For those with naturally curly hair, finding the right products can seem like an endless journey. Between Curlsmith and Ouidad, two popular curly hair brands, the options abound.
I’ve tried them both and can break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide which might work best for your curls.
A Brief Comparison Table Between Curlsmith And Ouidad
| Features | Curlsmith | Ouidad |
| Best For | Very dry, damaged hair; loose curls | Tight curls and coils; humidity control |
| Ingredients | Plant extracts, humectants, hydrolyzed proteins | Botanical oils, wheat protein |
| Prices | $20-$32 | $26-$44 |
| Scents | Essential oil blends | Herbal and fruit extracts |
| Products | Targeted collections by curl type and concern | Some products for specific curl patterns |
| Results | Soft, touchable curls; intense hydration | Defined clumps; frizz reduction; moisture balance |
Overview of Curlsmith And Ouidad
Founded in 2015, Curlsmith is a relative newcomer to the curly hair market. Their products focus on hydration, hold, and enhancing texture using ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera, and hydrolyzed protein.
The Curlsmith line includes shampoos, conditioners, stylers, and treatments aimed at different curl types and specific issues like frizz or definition.
Ouidad, on the other hand, has been around since 1984 and is known for its trademarked “Curl Experts” salons. Their products embrace the curly girl philosophy of avoiding sulfates, silicones, and heavy ingredients. Natural botanicals like chamomile, aloe, and arnica feature prominently across the Ouidad collection.
Like Curlsmith, they offer a range of formulas for washing, conditioning, styling, and enhancing curls.
Also Read: Comparison Between Bio Ionic and T3
Both brands are sulfate-free, silicone-free, cruelty-free, and offer options for all curl types. However, there are some notable differences that may make one better suited for your hair than the other.
Curlsmith’s Key Features
Some of the standout qualities of Curlsmith products include:
- Custom curl solutions – Curlsmith offers different lines tailored to curl type, from their Weightless Air Dry Cream for loose waves to the Hold Me Softly Style Balm for tight coils. This makes it easy to find products ideal for your exact curl pattern.
- Intense hydration – Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe deeply moisturize hair. The Hydro-Flexi Jelly even has a 95% water base for major hydration. If your curls tend toward dryness, Curlsmith can provide moisture.
- Lightweight feel – Despite the hydration, Curlsmith products go on light and allow curls to feel soft and touchable. The styling products provide hold without stiffness or crunch.
- Plant extracts – Natural ingredients like green tea, ginger root, and kelp nourish hair for healthy-looking curls.
- Multitasking – Formulas like the Hold Me Softly Style Balm and Coil Custard provide soft hold, moisture, frizz control, and definition all in one.
Ouidad’s Key Features
What sets Ouidad apart includes:
- Salon stylist expertise – With an established salon business, Ouidad products are designed by stylists who understand curly hair needs from hands-on experience.
- Moisture balance – Using moisture-binding emollients and humectants, Ouidad aims to hydrate hair while avoiding heaviness. This helps curls look defined but still soft and touchable.
- Frizz fighting – Ouidad products incorporate frizz-combatting ingredients like glycerin and hydrolyzed wheat protein to smooth the cuticle.
- Botanical oils and extracts – Natural ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, chamomile, and aloe condition and calm curls.
- Customized curl control – The Advanced Climate Control line has styling products geared for loose waves, corkscrew curls, tight coils, and more specific curl patterns.
- No protein overload – For fine or easily overloaded curls, Ouidad limits heavy proteins and instead relies more on botanical ingredients.
Also Read: Comparison Between Jelly Soft Curls and Pillow Soft Curls
Now that we’ve covered the highlight of each brand, let’s compare them across a few key factors.
Watch the video to learn more!
Curlsmith Vs. Ouidad: How They Compare
Ingredients
Both brands use high-quality natural ingredients free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens. Curlsmith leans on plant extracts, hydrating humectants, and hydrolyzed proteins to nourish, moisturize, and strengthen curls. Ouidad favors botanical oils and mainly uses wheat protein over heavier hydrolyzed proteins.
Winner: Draw – The ingredients are equally clean and effective but cater to slightly different hair needs.
