Side by side
Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel vs Blind Barber 151 Proof Deluxe Pomade
96% function match · 12 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 35%. Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel and Blind Barber 151 Proof Deluxe Pomade share 3 ingredients among each other's most prominent.
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
- Your answers appear here
When each one is the right call
What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.
- 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel — protein-sensitive hair
- 151 Proof Deluxe Pomade — protein-sensitive hair
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”.
- 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
- Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
- Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
- Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
- Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
- Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
- Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
- Soft, touchable finishesthe brand states a firm hold
- Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
- Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
- Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
More facts about each one
- sulfate-free
- silicone-free
- protein-free
- curly-method compatible
- sulfate-free
- silicone-free
- protein-free
- curly-method compatible
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.
$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
What only one of them carries
121 Proof Thickening Style Gel
151 Proof Deluxe Pomade
Full ingredient list — 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel (26)
-
1
Water
- solvent
-
2
PVP
- film former
- polymer
-
3
VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer
- film former
- polymer
-
4
VP/VA Copolymer
- film former
- polymer
-
5
Oleth-20
- emulsifier
- solubilizer
-
6
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- solubilizer
- emulsifier
- Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
-
7
Phenoxyethanol
- preservative
-
8
Carbomer
- thickener
- polymer
- film former
-
9
Propylene Glycol
- humectant
- solvent
-
10
Fragrance
- fragrance
- declared fragrance
-
11
Sorbitol
- humectant
-
12
Hydroxyacetophenone
- preservative
- antioxidant
-
13
Ethylhexylglycerin
- preservative
- emollient
-
14
Disodium EDTA
- hard-water chelator
-
15
Sodium Hydroxide
- pH adjuster
-
16
Caprylyl Glycol
- preservative
- humectant
-
17
Citric Acid
- pH adjuster
- hard-water chelator
-
18
Tocopherol
- antioxidant
- vitamin
-
19
Glycerin
- humectant
-
20
Humulus Lupulus Flower Extract
- botanical extract
-
21
Cinnamyl Alcohol
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
22
Coumarin
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
23
Linalool
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
24
Hexyl Cinnamal
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
25
Limonene
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
26
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
Full ingredient list — 151 Proof Deluxe Pomade (21)
-
1
Water
- solvent
-
2
Ceteareth-25
- emulsifier
-
3
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
- emulsifier
- emollient
-
4
PVP
- film former
- polymer
-
5
Propylene Glycol
- humectant
- solvent
-
6
Polysorbate 20
- solubilizer
- emulsifier
-
7
VP/VA Copolymer
- film former
- polymer
- Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
-
8
Caprylyl Glycol
- preservative
- humectant
-
9
Peg-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- solubilizer
- emulsifier
-
10
Phenoxyethanol
- preservative
-
11
Fragrance
- fragrance
- declared fragrance
-
12
Sorbic Acid
- preservative
-
13
Glycerin
- humectant
-
14
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract
- botanical extract
-
15
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
16
Cinnamyl Alcohol
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
17
Citronellol
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
18
Coumarin
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
19
Limonene
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
20
Hexyl Cinnamal
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
21
Linalool
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
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.
121 Proof Thickening Style Gel
Strong Hold
SupportedStructure that lasts the day.Low Shine finish
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.Provides volume and strength without flaking
Partly supportedNeutral on lift.Water-based and water-soluble for easy rinsing
SupportedComes out in a normal wash.
151 Proof Deluxe Pomade
Water-based and water-soluble for easy restyling or rinsing
SupportedComes out in a normal wash.Cruelty-free
SupportedMatches our researched record.Paraben-free
SupportedPreserved without parabens.Sulfate-free
SupportedGentler on colour and coils.Infused with hops extract for scalp health
Stated by brandDepends on your scalp.
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. Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel draws complaints about hold.
121 Proof Thickening Style Gel
A reviewer says it has that classic gel hold, but does it better than other gels they've tried.
unnamed reviewerA reviewer says they love the product and find the scent pleasant.
reviewer 'Timothy S.'A reviewer says the gel is perfect for their hair texture.
reviewer 'Jhon B.'A reviewer says the hold isn't as strong as they expected given the gel's texture.
unnamed reviewerA reviewer compares it to the brand's 90 Proof Pomade, saying it's not as strong but is still a good gel.
reviewer 'Drew S.'151 Proof Deluxe Pomade
The tonka bean scent is repeatedly singled out as a favorite feature of the product.
general reviewersReviewers note the amount used controls the hold strength, and a small scoop goes a long way.
reviewers describing how they dose the productReviewers consistently describe strong, all-day hold paired with a noticeable sheen or shine.
general reviewers across multiple years of reviewsA couple of reviewers say the pomade feels thick or a little sticky straight out of the jar until worked in with water or warmed between the palms.
reviewers describing initial texture on applicationPrice 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.
$8.88/oz vs $9.60/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.
121 Proof Thickening Style Gel
Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.
151 Proof Deluxe Pomade
Against 90 pastes with a computable unit price.
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.
121 Proof Thickening Style Gel · 151 Proof Deluxe Pomade · 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.
- 6 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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