Curly hair has a mind of its own – and if you have curly hair, you should probably get yourself some curl activators. When they have enough humidity and the weather is perfect, they look great. However, natural curls are prone to dehydration and dryness. But you don’t have to worry because we have a solution for you: curl activators. A curl activator is essential for people with firm, bouncy curls. Hydrates, fights frizz, adds shine, and revitalizes dry hair. It also revitalizes the shape and volume of your locks, making them easier to detangle and defining your locks. In this article, we have reviewed and compiled a list of the best curl activators currently available.
What is a cult activator?
A curl activator can be applied to damp hair as a hydrating step before your styling product. It can’t take much care of your waves, curls, or locks, but it can help you avoid frizz and add shine, hydration, and softness to your hair. Many curl activators contain glycerin, a common hydrating look that draws moisture into the lock of hair. Curl activator products are formulated to decorate your herbal curl pattern. They don’t have the electricity to instantly show off wavy hair or wavy hair on curly hair, but they do help to briefly loosen your prominent locks.
Care Free Curl by Soft Sheen Carson
Soft Sheen Care Free Curl Curl Activator was created specifically for today’s “Dry Curl” style to assist prevent hair breakage while offering “round-the-clock” moisture control without extra dampness. Ideal for body waves and natural hairstyles. Use on a regular basis to revitalize curls. The built-in conditioners keep the required moisture-oil balance for soft, healthy, and moist curls. Split ends are repaired, lifeless curls are revitalized, and the hair is condition.
- Pros: Pleasant fragrance, Easy to Use, Moisturizing
- Cons: Leave Residue
Cantu Curl Activator Cream
Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Curl Activator Cream is composed entirely of pure shea butter and is free of harmful chemicals. Curls are defined, moisturized, and restored, leaving them smooth, frizz-free, and vibrant. Cantu for Natural Hair brings out your true, natural beauty. No harsh chemicals produce frizz-free, smooth, bouncy curls
- Pros: frizz-free curls, volumizer, add shine
- Cons: Heavy on the hair
Activator and Moisturizer “No Drip” Formula
To maintain and condition your curly hairstyle, apply S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer on a regular basis. Glycerin and Vitamin B5 work together to prevent breakage and maintain your curls, waves, and natural hair smooth and healthy. Because of the No Drip Formula, you may use S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer without worrying about damaging your clothing or pillow coverings.
- Pros: No greasy build-up, Soft and healthy hair
- Cons: a little too watery
Wave Jel Activator
The S-Curl Wave Jel Activator is a mild gel that reduces shrinkage caused by washing your curly perm. As a result, your curls and waves will appear healthy and silky. This solution works by enlarging the natural curl/wave pattern already present in hair, transforming difficult-to-comb hair into smooth, controllable natural-looking curls and waves in minutes. Activates curls and waves without the need for grease and prevents your curly perm from withering after a shampoo.
- Pros: None Frizzy and sticky, healthy and soft curls
- Cons: Causes curl shrinkage (not long-lasting)
Curl & Wave Conditioning Activator Gel
Curls and waves are defined, and frizz and flyaways are reduced, using Proclaim Curl and Wave Conditioning Activator Gel. This gel was created with experienced stylists in mind for long-lasting effects. Increases body and hold without creating flaking or build-up. Replenishes hair’s natural moisture, resulting in increased gloss and a healthier appearance.
- Pros: Restore moisture, Prevents breakage
- Cons: Leaves Residue
S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer
To maintain and condition your curly hairstyle, apply S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer on a regular basis. Glycerine and Vitamin B5 work together to prevent breakage and maintain your curls, waves, and natural hair smooth and healthy. Because of the No Drip Formula, you may use an S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer without worrying about damaging your clothing or pillow coverings.
