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Curls Guide
Define & Shine Custard by Cantu
cream
CG Friendly
Silicone Free
Cruelty Free

Cantu

Define & Shine Custard

"Budget-friendly defining custard for Type 3-4 hair. Contains glycerin so avoid in high humidity. Light protein, soft hold."

Best for:
Budget-conscious curlies Type 3-4 curls wanting soft definition Moderate humidity conditions Those who prefer custard texture
Avoid if:
High humidity (contains glycerin) Protein-sensitive (contains light protein) Fine hair (may be too heavy)

Hair Compatibility

Curl Pattern

3A 3B 3C 4A 4B 4C

Strand Thickness

medium
coarse

Porosity

medium
high

Performance

Definition 3/5
Hold 2/5
Shine 4/5
Crunch Potential 1/5
Buildup Risk 3/5
Hold Level
Light Hold
Weight
Medium
Finish
Soft, No Cast
Buildup Risk
Medium

What's Inside

Shea Butter

Deep moisture and softness

Coconut Oil

Penetrating moisture

Honey

Humectant for moisture retention

✓ CG Friendly
● Contains Protein
✓ Silicone Free
✓ Sulfate Free
View Full Ingredients List

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cellulose Gum, Parfum (Fragrance), Pectin, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Althaea Officinalis Leaf Extract, Agave Americana Leaf Extract, Canola Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soyabean) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract

Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.

How to Use

Best as: Styler

Pairs Well With

Cantu

Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream

leave in

Alternatives to Consider

Kinky-Curly

Curling Custard

Natural alternative

Umberto Giannini

Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly

Lighter weight option

Overview

Cantu Define & Shine Custard is a budget-friendly styling cream designed for Type 3-4 curls. With shea butter and coconut oil, it provides moisture and soft definition, though the glycerin content means results vary with humidity.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Shea Butter - Deep moisture and softness for dry, coily hair.
  • Coconut Oil - Penetrating moisture that reaches the hair cortex.
  • Honey - Natural humectant that draws moisture into hair.

What We Love

  1. Super affordable - Budget-friendly pricing
  2. Widely available - Found at most drugstores
  3. Soft hold - No crunchy cast
  4. Moisturising formula - Good for dry hair
  5. Large jar - 340g lasts ages

What Could Be Better

  1. Contains glycerin - Frizzes in high humidity
  2. Light protein - Not for protein-sensitive
  3. Can be heavy - May weigh down fine hair
  4. Buildup potential - Needs regular clarifying

How to Use

On Wash Day

  1. Apply to soaking wet hair
  2. Use praying hands or shingling method
  3. Scrunch to encourage definition
  4. Air dry or diffuse

Tips for Best Results

  • Check dew point before using
  • Pair with lightweight leave-in, not heavy cream
  • Clarify regularly to prevent buildup

The Verdict

As a budget-friendly option, Cantu Define & Shine Custard is worth trying for Type 3-4 curlies on a budget. Just be aware that the glycerin content makes it climate-dependent, and regular clarifying is essential to prevent buildup.

Our Rating: 3.5/5