3 Best Curl Creams Under $15 for Soft, Defined Natural Hair
by Team CurlyNikki
A curl cream can cost twenty-something dollars and still leave us adding gel, oil and a prayer. Price alone cannot tell us whether a formula will suit our hair. The useful questions are how much conditioning we need, how much hold we expect and how generously we apply it. These three full-size options cost less than $15 each. Choose for the finish you want.
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cantu Coconut Curling Cream | A rich cream for twists and braid-outs | $5.99 / 12 oz at Walmart |
| African Pride Moisture Miracle Shea Butter & Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream | Soft-hold curl and coil sets | $6.49 / 12 fl oz at Sally Beauty |
| Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Cream | A lighter cream with protein | $10.99 / 6 fl oz |
Cantu: for a rich, inexpensive styling base
Coconut Curling Cream contains shea butter and coconut oil in a conditioning formula for curls and coils. Start here when you want a substantial cream for a twist-out or braid-out and use enough product that tiny jars become expensive very quickly. Smooth it onto damp hair in small sections, working from roots toward ends. Cantu has been around forever, has been a holy grail for many for years, and for good reason. You’ll be in good hands!
African Pride: for definition with a softer hold
Moisture Miracle combines shea butter and flaxseed oil with styling polymers, including polyquaternium-55 and PVP. That makes it worth comparing when you want conditioning plus some shaping support for finger coils, twists or a wash-and-go. Polyquat 55 is Nikki’s favorite ingredient when looking for a styler. Rub a small amount between your palms and work through damp sections. Smooth, shape and let the hair set before separating. Note: this formula is not silicone-free is that’s something you’re avoiding.
Not Your Mother’s: for a lighter cream with protein
Curl Talk Defining Cream contains rice extract and keratin amino acids, with a citrus-jasmine scent. Smells great, works great, but not as rich as the other choices.
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I have natural 4c tight coily thick hair. That’s very knotty, dry, and hard to manage at times. I keep it braided with two French braids one on each side with a afro puff bun on the back of it. I do have enough hair for my own Afro puff bun however it gets very dry and hard to the touch. I’m also mostly gray around the front of my face. I love my gray but I need more way to soften this beautiful hair I got as I journey in my 65 plus years.
Hi Cheryl! Let me know what products you’re presently using and how you’re using them and I can recommend what works for me, but also for my mom who is 100% gray/silver! We use similar products but she always reminds me that she needs more moisture and care lol because her grays have a mind of their own!
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