DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (2024)

Learn how to make curl cream with this simple recipe.This easy DIY curl cream recipe moisturizes your hair while defining curls with just three ingredients. It won't leave your hair stiff, so your hair will look great on day 2 and day 3 without the need to wash it.

When I was a kid, I had thin straight hair. It was so thin that I couldn't wear the hair clips that I so desperately wanted to wear because I didn't have enough hair to hold them in place. I also remember being so upset that my hair was so straight because I wanted curls.

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By the time I was a teenager, my hair was so thick that I couldn't wear clips because they just couldn't hold enough of my hair to even be worth it. It was a little wavy but manageable. By the time I graduated college, I had thick curly hair.

Now I have my hair cut in an inverted bob and usually straighten it. If I'm lazy...I mean if I don't have a lot of time... then I have to curl it because drying it and straightening it is a time consuming chore.

When I curl my hair, I want to keep my curls intact without making my hair stiff. Crunchy hair isn't my thing at all.

I've tried many products to keep my curls in check, but most of them made my hair stiff. So I made my own DIY curl defining cream with carefully selected ingredients.

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This DIY curl defining cream recipe uses just three ingredients: aloe vera gel, shea butter, and coconut oil. If you're just learning how to make curl cream, this is a very easy recipe to start with.

Keep track of this recipe and more recipes with a printable essential oil journal or these printable essential oil recipe cards.

DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (2)

What Can You Use Instead of Curling Cream?

If you don't have any curl cream or want to use something more natural, you can use shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera gel to make an easy DIY curl cream.

You can also use gel or mousse. However, these will make your hair stiff.

What Can I Use Instead of Gel for Curly Hair?


I used to only use gel for my curls. It held them great, but it make them really stiff. Yuck! Now I use a DIY curl defining cream. It keeps my curls in shape without make them stiff.

I wash every two to three days, and curl cream helps my hair look great on day 2 or day 3. You can just use aloe vera gel as a natural gel, or you can make a homemade curl enhancing cream.

How Do I Make My Own Curling Cream?

It's easy to make your own DIY curl cream. You can use just aloe vera gel, coconut oil, or shea butter. However, I find that coconut oil is too oily for my hair.

I combine them to make a DIY curl defining cream.

Can Coconut Oil be a Curl Cream?

Yes, you can just use coconut oil as a homemade curl enhancing cream. However, it is a heavy oil. It makes my hair too oily if I just use coconut oil.

Curly Hair Tips

Since I went from straight hair to curly hair, I felt like I wasn't prepared to take care of it. For several years, I just brushed it out and hoped for the best. Now I know how to take care of it to keep it looking good with a homemade curl enhancing cream.

Here are some more curly hair tips to help keep your curls perfectly coiffed:

  • Use a preshampoo oil or thisDIY whipped preshampooto moisturize without weighing down your hair.
  • Don't wash your hair daily because this can dry it out. Embrace your second day curls. Use a dry shampoo if you need to freshen up.
  • Start combing your hair at the bottom and work your way up. This helps prevent breakage, which can lead to frizzy hair.
  • Always use a wide-tooth comb to comb your hair. Don't use a brush because it can cause damage.
  • Wash your hair with cool water to close the cuticles. If you can't stand a cool shower, then at least rinse your hair with cool water to close the cuticles.
  • Deep condition your hair at least once a week. I usually use thismoringa infused hot oil treatment.
  • Switch to asatin pillowcaseDIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (3). Your hair will glide on it, so you'll wake up with better looking hair.
  • Avoid heat styling as much as possible. If you do have to use a hair dryer, don't use the highest heat setting.

DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (4)


Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gelDIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (5)is wonderful for your hair. It helps condition your hair without making it greasy and helps boost shine. It also works as a natural hair gel, which is what gives your curl definition in this DIY curl defining cream.

Shea Butter

Shea butterDIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (6)is very moisturizing. Curly hair tends to be dry, so this helps add moisture for better looking, less frizzy hair. It's not oily, so it won't make your hair overly oily when you use this homemade curl enhancing cream.

READ: How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair

Coconut Oil

Coconut oilDIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (7), however, is oily. Since you mix it with the aloe and shea butter in this DIY curl cream, the oil is manageable. If this is too oily for your, however, cut the coconut oil in half. Coconut oil is moisturizing and helps nourish your hair.

Curly hair is prone to getting dry, so it will probably not be greasy after using coconut oil.

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DIY Hair Masks for Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, then it's probably dry. It's important to keep your hair moisturized. I use DIY hair masks once a week to keep my hair looking good.

Hands down, my favorite is yogurt hair mask recipe. I add macadamia nut oil or argan oil to the yogurt and a few drops of essential oils.

You can also try one of these 6 easy DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair. Everyone's hair is different, but I really like coconut oil, shea butter, yogurt, and oils.

I also add a few drops of argan oil or macadamia nut oil every time I wash my hair. I apply it when it's dry and use my fingers to really work it through my hair.

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INGREDIENTS


DIY Curl Cream Directions

STEP #1


Melt shea butter and coconut butter in adouble boilerDIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (13)or in the microwave. If you use the microwave, heat at 30 second intervals until melted or almost melted.

STEP #2

Add the aloe vera gel and mix well.

STEP #3

Use on towel dried hair. Start at the top of your head and work down to your ends, making sure to coat all of your hair.

STEP #4

Shape your curls by twisting your hair around your fingers.

STEP #5

Let your hair air dry or use ahair dryer with a diffuserDIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (14). Style as usual. You can use this every day or as needed.

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When I use this, my hair looks fairly decent after sleeping on it. It will need reshaped, but it's not a complete mess. If I need to go back out on day 2, I just wet my hair and reshape it. I use more curl cream as needed to tame my curls.

