Miss Jessie’s Soft Curls Review: The Fluffy Cream Vs. The Crunch-Free Gel

I’ve been on a lifelong quest for the “perfect” curl product, a mythical bottle that promises definition without crunch and softness without frizz. This journey led me straight to the iconic, brightly-colored tubes of Miss Jessie’s.

But I quickly learned that “soft curls” isn’t just one product; it’s a philosophy split between two superstars: Pillow Soft Curls and Jelly Soft Curls. One is a creamy lotion, the other a bouncy gel, and they are not interchangeable. If you’re standing in the aisle, totally confused, I am here to tell you that you must buy one of these. This review will break down exactly which one is right for you.

My Experience With Miss Jessie’s Soft Curls

My hair is a finicky, 2C/3A combination. It has waves and loose curls that frizz at the mere thought of humidity and fall flat if a product is even slightly too heavy. For years, I was a “mousse-only” girl, terrified of the crunchy, wet-noodle look that gels gave me in the 90s. But mousse left my hair feeling dry and undefined.

I first bought Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls. The name alone was everything I wanted. I was sold the second I opened the tube. The scent is famous.

It’s a clean, fresh, “laundry-day” fragrance that I am personally obsessed with, though I’ve heard it can be polarizing. It’s a thick, white, luxurious-feeling cream.

I applied a quarter-sized amount to my damp, freshly-washed hair, raking it through and scrunching. As it air-dried, I was in heaven.

My hair was, as promised, pillow soft. It was fluffy, my waves were encouraged, and there was zero cast or crunch. It was the ultimate “no-product” product look.

But then, about four hours later, I looked in the mirror.

The frizz halo was back. My “fluffy” curls had poofed out and lost their shape. This cream had incredible softness, but it had almost zero hold. It was a fantastic moisturizer, but it wasn’t a “styler” for my hair type.

I was disappointed but determined. I saw its sibling on the shelf: Jelly Soft Curls. The see-through tube showed a wobbly, clear gel. I was immediately nervous, getting flashbacks of that crunchy, rock-hard hair. But the bottle promised “crunch-free” curls. I decided to trust it.

This product was a completely different experience. It was a light, slippery gel that was easy to spread. I applied it to my damp hair, scrunching it in just like I did the cream. This time, as my hair dried, a light “cast” formed. My heart sank. “Here we go,” I thought, “crunch city.”

I waited until my hair was 100% dry. Then, I gently “scrunched out the crunch” (SOTC, as the curl community calls it). And then… the magic. The cast broke apart instantly, revealing the most defined, bouncy, and still soft curls I had ever had. My frizz was gone. My waves were clumped into beautiful, shiny ringlets. And the hold lasted. I woke up the next day, and my hair still looked amazing.

I had found my answer. Pillow Soft Curls is my “lazy Sunday” moisturizer, but Jelly Soft Curls is my “I have a big meeting and need my hair to look perfect” holy grail.

