DIY Curl Defining Cream Recipe - Moisturize and Define Curls Naturally

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.

DIY Curl Cream Recipe

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission on sales.

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. 

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 this DIY whipped preshampoo to 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 this moringa infused hot oil treatment.
• Switch to a satin pillowcase.  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.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel 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 butter 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 oil, 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.

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.  

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel 
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

DIY Curl Cream Directions

STEP #1

Melt shea butter and coconut butter in a double boiler 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 a hair dryer with a diffuser.  Style as usual.  You can use this every day or as needed.

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

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 tablespoon aloe vera gel
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

tools:

• double boiler

steps:

1. Melt shea butter and coconut butter in a double boiler or 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 a hair dryer with a diffuser. Style as usual. You can use this every day or as needed.

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