Side by side
Curlsmith Awestruck Definition Cream vs Curlsmith Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
63% function match · 6 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 24%. Curlsmith Awestruck Definition Cream and Curlsmith Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz share 2 ingredients among each other's most prominent.
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.
- Awestruck Definition Cream — fragrance-free
- Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz — 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”.
- Fragrance-freeno fragrance (parfum) on the label
- Unscentedfree of strong smells
- Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
- Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
- Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
- Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
- Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
- Fine hairthat flattens under most products
- Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
- Tight budgetsit sits in the upper price tiers
- If scent matters to younothing is added here
- Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
- Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
- Styles that must holdthe brand states a light hold at most
More facts about each one
- sulfate-free
- silicone-free
- fragrance-free
- protein-free
- curly-method compatible
- sulfate-free
- silicone-free
- protein-free
- curly-method compatible
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.
$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
What only one of them carries
Awestruck Definition Cream
Full ingredient list — Awestruck Definition Cream (19)
-
1
Water
- solvent
-
2
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
- light ester
- emollient
-
3
Propanediol
- humectant
- solvent
-
4
VP/VA Copolymer
- film former
- polymer
-
5
Octyldodecanol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
-
6
Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer
- conditioning agent
-
7
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
- starch
- thickener
- film former
-
8
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
- conditioning agent
- polymer
- gum
-
9
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
- emollient
- sealant
-
10
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
11
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
12
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
13
Polyporus Umbellatus Extract
- botanical extract
-
14
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
- botanical extract
- humectant
-
15
Chitosan
- film former
- polymer
- conditioning agent
-
16
Panthenol
- humectant
- conditioning agent
- vitamin
- 17 Beta-Glucan
-
18
Sodium Hyaluronate
- humectant
-
19
Isohexadecane
- solvent
- emollient
Full ingredient list — Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz (30)
-
1
Water
- solvent
-
2
Propanediol
- humectant
- solvent
-
3
VP/VA Copolymer
- film former
- polymer
-
4
Betaine
- humectant
-
5
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- solubilizer
- emulsifier
-
6
Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract
- gum
- film former
- botanical extract
-
7
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
- botanical extract
-
8
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- humectant
- botanical extract
- gum
- Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
-
9
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
- botanical extract
- antioxidant
-
10
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
- botanical extract
-
11
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
- botanical extract
- humectant
-
12
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
- botanical extract
-
13
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
- botanical extract
-
14
Sclerotium Gum
- film former
- gum
- thickener
-
15
Sodium Benzoate
- preservative
-
16
Potassium Sorbate
- preservative
-
17
Sodium Gluconate
- hard-water chelator
-
18
Citric Acid
- pH adjuster
- hard-water chelator
-
19
Glycerin
- humectant
-
20
Caprylic Acid
- preservative
- emulsifier
-
21
Xylitol
- humectant
-
22
Laurtrimonium Chloride
- conditioning agent
-
23
Sodium Bisulfite
- antioxidant
- preservative
-
24
Benzyl Alcohol
- preservative
- solvent
-
25
Fragrance
- fragrance
- declared fragrance
-
26
Limonene
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
27
Linalool
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
28
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
- botanical extract
- essential oil
- fragrance
-
29
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
- fragrance
-
30
Pinene
- fragrance
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.
Awestruck Definition Cream
5x frizz reduction for 3 days
Stated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.Defines and holds curls up to 72 hours
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.Thermal and UV protection
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.Soft, flexible cast
SupportedNatural movement without stiffness.Superior hold
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
Reduces frizz by 78% (third party testing)
Stated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.86% agreed waves were more defined after use
Stated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.Crunch-free formula
Potential conflictExpect a cast you have to scrunch out.Made without sulphates, silicones, or drying alcohols
SupportedNothing that needs a strong wash.
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, curl definition, and a clean rinse-out.
Awestruck Definition Cream
Gives definition and volume together, avoiding stringy gel-look or heavy cream buildup
curly-hair reviewerScent described as pleasant and summery
reviewerStyle holds across multiple days without needing daily reapplication
multiple reviewersCuts frizz noticeably in humid conditions, holding up throughout the day
curly-hair reviewerLimited effectiveness reported on mature, long, silver/gray hair compared to younger hair types
reviewer with mature/silver hairEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
Multiple reviewers say waves come out with well-defined, uniform curl clumps and excellent slip for detangling while applying
5-star Ulta reviewer with wavy hairReviewers frequently mention the spray keeps hair frizz-free without any stiff or crunchy cast
Ulta reviewers, aggregateReviewers describe being genuinely surprised at how much more defined and full their waves looked compared to prior products
5-star Ulta reviewerSome reviewers report waves fall flatter by the end of the day and hair feels drier than expected
2-star Ulta reviewerPrice 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.
$3.50/oz vs $4.00/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.
Awestruck Definition Cream
Against 105 curl creams with a computable unit price.
Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
Against 96 hairsprays with a computable unit price.
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.
Awestruck Definition Cream · Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz · All curl 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.
- 3 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.
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