Beauty Coily Custard Duel: Miss Jessie's vs PATTERN - Top Picks Re
Miss Jessie's Coily Custard and PATTERN Styling Custard are the two most famous names in the category. One invented the concept, the other modernized it. Here is the detailed comparison.
| Factor | CocoBlack Naturals Curling Custard Ghana | Miss Jessie's Coily Custard Unisex Emuls |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | Check price | Check price |
| Texture | Slippery emulsion | Lightweight slippy custard |
| Key ingredients | Agave, coconut oil | Flaxseed oil, agave, Irish moss |
| Hold level | Soft definition | Light hydrated hold |
| Best for | Classic coily definition | High porosity detangling |
Our Verdict
Miss Jessie's wins for the classic coily custard experience, because its agave and coconut oil emulsion was formulated specifically for tight textures and remains the benchmark for transforming frizzy fros into soft defined coils. It is also the cheaper option. PATTERN wins for slip and detangling, with its lightweight formula excelling at working through high porosity hair while providing hydrated hold. It costs more but suits those who prioritize easy detangling. Choose Miss Jessie's for the original targeted coily formula. Choose PATTERN for maximum slip and a modern lightweight feel.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: High porosity coils needing slip, moisture and light hold.
PATTERN Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Styling Custard, 15 oz
- Lightweight and slippy for detangling plus hold
- Flaxseed oil, agave, Irish moss and chamomile
- Hydrated hold, definition and shine
- Best for curlies, coilies and tight textures 3a to 4c
Pros
- Detangles and holds in one step
- Great for kids and adults
- Celebrity brand with real curl expertise
Cons
- Higher price point
- Light hold, layer for stronger styles
Best for: Families sharing one gentle custard for curly and coily hair.
Aunt Jackie's Kids Baby Curls Moisture Rich Curling and Twisting Custard, 15 oz
- Long lasting definition for curls, twists and coils
- Coconut oil, shea butter and extra virgin olive oil
- Soft touch finish, no sticky crunchy feel
- Made in the USA, kid friendly formula
Pros
- Gentle formula great for the whole family
- Very affordable for 15 oz
- Excellent for two strand twists
Cons
- Marketed for kids but works for adults too
- Lighter hold than adult custards
Want the Full Picture?
Custard vs Pudding vs Jelly: Miss Jessie and PATTERN Compared
The custard, pudding, and jelly naming in curly styling confuses buyers, but the textures differ functionally. Custards like the PATTERN styling custard above are thick and creamy with medium hold; they define curls while moisturizing, suiting medium to thick curls. Puddings like Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding are richer and heavier; they suit very thick, coarse curls that need maximum moisture with their hold. Jellies and gels like the Jelly Soft Curls are lighter with stronger hold; they suit fine curls that need definition without weight. The picks above let you match by curl density: fine curls take the jelly, medium curls take the custard, thick coarse curls take the pudding. The Aunt Jackie's Kids option above is the gentle formula for children's curls, with milder ingredients for sensitive young scalps. The common mistake: using pudding-weight product on fine curls and concluding the brand does not work; the weight class was wrong. For the coily-specific routine, the LOC method, liquid leave-in, oil, cream, orders the layers so each seals the last; custard typically serves as the cream-hold step. For the broader curly product landscape, the best hair serum guide covers the serum side of curl care, though it sits outside the styling category.
Penetrating vs Sealing Oils: The Framework for Curly Hair
The penetrating versus sealing oil framework is the most useful oil concept for curly hair, and nobody explains it clearly. Penetrating oils, coconut and olive, enter the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from within; they suit high-porosity curls that absorb quickly and need internal support. Sealing oils, jojoba and castor, sit on the surface and lock in the moisture underneath; they suit low-porosity curls where penetrating oils just sit anyway, and they work as the final LOC step. How to tell your porosity: drop a clean shed hair in water; floating means low porosity, sinking fast means high porosity. The application order follows the framework: water or leave-in first, penetrating oil second on high-porosity hair, sealing oil last to lock it all in. Using a sealing oil on dry hair without the water layer underneath seals dryness in, which is the most common oil mistake on curls. For coily hair under protective styles, the sealing oil on the lengths before braiding protects through the wear period. For the single-oil recommendations by type, the almond hair oil comparison covers a versatile mid-weight option.
Oiling Under Protective Styles: Braids, Wigs, and Weaves
Oiling under protective styles follows different rules than loose-hair oiling, and the custard context matters. With braids: use an applicator bottle to deliver light oil to the parts between braids every few days; heavy custards and butters go on the braid hair before installation, not on the scalp during wear. With wigs: oil the natural hair and scalp before putting the wig on, then maintain with light scalp oil via the parts; the wig hair itself needs only light refresh oil on the ends. With weaves: the same part-oiling technique, plus cleansing the parts with diluted shampoo between oilings to prevent the buildup that causes itching. The duration limit: six to eight weeks for braids regardless of oiling quality, because tension and matting accumulate. The product weight rule for protective styles: lighter oils for the scalp during wear, richer products only on the hair being braided; heavy scalp oiling under styles feeds the yeast and bacteria that cause the infamous braids itch. If itching, odor, or bumps develop, the style needs to come out; no oil fixes infection or inflammation. For the honey oil treatment option, the andhoney comparison covers a popular treatment oil.