Brand comparison
Ouidad vs Aunt Jackie's: Salon Gel vs Budget Gel
Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed gel costs a fraction of Ouidad's Climate Control and rates well. Ouidad's gel is the one built for humidity.
| Compared | Ouidad | Aunt Jackie’s |
|---|---|---|
| What reviewers think | Mostly positive: A cult gel. Not for everyone. | Mostly positive: Big results. Small price. |
| Curl Score | 3.9 Good | 4.2 Great |
| People with an opinion | 107 | 51 |
| Best-liked product | Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel | Curl La La Defining Curl Custard |
| More promising for | Curls that frizz in heat and humidity, and anyone who wants soft, touchable hold that lasts for days. | Medium to coarse curls and coils, children's detangling, and anyone who wants reliable results on a budget. |
| Think twice if | You want a hard cast or very strong hold, your hair is fine and builds up easily, or you're sensitive to strong scents. | Your hair is fine and easily weighed down, or your scalp reacts to rich creams. |
This comparison comes down to two gels at very different prices. Ouidad's Climate Control is one of the most reviewed gels we track, from a decades-old salon brand. Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed gel costs about $7 for 18 ounces. Aunt Jackie's has the higher Curl Score overall.
The main difference
Gel: Ouidad's Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel is built for frizz in heat and humidity, and gives soft hold that lasts for days. A sizeable minority get no cast or a sticky finish. Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Gel is a budget gel that many say rivals pricier ones for medium to coarse curls, though a few find it gummy, sticky or drying.
Range: Aunt Jackie's has more well-liked products. Its Curl La La gives soft, bouncy curls, its Quench leave-in is called a godsend, and parents rave about its children's detangler. Ouidad's non-gel products are liked but rarely called life-changing.
Hair type: Aunt Jackie's suits medium to coarse curls and coils, and is heavy on fine hair. Ouidad's gel is used on everything from fine 2C waves to thicker curls.
Price: Aunt Jackie's wins by a long way, though Ouidad is often half price at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
Which to choose
Choose Ouidad if you live somewhere humid, and frizz returns within hours with other gels.
Choose Aunt Jackie's if your curls are medium to coarse, you want a full routine on a budget, or you're buying for children.
Skip Aunt Jackie's if your hair is fine. Skip Ouidad if you want a hard cast from the original formula.
The verdict
For most people with medium to coarse curls, Aunt Jackie's is the better value. Ouidad's gel is worth the extra money in humid climates.
Head to head
Each brand's strongest product of each type, by what reviewers say.
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Gel
Ouidad
Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
46 positive·10 mixed·18 negativeA long-time holy grail for frizz in humid weather, though a sizeable minority get no cast, no hold or a sticky finish.
Best for Curls that frizz in heat and humidity and want soft, lasting hold
Aunt Jackie’s
Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
9 positive·1 mixed·3 negativeA cheap, long-lasting gel that rivals pricier ones for many, though gummy, sticky or drying for some.
Best for A budget gel for medium to coarse curls
Which suits your hair
What reviewers with each kind of hair report.
Fine or wavy hair
Ouidad
Opinion splits. Reviewers with fine 2C, 3A and 3B curls call the gel amazing and say a little goes a long way on soaking wet hair.
Aunt Jackie’s
Go carefully. 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.
Strong hold
Ouidad
The original gel gives soft, touchable hold with no hard cast, and several reviewers wanting a crunchy cast found it too weak. The Advanced Climate Control (red label) is stronger, and its fans say it gives a cast other gels haven't, but others still found it weak or sticky once the cast was broken.
Aunt Jackie’s
Reviewers don't single out Aunt Jackie’s for this.
Humid weather
Ouidad
This is what the Climate Control gel is for, and reviewers in Texas, Florida and Savannah say it keeps their curls defined through humid weeks. It isn't universal: reviewers in Miami, humid Georgia and very humid sea-level climates got no cast and frizz within hours.
Aunt Jackie’s
Reviewers don't single out Aunt Jackie’s for this.
Sensitive scalp or scent-sensitive
Ouidad
The leave-ins draw the most complaints: reviewers describe the Moisture Lock leave-in as strong, lemony and chemical, or a stale perfume they threw away. Others say the range smells low and neutral, and one uses the shampoo and conditioner as a fragrance-free option, so experiences vary by product.
Aunt Jackie’s
Reviewers don't single out Aunt Jackie’s for this.
Children's hair
Ouidad
Reviewers don't single out Ouidad for this.
Aunt Jackie’s
Parents are some of the most enthusiastic reviewers. 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.
Starting out or on a budget
Ouidad
Reviewers don't single out Ouidad for this.
Aunt Jackie’s
This is the brand's strength. 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.
Based on what commenters with similar hair reported. Hair varies.
What reviewers like and dislike
Ouidad
- Praised: Frizz control in heat and humidity
- Praised: Soft, touchable curls that last for days
- Praised: Decades of loyal use from some reviewers
- Praised: Often cheap at TJ Maxx and Marshalls
- Praised: A big bottle that lasts
- Complaint: No cast or hold for some reviewers
- Complaint: A sticky or heavy finish on some hair
- Complaint: Expensive at full price
- Complaint: Strong scents, especially the leave-ins
- Complaint: Buildup on fine hair
Aunt Jackie’s
- Praised: Very cheap for the amount
- Praised: The Quench leave-in
- 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: Gummy, sticky or drying gel, for a few
- Complaint: Heavy on fine hair
- Complaint: Stopped working for some long-time users
- Complaint: Spray bottles with a straight stream
- Complaint: Scents some can't stand