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Side by side

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder

57% function match · 6 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 0%. Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray and Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder share no ingredient among each other's most prominent — which does not stop them doing the same job.

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 Root Lift Spray — protein-hungry hair
  • Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder — 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
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
Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder — 0.5 oz container Not Your Mother's

Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
about $11 6 oz · $1.82/oz
$6 0.5 oz · $20.99/oz

Compared at different sizes — 6 oz against 0.5 oz. Per-ounce prices favour the larger bottle.

Value / price positioning
Lower cost than most volumizers $$$$$ Drugstore tier · costs less than 89% of the 64 volumizers we’ve priced
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 92% of the 64 volumizers we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. 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)
Light A light hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
—
Slip / detangling Differs
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
Some Some slip, mostly from esters or silicones rather than conditioners. 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 Differs
Prominent Protein high in the list — a strengthening formula, not a moisture one. 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
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. Your hair
Moderate Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Cast risk Differs
Likely Film formers without much softening them — expect a cast to scrunch out. 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 Same
None No oils or butters in the list. 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-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
  • 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
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat goes stiff or straw-like on protein
  • Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
  • Picking it up locallywe have it recorded in one channel only
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
Stylerspray
Stylerpowder
Where to buy
Ulta · Brand website
Ulta
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Vegan
Vegan · label states
—
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
lightSoft, lasting hold that never leaves crunch, residue or dryness
—
How often
as needed
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 Root Lift SprayPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Fragrance
Fragrance
#17Below the 1% line
#10Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#18Below the 1% line
#13Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#19Below the 1% line
#15Below the 1% line
Phenoxyethanol
Stabilizes
#11Below the 1% line
#6Below the 1% line
Sodium Benzoate
Stabilizes
#14Below the 1% line
#7Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray

Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder

Full ingredient list — Curl Talk Root Lift Spray (29)
Full ingredient list — Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder (15)

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 Root Lift SprayPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder
Supported
1
2
Partly supported
1
0
Stated by brand
0
2
Potential conflict
1
0

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.

Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder

  • immediate volumeSupportedLeaves room for lift.
  • maximum lift and textureSupportedLeaves room for lift.
  • talc-freeStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • invisible powderStated 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.

Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder draws complaints about residue or cast.

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

Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder

Gives good root lift with no visible buildup and is invisible in the hair; plans to repurchase

Ulta reviewer "Cheryl", 5 stars

Volumizes hair perfectly and reviewer loves the result

Ulta reviewer "lilliannanicole", Iowa, 5 stars

Left a sticky texture on both hair and fingers after rubbing it in, disappointing given expectations

Ulta reviewer "Ria", Houston TX, 1 star

On fine, pin-straight 1a hair the powder only made hair sticky with no volume payoff

Ulta reviewer "sam", Chicago IL, 1 star

First-time user says it took a few tries to figure out application before getting the full volumizing benefit

Ulta reviewer "Susan W", Las Vegas, 5 stars

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.

$1.82/oz vs $20.99/oz — Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder costs about 12× more per ounce than Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Root Lift Spray.

$0.83/oz median $4.39/oz $107.14/oz $1.82/oz Curl Talk Root Lift Spray $20.99/oz Plump for Joy Instant Volu

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 64 volumizers with a computable unit price.

Value readCurl Talk Root Lift SprayPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder
Label
Lower cost than most volumizersCosts less per ounce than most volumizers we have researched.
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 Talk Root Lift Spray vs Sea Salt SprayMurdock London · 99% function matchPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder vs Matte Texture Hair Volumizing PowderREUZEL · 93% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Texturing Hair Styling Spray Gel for Wavy HairHerbal Essences · 99% function matchPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder vs EIMI Sugar Lift Sugar Spray for Voluminous TextureWella · 89% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Guava Beach Waves Texturizing SprayCeremonia · 99% function matchPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder vs EIMI Sugar Lift Sugar Spray for Voluminous TextureWella Professionals · 89% function matchCurl Talk Root Lift Spray vs Texturizing Sea Salt Spray for Tousled StylesOdele · 96% function matchPlump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder vs Pure Clean Styling GelGarnier Fructis · 85% function match

Curl Talk Root Lift Spray · Plump for Joy Instant Volume Root Powder · All volumizers 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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