Wavy hair is beautiful and versatile but can also be challenging to style and maintain. Wavy hair tends to lose shape and definition, become frizzy and dry, or look limp and flat. That’s why wavy hair needs a special styling product to enhance and hold its natural curl pattern while providing moisture, shine, and protection. That’s where curling cream comes in.
Curling cream is a styling cream that helps define and shape your natural waves without weighing them down or making them crunchy. It can also be used on dry hair to refresh and revive your waves between washes.
How to Choose the Best Curling Cream for Your Wavy Hair Type and Needs
Wavy hair, classified as type 2, exhibits a gentle curve or S shape upon drying. This hair type can be categorized into three subtypes: 2A, 2B, and 2C, each distinguished by the size and definition of the waves. To manage wavy hair effectively, individuals often seek specialized curly hair cream designed to address the unique needs of varying wave patterns and provide optimal care.
- Type 2A wavy hair has very loose and wide waves that start midway down the length of the strands. Type 2A wavy hair can almost appear straight because the waves are unclear.
- Type 2B wavy hair has more defined waves that do not fall as flat as 2A.
- Type 2C wavy hair has the most defined and S-shaped waves of all the wavy hair types. Type 2C wavy hair is also the curliest and most resistant to styling of all the wavy hair types.
The best curling cream for your wavy hair type should match your wave pattern and texture and address your specific hair concerns and goals. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best curling cream for your wavy hair:
- Your wave pattern: Your wave pattern refers to the shape and size of your waves, ranging from loose and wide to tight and winding. Different wave patterns have different needs and challenges and may benefit from different curling creams. For example, if you have loose and wide waves, you may want to look for a curling cream that is lightweight and volumizing and avoid curling creams that are too heavy or oily, as they may weigh down your waves and make them look limp. If you have tight and spiral waves, you may want to look for a curling cream that is rich and moisturizing and avoid curling creams that are too light or watery, as they may not provide enough hydration and definition for your waves.
- Your hair texture: Hair textures have different needs and challenges and may benefit from different curling creams. For example, if you have fine and thin hair, you may want to look for a curling cream that is lightweight and volumizing and avoid curling creams that are too heavy or oily, as they may weigh down your hair and make it look flat. If you have coarse and thick hair, you may want to look for a curling cream that is rich and moisturizing and avoid curling creams that are too light or watery, as they may not provide enough hydration and definition for your hair.
- Your hair porosity: Different hair porosities have different needs and challenges and may benefit from different curling creams. For example, suppose you have low-porosity hair, meaning your hair cuticles are closed and resistant to moisture absorption. In that case, you may want to look for the best curl cream that is penetrating and lightweight and avoid curling creams that are too occlusive or heavy, as they may sit on top of your hair and make it look greasy. If you have high-porosity hair, which means your hair cuticles are open and prone to losing moisture, you may want to look for the curl cream that is sealing and protective, and avoid curling creams that are too humectant or light, as they may draw in too much moisture and cause frizz.
- Your hair concerns: Your hair concerns refer to the specific problems or issues you want to address or prevent with your hair, such as dryness, frizz, breakage, split ends, or dullness. Hair concerns have different causes and solutions and may benefit from different curling creams. For example, if you have dry hair, you may want to look for a curling cream that is hydrating and conditioning and avoid curling creams that contain alcohol or sulfates, as they may dry out your hair further. If you have curly hair, you may want to look for a curling cream that is smoothing and anti-frizz and avoid curling creams that contain salt or glycerin, as they may attract humidity and cause frizz.
- Your hair goals: Your hair goals refer to the look and feel you want to achieve with your hair, such as enhancing your natural waves, adding more bounce and movement, or creating more shine and smoothness. Different hair goals have different requirements and techniques and may benefit from different curling creams. For example, if you want to enhance your natural waves, you may want to look for a curling cream that is shaping and defining, and avoid curling creams that are too softening or relaxing, as they may loosen your waves and make them look less defined. If you want to add more bounce and movement, you may want to look for a curling cream that is elastic and flexible and avoid curling creams that are too stiff or rigid, as they may restrict your waves and make them look less lively. If you want to create more shine and smoothness, you may want to look for a curling cream that is soothing and illuminating and avoid curling creams that are too dulling or frizzing, as they may make your hair look less glossy and fuzzier.
Some Examples of the Best Curling Creams for Different Wavy Hair Types and Needs
To give you some ideas of what curling creams to look for, here are some examples of the best curling creams for different wavy hair types and needs based on online reviews and ratings:
- For loose and wide waves (type 2A): Curls Blueberry Bliss Twist-N-Shout Cream. These type 2 curly hair products are a lightweight and volumizing cream that helps to enhance and define loose and wide waves without weighing them down or making them crunchy.
- For tight and coiled waves (type 2C): Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. This rich and moisturizing curling cream helps hydrate and nourish tight and coiled waves without leaving them greasy or heavy. It also helps to smooth and seal the cuticle, lock in moisture, and enhance curl shape and elasticity while smelling like a tropical paradise.
- For fine and thin hair: Wella Eimi Boost Bounce Curl Enhancing Mousse. This curling cream is a lightweight and volumizing mousse that helps to add body.
- For coarse and thick hair: Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel. This curling cream is a rich and creamy gel that helps moisturize and condition coarse and thick hair without leaving it greasy or heavy. It also helps to smooth and seal the cuticle, lock in moisture, and define curls while adding a soft hold and a sweet scent.
- For low-porosity hair: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curl Smoothie. This curling cream is a penetrating and lightweight cream that helps moisturize and define low-porosity hair without building up or making it oily.
- For high-porosity hair: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Transitioning Milk. This curling cream is a sealing and protective cream that helps to prevent moisture loss and frizz in high-porosity hair without drying it out or making it stiff. It also helps to hydrate and condition the hair, enhance curl shape and elasticity, and add shine and softness while being free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones.
Conclusion
To choose the best curling cream for your wavy hair type and needs, consider your wave pattern, hair texture, hair porosity, hair concerns, and hair goals and look for a curling cream that suits them. For the best results, use curling cream on wet hair after washing and conditioning and use different techniques to shape your waves, such as raking, scrunching, or twisting. You also need to let your hair dry naturally or use a diffuser and fluff and shake your waves when they are dry. You can also refresh and revive your waves in between washes using water, curl refresher spray, or curling cream. You can achieve beautiful and healthy waves with curling cream by following these tips.
