRUNCH IT IN.

Raking your soaking wet curls will distribute the product evenly, detangling your curls and giving you the foundation to achieve soft curls without frizz. It also gives you the ability to move your curls around and place them where you want them to be when they're dry! But if you don't first coat them with the cream, it won't work like it's supposed to. Rake first, scrunch after.

DON'T TOUCH YOUR CURLS WHILE THEY'RE DRYING.

Once you've got that frizz-free foundation set in your curls, you don't want to mess it up! After styling, try to touch your curls as little as possible. Air-dry or blow-dry gently with a diffuser, and once they're dry, you can shake or fluff your curls to your heart's content. You can also separate some of the curl clumps for added volume. Just be sure not to skip the don't-touch-while-drying step, because it's essential!

So, there you have some of the dos and don'ts required to use curl cream for optimum results.

Want personalized curl styling advice and product recommendations? Take our curl quiz here and watch those curls go from blah to wow!

At Prose, we grow with you and your hair. By combining lab innovation, natural ingredients, and proven performance, Prose delivers you truly personal haircare.

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How to Use Curl Cream on Wavy Hair

If you have wavy hair, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds—the length of straight hair and the body of curly hair. However, multi-textured hair patterns can be a little more challenging than straight hair when it comes to products and styling. “Straight hair doesn’t require you to put product on while hair is wet,” says Alex Mouneu, a Los Angeles curl specialist and co-owner of Curl Club LA. “It also doesn’t require the gentility and patience it takes to dry and style curly hair.”

It helps to understand what makes wavy hair so wonderfully unique. Compared to the linear shape of straight hair or the zig-zag of coils, wavy hair takes on an “S” shape, smoothing in some parts and bending at others. To achieve flowy, runway-ready hair, on multi-textured strands, you need curl cream for wavy hair. Here’s your everything guide to using curl cream to achieve smooth, perfectly shaped waves. 

Using curl cream to enhance the natural wave pattern

Curl cream has been a longtime love for curly girls and guys because of its unique ability to shape and hold textured hair. “Curl cream provides moisture, which in turn allows the cuticle to get what it needs. It also secures your waves together for a more cohesive look,” says Mouneu. A good curl cream for wavy hair will coat your strands with a thin film that smooths cuticles and prevents hair from tangling. The new, even surface, will allow locks to move past each other while maintaining their definition. 

And if your curl cream has ingredients like lilac extract, it will add extra spring and definition to curls while amping up the volume on the parts of your hair that bend. Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid for moisture, hydrolyzed proteins and oils to boost strength, and natural heat protectants like arginine and pea extract to to prevent damage from heat tools.

Taming unwanted frizz and flyaways with curl cream for wavy hair

A curl cream for wavy hair will contain the right oils (such as smoothing pequi oil) and nourishing elements to keep unwanted frizz at bay. Frizzy hair occurs when hydrogen bonds are reconfigured in the hair, causing hair to fold itself back and fray. In other words, when the chemical bonds in your hair are negatively impacted, they can become dry or damaged. 

“You can use curl cream to slick flyaways for sleeker styles.” explains Mouneu. “Add a little water to your fingertips and use a pea-size amount of cream. Massage the water into the cream and voila!” To prevent unwanted frizz from happening altogether, start by washing and conditioning hair with products formulated for your unique hair type. Apply curl cream to wet hair, moving up and down strands for maximum impact. Make sure you use the right amount of curl cream: use too little and it won’t spread evenly; use too much and it will become oily. When your hair dries, you’ll have smooth locks that stand up to humidity and dryness. 

Using curl cream to moisturize and hydrate waves

Wavy hair can dry quickly since the bends in locks can cause the hair’s outer layer to rise, forcing moisture out. Mouneu suggests massaging curl cream into soaking wet hair. “I usually recommend curl cream for a base of moisture underneath gels or mousses,” she says. “Always air-dry or use a hovering motion with your diffuser to get excess moisture out. Then go in by scrunching your curls with your diffuser attachment.” 

However, curl cream, which works wonders on wash day, can also be applied to dry hair for extra moisture and style. Just apply the curl cream to hair for a quick refresh, moving your fingers around to distribute the product evenly and scrunching to bring back hair’s shape. A high performing curl cream will contain oils and other hydrating ingredients to lock in moisture for days. Prose’s core range of products contain caprylic/capric triglyceride or olive oil, which promotes softness, glyceryl oleate for hydration, or other hair ingredients that will help you create and maintain touchably soft, hydrated tresses.

Wrap up

Curl cream is such a versatile product and is not reserved for only those with super curly hair. Curl cream and wavy hair are also a perfect match. For haircare products that are customized to your hair type, density, length, and more, take the Prose consultation here.

What do your waves need to thrive? Take the consultation to find your formulas.

Amber Alston is a New York-based beauty and culture writer whose work has appeared in Office Magazine, Bullett Magazine and others. A storyteller by nature, her work frames urban life, fashion, and beauty around specific histories and cultures. In addition to writing, Amber also styles and conceptualizes fashion shoots. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.

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