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Side by side

Curlsmith Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz vs Curlsmith Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz

65% function match · 7 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 20%. Curlsmith Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz and Curlsmith Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz share 4 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

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
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When each one is the right call

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

  • Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz — protein-sensitive hair
  • 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”.

Trait
Curlsmith Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz — brand photograph Curlsmith

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Curlsmith Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz — 8 oz container Curlsmith

Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$28 8 oz · $3.50/oz
$28 8 oz · $3.50/oz
Value / price positioning
Upper-mid price for a gel $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 72% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a hairspray $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 64% of the 97 hairsprays we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
Straight–Wavy A light volumising formula — the lift it adds matters most on straighter hair. Your hair
Moisture level Same
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Hold (as stated)
Strong A strong hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Light A light hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Slip / detangling Differs
Some Some slip, mostly from esters or silicones rather than conditioners. Your hair
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Weight on hair Differs
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine 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
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low Your hair
Low Your hair
Hold system Differs
Natural gum Natural gums do the holding — softer, and it re-wets more easily. Your hair
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Cast risk Differs
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Likely Film formers without much softening them — expect a cast to scrunch out. 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
Rich Butters near the top: a heavy, softening formula. Your hair
None No oils or butters in the list. 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
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • 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
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a strong scent
  • Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
  • Soft, touchable finishesthe brand states a firm hold
  • 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
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
Stylergel cream
Stylerspray
Where to buy
Brand website · Ulta
Ulta
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Vegan
Vegan · brand states
Vegan · brand states
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
strongHold Level: 8
light3 - Invisible hold
Finish
shine
natural
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

IngredientCurl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 ozEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Glycerin
Moisturizes
#2Leading
#19Below the 1% line
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Stabilizes
#6Supporting
#5Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#23Below the 1% line
#25Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#24Below the 1% line
#26Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#25Below the 1% line
#27Below the 1% line
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
Fragrance
#26Below the 1% line
#28Below the 1% line
Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract
Holds
#11Secondary
#6Supporting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Moisturizes
#12Secondary
#8Supporting

What only one of them carries

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz

Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz

Full ingredient list — Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz (28)
Full ingredient list — Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz (30)

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.

VerdictsCurl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 ozEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
Supported
4
1
Partly supported
0
0
Stated by brand
0
2
Potential conflict
0
1

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz

  • Locks in moisture and enhances shineSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Keeps curls bouncy and shinySupportedReflects light for visible shine.
  • Moisturized defined curls that lastSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Reduces frizzSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.

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 useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • Crunch-free formulaPotential conflictExpect a cast you have to scrunch out.
  • Made without sulphates, silicones, or drying alcoholsSupportedNothing 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 curl definition and a clean rinse-out. Curlsmith Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz draws complaints about the scent and hold.

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz

Has a soft, buildable hold with a pleasant scent that isn't overpowering

reviewer 'Maurica K.' on brand site

Smells great and defines curls very well

reviewer 'Kesia G.' on brand site

Non-crunchy defining gel/mousse liked enough to repurchase

reviewer 'Stephanie C.' on brand site

Some Ulta reviewers found the fragrance overpowering and noted a formula change reduced gel cast/hold

Ulta reviewers (aggregate)

Effortless 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 hair

Reviewers frequently mention the spray keeps hair frizz-free without any stiff or crunchy cast

Ulta reviewers, aggregate

Reviewers describe being genuinely surprised at how much more defined and full their waves looked compared to prior products

5-star Ulta reviewer

Some reviewers report waves fall flatter by the end of the day and hair feels drier than expected

2-star Ulta reviewer

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.

$3.50/oz vs $3.50/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz

Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz

Against 97 hairsprays with a computable unit price.

Value readCurl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 ozEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz
Label
Upper-mid price for a gelSits in the middle of the range for gels per ounce.
Upper-mid price for a hairspraySits in the middle of the range for hairsprays per ounce.

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.

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz vs Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 2.0 ozCurlsmith · 100% function matchEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz vs Hair Gel: Long-Wear Curl Capturing GlossBREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY · 100% function matchCurl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz vs Curl Defining Styling SouffléCurlsmith · 100% function matchEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz vs Stay High Volumizing Hair MousseRedken · 96% function matchCurl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz vs Wash and Go Flaxseed Gel for Curly HairCurlMix · 93% function matchEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz vs Curl Keeper Ultimate Frizz ControlCurl Keeper · 96% function matchCurl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz vs Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Styling Cream for Flexible HoldL'Oréal · 93% function matchEffortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz vs I Create HoldInnersense · 96% function match

Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 oz · Effortless Waves Styling Spray - 8.0 oz · All gels 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.

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