Definition

Testing notes: “The texture for this one was really thick, but it gave my curls nice definition when I applied it,” says Condé Nast content licensing associate Paton Hardy, who has very fine, curly hair. “After the fact, it was a little drying for me, so I found it best to be used with hair oil. It also smelled super fresh!”

Best Drugstore Curl Cream: SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Best for: Taming frizz and definition

Pros: Moisturizes really well at under $15; manages frizz
Cons: It’s really thick, so your hair might not fully absorb it.

This SheaMoisture bestseller is an oldie but goodie, and it was highly-recommended by people in my immediate friend group when I first went natural in college., I’m happy to say it definitely lives up to the hype. It features ingredients like coconut oil and silk protein, which moisturize the hair from inside the shaft, and prevents common curl concerns like frizziness.

Testing notes: Sometimes I use this after washing and blowing out my coils (I prefer to do twist outs on stretched hair), and even after applying it to my hair in a stretched state, the curls still manage to look like healthy spirals. I’m also a really big fan of the way this product makes my hair feel—after unraveling my twists, I usually find myself continuously touching my curls because of how satisfied I am with how soft and moisturized my hair feels. My only gripe is that this is a product that sort of sits on your hair—it’s pretty thick, so that’s to be expected—so if you’re someone who touches your hair often, you’ll definitely be able to feel that there’s something on your strands.

Best for Moisturizing: Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Conditioner

Best for: Moisture retention

Pros: Scent is long-lasting and pleasant; light texture so doesn’t weigh hair down
Cons: Doesn’t address frizz

This one doesn’t have the thickness of a curl cream (because it’s not a curl cream, per se) but it has easily become one of my favorite products in recent months. Our editors recommend this leave-in conditioner for curly hair. It has a milky texture that’s just a tad runnier than a lotion, and it features unique add-ins like rice amino acids, which can seal the outer cuticles and ensure your curls don’t become frizzy, and tomato, which is supposed to support moisture retention.

Testing notes: This is another cream that I typically like to apply on blown-out hair before twisting and setting for a few hours or overnight. I typically apply it from root to end before adding mousse. Mousse can sometimes harden my curls (it’s a holding product for a reason) or dry them out, but I’ve noticed that whenever I apply this to my hair first, I can alleviate that issue and wake up with very soft, defined, and moisturized curls.

Best for Wash-and-Gos: Fenty Beauty The Homecurl Curl-Defining Styling Cream

Courtesy of brand

Fenty Hair The Homecurl Curl-Defining Styling Cream

Best for: Wash-and-go styling