KMS California • Curl-Up Curling Balm • Styling Products

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lizzieee007 on 1/14/2013 9:33:00 PM more reviews by lizzieee007

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Although I don't use this very often (too lazy to style my hair) it has earned a well deserved spot in my very, very small arsenal of products. It's not sicky or crunchy like a gel but isn't heavy like a cream, just a nice, light, balm with a pleasant texture and smell. I don't at all think this deserves the bad reviews it's getting.

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wixter on 11/13/2011 12:58:00 PM more reviews by wixter

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I don't get why this gets such bad reviews. This product works wonders! Maybe if you used this on straight hair it wouldn't work as well, but on my thick and curly hair, this is wonderful! It keeps the curl in tact without making them look gross. This balm keeps the puffiness down, doesn't tangle my hair, and keeps the frizz down. I've tried other products, but they just mangle my hair. This is all that I will use. I love how little you need of this product. Just a quarter sized amount works on my hair, which is down to the middle of my back. I like that it isn't very sticky, either. The smell is probably my favorite part!

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amcar2u on 8/27/2011 5:09:00 AM more reviews by amcar2u

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Very rubbish product, even the hair stylists combine it with a paste to get it to work. Don't waste your money.

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KatieMarrie on 12/17/2010 6:59:00 PM more reviews by KatieMarrie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I'm shocked by all the horrid reviews. This works wonders on my thick curly/wavy hair. Every time I use this product I get so many complements on my hair. One tube lasts me a long time and I have lots of hair!! I don't need to use that much. If I use to much it it weighs my hair down. It leaves my hair feeling so soft and looking sexy as my bf puts it. Best gel I've ever used in my hair!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Susanner on 10/27/2010 4:11:00 PM more reviews by Susanner

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This did nothing to enhance my waves and made my hair crunchy. It's not really a balm the way the name implies....it's a gel. Waste of money for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* hebamo on 8/12/2010 6:21:00 PM more reviews by hebamo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Wow. For a high end product, it should doesn't act like one. This stuff costs 19.00 CAD a bottle at my salon and I was so glad I didn't buy it. After I got my hair coloured, I just asked for my hair to be diffused. I asked for a cream type product to be used in my hair before diffusing and my hair dresser recommended this. It smelled really good, like citrus and I could barely feel the product in my hair, and she used a lot. However, after my hair fully dried, there was no definition and was fuzzy. It's like there was nothing in my hair at all. It didn't volumize or define and just kind of sat on top of my hair. I almost bought this stuff but thought I would wear it around before doing so. I'm so glad I didn't because this stuff is totally lame.

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GlamGirl80 on 6/9/2010 5:38:00 PM more reviews by GlamGirl80

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I was really hoping this would be a great product, but I was disappointed. My best friend uses it, and her hair looks fabulous!
When I tried it, my curls were not any better or less frizzy. My hair just felt heavy and sticky. Maybe it works for some people, but in my case it did not. I gave it two stars instead of just one because it works well for my friend.
It may be worth trying, but I won't be getting it again.

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britney54 on 3/3/2009 11:06:00 PM more reviews by britney54

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I actually really liked this product, it worked pretty well for me. But after a while I noticed my hair was getting really frizzy, I thought it was just my hair, but realized it was because of the curling balm... the magnesium sulfate in it was causing my hair to frizz. So I can't use it to often or it will frizz, but besides that it works pretty well if I use it sparingly. I love the smell of it. The packaging is pretty good. But I probably won't buy it again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* iloveMnMs on 12/22/2008 12:33:00 AM more reviews by iloveMnMs

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I used to buy this all the time (along with the shampoo and conditioner). I figured that since I have wavy/curly hair, this is what I need. After running out once and using a drugstore gel instread, realize that this is nothing special. I have decided it is way too pricey for it's performance.


I have no idea why they call this a balm. It's a gel, currently with a minty-orange scent. (Strange but ok. I liked the old scent so much better.) It doesn't leave hair crunchy or weigh it down. It's not sticky. I never experienced any problems with build-up or dullness. It does a good job of holding curl and controlling frizz. It doesn't add curls or help curls any better than an ordinary gel. You can find many *much cheaper* products in the drugstore which will do the same thing.


I'd probably rate this a "3", for average, if it wasn't so darn expensive. I have to take off a lippie for that.

