Do you struggle with keeping your waves and curls bouncy and at their curliest? If so, this post will help you understand what types of products really make a difference and what ingredients actually work when it comes to enhancing your waves and curls.

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What Makes Hair “Curlier”?

Curl pattern or the “tightness” of the wave/spiral is determined by the shape of your hair follicle in the scalp. You can’t create a curl pattern that doesn’t exist naturally from your genetics. You can, however, enhance your natural curls to their fullest potential.

Length also plays a big factor in your hair’s wave/curl pattern because longer hair has more “room” to spiral than short hair. And, it’s normal for some people’s curl pattern to not start until further down the strand. It’s also possible that gravity on longer hair can “elongate” your hair’s pattern. So, sometimes a trim/cut is all you need to help your waves/curls bounce!

Companies like to use fancy buzz-words in their marketing and advertising to sell products. For example, many “curl enhancers” and “curl activators” serve the same purpose and it’s just the name that’s different. So, it’s important to know what to look for when choosing products that will actually enhance your waves/curls.

When I refer to products making your hair “curlier,” what I mean is an increase in:

• Definition: The curls are formed and visible, and not puffy or expanded.
• Clumping: The curls are grouped into curl families and not stringy, similar to the definition, but this refers to the thickness of the clumps.
• Shrinkage: The curls bounce or recoil up to their fullest potential, and are not weighed down and elongated.

Certain products contain styling agents that improve the appearance of your curls.

❌ Products that DON’T have much impact on curl enhancement

• Shampoos
• Conditioners
• Masks
• Leave-ins
• Oils

✅ Products that DO have an impact on curl enhancement

• Curl creams
• Gels
• Mousses & Foams
• Sprays
• Water-based serums

The best way to know if a product will enhance your waves/curls is by looking at the ingredients. Ingredients are listed by concentration, with the top 5 or so making up the majority of the product. Ultimately, though, it’s about the formulation of the product which dictates how it performs. And since everyone’s hair is different, the only real way to know if a product will enhance your waves/curls is by trying it.

✅ Ingredients to look for (and WHY):

❌ Ingredients to avoid if enhancement is your goal (and WHY):

Heavy butters/oils at the top of the list

These can weigh down fine to medium-textured curls when used in excess.

Silicones, in some routines

May coat hair and soften too much, especially in fine to medium-textured hair.

Best Products that Make Hair Curlier

Cream (richest formula, defines and softens)

​AG Re:coil Curl Activator​Buy from AG with code GENA20​
​Buy on Amazon​
​Buy from Ulta​

• Curl cream with built-in curl activators and anti-humidity support
• Provides light hold and structure for curl enhancement
• Key ingredients: Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, polyquats, protein

​Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump and Define Cream
​​Buy from Bounce Curl with code GENAMARIE​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Moisturizing curl cream for definition and softness
• Best for medium to thick hair; may be too rich for fine curls
• Key ingredients: Aloe, oils, botanical humectants

​Cantu Avocado Curl Activator Cream with Avocado Oil Shea Butter​
​Buy from Amazon​
​Buy from Target​

• Budget-friendly, rich curl cream for softness and moisture
• Can weigh down fine hair if overused
• Key ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, glycerin

Gel (for strong hold and lasting curl shape)

The following gels are in order of strongest hold to medium hold.

​Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel (formerly Shine Gel)​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Provides strong cast and frizz control without fragrance
• Humidity-resistant
• Helps curls stay clumped and defined over multiple days
• Great for those with overly soft hair
• Key ingredients: Aloe, panthenol, polyquaterniums

​Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel​
​Buy from Ouidad with code GENAMARIE​
​Buy from Amazon​
​Buy from Ulta​

• Anti-humidity gel with high slip, curl memory support and softening properties
• Humidity-resistant
• High in moisture, so can be used alone
• Key ingredients: Polyquats, VP/VA copolymer, flexible hold polymers, protein

​Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curly Stimulator​
​Buy from Target​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Strong hold, lightweight natural gel for moisture, slip, and definition
• Great in dry climates
• High in moisture, so can be used alone
• Key ingredients: Aloe, marshmallow root, slippery elm

​Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard​
​Buy from Target​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Medium hold gel with a slippery, moisturizing yet lightweight feel
• Great in dry climates
• High in moisture, so can be used alone
• Key ingredients: Aloe, agave nectar, marshmallow root

Mousse & Foam (aerated products for volume + curl formation)

​Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse​
​Buy from Ulta​

• Medium to strong hold mousse
• Humidity-resistant
• Great for waves and looser curls
• Volumizing but not very texturizing
• Lightweight and low in moisture
• Key ingredients: Film-formers, protein, and lightweight humectants

​AG Mousse Gel Extra-Firm Curl Retention​
​Buy from AG with code GENA20​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Hybrid mousse-gel with light hold
• Slight texturizing effect for volume
• Moisturizing and medium-weight
• Key ingredients: Polyquaternium-11, panthenol

​MICHE Set Gel-to-Foam Styling Mousse​
​Buy from MICHE​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Gel transforms into a foam for definition + volume
• Moisturizing, curl-enhancing, and soft hold in one
• Key ingredients: Aloe, film-forming agents, conditioning polymers

Texturizers, Serums, & Sprays (lightest application method)

​TréLuxe ReFlex™ Curl Styling Serum
​​Buy from Treluxe​
​Buy from Amazon​

• Lightweight serum for slip, curl definition, and moisture
• Can be used as a leave-in or prep product before gel for a lighter weight option compared to creams
• Enhances curl shape and clumping, especially for waves and looser curls
• Key ingredients: Aloe vera, polyquaternium-10 (film-former), keratin amino acids, tomato fruit ferment extract

​AG Curl Trigger Defining Spray​
​Buy from AG with code GENA20​
​Buy on Amazon​

• Lightweight sea salt spray that enhances curls
• Reduces softness by creating texture to enhance volume
• Best used layered with a gel on top for hold
• Key ingredients: Salt, Glycerin, panthenol for moisture

If you want to see these products in action and my results, watch the video embedded above.

Curl enhancement isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about using the right ingredients to support your hair’s natural wave/curl pattern and to help get your hair to its fullest potential.

Tired of Fighting Your Curls?

If you’re not sure if your curls are currently at their full potential, or could possibly be curlier with the right routine and products, then I would love to have you in my upcoming Group Coaching Program. I will help you determine what your “best curls” are or if there is room for improvement.

Check out what my group members had to say:

Over half of the members in my last program renewed, most choosing the annual membership.

Enrollment is open JUNE 1, only through June 31.

I’m offering a $100 discount to those who want early access! Email me if you’re interested and want more details. Please include more about your hair and what you’re hoping to achieve and we’ll discuss if you’re a good fit!

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