Brand review
Aunt Jackie’s
Is it worth the money?
4.2
Great
68 opinions from 51 people
- Positive
- 53
- Mixed
- 4
- Negative
- 11
How is the Curl Score calculated?
We read 5 public Reddit discussions and logged each person's opinion of each product as positive, mixed or negative, and members add theirs when they review a product here. The Curl Score puts those on a scale of 1 to 5: every opinion positive would be 5, every one negative 1, and an even split 3, with a mixed opinion counting as half positive. Passing mentions aren't opinions, so they don't count, and each person counts once per product. Every brand is scored the same way, but these are comments, not verified purchases or a survey. Sources and method
Mostly positive
Big results. Small price.
Cheap, generous tubs that many reviewers call holy grail, led by the Quench leave-in and Flaxseed gel.
The full verdict
Most reviewers like the brand, and price is a big part of it: 18oz of gel for about $7, and several compare the Flaxseed gel favourably with Kinky-Curly’s far pricier Custard. The Quench leave-in is the best-liked product, called a godsend and a holy grail, and the Curl La La custard gives soft, defined, bouncy curls. Parents rave about the Knot On My Watch detangler. The doubts: the Flaxseed gel turned gummy, sticky or drying for a few, Curl La La was too heavy or caused dandruff for a couple, and some reviewers found the line stopped working or left their hair like straw.
- More promising for
- Medium to coarse curls and coils, children's detangling, and anyone who wants reliable results on a budget.
- Think twice if
- Your hair is fine and easily weighed down, or your scalp reacts to rich creams.
Reviewer experiences
A representative mix, good and bad, from the commenters.
- u/msReDDifyourenastyr/curlyhair, 2026
My hair loves it: I use only the gel after a wash and deep conditioner for a good cast, and my curls last up to a week once the cast is broken.
3B coarse; low porosity; medium density; mid-back length
- u/Loki_the_Corgir/curlyhair, 2026
My hair absolutely hated the whole line: straw-like, tangled, frizzy, weighed down and greasy. It was one of the first brands I tried when embracing my curls.
3A-3B; normal porosity; fine; long; colored
- u/DeliciousFlow8675309r/curlyhair, 2026
Results very similar to KC, though the texture isn't as thick; it's on the same Target shelf.
- u/marticcrnr/curlyhair, 2026
My curls were lovely, soft and bouncy, and the product smells nice; I haven't tried it with a gel yet.
Fine; soft; porous; 3C
- u/heyashleymorganr/curlyhair, 2026
It saved my hair, which always felt hard and wouldn't clump; with Transform my curls looked and felt amazing.
Low porosity; 3C/4A
- u/Akavinceblackr/curlyhair, 2026
A miracle product for my son's thick curly hair, which had a deep band of matting at the neck from constantly wearing a hoodie.
Reviewing for son: shoulder-blade length; thick; sensitive scalp
See all 44 reviews
PositiveDon't Shrink Flaxseed GelReddit comment
My hair loves it: I use only the gel after a wash and deep conditioner for a good cast, and my curls last up to a week once the cast is broken.
u/msReDDifyourenasty3B coarse; low porosity; medium density; mid-back lengthr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeRangeReddit comment
My hair absolutely hated the whole line: straw-like, tangled, frizzy, weighed down and greasy. It was one of the first brands I tried when embracing my curls.
u/Loki_the_Corgi3A-3B; normal porosity; fine; long; coloredr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveFlaxseed GelReddit comment
Results very similar to KC, though the texture isn't as thick; it's on the same Target shelf.
u/DeliciousFlow8675309r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
Miss Jackie's flax seed gel is very similar results wise. The texture is not as thick though. Its also sold on the same shelf in Target. [Note: 'Miss Jackie's' assumed to be Aunt Jackie's]
PositiveCurl La La curl creamReddit comment
My curls were lovely, soft and bouncy, and the product smells nice; I haven't tried it with a gel yet.
u/marticcrnFine; soft; porous; 3Cr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveTransform leave-inReddit comment
It saved my hair, which always felt hard and wouldn't clump; with Transform my curls looked and felt amazing.
u/heyashleymorganLow porosity; 3C/4Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveKnot On My WatchReddit comment
A miracle product for my son's thick curly hair, which had a deep band of matting at the neck from constantly wearing a hoodie.
u/AkavinceblackReviewing for son: shoulder-blade length; thick; sensitive scalpr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveProductReddit comment
A cheap option: $7 for 18oz.
u/Pitiful-Struggle-890r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
Aunt Jackie's is $7 for 18 ounces.
