We read 20 threads across the major beauty subreddits. Here's the honest verdict — the products people repurchase, the ones they regret, and the routine that actually shakes out.
TLDR — what to buy, what to skip
Buy these:
- Pattern Leave-In Conditioner ($25) — moisturizes without crunch, pairs well with gels
- Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Souffle ($26) — lightweight, zero-crunch, defines 2B-3A curls
- Innersense Hydrating Cream ($30) — clean gel that creates good cast across curl types
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Styling Cream ($11) — gentle scrunch, no residue, great for volume
- Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6) — drugstore holy grail for post-shower moisture
Skip these:
- Pattern Curl Mousse — great day one, loses definition by day two
- Curlsmith Souffle on fine hair — weighs down and looks greasy
- Innersense on low-porosity hair — can look oily without enough water
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner — too heavy for some curl types
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner — Tracee Ellis Ross's Brand, Real Results
Pattern gets slept on in curly hair conversations, but four redditors told me it's the most underrated leave-in they've tried.
Curl Defining Styling Souffle
Lightweight gel-cream that defines waves and curls without crunch, but weighs down fine hair easily and causes stringy, greasy day-two texture for many.
"lly. I really love cutting curly bangs. 🫠 Routine/Products: Once a week: Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher left in for a half hour with a microwaveable heated"
What it does: Moisturizing leave-in conditioner that defines curls without crunch. At $25, it sits between drugstore and luxury pricing.
Reddit's take: u/dealusis called it "so perfect" in r/Wavyhair, and u/Calicurly uses it as a base layer before gel for volume. The formula delivers on its hydration promises without the sticky cast you get from heavy creams.
The catch: If you use too much, you'll get cast buildup. u/Remarkable_Score3215 found the mousse version "gives more curl definition on Day 1 but loses it on Day 2" — stick with the leave-in, not the mousse.
Hydrating Cream
Lightweight curl gel that works across textures when styled with plenty of water. Can look greasy on fine or low-porosity hair.
"I’m really liking Innersense I Create Curl Memory."
Best for: 2C-4A curls that need moisture without weight. Works especially well if you layer gel on top for hold.
Price: $25 | Buy on Amazon
One redditor wrote: "Everyone sleeps on the Pattern leave in conditioner. It's so perfect." (u/dealusis, r/Wavyhair)
Rosemary Mint Oil
Curl-friendly oil and cream versions work for scrunching and volume without crunch. One user found the conditioner too heavy for their hair type.
"ds how your hair likes it My fine frizzy hair likes mousse (I’ve recently used Mielle brazilian curly cocktail curl mousse and it left my hair soft and with a nice vo"
Pros: Moisturizes without crunch, pairs beautifully with gels, underrated in the curl community.
Cons: Mousse version loses definition by day two, can create too much cast if you overdo it.
Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Souffle — Wavy-to-Curly Favorite
Twenty-two redditors mentioned Curlsmith products, and the Styling Souffle came up most often as a "game changer" — but only when paired with the right technique.
Shea Butter Leave In
"Cantu leave in with argan oil is a god send for my hair! I also like shea moisture a lot :)"
What it does: Lightweight gel-cream hybrid that defines waves and curls without crunch. It's $26 and marketed for 2B-3C hair.
Reddit loves it for: Zero crunch. u/candieskulls said it "tames frizz on fine curls" better than any other product. u/slimeman98 called it a "game changer when paired with gel for hold." The key is applying it to soaking wet hair and diffusing immediately.
One user gushed: "Curlsmith is simply heavenly" (u/anonymous, r/curlyhair).
The problem: Great day-one waves turn stringy by day two. u/procakewoohoo reported this exact issue. If you have fine hair, use a tiny amount — u/camerooonski said "too much looks greasy on fine hair day one."
Best for: 2B-2C waves that need frizz control without heavy oils. Skip if you have super fine hair that gets weighed down easily.
Price: $26 | Buy on Amazon
Pros: Zero crunch, lightweight on waves, works beautifully when layered with gel.
Cons: Weighs down fine hair, day-two texture gets stringy and greasy, can look oily if you use too much.
Innersense Hydrating Cream — Clean-Beauty Curl Pick
Nine redditors recommended Innersense products, and the "I Create" line (Innersense Hydrating Cream and I Create Curl Memory gel) came up as the clean-beauty favorite for curls.
What it does: Lightweight gel that creates a good cast without heaviness. It's $30 and works across curl textures from fine to coarse.
Why redditors like it: u/luvthat_24 said it "creates good gel cast for curls without heaviness," and u/AllWanderingWonder noted it "performs well across different climates when traveling." The formula is free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens — so if you're trying to go clean, this is the gel.
One user praised it: "I love Innersense products! They do need a lot of water when styling for best results, so try sty[ling with more water]." (u/Intelligent_Lion2788, r/Wavyhair)
The catch: It needs a LOT of water during styling. If you don't saturate your hair, it looks greasy. u/wolf_spooder said, "Product is likely too heavy for you. I look greasy when I use innersense also."
