Curlsmith
Hold Me Softly Style Balm
"The anti-crunch styler for wavies. Provides soft definition without any cast, perfect for those who hate touching crunchy hair."
Hair Compatibility
Curl Pattern
Strand Thickness
Porosity
Performance
- Hold Level
- Light Hold
- Weight
- Light
- Finish
- Soft, No Cast
- Buildup Risk
- Low
What's Inside
Shea Butter
Rich moisture and frizz control
Avocado Oil
Penetrating nourishment for dry hair
Flaxseed Extract
Light hold with natural slip
Vitamin E
Antioxidant protection and shine
View Full Ingredients List
Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Piper Nigrum (Black Pepper) Seed Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Cetrimonium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Pinene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.
How to Use
Best as: Styler
Alternatives to Consider
Overview
Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm is designed for the crunch-averse. If you’ve avoided gels because you hate that stiff, crunchy feeling, this balm offers an alternative—soft definition with no cast whatsoever. It’s particularly suited to wavy hair and fine curls that need gentle structure without weight.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Shea Butter - Provides rich moisture that seals the cuticle and fights frizz.
- Avocado Oil - One of the few oils that penetrates the hair shaft for internal nourishment.
- Flaxseed Extract - Natural hold agent that provides structure without stiffness.
- Vitamin E - Adds shine and protects against environmental damage.
What We Love
- Zero crunch - Touchable curls right from the start
- Soft definition - Holds shape without stiffness
- Protein-free - Safe for protein-sensitive hair
- Moisturising - Great for dry or damaged hair
- Pleasant texture - Creamy but not heavy
- Works for low-porosity hair - Absorbs without sitting on top
What Could Be Better
- Light hold only - Won’t survive high humidity
- Not for tight curls - Designed more for waves
- Can feel heavy if over-applied - Less is more
- No cast - Some prefer the defined results from scrunching out a cast
How to Use
On Wet Hair
- Apply to soaking wet hair in sections
- Use praying hands to distribute
- Scrunch gently to encourage clumping
- Diffuse or air dry—no need to scrunch out a cast
Layered with Gel
For more hold, apply the balm first, then a light gel on top. The balm adds moisture, the gel adds structure.
Pro Tip
This works beautifully as a second-day refresher applied to dry hair. Warm a tiny amount between palms and smooth over frizzy sections.
The Verdict
Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm sits at a mid-range price and delivers exactly what the name promises—soft hold. It’s a niche product for a specific audience: those who want definition without any hint of crunch. Wavies and fine-haired curlies who’ve struggled with traditional gels should give this a try.
Our Rating: 4.5/5