If you have curly or wavy hair, this DIY curl cream recipe will be right up your alley! Instead of saturating your hair with store bought creams and mousses that are loaded with drying alcohols and chemicals, this homemade curl cream is an amazing alternative that works just as well but without all the gunk! We used all natural aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and shea butter to make this luscious curl enhancing cream.
If you've ever used hair gel or curling mousse you know how it can leave your hair crunchy and greasy looking, but this DIY curl cream recipe will not. That's because it's made with hair friendly ingredients that actually enhance your hair's natural texture.
But, even if you don't have curly hair, this homemade curl cream can still help you achieve some much needed texture, bounce, shine, and volume. For those with fine hair who want volume and thickness, we highly recommend you blowdry your hair upside down using a diffuser.
DIY Curl Cream Recipe
Jump to Recipe
Benefits of DIY Curl Cream
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe is a natural gel and therefore works really great instead of an actual store bought hair gel. Aloe vera is also super moisturizing and healing, so if your tresses are stressed, this DIY curl cream will heal damaged strands as well.
Additionally, aloe vera has also been scientifically proven to restore dry and damaged hair, as well as to encourage growth. This is because aloe contains proteolytic enzymes which help to repair dead skin cells on the scalp, and therefore promoting healthier and faster hair growth.
To top it all off, aloe vera also prevents scalp itch and irritation, dandruff, and dryness, just to name a few.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil encourages healthy hair growth, hydrates dry scalp and hair, and also detoxifies. Because it's packed full of antioxidants and fatty acids, coconut oil can help retain moisture and heal a number of hair problems such as dry and itchy scalp and dandruff.
It also helps to prevent breakage and split ends because of the amount of fatty acids it contains. This in turn helps to promote healthier, faster hair growth, and also adds shine and luster.
Shea Butter
Shea butter adds shine and lush to drab locks and also makes sure moisture stays put. But the amazing thing about shea butter is that it has proven to help with hair loss. This is because like coconut oil, shea butter also contains a high amount of fatty acids which aids in the production of healthy hair follicles.
It is also anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and antiseptic, making it an excellent addition to any homemade beauty product.
All three of these ingredients combined make for a kick-ass curl cream that you'll love using day after day!
Home to Make Curl Cream:
- 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
- 2 tbsp organic, cold pressed coconut oil
- 2 tbsp shea butter
Directions:
- If need be, melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler method or in the microwave.
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until well incorporated.
- Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat all 3 ingredients until stiff peaks form.
- Apply to wet hair starting from the middle of the head and running all the way down to the ends.
- As you do this, twist the hair around your finger to encourage curls.
- Air dry for a less pronounced more natural look, or use a blowdryer diffuser to get bigger curls and more volume.
- Use this after every shower for beautiful, natural and bouncy curls!
NOTES:
- Depending on your climate, your curl cream may melt. If that happens, simply stick in the fridge for a few hours and whip again.
- If your curl cream gets solidified (it gets too cold), throw back into the stand mixer and whip again.
- Will keep for several months.
- Feel free to add some of your favorite essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, tea tree, or check out some of our favorite essential oils for hair!
Here are some of our favorite essential oils to add to hair products! Simply add a couple of drops to this DIY curl cream:
Rosemary Essential Oil: This is a great essential oil to add to any hair product, including shampoos and conditioners. It's great for those with thinning and breaking hair, and also helps to prevent hair loss.
Sage Essential Oil: This is a great option for those with grey hair as sage essential oil can help slow down the hair's aging process.
Lavender Essential Oil: Helps to improve hair texture, is a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, and also improves hair growth and strength.
Tea Tree Oil: Add this to your DIY curl cream, shampoos, or conditioners, to strengthen hair and also to keep dandruff at bay.
DIY Curl Cream
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp aloe vera gel preferably organic
- 2 tbsp cold pressed coconut oil
- 2 tbsp shea butter
Instructions
- If need be, melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler method or in the microwave.
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until well incorporated.
- Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat all 3 ingredients until stiff peaks form.
- Apply to wet hair starting from the middle of the head and running all the way down to the ends.
- As you do this, twist the hair around your finger to encourage curls.
