This is aimed at people with medium-to-coarse curly or coily hair (roughly curl types 2c through 4) who want defined, moisturized curls without a stiff or crunchy finish. DevaCurl points people with fine, dry curls toward its lighter Wave Maker cream instead, and people with very dry, coarse curls toward its richer SuperCream, positioning Styling Cream as the mid-weight option between the two.

It's not marketed for straight or fine, thin hair, which the cream's weight can flatten rather than define.

The main draw is that it delivers curl definition and moisture without leaning on silicones or sulfates -- ingredients that can build up on curly hair or strip its natural moisture over repeated washes -- while still giving medium-to-coarse curls a soft, touchable hold positioned between DevaCurl's lighter and heavier stylers.

• Apply a nickel-sized amount (more for longer or thicker hair) to soaking-wet, sectioned curls.
• Scrunch upward for more definition, or smooth downward for a sleeker look.
• Do not rinse out.
• Style as usual -- air-dry or diffuse.

Pros

• Genuinely silicone- and sulfate-free based on its published ingredient list -- relevant for anyone following a low-poo or silicone-free curl routine.
• Cream texture provides moisture and definition without the stiff cast some gels leave behind.
• Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free formula.

Cons

• Being cream- rather than gel-based, it offers comparatively light hold on its own and may need a gel layered over it in humid conditions or for looser curl patterns.
• DevaCurl doesn't recommend it for fine, straight, or thin hair, where the cream's weight can flatten rather than define.
• Best results depend on applying it to soaking-wet, sectioned hair rather than the towel-dried application many people default to.