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Side by side

Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm vs Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz

63% function match · 8 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 30%. Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm and Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer - 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
  • 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.

  • Hold Me Softly Style Balm — protein-sensitive hair
  • In-Shower Style Fixer - 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 Hold Me Softly Style Balm — 2 oz container Curlsmith

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz — 8 oz container Curlsmith

In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$56.24 8 oz · $7.03/oz
$28 8 oz · $3.50/oz
Value / price positioning
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 96% of the 105 curl creams we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a gel $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 72% of the 157 gels 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)
Light A light hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Maximum A strong hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Slip / detangling Differs
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
Weight on hair Differs
Rich Heavy butters and waxes in the first eight ingredients. 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
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
None found No hold polymer, gum, or wax found in the list. Your hair
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. 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
Not claimed No humidity claim on the label. Your hair
Claimed The brand claims humidity resistance; the ingredient list cannot confirm it. Your hair
Oil absorption Differs
High Absorbent powders or starches high in the list. Your hair
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
Oils and butters Same
Present, high in the list Oils sit high in the list — a softening, coating 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
Formula completeness
out of 10
Covers the core
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
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
Why you might skip it
  • 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
  • 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
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
Stylergel
Where to buy
Brand website · Ulta · Costco
Ulta · Brand website
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
lightLevel 1 (soft hold)
maxExtreme Hold, Level 10 on Curlsmith's in-product hold scale
Finish
natural
shine
Humidity claim
No
Yes
How often
every wash
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

IngredientHold Me Softly Style BalmIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Glycerin
Moisturizes
#4Supporting
#3Leading
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Softens
#8Supporting
#13Below the 1% line
Fragrance
Fragrance
#27Below the 1% line
#25Below the 1% line
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
Fragrance
#28Below the 1% line
#26Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#29Below the 1% line
#27Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#30Below the 1% line
#28Below the 1% line
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
Moisturizes
#18Below the 1% line
#5Supporting
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Softens
#17Below the 1% line
#6Supporting
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Softens
#16Below the 1% line
#7Supporting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Moisturizes
#10Secondary
#8Supporting

What only one of them carries

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz

Full ingredient list — Hold Me Softly Style Balm (32)
Full ingredient list — In-Shower Style Fixer - 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.

VerdictsHold Me Softly Style BalmIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz
Supported
2
5
Partly supported
1
0
Stated by brand
0
1
Potential conflict
1
0

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.

In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz

  • Ultra-strong hold gelSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • Locks curls in place in high humiditySupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Enhances shine and reduces frizzSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Free from sulfates, silicones, drying alcoholsSupportedGentler on colour and coils.
  • Cruelty-free and veganSupportedMatches our researched record.
  • Best for medium to coarse hairStated 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 a clean rinse-out. Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm draws complaints about frizz; Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz draws complaints about the scent and residue or cast.

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

In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz

Smells great, gives really strong hold, and doesn't weigh down long hair

Curlsmith.com verified buyer, Hanna W.

Gives the best definition and shine with long-lasting curls

Curlsmith.com verified buyer, Arpita

Great hold applied right in the shower, soft shiny result once the cast is broken

Curlsmith.com verified buyer, Patti

Hold lasts for days rather than hours, with definition that isn't stiff

Ulta reviewer aggregate

Some reviewers found it sticky and drying, and a few disliked the scent or price

Ulta reviewer aggregate

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 In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz.

Hold Me Softly Style Balm

Against 105 curl creams with a computable unit price.

In-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz

Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Value readHold Me Softly Style BalmIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz
Label
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.
Upper-mid price for a gelSits in the middle of the range for gels 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.

Hold Me Softly Style Balm vs Hold Me Softly Style Balm - 8.0 ozCurlsmith · 100% function matchIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz vs In-Shower Style FixerCurlsmith · 100% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Pure Honey Hair Food Smoothing & Frizz Control Curl Defining CreamCreme of Nature · 89% function matchIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz vs Rose Water Hydrating Curl Creamtgin · 96% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Pure Honey Moisture Whip Twisting CreamCreme of Nature · 89% function matchIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz vs Rosewater Hydrating Curl Creamtgin · 96% function matchHold Me Softly Style Balm vs Serenity Smoothing CreamInnersense Organic Beauty · 85% function matchIn-Shower Style Fixer - 8.0 oz vs Curl MoussePATTERN · 96% function match

Hold Me Softly Style Balm · In-Shower Style Fixer - 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.
  • 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.

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