- Air dry for a less pronounced more natural look, or use a blowdryer diffuser to get bigger curls and more volume.
- Use this after every shower for beautiful, natural and bouncy curls!
Video
Notes
- Depending on your climate, your curl cream may melt. If that happens, simply stick in the fridge for a few hours and whip again.
- If your curl cream gets solidified (it gets too cold), throw back into the stand mixer and whip again.
- Will keep for several months.
- Feel free to add some of your favorite essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, tea tree, or check out some of our favorite essential oils for hair!
Would this work for straight hair too??
Hi Leslie,
It’s best for wavy/curly hair, but if you were to apply it to straight hair, it would give you soft beach waves, which I guess is better than nothing 🙂
How long does it take for stiff peaks to form? I started using a hand mixer but after 10 minutes switched to my stand mixer. It’s been going for 30 minutes now and no peaks, just liquidy.
Thanks
Hi Anna-Maria,
It shouldn’t take long at all…about 5 minutes if I remember correctly! If no stiff peaks form, place the mixture into the refrigerator until it hardens a little bit and try mixing again – that should work 🙂
What do you recommend. I have bleached my hair about 2 months ago, and last week I was crazy enough to put a perm. My hair feels so damaged. The mid shaft to the ends is so brittle and barely liiks permed. But from the root to the middle held the perm curls really good.
My hair is a wreck.. Please help. ???
Hi Erica, I’m so sorry to hear about your hair! We’ve all been through it and the good news is that your hair WILL bounce back…it just might take some time! I recommend staying away from any chemical treatments (no dye jobs, perms, etc) for at least 6 months. During this time, take proper care of your hair by only washing it 2-3 times a week (even less if possible). This way, the natural oils can build up again and your hair will regain hydration. Also, try to stay away from heating tools such as hair dryers or flat irons… Read more »
Hi there 🙂 your hair looks amazing! I tried following your method, but my cream did not get thick at all… Do you know where I could have possibly gone wrong and how long I would need to whip it for?
Hi Carla,
Make sure that the coconut oil and shea butter are melted before you start whipping. If it doesn’t thicken, I would think that the cream wasn’t whipped long enough. Use a hand mixer at medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Sometimes it can be a little longer, but it should definitely work! Let us know how it goes if you try it again 🙂
How long does it last for . I have a bunch of aloe very jell from a plant and I’m trying to grow my thick curtly hair
Hi Sukainah,
If you’re using fresh aloe vera gel from a plant, it won’t last as long because there will be no preservatives. Fresh aloe gel will last about a week or two in the refrigerator. If you’re using bottled aloe vera gel, the curl cream can last several months.
Great recipe and really works for those who already have curly hair! If your hair is straight and fine, it’ll give you very soft curls as well! If your cream doesn’t become “whipped”, you should throw it in the fridge for about 20 minutes and whip it again!
I made this, and a good tip is to let the oils cool after melted. That makes it easier to whip it. However, my hair are just greasy after using this, so I ended up using it as bodylotion
Hi Celia,
Yes, you’re right, the oils should be cooled before using – we’ll add that in there! If you feel that your hair is greasy afterwards, cut back on the coconut oil and be sure to only use a small amount on the ends. It all depends on the thickness of your hair. Some people need to use more, while other with thinner hair, should use less as to not weigh the hair down.
Can you use fresh aloe in stead of aloe gel?
Hi Kimberly,
Yes, you absolutely can, but just be aware that it may spoil quickly. If you’re only making a one time use batch, then it’s no problem 🙂
Hi, which aloe vera gel (brand) is being used?
Hi Sam,
Any aloe vera gel will do, but we always prefer a natural/organic one 🙂
Instead of Shea butter we can use butter
Hi Vaishu,
No, unfortunately, you cannot as they are two completely different types of butter.
I can’t be the only one’s whose hair didn’t dry… it’s been 6 hours
what does it do. like does it enhance curls or?
Sup curls
Umm how long does it take for the cream to work
Hi Khalil,
It should work instantly 🙂
I have short 2a hair as a boy, would using this better define my waves or give me tighter waves or even give me curls?