Now you know how to make curl cream!



    diy, hair

    Yield:3 ounces

    Author:Cari Dunn

    Estimated cost:$5

    DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (16)

    Curl Defining Cream Recipe

    prep time: 5 Mperform time: 1 H & 15 Mtotal time: 1 H & 20 M

    This easy curl defining cream recipe moisturizes your hair while defining curls with just three ingredients.

    materials:

    • 2 tablespoonaloe vera gel
    • 2 tablespoonsshea butter
    • 2 tablespoonscoconut oil

    tools:

    • double boiler

    steps:

    1. Melt shea butter and coconut butter in adouble boileror in the microwave. If you use the microwave, heat at 30 second intervals until melted or almost melted.
    2. Add the aloe vera gel and mix well.
    3. Use on towel dried hair. Start at the top of your head and work down to your ends, making sure to coat all of your hair.
    4. Shape your curls by twisting your hair around your fingers.
    5. Let your hair air dry or use ahair dryer with a diffuser. Style as usual. You can use this every day or as needed.

    https://www.yourbeautyblog.com/2018/01/diy-curl-defining-cream-recipe.html

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    DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally (2024)

    FAQs

    DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally? ›

    Magnesium sulfate, which is not a sulfate like the cleansing ingredient we avoid, is a common ingredient in a lot of curl definers. Magnesium sulfate is actually epsom salt (like we put in baths for sore muscles”> and it is commonly known to enhance curl definition.

    How can I make my curls more defined naturally? ›

    We have delved into the top 10 tips and methods for maintaining your natural curl pattern to keep your luscious curls defined and beautiful throughout the day.
    1. Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner. ...
    2. Apply a Leave-in Conditioner. ...
    3. Apply a Hair Oil. ...
    4. Use a Microfibre Towel or Cotton T-Shirt. ...
    5. Embrace the “Praying Hands” Method.

    What can I use instead of curl defining cream? ›

    • Flax Seed- Honey Curl Gel. Ingredients: 1/3 cup flax seeds. 2 cups water. ½ tsp honey. ...
    • Okra- Geranium Oil Hair Curl. Ingredients: 5-6 okra or lady's finger. 2 cups water. 2 tbsp geranium oil. ...
    • Aloe Vera Gel-Almond Oil Curl Gel. Ingredients: ½ cup of fresh aloe vera gel. 2 tbsp shea butter. 2 tablespoons of almond oil.
    Sep 1, 2022

    What ingredients activate curls? ›

    Magnesium sulfate, which is not a sulfate like the cleansing ingredient we avoid, is a common ingredient in a lot of curl definers. Magnesium sulfate is actually epsom salt (like we put in baths for sore muscles”> and it is commonly known to enhance curl definition.

    What are the ingredients in creme of nature curl defining cream? ›

    Aqua/Water/Eau, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Cetrimonium Chloride, Mel/Honey/Miel, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alpha- ...

    How to make natural hair styling cream? ›

    Ingredients
    1. 2 tablespoons shea butter.
    2. ½ tablespoon coconut oil.
    3. ½ tablespoon olive oil.
    4. ¾ teaspoon jojoba oil.
    5. ¾ teaspoon sweet almond oil.
    6. ½ tablespoon pure aloe vera gel.
    7. ⅛ teaspoon Vitamin E oil.
    8. 15-20 drops of essential oils.
    Nov 5, 2021

    How to define curls when dry? ›

    Shape – Use fingers to clump, finger twirl, or lightly scrunch curls into shape. Dry – Air-dry your curls, or blow-dry with a diffuser on low heat (after applying a heat protectant)

    How do you moisturize and define curls? ›

    How do you keep your curly hair moisturized?
    1. Wash your hair with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. ...
    2. Apply a deep conditioner 1-2x a week. ...
    3. Use a leave-in conditioner to prevent breakage. ...
    4. Use a hydrating curl cream. ...
    5. Dry hair with a diffuser to lock in moisture and curl. ...
    6. Apply hair oil on dried curls.

    Can you use coconut oil as curl cream? ›

    How to Use Coconut Oil for Your Curls. Applying coconut oil is easy. Start with clean, damp hair and work a small amount of coconut oil through your locks, concentrating on the ends. You can leave it in for a few hours or even overnight for a deep treatment.

    Can I use oil instead of curl cream? ›

    Oils are great at sealing and locking in moisture, but you need to use water and/or a leave-in conditioner or curl cream beforehand to hydrate the hair. Styling creams provide moisture, encourage curls and create clumps. Hair oils can also be applied on wet hair, as part of your styling technique.

    What brings out natural curls? ›

    To invigorate your curls, water is your BFF. 'Use a water spray and spritz the hair. Then, reapply your leave-in conditioner, gels or serums to reactivate the curls,' says Sultan. That said, if you're someone with looser curls, a good salt spray can do a great job of creating texture and revitalising the wave or curl.

    What is in curl defining cream? ›

    Wheat Extract and Camellia Oil have been added to enhance and define natural curls by controlling volume and helping to tame frizz. The smoother the hair, the easier it is for the curls to be bouncy and defined.

    Can I use conditioner as curl cream? ›

    Using a conditioner (such as a leave-in conditioner or a daily conditioner”> as a styler is used by many curlies. My sister and daughter do it all the time. The conditioner does define my curls better than any styler and keeps them moisturized after I've sealed with an oil.

    Is curl defining cream the same as leave in? ›

    However, unlike a curl cream, a leave-in conditioner can hydrate, soften, and add shine to your curls but cannot offer hold and definition. A curl cream offers the best of both worlds as it is heavier and can help curls that are drier and need more moisture and definition.

    References

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