PositiveProductReddit comment
I recommend it.
u/ms181091r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
Auntie jackies!
PositiveProductReddit comment
I recommend it; about $6.
u/Standard-Tourist-915r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
Aunt Jackie's!! It's like $6
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
It smells so good; I put about a tablespoon in a spray bottle with water for refreshing.
u/preraphaelliter/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveDon't Shrink Flaxseed GelReddit comment
A holy grail product.
u/MaSobriquetr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveCurl Stretch gelReddit comment
It works well on my daughter's hair.
u/The_RevisionerReviewing for daughter (mixed hair)r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveHalf & Half sprayReddit comment
It works well, but desperately needs a better spray bottle; the straight stream is down to the formula, so I decant it into another bottle for a decent spray.
u/The_RevisionerReviewing for daughter (mixed hair)r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveDetanglerReddit comment
Pretty good.
u/The_RevisionerReviewing for daughter (mixed hair)r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveRangeReddit comment
The brand has been the making of my curls.
u/MozBoz78r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveCustardReddit comment
I love it despite a strange feeling: my hair looks beautifully defined. I buy it occasionally to save money, as some curl creams I like are too expensive to use all the time.
u/LunetxMostly 3A; dryer end; normal porosityr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveGelReddit comment
I love it; a little goes a long way, and it's the only gel I use these days.
u/LunetxMostly 3A; dryer end; normal porosityr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveCurl BossReddit comment
Most of my routine is Aunt Jackie's, and my hair loves it.
u/guava-con-queso3Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveMousseReddit comment
Most of my routine is Aunt Jackie's, and my hair loves it.
u/guava-con-queso3Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveFrizz Patrol mousseReddit comment
Loving it: super lightweight and touchable.
u/gradualgoose2B-3B, fine, pixie, dark brownr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
Love the bond building line. Hate the mousse shown in the photo… it has good hold but it’s SOOO sticky + does not scrunch out. Maybe it’s just too concentrated/heavy for my hair. I’ve recently tried Aunt Jackie’s Frizz Patrol mousse and have been loving it, super lightweight and touchable
MixedRangeReddit comment
I used it religiously and loved it, then suddenly it made my hair super dry and straw-like and I had to stop.
u/deanstrblr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MentionHold Tight gelReddit comment
I use it on my daughter's hair.
u/aliveinjoburg2Reviewing for daughterr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeProductReddit comment
I tried it for years, but it never worked for me.
u/BickenBonesr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
I tried using Aunt Jackie's for years, it just didn't work for me and I kept trying to make it work
NegativeProductReddit comment
I find it too sticky.
u/funwearcorer/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
It gets too sticky for me
NegativeRangeReddit comment
I could never get the brand to do anything for me, though everything smells nice.
u/laowildinr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeProduct in purple bottleReddit comment
I couldn't stand the smell of the purple bottle (bottom right of the photo).
u/sourhotdogwaterr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeMousseReddit comment
It refused to do its job.
u/sourhotdogwaterr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveGelReddit comment
I really enjoy it; I bought it at TJ Maxx.
u/FootAccurate3575r/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
Read the full comment
I used the aunt Jackie’s gel that I got a tj maxx and I really enjoy it
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
I love the leave-in conditioner.
u/-AIRDRUMMER-r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
My favourite leave-in.
u/dressedextrapickles3A; low porosityr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
A godsend.
u/xbriaileenr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
My holy grail.
u/christine_714r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
Great, though my hair goes through phases with it; the smell is unremarkable.
u/Serious-Train8000r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
I like it; it's a little heavier than Knot On My Watch, and I use them interchangeably.
u/Lovelitchi_in_pink3A/Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
I love it.
u/jolittletimer/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
In my styling rotation; the price is great for the amount of product. Not holy grails, but worth keeping on the shelf.
u/Impossible-Maybe4354Coarse; thickr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveQuench leave-inReddit comment
Most of my routine is Aunt Jackie's, and my hair loves it.
u/guava-con-queso3Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedQuench leave-inReddit comment
It definitely helps, though it's not what I need; I'll use it until I find my routine.