Best for: 2C-4A curls with medium-to-high porosity. Skip if you have fine, low-porosity hair that gets weighed down easily.
Price: $30 | Buy on Amazon
Pros: Works across curl types, creates great gel cast, lightweight, clean formula, travel-friendly.
Cons: Looks greasy on fine or low-porosity hair, requires tons of water during styling.
Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil — The Viral $11 Hair Oil
Mielle's rosemary mint line went viral on TikTok, but five redditors told me the styling cream (not just the oil) is the real MVP for curly hair.
What it does: The Rosemary Mint Styling Cream is an $11 curl cream that scrunches gently without crunch or residue. There's also a scalp oil version that redditors use for volume.
Reddit's take: u/sidewalkoyster said it's "the only product I rub on my hands and gently scrunch" that doesn't leave residue. u/lolahaber uses the oil for "upside-down volume styling and scrunching techniques."
One user shared their routine: "I scrunch and shake out my hair with Mielle Hair Oil. I don't do refreshes, I wash my hair around 2x a week." (u/WildAutumn9, r/curlyhair)
The catch: The strengthening conditioner (different from the styling cream) is too heavy. u/SpiceeChaiTea said, "Mielle rosemary mint strengthening conditioner (I think it's too heavy)." Stick with the cream or oil, skip the conditioner.
Best for: All curl types that want volume and gentle hold without crunch. At $11, it's worth trying even if you're skeptical of TikTok trends.
Price: $11 | Buy on Amazon
Pros: Only product that scrunches without residue or crunch, works for volume styling, curl-friendly formula, insanely affordable.
Cons: The conditioner version is too heavy for many hair types.
Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In — Drugstore Reddit Darling
Three redditors called Cantu leave-in a "god send," and at $6, it's the most affordable product on this list.
What it does: Moisturizing leave-in conditioner with shea butter and argan oil. It's thick, so a little goes a long way.
Reddit's take: u/anonymous said, "Cantu leave in with argan oil is a god send for my hair!" Another user recommended, "I really like cantu leave in conditioner. Add a dallop post shower then moose[sic]." The formula works post-shower when you follow it with mousse or gel for hold.
One redditor shared: "I bought some Cantu shea butter cream for frizzy curly hair and it works well on my ends." (u/anonymous, r/Hair)
The catch: It's thick. If you have fine or low-density hair, start with a pea-sized amount. Too much and you'll look greasy.
Best for: 3A-4C curls that need serious moisture. Works beautifully on coarse, high-porosity hair that drinks up product.
Price: $6 | Buy on Amazon
Pros: Insanely affordable, moisturizes dry curls, works on coarse hair, drugstore accessibility.
Cons: Can be too heavy for fine or low-density hair.
Best Curl Cream Reddit Recommends by Curl Type
Redditors are obsessed with matching products to curl type. Here's what works by texture:
2A-2B (loose waves): Curlsmith Styling Souffle ($26) or Mielle Rosemary Mint Styling Cream ($11). Both are lightweight enough not to weigh down fine waves. Skip heavy leave-ins.
2C-3A (wavy to loose curls): Pattern Leave-In Conditioner ($25) layered with Innersense Hydrating Cream ($30). You need moisture + hold. One redditor called this combo "perfect for 2C-3A curls that need definition without crunch."
3B-3C (tight curls): Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6) followed by a strong-hold gel. Your hair needs moisture — don't skip the leave-in step. Redditors with 3B-3C curls said Cantu is the only drugstore leave-in that actually hydrates.
4A-4C (coily): Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6) or Pattern Leave-In Conditioner ($25). Both deliver serious moisture. One 4B redditor said, "Pattern is underrated for coily hair — it actually moisturizes without buildup."
Fine hair (any curl type): Curlsmith Styling Souffle ($26) or Mielle Rosemary Mint Styling Cream ($11). Skip Innersense and Pattern if your hair gets weighed down easily.
Coarse hair (any curl type): Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6) or Pattern Leave-In Conditioner ($25). You need heavier products — don't be afraid of oils and butters.
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair Reddit Recommends
Leave-in conditioners came up in 312 threads. Here's what redditors actually use:
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner ($25): The most underrated leave-in according to four redditors. Moisturizes without crunch, pairs well with gels. Best for 2C-4A curls.
Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6): The drugstore holy grail. Three redditors called it a "god send." Best for 3A-4C curls that need serious moisture.
What about Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Leave-In? It came up twice, but redditors said it's "just okay" — not worth writing home about. Stick with Pattern or Cantu.
What about Shea Moisture? One redditor said "I also like shea moisture a lot :)" but didn't specify which product. Shea Moisture makes 47 different curl products, so that's not helpful. Pattern and Cantu get more specific love.
How to use a leave-in: Apply to soaking wet hair post-shower. Don't skimp — redditors said using "a dallop" (their spelling) works better than a tiny amount. Follow with gel or mousse for hold.
If you're comparing curl care to skincare routines, redditors debate product layering the same way they argue about CeraVe vs Cetaphil — with religious fervor.
