Which Curl Cream Is Right for You?

Which Curl Cream Is Right for You?

Not all curl products do the same thing. And no - you don’t always need five of them.

With three different curl creams in our Only Curls range, we wanted to make it easier to choose the right curl cream for your curly hair.

Whether you have short curls, long waves, tight coils or a perm, here’s how to decide which curl cream works best for your hair type and routine.

What Does a Curl Cream Actually Do?

A curl cream is designed to:

• Hydrate curly hair
  
  
• Smooth frizz
  
  
• Enhance curl shape
  
  
• Add light hold
  
  

A good curl cream helps curls stay defined and flexible, leaving a soft, natural finish without crunch.

If you’re looking for a simple curly hair routine, a curl cream is often the best place to start.

Our Three Curl Creams - What’s the Difference?

Choosing the best curl cream depends on your hair type, curl pattern and how much hold you prefer.

Hydrating Curl Crème

Best for lightweight moisture and layering.

Ideal for medium - longer length curls and waves that need hydration without heaviness. It works beautifully under gel if you prefer stronger, longer-lasting hold.

Best for: medium - longer length curly hair, wavy hair, or anyone who likes to layer products.

Think: flexible, lightweight moisture base.

Intense Moisture Leave-In

Designed for tighter, drier curl types that need deeper hydration.

This leave-in conditioner focuses on moisture, elasticity and strength support. It’s especially helpful for coily, afro-textured or very dry curly hair.

Best for: tight coils, type 4 hair, or very dry curls.

Think: nourishment first, deep hydration.

Expert Curl Cream

Built for simple routines and flexible definition.

The Expert Curl Cream was developed after we heard from customers - particularly men - who wanted a simpler curly hair routine, a less floral fragrance, and packaging that felt more aligned with their style, without compromising on performance.

It delivers hydration and curl control in one step, with slightly more hold than our Hydrating Curl Crème -  but without the stiffness of a gel.

Ideal for short curly hair (natural or permed), or anyone who wants defined curls without a complicated routine.

Best for: short curls, men’s curly hair, or low-maintenance styling.

Think: defined curls. zero fuss.

Do You Need Both Curl Cream and Gel?

Not always.

For short curly hair or if you prefer a soft, natural finish, a curl cream alone is often enough.

Gel becomes more useful if:

• Your curls are longer
  
  
• You want stronger, long-lasting hold
  
  
• You prefer more structured definition
  
  

Layering a curl cream and gel can increase hold and longevity — but it isn’t essential for everyone.

Do You Need Both Curl Cream and Leave-In Conditioner?

Again - not necessarily.

A leave-in conditioner focuses mainly on hydration and conditioning. It doesn’t provide hold or definition.

If you’re wondering about curl cream vs leave-in conditioner, the difference is simple:

• Leave-in conditioner = moisture and softness
  
  
• Curl cream = moisture + definition + light hold
  
  

All our curl creams are formulated to provide hydration and frizz control on their own, meaning most people don’t need to layer an additional leave-in conditioner into their routine.

The right curl cream depends on your curl type, length and how simple you want your routine to be.

If you want lightweight hydration and layering flexibility, choose Hydrating Curl Crème.
If your curls need deeper moisture and elasticity support, go for Intense Moisture Leave-In.
If you want defined curls in one easy step -  especially for shorter styles - Expert Curl Cream keeps things simple.

You don’t need everything. Just the right product for your curls.