Curl Cream vs. Curl Jelly: What’s the Difference - and Why You Need Both
If you’re on a curl journey, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once:
“Do I need a curl cream and a jelly?”
The answer? If you want defined, bouncy, frizz-free curls that last - absolutely yes.
Curl creams and gels are two of the most powerful stylers in the curly toolkit, but they work in very different ways. Think of them as a dream team: one hydrates and softens, the other defines and holds. Alone, they’re great. Together, they’re unstoppable.
That’s why we created the Curl Jelly Dream Duo - the ultimate pairing of Curl Jelly Crème (curl cream) and Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly (curl jelly).
Want to know why they work so well together? Let’s break it down.
What Is Curl Cream?
Curl cream is your curls’ moisturising best friend. It’s a rich, creamy styling product that smooths, softens and nourishes your curls.
Curl creams are usually applied to wet or damp hair, right after washing or conditioning, and work to:
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Hydrate dry curls
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Add weight and slip to help with frizz
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Enhance natural curl shape
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Prep hair for styling and layering
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Provide light hold with a soft finish
Our Curl Jelly Crème is a curl cream with a difference. It’s rich, creamy and deeply moisturising, but still lightweight enough to keep your curls bouncy and touchable. It’s powered by nourishing ingredients that coat each strand in softness while encouraging your natural curl pattern to shine.
💡 Perfect for: curls that feel dry, coarse, frizzy or undefined straight out of the shower.
What Is Curl Jelly?
Curl Jelly is a gel styler that defines and holds curls while keeping them frizz-free, thanks to its unique formula that forms a gel cast around each curl. As it dries, this cast locks in shape and moisture, helping curls stay bouncy, shiny and long-lasting. Once dry, simply scrunch out the cast to reveal soft, defined curls with zero crunch.
Curl gels are amazing for:
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Locking in curl definition
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Fighting frizz and humidity
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Holding your curl shape for days
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Adding shine and bounce
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Reducing flyaways
The OG Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly is an award-winning favorite for a reason. It creates long-lasting, touchable hold with a flexible, non-crispy finish - perfect for scrunching, smoothing and defining every curl type.
💡 Perfect for: waves, curls or coils that need a bit more structure, shape, and long-lasting hold.
Why Use Both? The Power of the Dream Duo
Using a curl cream and curl jelly together gives you the best of both worlds:
- Moisture + Definition: Curl creams hydrate and prep, gels lock everything in. The cream gives your curls softness and elasticity, while the gel adds hold and structure so your style lasts.
- Frizz Control That Lasts: Layering cream and jelly creates a moisture-seal - protecting your curls from frizz, humidity and fluff throughout the day (and week).
- Flexible Styling:This duo allows you to customise your look. Want a soft, voluminous finish? Use more cream, less jelly. Need ultra-defined spirals? Layer both, then scrunch out the cast once dry.
How to Layer Like a Curl Pro
Here’s how to get the most out of the Curl Jelly Dream Duo:
Step 1: Start with clean, wet hair.
Use your Favorite curl-friendly shampoo and conditioner, then gently remove excess water with a towel or cotton shirt.
Step 2: Apply Curl Jelly Crème
Rake or scrunch it through wet or damp hair from mid-lengths to ends. Focus on any dry areas or frizz-prone sections.
Step 3: Apply Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly.
Layer the jelly over the cream, scrunching upwards to encourage definition. Less is more, start small and build if needed.
Step 4: Dry as you like.
Air-dry for a natural finish or diffuse for volume and bounce.
Step 5: Scrunch out the crunch (optional).
If your hair dries with a cast, scrunch it out for soft, bouncy curls.
Who Is the Dream Duo For?
✔️ Type 2 wavy hair that gets fluffy and loses definition
✔️ Type 3 curls that need frizz control and bounce
✔️ Type 4 coils looking for moisture + hold without shrinkage
✔️ Transitioning textures that need both softness and structure
✔️ Anyone who wants their style to last longer without redoing wash day
Final Thoughts: Better Together
Think of curl cream and curl jelly like your favourite pair of jeans and a perfect white tee — they can stand alone, but when you pair them up, magic happens.
The Curl Jelly Dream Duo was created to simplify your curl routine and maximise results - softness, definition, and hold, all in one routine, no guesswork needed.
✨ Shop the Dream Duo here → Curl Jelly Dream Duo
Your curls. Your way. Dream team, dream results. 💛