Kristin Ess Ultra Light Curl Defining Cream

If I could give this no stars I would. The perfume fragrance was pretty strong when applying the product but I didn’t think much of it. I would equate the smell to something like a dusty “old lady”rose perfume kind of odor. Normally products fade in intensity once the hair is dry but the smell of this one intensified to the point where I became nauseated and brought on a migraine headache. I had to lather, rinse, and repeat 5 times with a quality clarifying shampoo followed by a deep conditioning hair mask just to get the smell out and even then it was still faintly present. It took several days and one more shampoo and condition before my hair didn’t smell like this product anymore. I am now attempting to repair the damage to my hair from the repeated uses of the ... MoreIf I could give this no stars I would. The perfume fragrance was pretty strong when applying the product but I didn’t think much of it. I would equate the smell to something like a dusty “old lady”rose perfume kind of odor. Normally products fade in intensity once the hair is dry but the smell of this one intensified to the point where I became nauseated and brought on a migraine headache. I had to lather, rinse, and repeat 5 times with a quality clarifying shampoo followed by a deep conditioning hair mask just to get the smell out and even then it was still faintly present. It took several days and one more shampoo and condition before my hair didn’t smell like this product anymore. I am now attempting to repair the damage to my hair from the repeated uses of the clarifying shampoo that was needed to get the smell out. The smell also transferred to my bonnet that I sleep in, my pillow case, and my scrunchie which all had to be washed in the washing machine in super hot water before they smelled normal again. Long story short, make sure you REALLY like the way this product smells before putting it in your hair because it sticks around and is harder to get rid of than a crazy ex partner that hasn’t accepted the break up.

I used several tubes of this in the years preceding the Covid lockdown, tapered off as I didn’t need to wash my hair as often when working from home; and styling cream made it look dirty faster. My fine (but a lot of it), wavy hair really liked it when applied after a volumizing spray from a higher-end line; and the fragrance was light, warm, and pleasant. I bought a new tube a couple of weeks ago as I’m back to more in-person activities. I can’t find any description nor reviews reflecting that this has clearly been reformulated in the last few years, the texture and fragrance have changed, both in terrible ways. It does nothing for my hair at all except possibly adding to frizz and decreasing shine; and the fragrance now is just terribly strong and perfumey, and it ... MoreI used several tubes of this in the years preceding the Covid lockdown, tapered off as I didn’t need to wash my hair as often when working from home; and styling cream made it look dirty faster. My fine (but a lot of it), wavy hair really liked it when applied after a volumizing spray from a higher-end line; and the fragrance was light, warm, and pleasant. I bought a new tube a couple of weeks ago as I’m back to more in-person activities. I can’t find any description nor reviews reflecting that this has clearly been reformulated in the last few years, the texture and fragrance have changed, both in terrible ways. It does nothing for my hair at all except possibly adding to frizz and decreasing shine; and the fragrance now is just terribly strong and perfumey, and it lingers quite a long time. Very disappointed.

I had been layering mousse and gel and was sturuggling to get the definition I wanted. My hair is FINE and most products weight it sown so I had never tried a cream before. I like this! I raked this cream into very wet hair, used a denman brush to section/clump and then scrunched in kinky curly custard to provide a cast. My curls were smooth and defined with ample volume. I'm confident this product, combined with the custard, would provide a few days of nice looking curls with little refresh. Unfortunatly, I was out in the humidity washday and had a lot of frizz. This product did not help with that but I have yet to fond a product that does so I won't take stars off for that. Side note: I also use the Kristen Ess "The One" shampoo and conditioner and love them.