Gel · Kinky-Curly
Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
4.1
Great
34 opinions from 34 people
- Positive
- 22
- Mixed
- 8
- Negative
- 4
How is the Curl Score calculated?
We read 4 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
The verdict
A decade-long holy grail for many, with clumpy, shiny curls, but too heavy or frizzy for some, and pricier every year.
The full verdict
Fans call it the end-all-be-all, with perfect clumpy, shiny curls, good second-day hair, and the only great-hold gel that keeps their curls hydrated. A tub lasts some reviewers years, and it works on hair from fine 3A to 4A. It needs technique: reviewers diffuse rather than air-dry, and too much weighs fine hair down. The doubts are consistent. Several found it too moisturising, with halo frizz and weak hold in humidity, too thick for wavy hair, or knotting. A few say recent tubs turned white and flaked, or that the scent changed. And the price comes up again and again.
- Best for
- Clumped, shiny definition on curly to coily hair, diffused
- Skip it if
- You live somewhere very humid, or your hair is fine and wavy
Reviewer experiences
A representative mix, good and bad, from the commenters.
- u/ee8223r/curlyhair, 2026
I mix it with LA Looks gel, which gives definition plus hold and makes the tub of Kinky Curly last longer.
- u/corniefishr/curlyhair, 2026
I adore it, but I had to stop using it because of the scent, and no unscented gel comes close.
- u/RomanoCheesedr/curlyhair, 2026
It used to be my holy grail, but my last two tubs turned white and flaked off badly once dry. I suspect the formula changed, and I've stopped buying it.
- u/hellomidnightautumnr/curlyhair, 2026
My holy grail gel. I hate the price, but I can't do without it and nothing cheaper compares. I go through a tub every 1-2 months, and it must be diffused on my very fine hair.
3A/B/C; super fine hair
- u/sdrawkcab15r/curlyhair, 2026
I love it. I tried a similar-looking dupe that didn't work, so I keep paying the high price.
- u/Repulsive-Value5123r/curlyhair, 2026
I tried cheaper gels, but they all left my curls very dry by the end of the day. This is the only gel with great hold that keeps my curls hydrated.
See all 39 reviews
PositiveReddit comment
I mix it with LA Looks gel, which gives definition plus hold and makes the tub of Kinky Curly last longer.
u/ee8223r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I actually mix LA looks with KCCC (about a nickel size of each in my palm). They mix beautifully! I love it because I get the definition from the custard and the hold from the LA looks and it makes the tub of Kinky curly last longer :)
MixedReddit comment
I adore it, but I had to stop using it because of the scent, and no unscented gel comes close.
u/corniefishr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeReddit comment
It used to be my holy grail, but my last two tubs turned white and flaked off badly once dry. I suspect the formula changed, and I've stopped buying it.
u/RomanoCheesedr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
My holy grail gel. I hate the price, but I can't do without it and nothing cheaper compares. I go through a tub every 1-2 months, and it must be diffused on my very fine hair.
u/hellomidnightautumn3A/B/C; super fine hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I love it. I tried a similar-looking dupe that didn't work, so I keep paying the high price.
u/sdrawkcab15r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I tried cheaper gels, but they all left my curls very dry by the end of the day. This is the only gel with great hold that keeps my curls hydrated.
u/Repulsive-Value5123r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
It lasts forever: I still haven't finished a 2018 tub. I use very little, as too much weighs my fine hair down or feels sticky, and I air-dry with it without issues.
u/Competitive_Emu_3247Medium length; fine hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
The custard is a holy grail product; I love the brand.
u/needmorevegr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I've used it for years. I've tried lots of other gels, but I always come back to it.
u/pacificspinylumpFine; 3A/Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
The end-all-be-all; no other gel has come close. It gives perfect clumpy, shiny curls, and I love the smell.
u/cheetahprintshoesr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
My favourite, and the only product that gives me good second-day hair. I don't find it heavy, as I only need a little.
u/jaydrianFine hair; different curl patternsr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I've been using it for twelve years.
u/exitosar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
A master product.
u/missbeekeryr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
My holy grail; other gels and custards never give the same results. I haven't tried Knot Today, as it's always sold out near me.
u/Marceline696r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
One of my first holy grails, 15+ years ago. I'd have no issue picking it up again, though I use other things now.
u/brylikestreesr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
My holy grail for a long time, but the prices keep rising.
u/lavenderhazeynobeerFine; low porosity; medium density; 3A/Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I love it; it works very well on fine hair.
u/catmom_422Fine hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I use it every day for a little more hold and less frizz; I haven't been as impressed by the other products.
u/Rianreneer/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedReddit comment
I kept coming back to it for a decade and couldn't replace it, but the price got too high locally. I now use The Doux honey product, and I'm still bitter about it.
u/Far_Boot3829r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedReddit comment
I love it in the depths of winter, when my hair is really dry; otherwise it makes my hair too soft to hold up.
u/Prize_Contact_1655Very dry hair in winterr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedReddit comment
I want to love it, but it doesn't help with frizz as much as I need. My daughter, with similar hair, likes it.
u/lobsterbanditor/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedReddit comment
It smelled heavenly when I bought it about 10 years ago, but my hair was too thin and not curly enough for it.
u/elle___woodsThin hair; not very curlyr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedReddit comment
I use it when I want hold, but it doesn't work as well as it used to since my hair has thinned; I need to experiment with amount and placement.
