Alcohol-free sculpting gel that molds and firms hair for a flexible, shiny finish that never cracks or flakes, even when brushed.
The alcohol content of this formula is not recorded.
—
Stated by brand
Can’t be confirmed from label.
Bumble and bumble
Gel
Styler / Gel, polymer-set
- Styler
- gel
- Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Size5 fl oz
Priceabout $37commonly seen · 5 oz
Price / oz$7.40/ozat 5 oz
Where to buy6 stores · $37.00–37.00
Scent:
The ingredient list declares fragrance. What it smells of is not stated, and we do not guess.
Personal fit
Is this right for you?
Complete the consultation to see exactly how well this product fits your hair and your goals. With 2,400+ products in our library we can match exactly the right products to you.
- In 10 minutes we can identify your exact hair condition and traits.
- Every product matched against your hair across the 18 factors we check.
- A personalized routine for your daily life — your schedule, styling habits, and local weather.
- Find products that do the same job at a lower cost.
- Your goals, scalp, damage history, water, budget, and scent preferences all shape your plan.
$49.00 one-time consultation, no subscription
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Factor
Your profile
Fit
Best for hair types
Wavy–Coily
Not in your profile
Moisture level
None found
Not in your profile
Hold system
High
Not in your profile
Slip / detangling
Little
Not in your profile
Fragrance
Present
Not in your profile
Silicone / wax buildup
None
Not in your profile
Clarifying wash needed
Low
Not in your profile
Parabens / preservatives
Present
Not in your profile
Essential oils
Not determined
Not in your profile
Vegan / cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Not in your profile
Show all 18 factors we check
The rest of what your plan weighs on this product.
Animal-derived ingredients
Not yet verified
Not in your profile
Aerosol can
Not determined
Not in your profile
Needs heat to set
Not determined
Not in your profile
Heavy humectants
Not determined
Not in your profile
Hard-water defence
High
Not in your profile
UV filter
None listed
Not in your profile
Ingredient list
15 ingredientsA short list
Not in your profile
Price tier
Salon
Not in your profile
The consultation builds your hair profile, then reads every factor in this table against it — and tells you where this product fits, or what to use instead.
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Your avoid-list
Same job for less elsewhere
$7.40/oz at 5 oz — more than 97% of the 157 gels , which mostly run $1.18–3.50/oz.
Great for
Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
Short ingredient listsfifteen ingredients or fewer
Maybe skip if
this product carries a scent
Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
Tight budgetsit sits in the upper price tiers
What the formula actually does
Read from the label, not the marketing
Each row says where it comes from: F means we derived it from this product’s own ingredient list, S means it is a claim the brand makes that the formula neither confirms nor contradicts.
Hold system
Synthetic polymer
Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems.
Cast risk
Likely
Film formers without much softening them — expect a cast to scrunch out.
Oil absorption
None
No absorbent powders or starches.
Oils and butters
None
No oils or butters in the list.
Needs detergent to remove
No
Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove.
Fragrance
Present
Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients.
from the formula
stated by the brand
reported by reviewers
Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
Ingredients that matter
The ingredients that change a decision
The workhorse ingredients plus anything lower down that changes a decision. These chips name what an ingredient does — they are not safety scores, and no ingredient here is rated good or bad on its own.
| Ingredient | What it does | Why it matters | Chip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | solvent | The base everything else is dissolved in | Neutral |
| Polyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer | film former | Lays down the film that holds a shape | Holds |
| PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil | solubilizer | Keeps oils dissolved in water | Stabilizes |
| Disodium EDTA | hard-water chelator | Binds trace metals | Stabilizes |
| o-Cymen-5-ol | — | — | Neutral |
| Phenoxyethanol | preservative | Keeps the product from spoiling | Stabilizes |
| Methylisothiazolinone | isothiazolinone | — | Stabilizes |
| Sodium Benzoate | preservative | Keeps the product from spoiling | Stabilizes |
| Butylphenyl Methylpropional | fragrance | The scent | Fragrance |
| Linalool | fragrance | The scent | Fragrance |
| Hexyl Cinnamal | fragrance | The scent | Fragrance |
| Limonene | fragrance | The scent | Fragrance |
What the list leaves out, and what it carriesContains fragrance. Chelators for hard water.
Full ingredient list (15)
US labelling rules put ingredients above 1% in descending order of amount; below 1% they may be listed in any order. Annotations keep three readings separate: the ingredient's general function, its role in this product type, and what its position can support.
-
1
Water
General function
The base of almost every rinse-off and cream hair product. It carries everything else and is normally the first ingredient on the label.
Leading ingredientListed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.
- solvent
-
2
Polyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer
General function
A synthetic film-forming polymer. Polymers of this kind dry to a continuous film on the hair, which is how a styling product holds a shape.
