2C curl product recommendations

[Nolosomi]

I have newly had long layers in my long previously straightened 2B/2C wave type hair and am really struggling to find styling products - there are so many on the market and I just don’t trust the reviews on most sites!

I’ve been using a diffuser and Cantu hair cream but find it can be a bit too heavy in my hair which is fine but lots of it.

I’d be very grateful for recommendations for a good lightweight curl cream or should I be using mousse? Thanks 🙏

Yeah wavy hair doesn't like the heavier stuff. Kinky Curly knot today leave in conditioner tends to work well for most wavy hair as your sort of curl cream. I've not used it myself (difficult to get where I am) but the Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly is a popular gel for wavies and it's quite affordable. Wavy hair also tends to see better results when things are applied soaking wet, you can then take off a little of the excess wetness from the ends with an old t-shirt when you've applied all products. A Denman brush or similar is probably also a good investment to lift your hair away from the root (brushing while you're upside down).

I’m a 2c, I’ve tried loads of products but the Kerastase Aura Botanica Creme De Boucles - very light but great hold and shine from just a couple of pumps.
pretty sure I picked up the recommendation from someone on here!

I like to create a cast with gel - I get far better results with this than just using a curl cream.

I wash and condition (Cantu and Boucleme) then apply a small amount of leave in conditioner while still stood in the bath with soaking wet hair. I brush it through with a Denman brush (hair flipped upside down) then apply a small amount of curl cream and scrunch. I wrap my hair in a towel made with t-shirt material while I get dressed, then apply loads of gel (UG scrunching jelly) and scrunch. Before diffusing, I scrunch out the excess water with my towel.

I leave my hair in a cast until it's properly dry (takes an age - I only do an initial blast with the diffuser) then scrunch out. I sleep in a silk bonnet and refresh my curls with a water spray each morning which resets the cast. I can easily go 4-5 days between washes but i tend to wash twice a week.

It depends what look you're going for, but I definitely need to create a cast with gel for defined curls.

Thanks everyone, these are really helpful. What kind of Denman brush should I use?

Try mousse , I've been curly all my life and recently gone back to mousse on soaking wet hair .. it's nice and light

@Nolosomi I think mine is a classic Denman D3 styling brush. I keep all the rows in, but you can remove alternate rows for a wider curl pattern.

I also have the D3 with all the rows in, I think the D4 is meant for thicker hair. There's some good tutorials on YouTube for the best techniques, some more laborious than others, I stick with a fairly simple brush through but there's still some technique to it.

I'm the same, but closer to 2b and the best I've tried for curly hair is noughty. Frizz ease ,I think it's release the curl, needed the after care lotion to get the curl right.

I use gel now on my hair. I got a big tub of one called Eco from Super drug for a fiver. It's best used on wet hair that I then diffuse to set the curl. I then leave it until it's dry before scrunching it all out.

I find most curl cremes make my hair greasy and don't have the hold I need. I do tend to have one to smooth over any fluffy bits once my hair is dry. VO5 have a good one for that as do Twisted Sista.

I find creams too heavy for my hair. Mostly use mousse/foam and gel

Thanks again for replies. I’ve bought the umberto gel & a denman brush.

I’d be interested to know, for those who’ve replied but not mentioned the brands they use, what they are?

Good luck with the Umberto jelly, I have sworn by it for 15 years and counting!

I swap about which is the only reason I didn't say the brand!
Foam/mousse - curlsmith strength foam, morrisons/pantene mousse, Giovanni
Gel - aveda, jessicurl, treluxe. Mostly aveda as it's light but a good hold