u/okthen84Thinning hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MixedReddit comment
A great warm, sugary scent, but too thick for my type 2 hair; I think it's solid for heavier textures.
u/sevilyra2B/2C; medium-long; fine/thin; low porosity; low densityr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MentionReddit comment
Not a product to leave to air dry: diffusing is a must, and technique matters, as it keeps whatever shape it dries into.
u/missbeekeryr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MentionReddit comment
I can't use it because my hair is sensitive to aloe vera.
u/Loose-Chemical-49823A/B; low porosity; fine; dense; silver and black hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MentionReddit comment
Only OK; it just wasn't working on my hair, and somehow gave me more knots.
u/akdakd1102Dense; 2C/3Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
MentionReddit comment
I didn't notice the amazingness and never repurchased.
u/Reasonable-Garlic-67r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeReddit comment
Too much moisture: major halo frizz, and my curls didn't last longer than a couple of hours.
u/LadyB5091r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
NegativeReddit comment
It doesn't work well in high humidity; I wish I could like it.
u/AmberIndiaRoseHigh-humidity climater/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
PositiveReddit comment
I get the best results with it; I've learned not to apply it to very wet hair.
u/MelleMigor/curlyhair, 2025Original comment
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I had the same problem until I realized I don't get a cast when my hair is too wet. I gently scrunch out most of the excess water with my hands, then gently scrunch/dab again with a microfiber towel before using the first styling product now (which my hairstylist says is the way to go anyway, since products will just slide right off very wet hair). I get the best results with the kinky curly custard!
MixedReddit comment
A more humectant product I layer under a light hard-hold gel in ultra-high humidity; it's not enough on its own there.
u/Abirdwhofliesr/curlyhair, 2025Original comment
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It's harder to get a cast in high humidity or if your water has a lot of calcium. But the gel you're using— despite the label— isn't something I'd use for the kind of crazy humidity I had when I lived in the American South. With glycerin as the 2nd ingredient, it's never going to prevent frizz in super high humidity, no matter how much you use. But I will note that all signs from your description point to not using nearly enough gel. Try doubling or tripling the amount you use and see if you get a cast. But on glycerin— in humidity you should only use either glycerin-free gels or ones with glycerin at the 5th ingredient or less as a ballpark. Gels I love in high humidity: -LA Looks Blue or Yellow -Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee (I like level 3, but level 5 will give you a hard cast) -Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Flash Freeze level 5 -Jessicurl Spiralicious -Jessicurl Confident Coils -Treluxe Hi Definition -Curl Smith Fragrance Free Shine Gel (level 9) -Beyond the Zone Bada Bing Gel Finally, I will note that while in ultra high humidity, my hair does best with layers of products. For example, layer a bit of a more humectant gel like your climate control one or Kinky Curly Curling Custard, Treluxe Re-Flex, Uncle Funky's, or Curlsmith Souffle under a light hard hold gel like Jessicurl Confident Coils or Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee. But I think my best ever humidity hack is layering Giovanni Air Turbo-Charged Mousse OVER my gel. It's glycerin-free and hard hold. It isn't quite enough on its own, but layered over any gel, it blocks humidity and keeps my hair bouncy while adding a crunchy cast. Maybe start with layering that over your Ouidad.
PositiveReddit comment
I also use the custard.
u/WyoA22r/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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I LOVE it. I use their curling custard also. I still can’t find a shampoo I like though.
PositiveReddit comment
A second vote for it from me.
u/Crochetandgayr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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A second vote for the curling custard!
PositiveReddit comment
The best styler for my ultra-thick, dense hair, but I no longer buy it because of the price where I live.
u/Sssnapdragon3A/B, ultra-thick, ultra-denser/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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Only a styling product--Kinky Curly Curling Custard is my best styler --- and I don't use it because it got really really expensive locally.
PositiveReddit comment
A game changer; expensive, but a little goes a long way.
u/Crochetandgayr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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Kinky Curly Curling Custard really was a game-changer for me. It's expensive but you don't need a tonne so I've been using the same container for forever.
PositiveReddit comment
Nothing worked on my 4a hair until this.
u/hack-s4Ar/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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kinky curly curling custard. nothing every worked on my 4a hair until i found this miracle.
PositiveReddit comment
One of my favourite curl enhancers.
u/KathyStivalettir/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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Best item I’ve ever bought for my curls is the Dyson Fave condish is Sally’s GVP Conditioning Balm. Fave combo poo and condish AG Recoil Fave curl enhancers kinky kurly custard, aunt Jessie elongating gel, Uncle Funky’s Curly Magic, Jessicurl Spiralicious Fave sealer LA Looks hard hold gel.
NegativeReddit comment
I felt it was too heavy.
u/acl2244r/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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Kinky Curly Knot Today is my detangler and leave in conditioner. A lot of people are saying Kinky Curly Curling Custard, but I felt it was too heavy. I use LA Looks gel.
What reviewers say
- Praised: Clumpy, shiny, hydrated curls
- Praised: Good second-day hair
- Complaint: Halo frizz or weak hold in humidity
- Complaint: Too thick for wavy or thin hair
More from Kinky-Curly
The brand reviewBest liked: rated by at least 4 people, more than half of them positive.
How we collated these reviews
Drawn from 39 comments in 4 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