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Side by side

Paul Mitchell Hydrating Foam vs Verb Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz

70% function match · 8 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 30%. Paul Mitchell Hydrating Foam and Verb Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz 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
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

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

  • Hydrating Foam — protein-hungry hair
  • Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz — 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”.

Trait
Paul Mitchell Hydrating Foam — 6.8 oz container Paul Mitchell

Hydrating Foam

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Verb

Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$23–24 6.8 oz · $3.38/oz
$22 6.7 oz · $3.28/oz
Value / price positioning
Upper-mid price for a mouss $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 64% of the 139 mousses we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a mouss $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 62% of the 139 mousses we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily The brand’s own claims name curly or textured hair. Your hair
Curly–Coily A heavy formula: coarse, curlier strands carry it without flattening. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Hold system Same
Moderate Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. 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 Differs
Prominent Protein high in the list — a strengthening formula, not a moisture one. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Hold (as stated)
—
Medium A medium hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Cast risk Same
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Humidity resistance
Claimed The brand claims humidity resistance; the ingredient list cannot confirm it. Your hair
—
Oil absorption Same
High Absorbent powders or starches high in the list. Your hair
High Absorbent powders or starches high in the list. Your hair
Oils and butters Same
Present, high in the list Oils sit high in the list — a softening, coating formula. Your hair
Present, high in the list Oils sit high in the list — a softening, coating formula. 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-hungry hairthat stretches and stays stretched when wet
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat goes stiff or straw-like on protein
  • Stretching wash dayswaxes stay until a detergent wash removes them
  • 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
Stylerfoam
Stylerfoam
Where to buy
Ulta · Brand website
Ulta · Brand website
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
—
mediumCreates crunch-free medium hold that reduces frizz
Finish
shine
—
Humidity claim
Yes
—
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

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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

IngredientHydrating FoamCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Detangles
#5Supporting
#2Leading
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Buildup
#6Supporting
#4Supporting
Tocopherol
Stabilizes
#8Below the 1% line
#14Below the 1% line
Fragrance
Fragrance
#20Below the 1% line
#20Below the 1% line
Benzyl Salicylate
Fragrance
#22Below the 1% line
#28Below the 1% line
Linalool
Fragrance
#23Below the 1% line
#34Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Hydrating Foam

Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz

Full ingredient list — Hydrating Foam (31)
Full ingredient list — Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz (34)

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.

VerdictsHydrating FoamCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz
Supported
1
1
Partly supported
1
0
Stated by brand
1
2
Potential conflict
0
0

Hydrating Foam

  • Hydrates and protects delicate hair from heatSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Leaves curls looking and feeling soft, healthy and full of bodyPartly supportedNeutral on lift.
  • Protects against frizz, heat and humidityStated by brandMay help, but not measurable here.

Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz

  • Reduces frizz by 84% after just one useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • Increases curl retention by 20-29% after just one useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • Creates crunch-free medium hold that reduces frizzSupportedStructure that lasts the day.

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 a light feel and a clean rinse-out. Paul Mitchell Hydrating Foam draws complaints about dryness; Verb Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz draws complaints about how it cleanses.

Hydrating Foam

Gives curl definition while still letting fingers pass through hair easily

Angela, wavy hair

Great investment for curly hair; smells amazing and absorbs without leaving residue

Cherie, very curly hair

Helps curls lay better without a greasy feel, used on a family member's very curly hair

Nikki, describing use on a relative's very curly hair

Hold felt too light and the product left a waxy feel after drying, with curls falling

reviewer with fine, semi-loose spiral curls

Dislikes the fragrance, though it does keep curly hair looking nice

Akiko, wavy hair

Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz

Big fan of the product overall, says it's become a routine staple

Ulta reviewer, 5-star

Leaves curls light and bouncy with a natural shine, no wet-look crunch

verified brand-site reviewer (Cindy M.)

One of the best foams they've used; layers well with flaxseed gel for extra hold

verified brand-site reviewer (Lisa)

Works well on fine, thinning curly hair without weighing it down

verified brand-site reviewer (Fran C.)

Gel provides relatively light hold but doesn't actually foam up the way the name implies

Ulta reviewer, 3-star

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.

$3.28/oz vs $3.38/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.

$0.39/oz median $2.63/oz $15.88/oz $3.38/oz Hydrating Foam $3.28/oz Curl Foaming Gel for Defin

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 139 mousses with a computable unit price.

Value readHydrating FoamCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz
Label
Upper-mid price for a moussSits in the middle of the range for mousses per ounce.
Upper-mid price for a moussSits in the middle of the range for mousses 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.

Hydrating Foam vs Beach Club Bouncy Blowout CreamIGK · 85% function matchCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz vs Twist & Shine - Styling CreamCurl Keeper · 80% function matchHydrating Foam vs Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining GelPaul Mitchell · 78% function matchCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz vs Frizz-Free Curl Cream - 2.5 ozOUAI · 74% function matchHydrating Foam vs Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Long Last Hydrating Hair Styling CreamBumble and bumble · 75% function matchCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz vs Frizz-Free Curl Cream - 8.0 ozOUAI · 74% function matchHydrating Foam vs Curl Anti-Humidity Hair Gel-OilBumble and bumble · 74% function matchCurl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz vs Miracle Texture FiberIt's A 10 · 73% function match

Hydrating Foam · Curl Foaming Gel for Definition + Frizz-Fighting - 6.7 oz · All mousses 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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