Read More: My Thoughts On Raw sugar Mighty Curls 

Pros Of Miss Jessie’s Soft Curls

• Pillow Soft Curls: The Ultimate “Touch-Me” Cream
  • Unmatched, Weightless Softness: This product’s name is 100% accurate. It’s a styling lotion that borrows “fabric care technology” to act like a fabric softener for your hair. If your main goal is to have fluffy, touchable, “no-product” feeling hair, this is your holy grail. It’s a dream for people with finer hair (Type 2A/2B waves) who get weighed down by everything. It gives a light, bouncy, voluminous look that is perfect for a soft, romantic, or beachy style. There is absolutely zero crunch, cast, or stiffness.
  • The Iconic Scent: The fragrance of Pillow Soft Curls is a phenomenon. It’s a very potent, clean “fresh laundry” or “fabric softener” smell. For me, this is a massive pro. I am obsessed with it. It makes my hair smell freshly-washed for days, and I get compliments on it constantly. It’s one of the few hair-product scents that I find truly luxurious.
  • Amazing Frizz-Fighting Moisturizer: While I found its hold lacking, I cannot deny its power as a moisturizer. It’s packed with conditioning agents. When I use it, my hair feels conditioned and smooth. It’s a fantastic “one-and-done” for people who don’t need a lot of hold, or as a “Step 1” leave-in conditioner before applying a stronger gel.
• Jelly Soft Curls: The Crunch-Free Definition King
  • It Actually, Genuinely Does Not Crunch: This is the product’s miracle. It’s a gel that provides a soft-to-medium hold without the rock-hard, flaky, 90s-gel feel. It creates a very light, soft cast while drying, which is what defines the curl pattern and locks out frizz. But the second your hair is dry, a single “scrunch” breaks that cast, and you are left with defined, bouncy, soft curls. It’s the perfect balance of hold and softness.
  • It Is Curly Girl Approved: This is a critical difference. Jelly Soft Curls is formulated without silicones, parabens, or sulfates. For those of us who follow the “Curly Girl Method” (CGM), this is a 100% approved, “safe” product that won’t cause the build-up that silicones do. This is a huge pro for dedicated curl-care enthusiasts.
  • Incredible Definition And Frizz Control: This is what I use when I need my hair to look good. It clumps my waves into defined, springy curls. It smooths my frizz halo like nothing else. Because it’s a gel, it provides a humidity-resistant shield that the cream just can’t. My hair looks shiny, defined, and put-together all day, even on day two and three.

Cons Of Miss Jessie’s Soft Curls

• Pillow Soft Curls: The “Anti-Hold” Hero
  • It Is NOT Curly Girl Approved (Contains Silicones): This was a huge con for me. I looked at the ingredient list, and there it was: Amodimethicone. This is a non-water-soluble silicone. Silicones are what make the hair feel “silky” and soft, but they are a no-go for the CG method. They coat the hair shaft and can only be removed with a clarifying, sulfate-based shampoo, which leads to a cycle of build-up and stripping. If you are a strict CGM follower, this product is not for you.
  • Zero Hold For Many Hair Types: This is the trade-off for all that softness. For my 2C/3A hair, this product has virtually zero hold. My defined, damp curls turned into a soft, poofy, undefined cloud within hours. If you have hair that is high-porosity or a curl pattern that needs any kind of support, this will not be enough for you. It’s a “softener,” not a “styler.”
  • The Scent Is A Deal-Breaker For Many: That iconic “laundry” scent I love? Many people hate it. It is very strong. If you are sensitive to perfumes or don’t want your hair to compete with your perfume, you will find this overwhelming. It’s a “love it or hate it” fragrance, and you need to be prepared for its intensity.
• Jelly Soft Curls: The “Less-Is-More” Gel
  • Can Get Crunchy Or Flaky If You Use Too Much: This is the product’s only learning curve. It’s a gel, and if you treat it like a cream and slather it on, you will get a crunchy, stiff result. The key is to use a small amount (start with a quarter, maybe less) on damp hair. If you overdo it, you’ll be in crunch city. Some users also report white flakes if they use too much or if it reacts with another leave-in product.
  • Can Be Drying For Some Hair Types: While it’s CG-approved, it’s primarily a styler, not a moisturizer. It contains Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, which is great for strengthening, but some hair types (especially low-porosity or protein-sensitive hair) can find it slightly drying over time. It doesn’t have the rich, emollient, “buttery” feel of the Pillow Soft Curls.
  • The High Price Point: Let’s be honest: Miss Jessie’s is expensive. A single tube of either product is a premium purchase. This con applies to the entire brand. It’s a “splurge” item, and it can be painful to repurchase, especially when you compare it to the jumbo-sized, budget-friendly bottles from other brands.