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tashak on 8/28/2008 1:14:00 AM more reviews by tashak

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Other    

From previous reviews, I gathered that this is best for wavy hair, so decided to try it. I have shoulder length wavy hair, fine but lots of it. When I used this alone it did encourage nice curls, but seemed just a bit stiff. So started mixing this with either Oleo-relax serum or phytodefrisant, and it works REALLY well that way. I get more curl than I do with either of the others alone, but the soft texture and shine the oleo-relax or phyto provide. Works perfectly in the mix...one lippie off because it does require mixing.

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kvryenhoek on 3/22/2008 12:14:00 PM more reviews by kvryenhoek

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I do prefer the spray over the balm but the balm does better hold my curls all day although it does weigh it down a fair amount. the aroma is quite pleasant which is great and the curls looks definded and bouncey with amazing shine. I would rather by the spray.

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Puffster on 10/14/2007 3:02:00 PM more reviews by Puffster

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

They should call this frizz-up, not curl-up. Complete waste of money. This is for people with slightly wavy hair who want a wet look.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tinkerrbelle on 10/3/2007 9:52:00 AM more reviews by tinkerrbelle

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have fine wavy/curly hair. Curl Up smells nice and makes hair nice and shiny but not much else. When I used this my curls lost their bouncy lightness and became limp and heavy. Its more of a "Curl Down" than a "Curl Up" product. Also I noticed it created alot more frizziness than I had before. I'd say its best as a moisturising and controlling lotion to soften and keep down a wild mane of thick, curly hair.


EDIT: The one way I can use this is to blow dry my hair upside down for volume, then scrunch or smooth a very small amount over the lengths of the curls. This takes down the frizz without weighing down the roots.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ekym on 7/3/2007 7:35:00 PM more reviews by ekym

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I used to buy this regularly, because I didn't think that there was anything better for curls out there. While this is better than a crunchy gel, it can never compare with a good curl cream. I would go through this very fast, so that my thick, coarse, naturally curly hair wouldn't frizz and the curls would stay defined. The results were mediocre, a little crunchy, and it was expensive. I won't buy this anymore. I really like Nioxin Smooth Reflectives Pure Shine Gel or Pantene Anti-Frizz Curl Cream (though I think Pantene has changed the name of it).

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moosemousse on 5/29/2007 5:21:00 AM more reviews by moosemousse

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I will never buy this product again. It was so sticky and disgusting and left my hair in a sticky tangle even though I used a tiny amount. It did hold my curls but I hated the gunky feeling and product build up. I didn't really like the smell either, and it cost a lot.

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gottfrie on 4/24/2007 9:05:00 PM more reviews by gottfrie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I reviewed the Curl up spray with this, because I got a set of Curl up spray, Curl creme, and Curl-up balm very cheaply at Marshalls. Using them all together, my curls have looked good. This is not a easy thing to achieve! Products easily cause me dullness, greasiness, flakiness... but these products together did a good job. I still need hairspray to lock in the style. My hair is really tough to control!!

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mariacarolinacs on 3/22/2007 11:37:00 PM more reviews by mariacarolinacs

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this as a reccomendation from a hairstylist that also had curly hair, and I don't regret it!

It leaves my curls in shape all day long, without the "wet" look that I hate! You have to use just a tiny bit to make it work. I have medium-lenght, full hair (over the shoulders) and use a dime amount for my whole hair. I like to spread it over my entire head using both hands and then "squeeze" my hair up with hands or if i'm in the mood to dry it, with the difuser. It's the best curling product I had ever used. I will buy it again, but I'm sure it will take me years to finish my 200ml bottle.

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Wippy on 3/16/2007 6:15:00 AM more reviews by Wippy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I was recommended this product by a hairdresser and I can't say that I really like it. Some days I find that it is good, not crunchy, nice curl, good hair day in general. However it really seems to cause a lot of build up in my hair. This balm is pretty thick and so I like to add water to it. If I just use 1 pump (on my thick, curly, medium length hair) with some water then it's fine - just stay away from the roots.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tualmarebelde on 2/20/2007 8:49:00 AM more reviews by tualmarebelde

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

horrible horrible horrible. did nothing more my hair but make it a sticky mess. Will never try or purchase again. if you have wavy hair that is thick and course, this is not for you so save yourself the aggravation and skip over this junk. :-)

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mscaseyray on 1/21/2007 12:13:00 AM more reviews by mscaseyray

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have wavy, thick shoulder length hair. I need a product that makes my hair curly and it isn't crunchy at all. It takes about a nickel size amt and I have really thick hair.

The thing I love most about this product is it makes my curls bouncy and natural looking. I've tried Frizz Ease Dream Curls, TiGi Curls Rock and Biolage curl enhancer and none have worked as well as this product. It's not cheap but it's worth it!!!

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