Leading ingredientListed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.
- film former
- polymer
-
3
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
General function
A castor-oil derivative that dissolves fragrance and oils into water so the product stays clear and does not separate.
Leading ingredientListed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.
- solubilizer
- emulsifier
- ▾Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
-
4
Disodium EDTA
General function
Grabs metal ions from hard water so they cannot dull the hair or destabilise the formula.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
PubChemMay suitBuild-up-sensitive routinesBinds the calcium and magnesium in hard water, which is what stops mineral deposits accumulating on the strand wash after wash.
May suitGray, silver, or brass-prone hairCopper and iron carried in tap water deposit on the strand and read as a dull, warm cast on gray or light hair. A chelator holds those metals in solution so the wash carries them off.
- hard-water chelator
- 5 o-Cymen-5-ol
-
6
Phenoxyethanol
General function
The most common modern preservative; it keeps the product free of bacteria and mould. It sits well below 1% of the formula.
Estimated lower-concentration zonePubChemIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
- preservative
-
7
Methylisothiazolinone
General function
A powerful rinse-off preservative used at very low levels; a known contact allergen for some people.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
- isothiazolinone
- preservative
-
8
Sodium Benzoate
General function
A food-grade preservative that works only in acidic formulas, which is why it usually appears alongside citric acid.
Estimated lower-concentration zonePubChemIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
- preservative
-
9
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
General function
A floral fragrance component (lilial) named separately as a recognised allergen; increasingly reformulated out.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
PubChemMay not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesOne of the 26 scent components the EU requires to be named individually above a threshold. It is named because it is a known contact allergen, not because it is unusual.
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
10
Linalool
General function
A floral fragrance component listed separately as a recognised contact allergen.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
PubChemMay not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesOne of the 26 scent components the EU requires to be named individually above a threshold. It is named because it is a known contact allergen, not because it is unusual.
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
11
Hexyl Cinnamal
General function
A jasmine-like fragrance component named separately as a recognised allergen.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
PubChemMay not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesOne of the 26 scent components the EU requires to be named individually above a threshold. It is named because it is a known contact allergen, not because it is unusual.
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
12
Limonene
General function
A citrus-smelling fragrance component that EU rules require to be named separately because some people react to it.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
PubChemMay not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesOne of the 26 scent components the EU requires to be named individually above a threshold. It is named because it is a known contact allergen, not because it is unusual.
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
13
hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde
General function
An individual aroma chemical. It is part of the product's fragrance; brands that print these are disclosing more of the blend than the rules require.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
May not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesDeclared fragrance. On a fragrance-sensitive routine this is the line that decides it, wherever it sits on the label.
- fragrance
-
14
Geraniol
General function
A rose-scented fragrance component, listed on its own because some people react to it.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
May not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesOne of the 26 scent components the EU requires to be named individually above a threshold. It is named because it is a known contact allergen, not because it is unusual.
- fragrance
- named fragrance allergen
-
15
Fragrance
General function
An undisclosed blend of scent ingredients. Regulations let it stay unlisted, so a fragrance-free product is the only way to be certain what is not in it.
Estimated lower-concentration zoneIt appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.
May not suitFragrance-sensitive routinesDeclared fragrance. On a fragrance-sensitive routine this is the line that decides it, wherever it sits on the label.
- fragrance
- declared fragrance
What the whole list adds up to
- 7 fragrances
- 5 named fragrance allergens
- 3 preservatives
- 1 solvent
- 1 film former
- 1 polymer
- 1 solubilizer
- 1 emulsifier
- 1 hard-water chelator
- 1 isothiazolinone
- 1 declared fragrance
Ingredient list captured 2026-09-05. Formulas change — check the package in your hand when an ingredient matters to you.
Price · 5 oz
Commonly seen
about $37
Good value under
$7
Priced above the products that do the same job. Stores sell it above the $7 line; products that do this job typically go for about $15 at this size.
Show the price ladder
Where we’ve seen it7 listings · 6 stores
-
Bluemercury (bluemercury.com)
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5Lowest per oz
-
Bluemercury (bluemercury.com)
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5
-
Sephora
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5
-
Bumble and bumble.
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5
-
Ulta Beauty
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5
-
Nordstrom
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5
-
Kohl's
$37.005 oz · $7.40/ozSep 5
Sorted by price per ounce. Dated observations from our research, not live prices. Direct store pages, no affiliate links. We don’t sell this product.
How we work this out
- 5 oz is the size stores list most often; every comparison on this page is made at it. Other sizes are shown in the Sizes row and the store list.
- Commonly seen is the middle half of current prices for the 5 oz at recognised stores — the cheapest quarter and the dearest quarter are left out, so one sale or one overpriced listing can’t move it.
