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Side by side

Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz vs Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel

61% function match · 7 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 38%. Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz and Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel share 4 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.

  • Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz — protein-sensitive hair
  • Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel — 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 Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz — 6.7 oz container Paul Mitchell

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Protein-free
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel — 6.8 oz container Paul Mitchell

Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
about $18 6.7 oz · $2.69/oz
about $24 6.8 oz · $3.53/oz
Value / price positioning
Upper-mid price for a mouss $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 54% of the 138 mousses we’ve priced
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs more than 76% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Wavy–Coily Co-washes, curl creams, and gels are built around wave and curl. Your hair
Moisture level Same
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Hold (as stated)
Medium A medium hold, as stated by the brand. 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
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine 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 Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. 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 system Differs
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. Your hair
Moderate Gums and synthetic polymers together. 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
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
Present, high in the list Oils sit high in the list — a softening, coating formula. 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
Humidity resistance
—
Claimed The brand claims humidity resistance; the ingredient list cannot confirm it. 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
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Fine hairthat flattens under most products
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • 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
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
  • Aerosol avoidancethis is a pressurised can
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a strong scent
  • Stretching wash dayswaxes stay until a detergent wash removes them
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
Stylergel
Where to buy
Ulta · Brand website
Ulta · Brand website
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • protein-free
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Scented, not described
FloralStrong
Hold
mediumFlexible Hold: shapeable, workable hold
—
Finish
natural
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

$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

IngredientSculpting Foam - 6.7 ozTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Polyquaternium-11
Detangles
#3Leading
#3Leading
Panthenol
Detangles
#5Supporting
#4Supporting
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Buildup
#9Below the 1% line
#8Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#28Below the 1% line
#28Below the 1% line
Ethylhexylglycerin
Softens
#17Below the 1% line
#14Below the 1% line
Phenoxyethanol
Stabilizes
#27Below the 1% line
#18Below the 1% line
Caprylyl Glycol
Moisturizes
#13Below the 1% line
#24Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz

Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel

Full ingredient list — Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz (32)
Full ingredient list — Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel (39)

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.

VerdictsSculpting Foam - 6.7 ozTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel
Supported
4
4
Partly supported
0
0
Stated by brand
2
0
Potential conflict
0
0

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz

  • adds bodySupportedLeaves room for lift.
  • defines textureStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • minimizes frizz and flyawaysStated by brandMay help, but not a primary focus.
  • leaves hair soft and full of bodySupportedLeaves room for lift.
  • balances moistureSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • adds shineSupportedReflects light for visible shine.

Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel

  • Combats frizz, adds shine and defines textureSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Locks out humidity and provides deep hydrationSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Defines curls without stiffness or weightSupportedHolds a clump together.
  • Color safe, paraben-free, gluten-freeSupportedPreserved without parabens.

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 shine and a clean rinse-out. Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz draws complaints about how it cleanses; Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel draws complaints about the scent and irritation.

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz

Longtime user (20+ years) glad the product came back and hopes the formula is unchanged

repeat Ulta reviewer

Smells amazing and keeps curls shiny without crunch or stickiness

Ulta reviewer, 5 stars, curly hair

Only mousse found that tames very thick, curly, dry, unruly hair

Ulta reviewer, 5 stars, curly hair

Considers it a holy-grail styling product

Ulta reviewer, 5 stars

Made straight, fine hair feel too soft/limp, and a can from Ulta had foam that disintegrated instantly

Ulta reviewers, 2-star reviews

Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel

Feels light and natural rather than crunchy, with curls that stay defined and pliable

curly-hair reviewer

Shapes curls softly without stiffness, and holds while still looking natural

reviewer describing texture/hold tradeoff

Cuts frizz and boosts shine on curly/coily hair

curly/coily hair reviewers

Lavender scent is too strong/heavy for some users' taste

scent-sensitive reviewer

One reviewer reported skin breakouts on face, neck, and back they attributed to the product

reviewer reporting skin reaction

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.

$2.69/oz vs $3.53/oz — Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel costs about 1.3× more per ounce than Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz.

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz

Against 138 mousses with a computable unit price.

Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel

Against 157 gels with a computable unit price.

Value readSculpting Foam - 6.7 ozTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel
Label
Upper-mid price for a moussSits in the middle of the range for mousses per ounce.
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.

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.

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz vs Almond & Avocado Curling CrèmeDesign Essentials · 93% function matchTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel vs Defining Custard - 2.5 ozRizos Curls · 89% function matchSculpting Foam - 6.7 oz vs Hair MousseSACHAJUAN · 89% function matchTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel vs Defining CustardRizos Curls · 89% function matchSculpting Foam - 6.7 oz vs This is a Curl Moisturizing MousseDavines · 87% function matchTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel vs Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Air Dry Hair Styling CreamBriogeo · 89% function matchSculpting Foam - 6.7 oz vs Air Dry Crème 6Kenra Platinum · 87% function matchTea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel vs Sleek Styling Cream + Taming WandRizos Curls · 85% function match

Sculpting Foam - 6.7 oz · Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel · 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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