If you’re lucky enough to have naturally curly hair, you probably already know that each wave, coil & ringlet loves to be pampered. When you’re rocking juicy curls, there’s a method behind the masterpiece: hydration. Keeping your crown nourished & hydrated is the key to keeping curls looking vibrant from one wash day to the next.
While there are several products you can use to lock in moisture, one must-have item in your styling rotation is curl cream. But what does curl cream do, & how are you supposed to apply it?
Keep reading to uncover how to use curl-defining cream, including what ingredients to look for as you shop & how to navigate application techniques for curls that stay luscious for days.
Choosing the Right Curl Cream
When you’re shopping for curly hair styling products, one truth will become clear: not all creams are created equal. A high-quality curl cream, like the PATTERN Styling Cream or Moisture Milk, should be oil-rich to effectively lock in moisture & combat frizz, breakage & potential damage to your coils.
What does curl cream do? The purpose of curl cream is to secure moisture into your curls & enhance their natural texture, so ingredients matter. Be on the lookout for oils like Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil & Castor Oil, all of which can coat your strands, slowing down the evaporation of water from your tresses while amping up their definition & bounce.
Chock-full of the right ingredients, curl cream can provide your ringlets with extra hold without any crunch, leaving you with touchably-soft styles. Use the PATTERN Styling Cream for tons of curly styles, like twist outs, braid outs, Bantu knots, wash-&-gos & even twisting locs.
Applying Curl Cream Effectively
As an essential step in any curly hair styling routine, you may be wondering how to apply curl cream for the best results. Whether you have loose waves, tight coils or something in between, curl cream can help nourish your strands & maintain your styles when wielded correctly.
Here are some easy-to-follow steps for applying this superpower product to enhance your natural curl pattern:
- Shampoo & condition your curls – You’ll want to apply curl cream to clean strands, so it’s important to prep your curls by cleansing with a proper shampoo & conditioner for curly hair. For added moisture, reach for our hydrating Leave-In Conditioner to boost your curls’ natural pattern & shape.
- Divide your tresses into sections – Next, divide your wet hair into sections. Depending on how much hair you have & how long it is, you may need several small sections throughout your scalp.
- Apply the cream to wet (or dry) hair – While you can add curl cream to dry curls, applying it to wet or damp curls helps lock in as much moisture & shape as possible. Rub the curl cream between your hands & apply it evenly to your wet hair, section by section. Or, for a quick curl refresh, apply a small amount to dry curls, scrunch hair & go.
If you’re curious about how much curl cream to use, it usually depends on the density or length of your locks & your hair porosity. For longer, thicker hair, you may want to apply a quarter-sized amount of product to each chunk. For shorter or fine hair, a quarter-sized amount may be enough for your entire crown.
Optimal Drying Methods for Curl Cream
Now that you understand how to use curl cream, the next step is how to dry your tresses for the best results properly. When styling curly hair, you always have the option to let your strands air dry, but for optimal shine & hydration, try diffusing your curls using the PATTERN Blow Dryer with The Diffuser Attachment.
Diffusing allows you to lock in the hydrating power of the products you used, especially if you apply a product like the PATTERN Heat Protectant to your hair first. If you use stylers like our Curl Gel or Curl Mousse after applying the curl cream, the hover diffusing method can help you get the most out of your products without losing any curl definition or volume.
Refreshing Curls with Curl Cream
Humidity levels, weather conditions & activities like working out can all leave your curls a little thirsty between washes. Fortunately, if your curls are looking a little lackluster, curl cream will become your new BFF. This moisturizing product can reinvigorate your natural curl pattern by giving your strands an added boost of hydration.
All you need to do is mist your hair with a little water, apply a small amount of curl cream to your palms & scrunch it throughout your hair. In no time, you’ll have the defined tresses you know & love—without the work of a wash day!
Keep Your Curls Fresh with Help from PATTERN
Now that you know how to use curl cream, it’s time to get started on loving your curly styles! No matter your curl type, using the right hair products for curly hair makes all the difference.
Take our curl quiz & amp up the volume & lock in the shine with our high-quality, curl-certified collection from PATTERN. Our line of hair stylers & protective hair products, whether you have curly, coily, tight texture or locs, will help you take care of—& cherish—your natural hair.
Sources:
Byrdie. How to Use a Diffuser for Healthy Defined Curls. https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-use-a-diffuser-5218806
