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Side by side

American Crew American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel vs American Crew Forming Cream

43% function match · 2 of the 9 functions we compared match Formula overlap 19%. American Crew American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel and American Crew Forming Cream share 2 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
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When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel — protein-sensitive hair
  • Forming Cream — curl definition

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
American Crew American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel — 3.3 oz container American Crew

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
American Crew Forming Cream — 3 oz container American Crew

Forming Cream

  • Styler
  • Masstige
Price, size & price per ounce
$13.44 8.4 oz · $1.99/oz
$10.75 5.07 oz · $3.21/oz
Value / price positioning
Priced with its peers $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs less than 53% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Lower cost than most smoothing creams $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs less than 82% of the 56 smoothing creams we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
Curly–Coily A heavy formula: coarse, curlier strands carry it without flattening. Your hair
Moisture level Same
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Hold (as stated)
Maximum A strong hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Medium A medium hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Slip / detangling Differs
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
Some Some slip, mostly from esters or silicones rather than conditioners. Your hair
Weight on hair Differs
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Rich Heavy butters and waxes in the first eight ingredients. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
—
Silicone / wax buildup Differs
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Hold system Differs
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. Your hair
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Cast risk
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
—
Oil absorption Same
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
Oils and butters Differs
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
None No oils or butters in the list. Your hair
Fast-drying alcohol Differs
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
Present Fast-drying alcohol is present — it speeds drying and can read dry on the hair. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Coarse or dry hairthat absorbs everything you give it
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Soft, touchable finishesthe brand states a firm hold
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Oily scalp or fine hairthat gets weighed down
  • Very dry or damaged hairit contains fast-drying alcohol
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Stylergel
Stylercream
Where to buy
American Crew · Target · Ulta
Brand website · Grocery / mass
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
—
Vegan
—
Not vegan · ingredient list
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
maxAmerican Crew describes 'maximum holding power'; its benefits list says the dual-polymer complex provides 'very high hold.'
medium
Finish
high-shine
natural
How often
as needed
—

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientAmerican Crew Firm Hold Styling GelForming Cream
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
VP/VA Copolymer
Holds
#2Leading
#11Secondary
PVP
Holds
#3Leading
#7Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#15Below the 1% line
#21Below the 1% line
Benzyl Salicylate
Fragrance
#16Below the 1% line
#22Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#17Below the 1% line
#23Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#18Below the 1% line
#24Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel

Forming Cream

Full ingredient list — American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel (19)
Full ingredient list — Forming Cream (35)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsAmerican Crew Firm Hold Styling GelForming Cream
Supported
4
0
Partly supported
0
1
Stated by brand
2
2
Potential conflict
0
1

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel

  • maximum holding powerSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • high-shine finishSupportedReflects light for visible shine.
  • very high holdSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • alcohol-freeSupportedNothing that flashes off dry.
  • prevents flakingStated by brandSoothing, not an active treatment.
  • helps hair look thickerStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.

Forming Cream

  • Water Based: Shampoos out easily without residuePotential conflictExpect to need a real cleanse.
  • Excellent pliabilityStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Natural shinePartly supportedA hint of gloss.
  • Makes hair look thickerStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Both praised for the scent and hold. American Crew American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel draws complaints about the scent and hold; American Crew Forming Cream draws complaints about residue or cast.

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel

A long-time user praises the scent, all-day hold, and non-flaky result, and buys the large bottle for ongoing use.

long-time household user

A straight-hair reviewer says the gel performs well and keeps a style in place all day.

straight-hair reviewer

One reviewer bought it for the fragrance but felt its holding power was insufficient despite liking the smell.

reviewer prioritizing scent and hold

For one person styling short straight hair into spikes, the gel left the hair flat instead of delivering the desired shape.

reviewer styling roughly three-inch straight hair

Forming Cream

A small amount lasts a long time making it economical despite the higher purchase price.

Multiple reviewers mentioned the product's efficiency and value proposition

Provides reliable, all-day hold for styling while delivering a polished appearance.

Frequent mentions from reviewers using it for sleek styles, curls, and professional looks

Has a pleasant fragrance that appeals to most users and enhances the overall experience.

Reviewers consistently mentioned appreciation for the scent quality and masculine character

Can feel overly greasy or leave a thick residue on certain hair types.

Some reviewers reported texture issues particularly when applied to fine or thin hair

Recent product reformulations have disappointed longtime customers who prefer the original formula.

Several long-term users noted the product has changed and no longer meets their expectations

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$1.99/oz vs $3.21/oz — American Crew Forming Cream costs about 1.6× more per ounce than American Crew American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel.

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel

Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Forming Cream

Against 56 smoothing creams with a computable unit price.

Value readAmerican Crew Firm Hold Styling GelForming Cream
Label
Priced with its peersSits in the middle of the range for gels per ounce.
Lower cost than most smoothing creamsCosts less per ounce than most smoothing creams we have researched.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel vs Light Hold Styling Gel - 13.1 ozAmerican Crew · 100% function matchForming Cream vs American Crew FiberAmerican Crew · 99% function matchAmerican Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel vs 121 Proof Thickening Style GelBlind Barber · 93% function matchForming Cream vs Fiber - 3.0 ozAmerican Crew · 99% function matchAmerican Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel vs Bananas Xtreme Hold Hair GelThe Doux · 93% function matchForming Cream vs Style Sexy Hair Frenzy Matte Texturizing PasteSexy Hair · 95% function matchAmerican Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel vs Rose Water Curl Defining Styling GelTGIN · 93% function matchForming Cream vs Matte SeparationBed Head · 95% function match

American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel · Forming Cream · All gels in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 8 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

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