I know it seems odd to combine these products for a review, but ultimately I found myself comparing the two in my head while using them so figured I might as well review them that way as well!
Both of these products are available at Target. While Kinky Curly products are available at a variety of retailers, I’m going to base the information off of Target since that’s where you can get both.
Cost and Size
Kinky Curly Curling Custard is available for $16.99 for 8 oz and the Harry’s Sculpting Gel is $7.99 for 6.7 oz. Harry’s does get the point for price. I will note that while both of these products require a light-handed application, you need even less KCCC to get a cast than you do the Harry’s- so ultimately it’s not quite a straight forward oz-to-oz comparison for value.
Usage
This is the category that made me start comparing the two in my head.
While they have a very different feel in the hand, I found myself using them in very similar ways. Harry’s is thick and a tad sticky feeling. You really have to emulsify it in your hands in order to apply it. You know in advance that you have to work with it for good results. The KCCC is thinner and doesn’t feel sticky to the touch, but the learning curve on this one is that if you use too much it’ll make your hair feel gummy and possibly start to flake on you. Ultimately you have to use the same amount of care when applying them.
Both of these products have a flash drying effect on me if I’m not careful. I have used both of these products as a single styler with LOTS of leave in conditioner (a cream would work as well) and had the results turn out fine, but if I do not have that heavy moisturizing base, I wouldn’t be able to get good clumps since my hair would seize and get stringy before the moisture could take hold. So I find that I get the best results from both by cocktailing or layering products.
How I cocktail them or layer them is ultimately the primarily similarity. My hair doesn’t LOVE either of these products as a one and done. So the way I like to use them is either use a little bit as a final scrunch over something lighter hold/a lighter hold combination that I really want to last for more than a day OR by mixing a little bit in with a lighter hold product in my hand before applying in my hair. For example, Harry’s mixed with Biotera Alcohol Free Styling Gel or KCCC mixed with Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel. This way I don’t get the stringy results from something too hard of hold or the angry curls from too much protein.
The place where KCCC shines for styling over Harry’s is with refreshing. While hair with Harry’s in it refreshes fine for me, I cannot use it as a product to refresh with when I have some frizz that needs taming. I can, however, use the KCCC for a light refresh and that’s when the product actually feels moisturizing on my hair. My guess would be it has to do with not experiencing flash drying since my hair is already dry.
Ingredients
Harry’s ingredients list is very lab created. KCCC is much more natural. I’m sure this is the primary reason for the price point difference. That being said, the ingredients in Harry’s are much better for high humidity since it does have those copolymers in it, while the KCCC has multiple ingredients for conditioning and slip to make it easier to work through the hair.
Both products are protein free making them interchangeable in a wash day line up. Why does that matter? Because curly hair is all about the protein/moisture balance. So depending on how your hair reacts to protein, comparing a protein heavy product with a protein free one could be comparing apples and oranges.
Final Thoughts
While I do think that the Harry’s is a good value buy and has it’s uses, it’s not something I would re-purchase. I do find it easier to use than other hard hold gels such as LA Looks Blue or the BTZ Bada Bing Gel. If I was out of town and in desperate need for a cheap styler for the trip it would be a contender.
As for the KCCC, I did actually just add it to my Favorite’s list. There was quite a while there that I didn’t think I would re-purchase this product. While I still don’t think it’s for me as a single styler, this has become my favorite product for cocktailing and giving a final layer on days I need that extra hold or cast.
I hope this helps and if you have any questions or comments feel free to drop them in the comments below!
