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Side by side

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard vs Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

69% function match · 8 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 45%. Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard and Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray share 3 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 Talk Defining Gel Custard — protein-sensitive hair
  • Curl Talk Root Lift Spray — protein-hungry 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
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard — container, alternate view Not Your Mother's

Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray — 6 oz container Not Your Mother's

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

  • Styler
  • Drugstore
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$11–13 12 oz · $1.12/oz
about $11 6 oz · $1.82/oz
Value / price positioning
Lower cost than most gels $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs less than 76% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Lower cost than most volumizers $$$$$ Drugstore tier · costs less than 89% of the 64 volumizers we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. 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 Same
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. 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 Differs
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Prominent Protein high in the list — a strengthening formula, not a moisture one. 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
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. 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
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. 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
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
  • Protein-hungry hairthat stretches and stays stretched when wet
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
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
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat goes stiff or straw-like on protein
  • Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
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
Styler
Stylerspray
Where to buy
Brand website · Grocery / mass
Ulta · Brand website
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • curly-method compatible
Vegan
—
Vegan · label states
Scent
Scented, not described
Hold
strong
lightSoft, lasting hold that never leaves crunch, residue or dryness
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 Talk Defining Gel CustardCurl Talk Root Lift Spray
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Maltodextrin/VP Copolymer
Holds
#3Leading
#6Supporting
PVP
Holds
#4Supporting
#4Supporting
Polysorbate 20
Stabilizes
#6Supporting
#5Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#13Below the 1% line
#17Below the 1% line
Citronellol
Fragrance
#14Below the 1% line
#20Below the 1% line
Hydroxycitronellal
Fragrance
#15Below the 1% line
#23Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#16Below the 1% line
#18Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#17Below the 1% line
#19Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

Full ingredient list — Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard (21)
Full ingredient list — Curl Talk Root Lift Spray (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.

VerdictsCurl Talk Defining Gel CustardCurl Talk Root Lift Spray
Supported
5
1
Partly supported
0
1
Stated by brand
0
0
Potential conflict
0
1

Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard

  • Extends the length of your curls, while fighting frizz and adding shineSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Flake-free, no crunch finishSupportedNatural movement without stiffness.
  • Silicone free and protein freeSupportedNothing that needs a strong wash.
  • Safe for color-treated hairSupportedLess fade per wash.
  • Firm holdSupportedStructure that lasts the day.

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

  • Soft, lasting hold that never leaves crunch, residue or drynessSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • Instant, visible volume at the rootPartly supportedNeutral on lift.
  • Flexible support without stiffness or buildupPotential conflictExpect a cast you have to scrunch out.

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 moisture. Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray draws complaints about volume.

Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard

Delivers exceptional curl definition with a reliable hold that keeps curls visibly defined and structured throughout the day without excessive crunchiness.

Reviewers with naturally curly hair who used the custard for styling and found it provided the hold and definition they needed.

Creates visibly hydrated and well-defined curls with a non-greasy feel, making curls look healthier and more polished without weighing them down.

Reviewers who noticed their curls looked and felt better defined, hydrated, and lighter after using the product.

Provides a versatile hold that can be easily broken through the week or refreshed with light products, allowing curls to move and stay softer without feeling locked.

Reviewers who appreciated the flexible nature of the hold, which does not create a rigid or hard cast on the curls.

Requires hand dipping to apply from the jar, which some reviewers find inconvenient for professional or frequent use, though it remains effective for personal use.

Professional curly hairstylist who appreciated the product's performance but found the jar packaging required workarounds for client application.

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

Delivers strong volumizing results especially when used before blow-drying

Ulta reviewer who blow-dries after applying

Reports achieving a very voluminous finish at the roots

Ulta reviewer

Found the product didn't really help with volume as part of a curly-hair routine

Ulta reviewer with curly hair

Noticed a residue after use that was compared to a dry shampoo effect

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.

$1.12/oz vs $1.82/oz — Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray costs about 1.6× more per ounce than Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard.

Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard

Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

Against 64 volumizers with a computable unit price.

Value readCurl Talk Defining Gel CustardCurl Talk Root Lift Spray
Label
Lower cost than most gelsCosts less per ounce than most gels we have researched.
Lower cost than most volumizersCosts less per ounce than most volumizers we have researched.

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 Talk Defining Gel Custard vs Custard For KidsCurlyKids · 96% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Sea Salt SprayMurdock London · 99% function matchCurl Talk Defining Gel Custard vs Curl Defining Mousse - 6.8 ozRizos Curls · 96% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Texturing Hair Styling Spray Gel for Wavy HairHerbal Essences · 99% function matchCurl Talk Defining Gel Custard vs Unapologetic Define, Style & Hold MousseORS · 96% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Guava Beach Waves Texturizing SprayCeremonia · 99% function matchCurl Talk Defining Gel Custard vs L.A. HOLD Styling GelGiovanni · 96% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Texturizing Sea Salt Spray for Tousled StylesOdele · 96% function match

Curl Talk Defining Gel Custard · Curl Talk Root Lift Spray · 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.
  • 8 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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