Table of Contents:
- What is Curl Cream and What Does It Do?
- What is Curl Gel and What Does it Do?
- The Best Order to Apply Curl Styler Products
- Top Tips for Applying Curl Styler Products
- Balance Your Products for Longer-Lasting Curls
When it comes to curly hair products, knowing where to start isn't always easy. Curl cream and gel can look deceptively similar on the shelf. Both promise definition, and both fight frizz, so figuring out the right order to apply them can feel like a guessing game.
But the order you apply your styling products actually matters more than you might think. In this guide, we'll break down what curl cream and gel each do and walk you through the best order to apply curl products for maximum definition and hold.
What is Curl Cream and What Does It Do?
Curl cream is a styling product that works with your natural curl pattern by delivering moisture and conditioning to each strand. That conditioning provides slip, manageability, and softness, helping curls clump together, enhance their shape, and stay defined. It can also help reduce frizz by coating the strands, though it won't give you the same frizz control as a gel, which forms a cast around the curl to lock the shape in place.
Curl creams leave hair feeling soft and touchable, and some contain styling agents that add a degree of hold. For most curl types, layering a gel on top is recommended, but a curl cream with hold agents can work on its own if you prefer a softer finish. Curlsmith's curl creams cater to a range of curl types and moisture needs. Learn how to use curl cream, or explore anti-frizz products for extra support.
What is Curl Gel and What Does it Do?
Curl gel is a finishing styling product designed to give curls lasting definition and hold. It works by forming a cast around each curl as it dries, which is what gives you stronger frizz control and helps your curl pattern stay intact throughout the day. If you want your curls to last, gel is what makes that possible.
While gels are primarily a hold product, many gels also provide moisture and conditioning, so if your hair doesn't need much extra moisture, some gels can work as a one-product styling step. For most people, pairing a gel with a curl cream gives you the best of both: the moisture and softness from the cream, and the hold and frizz control from the gel.
Curlsmith has a range of curly hair gels to suit different hold levels and moisture needs. Not sure which to go for? Our guide to the best gels for curly hair can help you choose.
The Best Order to Apply Curl Styler Products
When building your curly hair routine, it helps to understand how products interact with each other. A common rule of thumb is to go from thinner to thicker consistency, but a more reliable way to think about it is this: apply your moisture and conditioning products first, then finish with your strongest hold product. Conditioning agents soften the hair, which can reduce hold, so you want your gel going on last to lock everything in and keep frizz under control.
1. Prep Hair
Start with clean hair. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup and give your stylers a clean base to work with. Follow up with a conditioner or deep conditioner to boost moisture and keep hair manageable. For an extra moisture boost, a leave-in conditioner can be applied as an optional step before you start styling.
2. Apply Curl Cream
With hair still wet, apply your curl cream section by section, working it through from roots to ends. The moisture and conditioning agents in the cream will soften the hair, encourage curl clumping, and give you a foundation of definition and manageability before you move on to gel.
3. Apply Gel
Once your curl cream is applied, follow up with your gel to lock in moisture and keep curls defined and held in place. The gel forms a cast around each curl as it dries, giving you stronger frizz control and longer-lasting shape. For volume and a lighter hold, a curl mousse can be used instead, but if lasting definition is the goal, gel will give you the strongest hold. Browse Curlsmith's range of volumising hair products options if you want to build extra lift into your routine.
4. Apply Oil (Optional)
Once your hair is fully dry, you can scrunch out the crunch from the gel with your hands to reveal smooth, defined curls underneath. If you want extra softness or shine, applying a small amount of hair oil at this stage can help, though skipping it will help preserve more of the hold. Curlsmith's Bonding Oil isdesigned to work with your styling products rather than weigh curls down.
Top Tips for Applying Curl Styler Products
- Apply stylers to wet hair. The wetter your hair, the better your products will distribute, especially for thicker creams and gels. If you're using a thinner gel, use a little less water to avoid diluting it too much.
- Rake from roots to tips for even coverage. Work your products through from root to tip to make sure every strand is coated before scrunching. Use the praying hands technique with flat palms to smooth strands.
- Scrunch to encourage curls. Once product is applied, scrunch upward toward the scalp to encourage your natural curl pattern to form.
- Plop or micro-plop to absorb excess water. Use a microfibre towel to either plop or micro-plop by scrunching out excess water, which reduces drying time without disrupting your curl pattern.
- Air dry or diffuse. Letting curls dry undisturbed gives the best results. If you're short on time, a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment speeds up the process without causing frizz. Check out our guide on how to diffuse hair for tips.
- Hands off while drying. Touching your hair while it's still wet disturbs the curl pattern and invites frizz.
- Avoid product buildup. Regularly using a clarifying shampoo keeps your scalp and strands clear so your styling products can do their job properly.
Balance Your Products for Longer-Lasting Curls
Getting the order right makes a real difference to how your curls look and last. Apply your moisture and conditioning products first, finish with your strongest hold product, and your styling routine will work with each curl rather than against it. Whatever your curl type, Curlsmith's range of vegan, cruelty-free styling products, free from parabens, silicones, and sulfates, are formulated to bring out the best in your natural curls. Want to learn more about the ingredients behind your favorite products? Keep exploring our ingredients hub.