u/daiwuff2C/3A; very coarse; porous; thickr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveKnot On My WatchReddit comment
The best detangler for my son's curly 'nest'; it works miracles.
u/Affectionate-Size-75Reviewing for sonr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveKnot On My WatchReddit comment
A lifesaver that helped significantly when I had braids a second time.
u/aliveinjoburg2r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveKnot On My WatchReddit comment
I'm using it a lot lately, as it helps my hair not get too tangled.
u/Lovelitchi_in_pink3A/Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeKnot On My WatchReddit comment
It didn't do anything for me; on dry hair it made my hair sticky and even more knotted.
u/daiwuff2C/3A; very coarse; porous; thickr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveTransform leave-inReddit comment
With the flaxseed gel, it's the only product my hair needs.
u/luluxluluxr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveTransform leave-inReddit comment
Probably too much for my fine hair, but alone on sopping wet hair it leaves my hair extremely soft.
u/ImportantProduct2638Fine; 3A/3B; bleach-damaged endsr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
Comments on a single product are on that product's review: start from the products below.
The products
2 products reviewed, best liked first.
- Curl La La Defining Curl Custard13 positive·1 mixed·1 negative
- Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel9 positive·1 mixed·3 negative
Best liked: rated by at least 4 people, more than half of them positive.
What reviewers say
- Praised: Very cheap for the amount
- Praised: The Quench leave-in
- Complaint: Gummy, sticky or drying gel, for a few
- Complaint: Heavy on fine hair
Show 6 more
- Praised: Soft, defined, bouncy curls from Curl La La
- Praised: A Flaxseed gel that rivals pricier gels
- Praised: Detanglers that work on children's knots
- Complaint: Stopped working for some long-time users
- Complaint: Spray bottles with a straight stream
- Complaint: Scents some can't stand
Find your match
What matters most for your hair?
Amazon links on this page are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How this works
Good results without spending much
Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
9 positive·1 mixed·3 negativeWhy This is the brand's strength.
But gummy or sticky on fine hair.
Reviewers say the Flaxseed gel gives results very similar to Kinky-Curly Curling Custard for a fraction of the price, and one reviewer with coarse 3B hair uses only the gel for a cast that lasts up to a week. Curl La La is $7 at Target, Sally's and Walmart.
Also consider Curl La La Defining Curl Custard
Fine hair that is easily weighed down
Curl La La Defining Curl Custard
13 positive·1 mixed·1 negativeWhy Go carefully.
But too heavy for some.
A reviewer with fine 3A/3B hair found the Flaxseed gel gummy on sopping wet hair, a reviewer with fine, long hair says the whole line left it straw-like and greasy, and Curl La La was too heavy for another. A reviewer with fine, porous 3C hair found Curl La La left their curls soft and bouncy, so small amounts may work.
Probably skip Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
Detangling children's curls
Curl La La Defining Curl Custard
13 positive·1 mixed·1 negativeWhy Parents are some of the most enthusiastic reviewers.
But too heavy for some.
The Knot On My Watch detangler is described as a miracle on a son's matted neck curls and the best detangler for a curly 'nest', and Curl La La worked wonders for one reviewer and their daughter.
Based on what commenters with similar hair reported. Hair varies.
Better alternatives
What some of the same reviewers switched to, and why. A single mention is a lead, not a verdict.
For something lighter
The Doux Styling range
A reviewer who used the Flaxseed gel for years now gets better results from lighter products, including The Doux, after their hair texture changed.
One commenter’s suggestionAmazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
How we collated these reviews
Drawn from 53 comments in 5 Reddit discussions below. We read every comment in each, logged each product a commenter had an opinion on, and classified each opinion as positive, mixed or negative. This is public commentary, not verified purchases or customer ratings. Our full method
About Aunt Jackie’s · US. A budget curl brand found on drugstore and supermarket shelves, with big tubs of gel, custard and leave-in for a few dollars. We collated what curly-haired reviewers say about it, product by product, so you can tell what will suit your hair before you buy.
Sources
- Your opinion on popular curly hair brands. Day 10; Aunt Jackie's
- $19 pushed it but at $23 I just can't. Love it and looking for recommendations for something similar but <$15
- What are your best hair products that you swear by?
- Your favorite curly hair styling product?
- Your opinion on popular curly hair brands. Day 12; Not Your Mothers