Is the Viral Ouai Curl Cream Worth It? Two Editors Test It Out

Name: The Final Verdict: Is Ouai Curl Cream Worth It?
Brand: Ouai/Iryna Veklich
Price: 32 USD

Designed to define curls, reduce frizz and add shine

Author image: about face matte fluid eye paint review chelsea candelario

By Chelsea Candelario

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Published Mar 14, 2025

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ouai curl cream review a photo of chelsea candelario and dara katz

PureWow/Ouai

Value: 18/20
Functionality: 20/20
Aesthetic: 19/20
Scent: 20/20
Curl Definition: 18/20
Total: 95/100

I’ve been familiar with Ouai ever since I discovered their game-changing scalp scrub and luxurious hair oil. And I’m not alone—other PureWow editors rave about their detox shampoo and dry shampoo. In other words, this is a brand we love and trust. And so when the internet started buzzing over the Curl Crème ($32), with big promises of defining, hydrating and preventing any frizz, I was intrigued to see if Ouai’s latest creation lived up to the hype. Another editor and myself put the curl cream to the test over several weeks to see how it performs on different hair types. Here’s what we discovered.

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Ouai Curl Cream Ingredients

The curl cream is made with chia and linseed oils to control frizz, protect hair against humidity and shape curls. The formula also contains coconut oil to hydrate strands and seal damaged cuticles, as well as babassu oil to soften curls and improve shine.

How to Apply Ouai Curl Cream

You can apply the Ouai curl cream on wet or dry hair. On wet hair, the brand recommends sectioning hair and distributing the product evenly through each section. Use a wide-tooth comb or simply finger-comb the product in between your strands. While I prefer raking and doing the ‘praying’ method on my curls (i.e., gliding my palms together in a prayer-like motion to smooth hair and distribute product), Executive Editor Dara Katz found the scrunching technique worked better for distributing product throughout her locks. On dry hair, the brand suggests applying just a small amount of product on any dry areas that are prone to frizz or lack of definition a few days after wash day.

How We Tested the Ouai Curl Cream

It was obvious that curly gals needed to test out the cream. As someone with low porosity, color-treated *and* frizzy 3C hair, I was excited to try it out and see if it could be a triple threat product in my styling routine. I also enlisted Katz, who has thick, coarse and wavy hair. Her goal was to find a balance between her scalp health and hydrating as she is prone to product build up and dryness. Together we spent a couple of weeks using the cream, while comparing the results on wet versus dry hair.

Chelsea Candelario's Curl Cream Review

Chelsea Candelario

Ouai

Hair Type: 3C curl type, low porosity, color-treated, frizzy

The cream was effective at defining my curls. Once I sectioned my hair, I used about a dime-size amount to maintain moisture and shape my strands. It’s a creamy formula, so it was easy to run the products through each section of my hair and it didn’t weigh my locks down—making it essential for my weekly wash and go’s. I found after applying the product, and spending time to diffusing my hair, my curls come out softer and more voluminous. I was not expecting my hair to look so bouncy even after wash day. I would say it didn’t do much to tame my frizz alone but combining it with my Ouai hair oil made it much more manageable. When it comes to applying it on dry hair, I didn’t find it as effective. I have low porosity hair, so I need a bit more H2O to really showcase the power of the curl cream.

Dara Katz's Curl Cream Review

Dara Katz

Ouai

Hair Type: 2B/2C curl type, dry, coarse

When I used it on my dry strands, it made my hair too greasy. But after a few tries, I think I found the winning combination: Towel dry hair with a microfiber towel, apply a quarter-size amount of cream throughout my hair in sections, scrunch with towel, add gel, scrunch again and air dry my wavy hair. This method works best because it hydrates with the cream and seals it in with the gel—which is what my hair needs. Also note: I keep products to mostly the ends of my hair since creeping up on my scalp makes things greasy and leads to build up.

ouai curl cream review a photo of ouai and chelsea candelario

Sephora

The Final Verdict: Is Ouai Curl Cream Worth It?

What We Like

softens hair
pleasant scent
creamy formula
silicone-free

What We Don't Like

pricey
some reviewers find it too heavy on their strands
not moisturizing alone for low porosity hair

Ouai/Iryna Veklich

Dara and I both agree that the Ouai curl cream provides much needed moisture and definition to our hair. We also found that with both wavy and curly hair, the product works to shape and form swirls with just a small amount through each section. While it’s worth noting that the cream did a better job at minimizing Katz’s frizz than it did mine, it’s still a great choice for all hair types.

Another thing we both loved was the scent. As Dara perfectly puts it, “It has a great smell without reminding me that it's there.” With key notes like bergamot, amber and white musk, to name a few, the floral fragrance is subtle and lightweight on your locks. And if you’re already familiar with Ouai’s signature North Bondi fragrance then you already know how amazing it smells on your locks. I couldn’t stop pressing my nose into my curls throughout the day.

Formula aside, the packaging feels very luxurious—it’s minimalistic and something I wouldn’t mind displaying in my shower. We found the tube design was easy to squeeze product out. Although it’s on the pricier side at $32, the 8-ounce bottle does last a long time since all you need is a dime-size amount for each section to get the job done.

So, if you’re looking to add a bit of moisture, definition *and* smoothness to your curly or wavy hair, Ouai hit it out of the park (again).

Fast Facts

Size: 8 oz
Ingredients: chia, linseed, coconut, babassu oil
Best for: definition, frizz, hydration
Scent notes: bergamot, apple blossom, raspberry, Italian lemon, patchouli, sandalwood, white musk, rose de mai, jasmine, violet

$32 At Sephora

$32 at ulta

Chelsea Candelario

Beauty and Cultures Editor

Writes trend stories, product reviews and how-tos across beauty, cultures, fashion and entertainment
Over 5 years of experience as a Beauty Editor
Studied journalism with a minor in creative writing at SUNY New Paltz

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