Skip to main content

Side by side

Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé vs Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm

59% function match · 7 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 31%. Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé and Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm 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
  • 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.

  • Curl Defining Styling Soufflé — protein-sensitive hair
  • Hold Me Softly Style Balm — 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 Styling Soufflé

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm — 2 oz container Curlsmith

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$28 8 oz · $3.50/oz
$56.24 8 oz · $7.03/oz
Value / price positioning
Upper-mid price for a gel $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 72% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 96% of the 105 curl creams we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. 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
Rich Heavy butters and waxes in the first eight ingredients. 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
None found No hold polymer, gum, or wax found in the list. 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
Oil absorption Differs
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
High Absorbent powders or starches high in the list. Your hair
Oils and butters Differs
Rich Butters near the top: a heavy, softening formula. Your hair
Present, high in the list Oils sit high in the list — a softening, coating formula. 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
Humidity resistance
—
Not claimed No humidity claim on the label. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Covers the core
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
  • 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
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a 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
  • Oily scalp or fine hairthat gets weighed down
  • Styles that must holdno hold polymer, gum, or wax was found
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
Stylercream
Where to buy
Brand website · Ulta
Brand website · Ulta · Costco
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
strong8 - Strong Hold (Curlsmith hold bar scale)
lightLevel 1 (soft hold)
Finish
—
natural
Humidity claim
—
No
How often
as needed
every wash

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 Styling SouffléHold Me Softly Style Balm
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Glycerin
Moisturizes
#2Leading
#4Supporting
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Softens
#7Supporting
#17Below the 1% line
Fragrance
Fragrance
#23Below the 1% line
#27Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#24Below the 1% line
#29Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#25Below the 1% line
#30Below the 1% line
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
Fragrance
#26Below the 1% line
#28Below the 1% line
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Softens
#9Secondary
#8Supporting

What only one of them carries

Curl Defining Styling Soufflé

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

Full ingredient list — Curl Defining Styling Soufflé (28)
Full ingredient list — Hold Me Softly Style Balm (32)

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 Styling SouffléHold Me Softly Style Balm
Supported
2
2
Partly supported
1
1
Stated by brand
1
0
Potential conflict
0
1

Curl Defining Styling Soufflé

  • Strong holdPartly supportedSoft structure, not firm hold.
  • Curl definitionSupportedHolds a clump together.
  • Non-flakingStated by brandSoothing, not an active treatment.
  • Scrunch-out cast when drySupportedNatural movement without stiffness.

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

  • Detangles and enhances curlsPartly supportedA little slip, not a lot.
  • Hydration and definition without weighing hair downSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Gentle, touchable hold with no cast or crunchSupportedNatural movement without stiffness.
  • Lightweight formulaPotential conflictExpect it to sit on the strand.

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 a clean rinse-out. Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé draws complaints about hold and curl definition; Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm draws complaints about dryness and frizz.

Curl Defining Styling Soufflé

Gives soft, buildable hold that defines curls without a stiff or crunchy feel

5-star reviewer on curlsmith.com (Maurica K.)

Loved the non-crunchy definition so much they repurchased in a larger size

5-star reviewer on curlsmith.com (Stephanie C.)

Frustrated that a reformulation changed curl definition and hold quality from what they were used to

2-star reviewer on curlsmith.com (Gina H.)

A prior formula change removed the cast and hold long-time users relied on

1-star reviewer, long-term user, on curlsmith.com (Jessica)

Great hold and crunch factor once dry, but dislikes the jar packaging

5-star reviewer on curlsmith.com (Emily)

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

Feels like a lotion for the hair, keeps diffused curls soft and manageable without a crunchy feel

Ulta reviewer with wavy hair

Switched from daily heat styling and now diffuses; hasn't straightened hair since finding this balm

Ulta reviewer, formerly heat-styled hair

Made hair very frizzy within a few hours even in non-humid conditions, left hair overly dry

Ulta reviewer with 2b-2c waves

Caused stickiness and dryness even after trying different amounts; hair felt rough

Ulta reviewer with fine, 2b-3A curls

Good for curl definition but can be too heavy for fine or less textured hair; best for thicker, curlier hair

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 $7.03/oz — Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm costs about 2× more per ounce than Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé.

Curl Defining Styling Soufflé

Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

Against 105 curl creams with a computable unit price.

Value readCurl Defining Styling SouffléHold Me Softly Style Balm
Label
Upper-mid price for a gelSits in the middle of the range for gels per ounce.
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.

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 Styling Soufflé vs Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 2.0 ozCurlsmith · 100% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Hold Me Softly Style Balm - 8.0 ozCurlsmith · 100% function matchCurl Defining Styling Soufflé vs Curl Defining Strong-Hold Styling Gel Souffle - 8.0 ozCurlsmith · 100% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Pure Honey Hair Food Smoothing & Frizz Control Curl Defining CreamCreme of Nature · 89% function matchCurl Defining Styling Soufflé vs Wash and Go Flaxseed Gel for Curly HairCurlMix · 93% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Pure Honey Moisture Whip Twisting CreamCreme of Nature · 89% function matchCurl Defining Styling Soufflé vs Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Styling Cream for Flexible HoldL'Oréal · 93% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Serenity Smoothing CreamInnersense Organic Beauty · 85% function match

Curl Defining Styling Soufflé · Hold Me Softly Style Balm · 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.
  • 4 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