Short Story

Both products mostly do what they claim if you adhere to the instructions written on them. If used otherwise, you will subject you hair to an unpleasant experience of serious flaking and/or very stiff hair.

Long Story

Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard (Natural Styling Gel) 8oz

Cost me £17.99

Fragrance– Smells like candy. I’m thinking it’s probably from the marshmallow and agave nectar. See ingredient list below.

Packaging– 8oz recyclable tub. It came with a ‘to open cut here’ seal around the cover.

Product Claim– Instantly transform thick, dry, frizzy hair into silky spirals and wonderful waves. This advanced botanical formula will; eliminate frizz, define curls, lock in moisture, give brilliant shine and provide long-lasting hold. Used regularly, Curling Custard will help maintain your hairs moisture balance and reduce breakage resulting in longer healthier hair. This high performance product is formulated with all natural ingredients and will not change the natural texture of your hair.

Directions– Wash and Condition hair. Remove tangles from hair with a wide tooth comb while conditioner is still in hair. Rinse and apply to wet hair. Using a towel will cause frizz. For thick coarse curls, hair must be dripping wet. Divide hair into small sections. Comb, brush or rake into each section. Use a water to re-wet any dry sections. Smooth with fingers from root to tip to lengthen your curls and “reduce the poof”. TIP ~To achieve ultimate curl definition and length, Knot Today may be used as a leave-in conditioner before applying Curling Custard.

Ingredients: Botanical Infusion of Water, Horsetail, Chamomile, Nettle and Marshmallow, Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Agave Nectar extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), pectic, citric acid, potassium sorbate and natural fragrance

How my Hair Reacted

The first time I used this product was on my First Wash Day of the Year. I used it alone after completely rinsing out my conditioner. This means that, I did not use any leave-ins or oils before or after I applied it as my styling product. It felt light to touch, was easy to apply, it spread quickly and did not weigh my hair down. This Curling Custard gave me small and soft defined curls which I have not experienced from using any other styling gels and my hair felt moisturised for days after. However, my hands and hair felt sticky when I was done and my hair felt a little stiff when it was dry. 

Having said all of that, you need to note that if you use this product incorrectly, that is, if you are heavy-handed with it or if you use it on your hair without clarifying beforehand, your hair will most likely turn out like my hair did in the pictures below. Incessantly flaking and sticky.

Do I recommend this product? Yes. It eliminated frizz, gave me long-lasting hold and locked in moisture BUT there was no shine as the product claims. 

Will I buy it again? I don’t think so. Its a bit pricey and I hardly use gels so this one should last me for a long while.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today (Natural Leave-in Detangler) 8oz

Cost me £12.99

Fragrance- Smells like a mild sweetener to me.

Packaging- Squeezable 8oz plastic bottle with a disc top cap.

Product Claim- This creamy herbal conditioner is enriched with botanical extracts and is designed to smooth the cuticle and to remove knots, snarls and tangles from thick curly hair.

Directions- Apply generously and work through troubled sections with a wide tooth comb. For thick coarse curls, use a generous amount as a leave in and completely detangle hair before applying any Kinky-Curly styling products.

Ingredients- Organic mango extract, organic slipper elm, organic marshmallow root, organic lemongrass, cetyl alcohol, *behentrimonium methosulfate, citric acid, phenoxyethanol and natural fragrance.

*Behentrimonium Methosulfate is NOT a “sulfate”. It is made from non-genetically modified rapeseed oil. It is a scientifically advanced ingredient, considered the mildest hair detangling and thickening ingredient. Information gotten from curly emporium.

How my Hair Reacted

I have been using this Kinky-Curly Knot Today under most of my styling products since late January this year and its made detangling a lot easier. It absorbs into my hair very quickly and used with the Curling Custard, it makes my hair soft, light and moisturized. It doesn’t define my hair in any way but this is not a disadvantage as the product does not claim to do so. 

Do I recommend this product? Yes. It does what it says. 

Will I buy it again? I’m not sure, because I prefer my leave-in conditioners to give my curls definition. 

Have you tried these products before? Love or Hate? Let me know below!