Price
Curlsmith products retail between $20-$32 depending on the formula, while Ouidad costs $26-$44. Ouidad’s newer Blueprint line runs about $16-$35. Both brands offer travel sizes and kits which provide some savings.
Winner: Curlsmith – You’ll pay a little less for most standard Curlsmith products compared to Ouidad. However, Ouidad often has promotions and sales.
Results
For loose waves and spirals, customers report soft, touchable definition and Frizz control from both brands. Ouidad earns rave results for tight curls and coils, while Curlsmith excels at hydrating very dry hair.
Winner: Tie – The products deliver impressive results, with each brand catering slightly better to different curl types.
Scent
Curlsmith uses essential oil fragrance blends, while Ouidad relies more on herbal and fruit extracts to naturally scent products. Most users find the smells pleasant but never overpowering.
Winner: Tie – The scents satisfy most customers but are a matter of personal preference.
Also Read: Comparison Between Prose Vs. Hairstory
Best Curlsmith Products
Based on popular opinion and my own experience, here are a few standout Curlsmith products:
- Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash – The hydrating cleanser leaves hair soft and manageable. Olive oil, aloe vera, and glycerin help moisturize.
- Bouncy Strength Volume Foam – Defines curls while providing lift, body, and frizz control without stiffness.
- Hydro Flexi Jelly – Provides firm hold and definition with zero crunch. The lightweight gel contains mostly water for major hydration.
- Hold Me Softly Style Balm – Gives soft, touchable hold and cuts frizz on tight coils and curls. Shea butter and honey help condition.
- Curl Defining Styling Souffle – Both hydrates and holds looser curl patterns while enhancing natural texture.
Best Ouidad Products
Among Ouidad’s top options are:
- Curl ImmersionTM Coconut Curl Mask – A deeply nourishing weekly treatment powered by coconut and murumuru butter. Brings intense hydration to parched curls.
- Advanced Climate Control® Heat & Humidity Gel – Provides frizz protection and soft hold for looser waves. Defines while retaining moisture.
- Curl RecoveryTM Whipped Curls Mask – A rich hydrating mask that revives dry, weak curls. Shea butter and ceramide lipids strengthen and condition.
- VitalCurlTM Clear & Gentle Shampoo – Gently cleanses without stripping oils or moisture. Arnica extract helps soothe the scalp.
- Advanced Climate Control® Stronger Hold Gel – Defines tight coils and resists humidity. Olive oil and wheat protein add moisture and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Curlsmith products are Curly Girl Method approved. They are free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, and drying alcohols. Curlsmith emphasizes hydration and uses clean, botanically-derived ingredients safe for the curly girl method.
Curlsmith earns rave reviews for its effective formulas that deliver hydration, frizz control, definition, and hold for all curl types. Customers report soft, touchable curls without dryness or crunch. The brand stands out for customized products based on your curl pattern and hair goals.
Ouidad can work well for thin curls but is especially ideal for tight coils. The moisture-balancing formulas define curls without weighing them down. For fine or thin hair, Ouidad’s botanical oil-based products will usually be better than the protein-packed options made for coarse hair.
Curlsmith makes products suited for all curl patterns, from loose waves to tight coils. Their targeted collections address specific needs like volume for fine hair or extra moisture for dry hair. With options for every texture and porosity, Curlsmith can work for most curly hair types.
Read More: Comparison Between Devacurl Vs. LUS.
Which Brand is Right for Your Curls?
Both Curlsmith and Ouidad make excellent products, but here are a few factors to help choose the best fit:
- Curlsmith works best for very dry or damaged hair needing intense hydration and moisture. It also suits looser curl patterns.
- Ouidad is ideal for tight curls and coils needing defined clumping and frizz reduction. It provides moisture without heaviness.
- If your curls are fine or get overloaded easily, Curlsmith’s botanical-based formulas will probably work better than Ouidad’s heavier protein.
- For defined curls and volume, either brand can provide results. Ouidad may have a slight edge in humid climates.
No matter your curl type or concerns, Curlsmith and Ouidad both make quality products backed by years of curl expertise. Try sample sizes to get a feel for each line and see which enhances your hair best!