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Side by side

Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel vs Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17

96% function match · 12 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 60%. Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel and Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17 share 3 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
  • 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
  • Styling Gel 17 — curly-method routines

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
Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel — 2.5 oz container Blind Barber

121 Proof Thickening Style Gel

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17 — 6 oz container Kenra Professional

Styling Gel 17

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$19–24 2.5 oz · $8.88/oz
$18–19 6 oz · $3.17/oz

Compared at different sizes — 6 oz against 2.5 oz. Per-ounce prices favour the larger bottle.

Value / price positioning
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 98% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a gel $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 68% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. 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)
Strong A strong hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Strong A strong hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
Weight on hair Same
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. 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 Differs
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Minor Protein appears, low enough to be a supporting ingredient. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low Your hair
Low Your hair
Hold system Same
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. Your hair
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. Your hair
Cast risk Same
Likely Film formers without much softening them — expect a cast to scrunch out. Your hair
Likely Film formers without much softening them — expect a cast to scrunch out. Your hair
Oil absorption Same
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
Oils and butters Same
None No oils or butters in the list. Your hair
None No oils or butters in the list. Your hair
Fast-drying alcohol Same
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. 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
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
  • Stretching wash daysnothing here needs a detergent to remove
Why you might skip it
  • 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
  • Soft, touchable finishesthe brand states a firm hold
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
Stylergel
Where to buy
Ulta · Brand website
Ulta · Salons
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • curly-method compatible
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · brand states
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
strong"Strong Hold" (brand site) / Ulta listed "Medium-to-strong hold"
strongKenra hold scale: 17 of 26 (firm hold)
Finish
matte
shine
How often
as needed
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

Ingredient121 Proof Thickening Style GelStyling Gel 17
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer
Holds
#3Leading
#3Leading
VP/VA Copolymer
Holds
#4Supporting
#2Leading
Carbomer
Holds
#8Below the 1% line
#4Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#10Below the 1% line
#9Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

121 Proof Thickening Style Gel

Styling Gel 17

Full ingredient list — 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel (26)
Full ingredient list — Styling Gel 17 (23)

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.

Verdicts121 Proof Thickening Style GelStyling Gel 17
Supported
2
1
Partly supported
1
0
Stated by brand
1
3
Potential conflict
0
0

121 Proof Thickening Style Gel

  • Strong HoldSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • Low Shine finishStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Provides volume and strength without flakingPartly supportedNeutral on lift.
  • Water-based and water-soluble for easy rinsingSupportedComes out in a normal wash.

Styling Gel 17

  • Provides excellent support for any styleStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Creates fullness & adds shineStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Controls coarse, unruly hair texturesStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Alcohol-free, non-drying, & non-flakingSupportedNothing that flashes off dry.

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.

Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel draws complaints about hold; Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17 draws complaints about dryness and the scent.

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 reviewer

A 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 reviewer

A 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.'

Styling Gel 17

Long-time user says it consistently produces full, soft curls she's happy with

multi-year repeat Ulta customer

Gives just the right amount of volume and lift without going overboard

Ulta reviewer

Feels light rather than heavy when used on straight hair

straight-hair Ulta reviewer

Smells like rubbing alcohol and left hair feeling dried out despite the alcohol-free claim

Ulta reviewer

Doesn't let a brush glide smoothly through longer hair while blow-drying

long-hair Ulta reviewer blow-drying with a brush

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.

$3.17/oz vs $8.88/oz — Blind Barber 121 Proof Thickening Style Gel costs about 2.8× more per ounce than Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17.

$0.31/oz median $2.12/oz $10.59/oz $8.88/oz 121 Proof Thickening Style $3.17/oz Styling Gel 17

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Value read121 Proof Thickening Style GelStyling Gel 17
Label
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.
Upper-mid price for a gelSits in the middle of the range for gels per ounce.

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 vs Firm Hold Styling CreamAmerican Crew · 99% function matchStyling Gel 17 vs Firm Hold Styling CreamAmerican Crew · 99% function match121 Proof Thickening Style Gel vs Castor Oil Curly Styling GelMixed Chicks · 96% function matchStyling Gel 17 vs Super Protein Styling GelEco Style · 96% function match121 Proof Thickening Style Gel vs MITCH Steady Grip Styling GelPaul Mitchell · 96% function matchStyling Gel 17 vs Sea Salt SprayMurdock London · 94% function match121 Proof Thickening Style Gel vs Curled Curl Defining Jellygot2b · 96% function matchStyling Gel 17 vs Guava Beach Waves Texturizing SprayCeremonia · 94% function match

121 Proof Thickening Style Gel · Styling Gel 17 · 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.
  • 4 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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