Styling cream recommendations?

[Mamakash]

I've been wanting to try pinning my hair up in large pin curls, but I don't have any styling medium to hold the curl. I'm not sure what to use . . . I end up buying stuff that ends up in the "product graveyard" because I'm not sure what to buy! I currently don't use hair spray or mousse or product on my hair and don't like anything that I wouldn't be able to gently comb through. I'm not looking for anything that would hold a tight curl, but am looking for something that would hold waves. What might you recommend in a salon product and in a drugstore product?
The only one that's caught my eye is the Wen styling cream . . . and I can't see shelling out 20 bucks.

[MelroseMRP]

I think it depends largely on the texture of your hair. What is it? I can prob try to give some advice based on that

[Mamakash]

I think it depends largely on the texture of your hair. What is it? I can prob try to give some advice based on that

I find it tends to be smooth . . . very little texture . . . and the co washing is making it a bit too smooth. I'm thinking of trying a shampoo bar down the road so my hair holds better in bobby pins. My hair is straight(occasionally a soft wave after I take it down at night, or remove my satin cap in the morning), but not fine nor thick, somewhere in the middle and it's got a lot more substance with my recent cut(no more fairy tails!). It's the lack of texture that would make any curls fall out so I need a styling cream that will hold loose curls/waves.

[CurlyKitten]

I use Alba Botanica Soft Hold Style Cream instead of gel on my very curly hair. It is almost like a leave-in but holds my hair nicely without frizz and I like it a lot. I actually bought a second tube of it after using up my first because I like it that much. No cones, mineral oil, parabens or any other ingredients I've been trying to avoid.

I bought the first tube at Whole Foods for 8 or 9 dollars, but now bought the second tube for maybe 5 dollars on www.luckyvitamin.com

[clichepithet]

My hair will hold very large, loose curl-waves if put up damp and left in as long as possible (8-12 hours at least) with Aloe Vera gel (I use Fruit of the Earth) and a wee bit of oil (either coconut or sweet almond) mixed in.