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Smooth curl cream through your hair

Use flat palms to spread curl cream over the lengths of loose waves, curls or coils. Small sections let you reach the inner hair and smooth the cream toward the ends with light pressure.

Step by step

  1. A woman brings one damp curly section forward while the rest of her hair is clipped loosely away.
    STEP 1 OF 8

    Bring one section within reach

    • Read your cream’s directions and start with detangled loose hair in the stated wet or damp condition. Put the cream and any clips on a reachable counter.
    • Bring a section forward over a shoulder. Let the rest hang out of the way, or loosely clip it aside without pulling at the roots.

    Use a section small enough to reach both sides. If the inside stays untouched, divide it again instead of just coating the outside.

  2. A woman presses a curl-cream pump with one hand and catches a small dab in her other palm.
    STEP 2 OF 8

    Dispense the cream into one hand

    • Let the section hang while you dispense the directed starting amount into one palm. Keep the container within easy reach.
    • Set the container down before touching your palms together. You need both hands free for smoothing.

    The pump bottle and amount pictured are examples. Use your own container and product directions.

  3. A woman spreads a small amount of curl cream into a thin film over both palms.
    STEP 3 OF 8

    Spread the cream across your palms

    • Rub your palms lightly together so the cream is spread across both, rather than sitting in one lump.
    • Spread any concentrated dab before touching the hair. You do not need a visible white layer on your hands.
  4. A woman holds one damp curly section between two flat palms and smooths toward the ends.
    STEP 4 OF 8

    Slide both palms toward the ends

    • Put one flat palm on each side of the same section, below the roots. Keep your fingers together and the hair between your palms.
    • With light contact, slide both hands down toward the tips. Keep your elbows relaxed; open your hands straight away if you feel a snag or root pull.

    This movement is often called praying hands. Let the hair slide between your palms rather than gripping it tightly.

  5. A woman holds both open palms clear below a damp section she has just released.
    STEP 5 OF 8

    Open your hands and let the section hang

    • At the ends, open your palms and move them clear of the hair. Let the section fall without pulling it straight.
    • Check for a concentrated patch of cream. If there is one, gently spread what is already there; do not add more just to make the coating visible.
  6. A woman holds the next curly section out to the side while smoothed lengths hang in front.
    STEP 6 OF 8

    Bring the next section forward

    • Leave the smoothed section loose. Bring the next untreated section within reach, opening a clip fully first if you used one.
    • Repeat spreading and smoothing through the remaining sections, including the back. Add cream only as its directions allow.

    If a section dries beyond the state your cream permits, re-wet it as directed before continuing. Do not use extra cream as a substitute for water.

  7. A woman supports a small section while opening and lifting away the last black sectioning clip.
    STEP 7 OF 8

    Remove any remaining sectioning clips

    • When all intended sections are coated, check for any clip still holding hair aside. Open it fully, free the hair and lift it away.
    • Set the clips on the counter and let the lengths hang loose. Application is complete; any further shaping or drying is a separate step.

    Skip clip removal if you did not use clips. You do not need to add gel, scrunch or finger-coil unless your chosen style calls for it.

  8. A woman washes her hands at a sink, with loose damp curls and two removed clips on the counter.
    STEP 8 OF 8

    Put the cream away and clean your hands

    • Close or store the container as directed. Wash the cream from your hands and wipe up any product on the counter.
    • Clean any used clips according to their care directions and let them dry before storing. Then continue with your product’s shaping or drying instructions.

About 3–7 minutes for sectioning, applying cream and cleanup on detangled hair. Long or dense hair, more sections or unfamiliar handling can take longer. Drying is separate.

Practical editorial estimate, not measured. Section count and reach affect handling time; no fixed dose or drying time is given.

You’re done when…

The intended lengths have been smoothed, no concentrated dab is left on one section, and all sectioning clips are out. Your hands are clean and the hair is ready for any further shaping or drying.