Community favorite

Curling Custard

A concentrated agave-based gel with strong definition and hold for curls and coils, if applied to soaking-wet hair in sections.

7.7

Good

Beauty score

#5 of 8 styling

Community

—/10

Format: Gel
Size: 8 oz
Typical price: $20.00
Price tier: Mid-range

Curl definition Frizz control Shine

Made for: Wavy hair · Curly hair · Coily hair · Thick hair

Check price on Amazon Buy from the brand$20.00

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Last reviewed November 2, 2026 by our editors · How we score

The verdict

A concentrated agave-based gel with strong definition and hold for curls and coils, if applied to soaking-wet hair in sections.

Curling Custard is Kinky-Curly's long-running botanical styling gel, built around agave nectar and sold without silicones, alcohol or petroleum. The brand says it defines and elongates curls, removes frizz and gives long-lasting hold and shine. Natural-hair creators frequently feature it in wash-and-go tests. Results depend on technique: the brand says to apply it to soaking-wet hair in sections, often over its Knot Today leave-in, and creators publish troubleshooting videos for when it underperforms.

Best for

Wash-and-go styles on curly and coily hair
Shoppers avoiding silicones and drying alcohols
Pairing with a leave-in such as Knot Today

What we love

Strong curl definition and hold shown in wash-and-go demos
Free of silicones, drying alcohols, petroleum and mineral oil per the brand
Concentrated formula; brand says a little goes a long way
Creators show results from 2C/3A curls to type 4 coils

Worth knowing

Technique-sensitive: brand directs application to soaking-wet hair in small sections
Full ingredient list isn't published on the brand's product page
Creators publish troubleshooting videos for when it doesn't perform

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

7.7Good

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%8.0
Wash-and-go demos on 2C/3A curls through type 4 hair show strong definition and hold, though some creators needed to change their technique to get it working.
Formula & ingredients20%7.4
A silicone-, alcohol- and petroleum-free botanical gel built on agave nectar, but the brand does not publish a full ingredient list on its product page.
Texture & experience15%6.8
Must go on soaking-wet hair in small sections, and creators have made troubleshooting videos for when it underperforms.
Value20%7.8
At $20 for 8 oz it is mid-priced for a curl gel, and the brand says the concentrated formula means a little goes a long way.
Community love15%8.1
r/curlyhair regulars repeatedly call it a holy-grail gel they return to after trying others, while a minority saw no standout results, mention rising prices or suspect weaker hold after a reformulation.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Concentrated custard-style gel; brand says it is never greasy, crunchy or drying

Format

Gel

Size

8 oz

How to use

Apply to soaking-wet, freshly washed hair; for very kinky or tightly coiled hair, use Knot Today as a leave-in first, then apply in small sections, smoothing from root to tip.

Free from (brand-stated)

silicones
alcohol
petroleum
mineral oil
parabens

Claims & certifications

Silicone-free
Paraben-free
Cruelty-free (brand-stated)

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

What people say

Straight from the source.

Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.

5 verbatim quotes · 2 positive · 2 mixed · 1 critical

r/curlyhair

The Kinky Curly Custard is my HOLY GRAIL gel. I hate how expensive it is, but I can’t do without it. I have tried several other less expensive gels and nothing else compares. KCC is the GOAT for my 3ABC hair.

u/hellomidnightautumnr/curlyhair · 2026-09111Source

r/curlyhair

The one I always come back to no matter how may other gels I try is Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

u/maraqr/curlyhair · 2026-104Source

r/curlyhair

Until the price got wayyyy too high where I live. Now I make do with The Doux product with honey in it. I'm still bitter though. Kinky Curly Custard has my heart through and through

u/Far_Boot3829r/curlyhair · 2026-0916Source

r/curlyhair

I heard the Kinky Curly Custard was reformulated so I think that's why the hold isn't as strong compared to my previous years of use

u/Bitter_Flatworm_4894r/curlyhair · 2026-101Source

r/curlyhair

I’ve tried the Cult products kinky curly knot Today and the custard. For me I didnt notice the amazingness. I never repurchased

u/Reasonable-Garlic-67r/curlyhair · 2026-091Source

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$20.00

for 8 oz

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

About 20% less than the typical styling we review. Our value score: 7.8/10 for a mid-range pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Buy from the brand$20.00

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money

Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

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FAQ

Good questions.

Do I need to use Knot Today with Curling Custard?

No. Kinky-Curly says the custard is designed to work alone, but recommends Knot Today as a leave-in for ultimate definition and length, especially on very kinky or tightly coiled hair.

Does Curling Custard contain silicones or alcohol?

No. Kinky-Curly's FAQ says its products contain no silicones, drying alcohols, petroleum, mineral oil or proteins that can build up with daily use.

Will Curling Custard work on relaxed or texturized hair?

The brand says it can help replace moisture on hair with a silkener or texturizer and help define any remaining curl or wave pattern, but will not do much for curl definition on bone-straight relaxed hair.

Can I buy Curling Custard in a larger size?

Yes. Kinky-Curly sells it in 8 oz and 16 oz sizes on its website.

Sources we checked (8)