I love Ms. Jessie's products. I have been using them off and on for almost a year (in between using other products, due to my PJ tendencies). During that time, I've only had to reorder the Curly Pudding once, because the products last a long time. I still have about 3 ounces of the first Buttercreme, and the same Curly Meringue is about half full. Yes, the Pudding can be drying, so my method to counteract that is: apply BC to wet hair in sections, then apply CP in small sections. Smooth with a fine tooth comb and smooth again with fingers. Let dry. Yes, it does dry hard and crisp, so once it's all dry, I scrunch the hair all over, and gently separate strands to break up the crunchiness. The result is soft, shiny, frizz-free waves and curls that last for days if a sleep bonnet is used for sleeping. No other product is needed. I almost forgot -- I use the Curly Meringue to boost the curl factor in my crown area, which is not curly at all, but wavy. So for me, it's CP on the sides and back, CM on the top. I've also discovered that the longer my hair gets, the longer my results from Ms. Jessie's last.
I've tried the Fantasia gel and I don't get favorable results from it for shingling. I reserve it for slick looks.
By the way, I have thick, medium type 3 hair.