- Pros: Keeps Natural Curls, soft and healthy to hair
- Cons: Makes hair dry and frizzy
Moisture & Repair Curl Poppin’ Activator
Earth Supplied is enhanced with high quantities of the finest butter and oils, collected from all around the world and hand-picked for its incredible beauty benefits. Genuine ingredients are used. Real Advantages. Real-life outcomes. The 15 percent African Shea Butter + Southeast Asian Coconut Oil in Earth Supplied Curl Poppin’ Activator replenishes moisture, detangles, softens, and repairs coily and curly hair. Shea butter from Africa is a wonderful nut that moisturizes and softens dry, brittle hair while also nourishing the scalp.
- Pros: Amplifies Curls, frizz-free hair, Infused with Shea Butter
- Cons: Poor packaging
Cantu Men’s Curl Activator Cream
Cantu Guys’ Collection is designed particularly for men who have wavy, curly, or coarse hair. Caffeine, hemp seed oil, and shea butter are all included in this unique combination. The Men’s Curl Activator Cream was developed to provide hydration and gloss to dry hair while also helping to define curls. The natural curl pattern is smoothed and enhanced.
- Pros: Freeze free curls, healthy light curls
- Cons: Sticky, leaves residue
Creme of Nature Argan Oil
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Curl Activator Crème Curl Activator Creme with Moisture and Shine reduces frizz, produces weightless defined curls, rehydrates hair, detangles, and adds exotic shine. It’s a high-quality product that instantly revitalizes curls while keeping hair smooth and healthy.
- Pros: Anti-frizz, Great for detangling, revives curls
- Cons: Packaging issue
Cfc Curl Activator
Cfc Curl Activator is the best straightening product for normal, thick, and coarse curls. It is enriched with argan oil, which creates a silky smooth texture and repairs split ends. This moisturizing cream for curls nourishes and hydrates your curls and restores their elasticity. Controls frizz, prevents loose hair, and makes curls bounce. It gives your curls a natural shape, control, and definition.
- Pros: Revitalize the curls, Controls frizz, Non-greasy
- Cons: Thick formula (Bottle Issue)
African Pride Shea Miracle Moisture Intense Curl Activator Moisturizing Jelly
With this activator, you can define and condition your curl. Contains glycerin, vitamin B5, and botanical care ingredients like argan and olive oil to remove breakage and add softness and shine. Users are satisfied with its moisturizing power. It has an anti-frizz formula without heaviness or crunch. Without parabens or mineral oil.
- Pros: Easy to use, Moisturizes the hair, Controls frizz
- Cons: Sticky formula
Earth Supplied Moisture & Repair Curl Poppin’ Curl Activator
Earth Supplied Moisture and Repair Curl Poppin’ Activator are made with African Shea Butter and Southeast Asian Coconut Oil to replenish moisture, detangle, soften, and repair coily and curly hair. Infuses moisture and shine. African Shea Butter is a miracle nut known to moisturize and soften dry, brittle hair and nourish the scalp Southeast Asian Coconut Oil penetrates the hair shaft, delivers high shine, and protects against shedding
- Pros: Moisturize, Detangle, repair coily and curly hair
- Cons: Packaging Issue (Pumps are not appropriate for consistency)
Curl Re: Coil Curl Activator
Nothing defines, maintains, and hydrates curls better than AG Hair’s Curl Defining Treatment. Coil Curl Activator has been renamed. Recoil separates and holds without stiffness or stickiness, even in high humidity, thanks to AG’s unique Curl Creating Complex (C3). Curls are defined, maintained, and moisturized using this product. Even in heavy humidity, it separates and retains hair without stiffness or stickiness.
- Pros: moisturizes curls, Frizz control
- Cons: Leaves residue
Our Best Pick
Our best pick on this list is the Cantu Curl Activator Cream. It is the cheapest cream of all the curl activators listed above. It is formulated with shea butter that softens hair and enhances its natural curl pattern. It defines, hydrates, and restores your soft and natural curls. This curl activator works against dandruff and removes excess oil from the scalp.
Kristine Decena is a professional editor with over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She specializes in editing food and drink, footwear, clothing, and other lifestyle content. She has worked for such notable companies as The New York Times Company, Food Network Magazine, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., Hearst Corporation and Condé Nast International. Kristine is a graduate of Ohio University where she obtained degrees in English Literature and Journalism before embarking on her career as an editor.