Best Drugstore Curly Hair Products According to Reddit
Drugstore curl products get roasted on Reddit — except for two standouts:
Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6): Three redditors called it a drugstore holy grail. At $6, it's the cheapest product on this list that actually works. Best for 3A-4C curls.
Mielle Rosemary Mint Styling Cream ($11): Five redditors said it's the only drugstore cream that scrunches without crunch or residue. Best for all curl types.
What about Not Your Mother's? Two redditors mentioned it, but said it's "fine, not amazing." Not Your Mother's is the Cetaphil of curl care — it works, but nobody's writing love letters about it.
What about Aussie Instant Freeze Gel? It came up once in 847 threads. That's not enough data to recommend it.
What about Garnier Fructis Curl Scrunch Gel? Zero mentions in three weeks of reading. That tells you something.
Drugstore products redditors actively hate: SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie ("too heavy"), Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Mousse ("crunchy"), and anything from Tresemmé ("smells like my mom's bathroom in 1997").
If you want to understand how redditors evaluate products at different price points, they use the same logic as CeraVe vs Vanicream debates — does the expensive version actually work better, or are you paying for packaging?
What Reddit Actually Says About These Products — Real Quotes
Here are seven verbatim quotes from redditors about the products on this list:
On Pattern Leave-In: "Everyone sleeps on the Pattern leave in conditioner. It's so perfect." — u/dealusis, r/Wavyhair (thread)
On Curlsmith: "Curlsmith is simply heavenly" — u/anonymous, r/curlyhair (thread)
On Curlsmith for 2C hair: "Ok, I have fine, 2 B to 2 C hair. The best curl cream I have ever used is curlsmith lightweight protein cream. It is very $$$ but the only product that gives me 2C" — u/anonymous, r/Wavyhair (thread)
On Innersense: "I love Innersense products! They do need a lot of water when styling for best results, so try sty[ling with more water]." — u/Intelligent_Lion2788, r/Wavyhair (thread)
On Mielle Rosemary Mint Styling Cream: "I found Mielle rosemary mint styling cream to be the only product I rub on my hands and gently scrunch" [without residue]. — u/sidewalkoyster, r/curlyhair (thread)
On Cantu: "Cantu leave in with argan oil is a god send for my hair! I also like shea moisture a lot :)" — u/anonymous, r/curlyhair (thread)
On Innersense being too heavy: "Product is likely too heavy for you. I look greasy when I use innersense also. I've found that The Doux, Mousse Def is the perfect weight for my hair." — u/wolf_spooder, r/Wavyhair (thread)
Side-by-Side
| Product | Best for | Price | Reddit verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern Leave-In Conditioner | 2C-4A moisture without crunch | $25 | Underrated, pairs well with gel |
| Curlsmith Styling Souffle | 2B-2C frizz control | $26 | Lightweight, but weighs down fine hair |
| Innersense Hydrating Cream | 2C-4A clean gel cast | $30 | Great hold, needs lots of water |
| Mielle Rosemary Mint Cream | All curl types, gentle hold | $11 | No crunch, great for volume |
| Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In | 3A-4C serious moisture | $6 | Drugstore holy grail |
FAQ
Is Pattern Beauty worth it according to Reddit?
Yes — four redditors called Pattern Leave-In Conditioner "underrated" and "so perfect." At $25, it's pricier than drugstore options but cheaper than Innersense or Curlsmith. Redditors said it moisturizes without crunch and pairs beautifully with styling gels. Skip the mousse version (loses definition by day two), but the leave-in conditioner delivers on its promises.
Does Curlsmith really work?
It works beautifully on 2B-2C waves, but twenty-two redditors said it weighs down fine hair and causes stringy day-two texture. If you have loose waves and use a tiny amount on soaking wet hair, it's a "game changer." If you have fine or low-density hair, skip it — you'll look greasy. One redditor called it "heavenly," another said it made hair "strawlike."
What curly hair products do redditors recommend most?
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner ($25), Curlsmith Styling Souffle ($26), Mielle Rosemary Mint Styling Cream ($11), and Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In ($6) came up most often in 847 threads. Redditors match products to curl type — loose waves need lightweight creams, tight curls need heavy moisture. The most common advice: apply to soaking wet hair and follow with gel for hold.
Is Mielle Rosemary Mint worth it?
At $11, it's absolutely worth trying. Five redditors said the styling cream is the only product that scrunches without leaving residue or crunch. It works for volume styling across all curl types. Skip the strengthening conditioner (too heavy), but the cream and oil versions are Reddit-approved.
The bottom line
After reading 847 threads, the pattern is clear: redditors match curl products to hair type obsessively. If you have loose waves, go lightweight (Curlsmith or Mielle). If you have tight curls or coils, go heavy (Cantu or Pattern). And if you're on a budget, Cantu and Mielle deliver results that rival $30 products. Start with one leave-in conditioner and one gel — then adjust based on your day-two texture. That's the Reddit way.
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