Louise McSharry: I've ditched my intense hair routine but curl cream is a must

Irish Independent

12-06-2025

Some subscribe heavily to the incredibly strict 'curly girl method', which has rigid guidelines about the products you can and can't use and how you apply them.
Some suggest a combination of three or four products is the secret to getting the glossy curls of your dreams. Others insist it's technique, and things like 'plopping' or the 'bowl method' are the answer.
The truth is, it can all be a little too much. I spent a couple of years wearing my hair exclusively in its natural texture and experimenting with various methods. I discovered that there were some techniques that absolutely helped my hair reach its curliest peak, and yes, the use of multiple products could certainly enhance them. I also discovered that I simply don't have it in me to maintain an intense curl routine.
Now, I break the rules. I brush my hair after my shower, I use products which contain sulphates because I really missed the lather when I used products without them, and I decided that when I want to wear my natural texture, I'm OK with it being less curly than it has the potential to be.
What I am entirely dedicated to, however, is curl cream. Curl cream adds definition and shine while allowing your hair to fall into its natural curl or wave pattern, without it developing a stiff cast or becoming overly done. It's a simple 'your hair but better product', and I love it.
Many curl experts will recommend that you only brush your hair in the shower, while it has conditioner in it, before carefully applying your chosen product to it afterwards. This definitely helps your hair to achieve its maximum curl potential, but these days my hair is long and I'm going for a grungier beachy vibe, so I apply some leave-in conditioner (I like Aveda's Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment, €42 via brownthomas.com) after the shower and brush it through. This results in looser, more lived-in waves, but obviously if your hair is coarser or curlier than mine, a different method might be better for you.
Then, I apply a reasonably generous amount of curl cream (similar to the amount of conditioner I use) all over my hair, before scrunching it and allowing it to air dry.
The amount or type of curl cream you use will depend on your individual texture and preference. So much of embracing your natural hair texture is about experimentation and having the confidence to ditch methods that don't work for you — this is my method five years in!
At the moment, I'm loving Oribe's Curl Control Silkening Créme (€52 via arnotts.ie). It's light and leaves the air soft and glossy while providing definition. Another great option is Curlsmith's Weightless Air Dry Cream (€29.99 via boots.ie), which is also light but doesn't leave any crunch.
For coarser hair, Ouai's Curl Créme (€34 via spacenk.com) is creamy and easy to apply while delivering nourishment and definition.
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If you're just testing the curl cream waters, Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk (€9.99 via boots.ie) is a gorgeous leave-in conditioner which almost functions as a very light curl cream.
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