- Good value under $7 comes from the 8 products we score as doing the same job as this one. A quarter of them cost less than $1.36/oz; at 5 oz that is $7. Under that line you are paying less than most of them.
- About $15 is what those same products typically cost at this size — the midpoint of their prices per ounce, scaled to 5 oz.
Formula
7
Formula score
7 of 10
It costs more per ounce than 97% of the 157 gels we’ve priced, and 7 formulas we score as close matches cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
How the score is counted
- 7 products we score as doing the same job cost less per ounce
- Costs more per ounce than 97% of the 157 gels we’ve priced
- No softeners alongside the hold in the formula
- Salon tier
- A hold systemThe polymer, gum, or wax that holds the shape.3 pts
- Softeners alongside the holdWhat keeps a film flexible instead of brittle.2 pts
- No drying alcohol in the first threeFast drying without leading on alcohol.2 pts
- A humectantBinds water into the hair.1 pt
- A humidity claim with a mechanismThe claim has a film former or silicone behind it.1 pt
- Fragrance kept out of the top eightScent as a finishing touch, not a major share.1 pt
The formula score is completeness for the job: the share of the systems this product type is normally built around that we can find in this list, weighted. It is not efficacy, not quality, and it never compares across product types.
Does the same job, for less
Same derived functions — what it cleans, conditions, coats or holds — at a lower cost per ounce. Scent, texture and where you buy it can still differ.
Harry'sClosest function
Harry's Sculpting Gel
$1.34/oz $6.06/oz less
- Protein-free
- Curly method
- Lightweight
- Differs
AxeClose function
Axe Signature Clean Cut Look Hair Classic Pomade
$2.99/oz $4.41/oz less
- Protein-free
- Curly method
- Lightweight
- Differs
got2bLowest cost per oz
Glued Blasting Freeze Hairspray
$0.60/oz $6.80/oz less
- Protein-free
- Curly method
- Lightweight
- Differs
See more alternatives in the product library
These are functional neighbours, not personal recommendations — they are close on formula, not chosen for anyone. Get the one that fits your hair, routine, and budget
Final decision
Should you buy it?
Similar results available for lessBest user
Curls that need definition, looking for defined, clumped curls and fewer ingredients to react to
Biggest tradeoff
Worth skipping for anyone sensitive to fragrance, anyone who will not scrunch out a cast, or people shopping on a budget
Best alternative if not
Harry's Harry's Sculpting Gel, for similar results at a lower price
We do not sell products or take placement fees. This page states what the formula and the prices show; the consultation is what matches it to a person.
Claims check
What the brand says, against what the formula shows
Claims are quoted from the brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when the ingredient list actually speaks to it; everything else stays "stated by the brand", which is not a criticism — most claims simply cannot be read off a label.
1
SupportedBacked by ingredients
0
Partly supportedSome supporting logic
1
Stated by brandNo clear evidence
0
Potential conflictFormula works against claim
Free from phthalates, formaldehyde, and parabens
No parabens appear in the ingredient list.
—
Supported
Preserved without parabens.
How to read this
We look at the first 10–15 ingredients and what they do in a formula — not marketing. If the list doesn't speak to a claim, we don't assume.
Reviewers
What people report
Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings.
Several reviewers say the gel gives strong, flexible hold while drying soft rather than stiff, sticky, or greasy.
Several reviewers call the product pricey or overpriced compared to similar gels, even though most still say it is worth buying.
A recurring complaint describes packaging problems on arrival, including a broken or missing cap, no safety seal, or a leaking tube.
Multiple reviewers note a little goes a long way, with one bottle lasting two to three months of regular use.
A minority of reviewers report the opposite of the flexible-hold claim, describing hair left stiff, hard, or coarse after it dries.
More from Bumble and bumble
How this page was made
- Everything above is generated from our researched product record — identity, the ingredient list as printed, the brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. No part of this page is written per product.
- 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.
- Both scores out of ten are defined on this page. The formula score is completeness for the job, computed from a fixed per-format checklist shown beneath the gauge; the price score is cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced.
- 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 consulted for this product (0 manufacturer or regulatory, 3 retailer, 1 editorial), last checked 2026-09-05.
- Ingredient references are linked for 5 of 8 product-aware annotations on this page. Fit notes are conditional formulation guidance, not a conclusion about the finished product or about you.
- We have not tested this product in a lab and we do not physically test your hair. Formula readings come from the ingredient list; behaviour claims are labelled as the brand's.
- Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice.
- Ingredient names link to our ingredient library, where each entry shows what it does, which product types use it, and where it usually sits on a label across everything we have researched.
- This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.
- Formula readings: derivation v22. Record last updated 2026-09-05.