To ask about good creams/gels for curl definition

[curlytwurlywurly]

Not an AIBU but posting for traffic.
My son has curly hair that he barely puts a brush through and has a tendency to go frizzy. I am trying to gently nudge him to take a bit more pride in his appearance. I think his curls would look really nice if they were more defined. Can anyone recommend a tried and tested hair/cream-gel that defines curls and gives them a bit of shine without being sticky and making the hair go crispy?

My niece has had success with the Curly Girl Method.

Cantu curl activator cream is great. Super moisturising.

I recently bought Philip Kingsley curl activator but it was £££ - someone recommended Cantu on a FB page and i happened to see it for sale in Superdrug so I bought some the other day. Honestly Cantu was £8 versus the expensive PK one at £22 and I can't tell the difference between them, they both do a really good job.

A short cut? My DB finds his curly/frizzy hair much easier to manage when it is short. And no need to comb it which is a bonus as far as he is concerned.

Another vote for Cantu. And no brushing- curly hair just becomes a big shapeless mess if you brush it. Fingers are best

He needs to put a blob of curl cream through soaking wet hair .. if it's curly then there is no need for curly girl stuff .. my hair is curly and I use head and shoulders then cantu or boucleme curl cream on wet hair then leave it to dry or diffuse .

The pink curl creme from Boots is good. He mustn't brush it though, it will just be a frizz ball!

Was going to recommend the Curly Girl Method and Cantu curl activator too. Noughty Wave Hello curl cream is also good.

Umberto Giannini curl jelly is my favourite gel and I really like Frizz Ease curl defining mousse.

If any product makes his curls crispy (aka leaves a cast) leave it until it's bone dry and them gently scrunch out the crunch which will give good definition. Scrunching before the hair is dry causes major frizz (been there, got the t-shirt).

I never get a cast with mousse on it's own so that may work for you if you want to avoid crunchiness.

The pink curl creme from Boots is good

Quite a... retro fragrance but excellent value for money.

John Freida Frizzease Dream Curls Spray

But go easy or his hair will end up “crunchy” looking

My son has curly hair and uses conditioner as a leave in curl cream. Something without silicone like one of the cheap Garnier ones is best. He detangles it when he is washing it - definitely no brushing when it is dry.

@FeedMeWell

My son has curly hair and uses conditioner as a leave in curl cream. Something without silicone like one of the cheap Garnier ones is best. He detangles it when he is washing it - definitely no brushing when it is dry.

Leave in conditioner as a styler is fine but look out for ‘itchy Ms’, they’re usually far down the list of ingredients and have very long names beginning with M. They can make your scalp really itchy.

Thanks for all the recommendations, going to give them a go.