Skip to main content

Side by side

amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm vs John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme

84% function match · 10 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 0%. amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm and John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme share no ingredient among each other's most prominent — which does not stop them doing the same job.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm — protein-sensitive hair
  • Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme — protein-sensitive hair

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm — 6.7 oz container amika

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Protein-free
John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme — 5 oz container John Frieda

Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Protein-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$30 6.7 oz · $4.48/oz
$20.90 5 oz · $4.18/oz
Value / price positioning
Priced with its peers $$$$$ Salon tier · costs less than 65% of the 56 smoothing creams we’ve priced
Priced above most curl creams $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 80% of the 105 curl creams we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Straight–Curly Smoothing and thermal products span straight through curly hair. Your hair
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Low Humectants appear, but low enough to be a minor part. Your hair
Hold system Same
Moderate Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Weight on hair Same
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Hold (as stated)
—
Medium A medium hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Cast risk Same
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Humidity resistance
Claimed The brand claims humidity resistance; the ingredient list cannot confirm it. Your hair
—
Oil absorption Same
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
Oils and butters Differs
Present, high in the list Oils sit high in the list — a softening, coating formula. Your hair
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
Fast-drying alcohol Same
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Humid climatesthe brand claims humidity resistance
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
  • Vegan and cruelty-freeour researched record has it as both
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
  • Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Stylercream
Stylercream
Where to buy
Brand website · Ulta
Brand website · Specialty beauty
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • protein-free
  • sulfate-free
  • protein-free
Vegan
—
Vegan · label states
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Cruelty-free · label states
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
—
medium
Finish
shine
—
Humidity claim
Yes
—
How often
as needed
—

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientVelveteen Dream Smoothing BalmFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Fragrance
Fragrance
#24Below the 1% line
#25Below the 1% line
Citronellol
Fragrance
#28Below the 1% line
#26Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm

Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme

Full ingredient list — Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm (29)
Full ingredient list — Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme (29)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsVelveteen Dream Smoothing BalmFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme
Supported
2
4
Partly supported
0
2
Stated by brand
3
3
Potential conflict
0
0

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm

  • smooths unwanted frizzSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • humidity-resistant stylingStated by brandMay help, but not measurable here.
  • up to 450°F heat protectionStated by brandOnly lab testing can show this.
  • conditions and helps prevent staticStated by brandMay help, but not a primary focus.
  • adds softness and shineSupportedReflects light for visible shine.

Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme

  • Shapes and softens curls for lasting, touchable definitionSupportedNatural movement without stiffness.
  • Locks in moisture and shields from frizzPartly supportedSome hydration, at a low level.
  • All-day definitionSupportedHolds a clump together.
  • Up to 24 hours of holdStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Hydrates hair while helping to define and maintain the natural shapePartly supportedSome hydration, at a low level.
  • Controls frizz with flexible texture, no stiffness or residueSupportedNatural movement without stiffness.
  • Safe for dyed or chemically treated hairStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Vegan formulaSupportedMatches our researched record.
  • Not heat activated - air-dry or diffuseStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Both praised for frizz control and a clean rinse-out.

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm

Reviewers say it reduces frizz while helping straight styles stay smoother in humid conditions.

straight and wavy hair in humidity

Some air-dry users report softer, more manageable hair after using the balm.

air-dried styles

People applying it after washing or before blow-drying report lightweight, soft hair instead of a sticky finish.

post-wash and blow-dry styling

Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme

reviewers say it tames frizz and keeps curl definition looking fresh through the day, with some saying it gave them confidence to wear their natural texture

curly/wavy-haired reviewers on an editorial review-aggregator page

a little of this cream goes a long way, and reviewers call it quick and easy to work through curls without feeling sticky or crispy afterward

curly/wavy-haired reviewers on an editorial review-aggregator page

using too much makes hair feel heavy or stiff, so reviewers with thick or coarse hair say they had to experiment to find the right amount

reviewers with thick or coarse curly hair

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$4.18/oz vs $4.48/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm

Against 56 smoothing creams with a computable unit price.

Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme

Against 105 curl creams with a computable unit price.

Value readVelveteen Dream Smoothing BalmFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme
Label
Priced with its peersSits in the middle of the range for smoothing creams per ounce.
Priced above most curl creamsCosts more per ounce than most curl creams; nothing in our library matches it closely for less.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm vs MATTE POMADESuavecito · 89% function matchFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme vs Quick Slip Styling CreamPaul Mitchell · 87% function matchVelveteen Dream Smoothing Balm vs Rich Kid Coconut Oil GelIGK · 87% function matchFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme vs MATTE POMADESuavecito · 87% function matchVelveteen Dream Smoothing Balm vs Curl Defining Hair Styling Cream - 8.5 ozBumble and bumble · 85% function matchFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme vs Rich Kid Coconut Oil GelIGK · 86% function matchVelveteen Dream Smoothing Balm vs Platinum Texturizing Taffy 13Kenra Professional · 85% function matchFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme vs Curl Defining CreamMoroccanoil · 83% function match

Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm · Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Defining Creme · All smoothing creams in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 7 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

Still unsure? Take your consultation or browse more products.

Your personalized hair plan

Tell us what’s going on with your hair, see what we understand, and get a plan built around it — with the reason behind every recommendation.

Free to start · $49.00 for your consultation and hair profile · No subscription · Nothing you must buy

Start your consultation