Maintenance Tips For Miss Jessie’s Soft Curls

• How To Use Pillow Soft Curls (The Cream)
  • Use It As A “Base” Layer: This is my favorite way to use it. I now use a small, pea-sized amount of Pillow Soft Curls as my leave-in conditioner. I rake it through my soaking-wet hair to get that moisturizing, softening, and amazing-smelling base. Then, I follow up with a strong-hold gel (like Jelly Soft Curls or another brand) to provide the definition and hold that the cream lacks. This “cocktail” gives me the best of both worlds: softness and hold.
  • The “Rake And Shake” Method: This product is great for a “rake and shake” style. Rake a small amount through damp (not sopping wet) hair to distribute it. Then, grab sections of your hair, lift them, and gently “shake” them to encourage your natural wave pattern. Let it air-dry, and do not touch it. This will give you a very soft, beachy, voluminous look.
  • The “Fluff, Don’t Scrunch” Approach: This isn’t a product for “scrunching” in my opinion. It’s a lotion. It’s designed to coat, soften, and fluff. Apply it with “praying hands” (smoothing it over the hair) and then use your fingers at the roots to fluff your hair as it dries. Scrunching can make my hair look stringy with this cream.
• How To Use Jelly Soft Curls (The Gel)
  • Start With A Quarter-Sized Amount: This is the most important rule. You can always add more, but you cannot take it away. Start with a quarter-sized (or even nickel-sized, for fine hair) amount. Emulsify it in your wet hands to thin it out, then glaze it over your hair. Scrunch it in from the ends up to your roots.
  • Apply To DAMP, Not Soaking-Wet, Hair: This is a personal discovery. Many gels require “soaking wet” application. I find Jelly Soft Curls works best on damp hair—hair that has been “plunked” or gently squeezed with a microfiber towel. When I apply it to sopping-wet hair, it just seems to slide off and the hold is weaker. Applying to damp hair gives it something to “grip” onto.
  • You MUST Scrunch Out The Crunch (SOTC): Do not panic when your hair dries with a slight cast. This is not the final look. The cast is your friend—it’s the “shell” that formed your curl and protected it from frizz while it dried. Once your hair is 100% dry, flip your head over, put your hands in your hair, and scrunch. Gently scrunch all over, from ends to root. The cast will instantly break, leaving you with defined, touchably soft curls.

Comparison With Other Brands

• Versus Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
  • The “Heavyweight” Competitor: The Shea Moisture Smoothie is the classic, go-to curl cream for many. When I compare it to Pillow Soft Curls, the Smoothie is much heavier. It’s a thick, buttery cream packed with Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. It is not for fine, wavy hair; it will weigh it down in a second. Pillow Soft Curls is a lightweight lotion in comparison. The Smoothie is for thick, coarse, high-porosity, or coily hair (Type 3C-4C) that needs intense moisture. Pillow Soft Curls is for thin-to-medium hair (Type 2A-3A) that wants softness and volume.
• Versus Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
  • The “Budget-Friendly” Activator: Cantu’s Curl Activator is a staple because it’s effective and incredibly affordable. Like the Shea Moisture, it is a very thick, heavy, shea-butter-based cream. It’s amazing for bringing out a curl pattern, but it can feel sticky and cause build-up. When I compare it to Jelly Soft Curls (the gel), they are in different leagues. Cantu is a heavy cream activator, while Jelly Soft Curls is a lightweight gel definer. Jelly Soft Curls gives me that “clean” hold, while Cantu can sometimes feel greasy or weighed-down by the end of the day.
• Versus DevaCurl Styling Cream
  • The “Salon” Competitor: DevaCurl is the big, salon-level brand. Their Styling Cream is the most direct competitor to Pillow Soft Curls. They are both moisturizing, light-hold creams. I find the DevaCurl cream to be slightly more moisturizing and less-fragranced, but Pillow Soft Curls gives me way more softness and “fluff.” The biggest difference? DevaCurl’s cream is (usually) CG-approved and silicone-free, while Pillow Soft Curls is not. This makes DevaCurl the safer bet for serious, build-up-free curl care, but I just can’t quit that “fabric softener” feel from Miss Jessie’s.

Also Read: My Thoughts On Bed Head Curls Rock Amplifier

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, which “soft curl” product should you buy? My journey taught me there’s a simple answer, and it all depends on your final goal.

If you are a wavy-haired person who follows the Curly Girl Method, or if your main goal is definition, frizz-control, and a soft hold that lasts, you must buy Jelly Soft Curls. It’s my personal holy grail.

If you don’t follow the CG method, and your only goal is to have the most touchable, fluffiest, lightest, best-smelling, “no-product” feeling hair, and you are not worried about hold, then you need to buy Pillow Soft Curls.

Honestly? You should probably buy both.