The Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream Defined My Curls

We put Moroccanoil's Curl Defining Cream to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review. 

Finding products for my 4c hair is pretty easy because there are so many options on the market these days. However, I still go back and forth between the type of styler I like to use because the no-wash day result is never the same for me. I've used mousse, gel, and cream or sometimes a mix of all three—all of which give me varying results. Gels give me definition and hold. Creams hydrate and define my curls. Mousse locks moisture and defines. I've been experimenting with creams lately and Moroccanoil Curl Defining Styling Cream is up next on my list. When I used to straighten my hair the Moroccanoil Treatment was my holy grail, so I’m hoping for similar results with their curly line of products.

Read on to see how Moroccanoil's Curl Defining Cream worked on my 4c hair.

About My Hair: 4c, color-treated, low-porosity, and chronically dry

My hair in all of its kinky, coily glory is pretty easy to manage, but it has its quirks. For starters, it can get as dry as a desert. But, I now know how to combat that issue: layer all my products in the shower. How and when I layer my products are essential to my hair's hydration because I have low porosity hair. If my hair doesn't make a squishy sound when I squeeze it, then that means my hair doesn't have the water it needs. Each week, I co-wash (I use a clarifying cleanser once a month), condition, and deep condition for 30 minutes under a hooded dryer. 

The Feel: A creamy, midweight formula

The cream textured formula has a little weight to it but leaves no greasy residue behind. 

The Packaging: An easy-to-use pump

I love that this cream has a pump. In the shower, it makes it so much easier to apply the right amount and the bottle didn't slip out of my wet hands.

However, before you drop it into your recycle bin, remove the pump and rinse out any excess product. 

Ingredients: Strengthening and hydrating

This formula features antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and argan oil. These ingredients are said to help increase elasticity and add shine while protecting the hair from heat damage and free radicals. Meanwhile, polyquaternium-11 forms a lightweight film around the hair to hold the curl, add shine, and keep frizz at bay. Best of all, the clear film won’t cause buildup. 

The Results: Minimal hydration, lots of shrinkage with some definition 

I really thought I was going to love this product, but it just didn't give my coils what they needed. When applying I noticed that the formula had very little slip which is a trait I look for in all of my products from shampoo to styling. After the cream was applied and my hair was dry, I saw that my hair didn't have much length and that it didn't feel very hydrated. To stretch my roots, I placed my hair in a puff. Even though it didn't hydrate or elongate my curls, there was some pretty good definition. 

One thing I'm realizing when it comes to products for curly and natural hair types is that some brands just won't work for my hair type. Considering no how-to videos are using the product on women with coily hair textures and limited images of women with 4 type hair on their website and social media pages it’s clear to me the line isn’t for me even if the product description says the cream can be used successfully on coily hair types. 

The Value: Worth it

If this product did work for my hair type, I think you get a lot of product for your investment. The 8.5-ounce bottle provides a lot of product and the pump makes it easy to apply the precise amount of product that you need. I found that a little went a long way. 

Similar Products: A range of price points and ingredients 

Cantu Avocado Hydrating Curl Activator Cream ($8): Formulated with shea butter, avocado oil, aloe, mango seed butter, and olive oil, this curl cream provides frizz-free hydration at a budget-friendly price point. 

Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème ($20): Infused with rice amino and avocado, this dual-use formula is both a leave-in and curl cream that provides long-lasting hydration and defined curls. 

OUAI Curl Créme ($32): Crafted with linseed and chia seed, this formula can help shape curls, prevents frizz, and hydrates a range of curl types from wavy to coily.