This $20 Leave-In Conditioner Gave My Curls All-Day Definition Without the Crunch

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”

Quick Overview

I’VE TESTED A lot of curly hair products over the years, and so I was excited to try the new Rebound Cream Leave-In Conditioner from BetterDays, the haircare brand founded by celebrity barber VicBlends (Victor Fontanez). The cream promises to hydrate, define, and soften hair without weighing it down, which sounds great in theory, but as someone with tight, type 3B and 3C curls, I’ve learned to be skeptical of those claims.

Some creams leave my curls flat, while others control frizz but make my hair feel stiff or greasy a few hours later. Finding something that gives me the volume I want while keeping my curls soft and defined is a bigger challenge than it probably should be.

That’s partly why I was so interested in trying the new BetterDays line. VicBlends has built a massive following through his haircuts and the conversations he has with the people sitting in his chair. His new haircare line aims to bring that barber-shop experience into everyday grooming, and I was curious whether the products could live up to the hype.

The brand also launched its Grip Powder, a texturizing styling powder designed to add volume and hold, particularly for guys with straighter hair. But it was the Rebound Cream that caught my eye. After putting it through its paces in my morning routine, I can confidently say that it delivers. In fact, it’s quickly become one of my favorite curly hair products I’ve tested, and I don’t say that lightly.

Green bottle of BetterDays rebound cream held in a hand against a textured wall background.

What Is BetterDays Rebound Cream?

BetterDays Rebound Cream is a leave-in conditioner designed to hydrate, soften, and improve hair manageability while helping maintain its natural texture. Unlike a traditional rinse-out conditioner, it’s meant to stay in your hair all day, providing conditioning benefits while also acting as a lightweight styling product.

The formula features ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, commonly used to soften and condition hair, along with panthenol, a form of vitamin B5 that helps improve moisture retention and hair feel. Together, these ingredients aim to combat dryness and frizz without the heavy, greasy finish some richer curl creams leave behind.

What’s particularly interesting is that BetterDays markets the Rebound Cream for a wide range of hair textures, from straight and wavy to curly and coily. While I can’t speak to how it performs on every hair type, I can vouch for how well it’s worked on my own curls.

Shop Now

How Does BetterDays Rebound Cream Feel and Perform?

The first thing I noticed about the cream was the smell. BetterDays uses a custom fragrance called Scent No. 26, and the best way I can describe it is that it smells like stepping into a really good barbershop. It’s fresh, with that familiar grooming-product scent that immediately reminds me of getting a haircut.

The application is another thing I appreciate. The pump makes it easy to dispense the product without scooping anything out of a jar, and the cream spreads smoothly through my hair. I typically use three to four pumps and work the product through my curls with my hands. One important detail I’ve learned, though, is that my hair needs to be damp, not soaking wet. When I apply it right after getting out of the shower, my curls tend to fall a little flat, which defeats the whole purpose of using a styling product.

Instead, I let my hair air-dry until it’s damp, which is also how the bottle recommends applying it. Once I work the cream through, the difference is almost immediate. My curls look fuller, more defined, and noticeably less frizzy, without the heavy feeling I get from many other curl creams. Volume matters to me because I like my curls to have lift, and this product delivers that without making my hair feel coated.

Another thing I love is that it doesn’t leave behind much of a crunch. Anyone with curly hair knows what I mean. The Rebound Cream leaves my curls feeling relatively soft, though I still like to scrunch my hair a little with my hands once everything has dried.

That helps break up any slight stiffness and gives my curls a more natural appearance. That said, I’ve received more compliments than ever on my curls once I started using this cream. From friends to literal strangers, too.

But the biggest selling point for me is how well the results hold up throughout the day. My curls stay defined and practically frizz-free from when I leave my apartment in the morning until I get ready for bed.

Even better, the cream is water-reactivated, which makes touch-ups easy. If my curls get flattened or frizzy, I can head to the bathroom, wet my hands, and work a little water through the sections that need attention. Within about 30 seconds, my curls are looking refreshed again.

Shop Now

Is BetterDays Rebound Cream Worth It?

For $20, I think BetterDays Rebound Cream is absolutely worth trying, particularly if you have curly hair and struggle to find styling products that offer definition without sacrificing volume. It checks nearly every box I look for in a curl cream: It smells fantastic, applies easily, controls frizz, and leaves my curls full and defined without feeling stiff or greasy.

This is my experience with my own type 3B and 3C curls, so results will vary by hair type, but I know BetterDays markets this for guys with all curl types.

I’ve tested enough hair products to know when something deserves a permanent spot in my routine, and this one has. With all-day curl definition, easy touch-ups, and that ridiculously good barbershop fragrance, BetterDays Rebound Cream has become a product I genuinely look forward to using every morning.

Shop Now

Shop the BetterDays Line

BetterDays Rebound Cream Leave In Conditioner For Men

BetterDays Grip Texture Powder For Men

More of Our Favorite Hair Products

You Might Also Like