For almost every battle, we place a very well-known and popular product opposite a product that is somewhat less known. This often yields interesting results. For this battle, we wanted to have two products compete that both come from the Netherlands. Many people naturally immediately think of Reuzel. One of the largest Brands in the field of Pomade. We all know the story of Schorem from Rotterdam with their success. We have covered them many times. Read here the story if you are not familiar with the story behind Reuzel. Their most popular product is, of course, the Reuzel Blue, which every ‘Pomade user’ knows. Let's say we have now found a very suitable candidate that fits perfectly in this battle, the Corleone Sticky Stuff!
Corleone is also a Dutch Brand and was founded by the man behind New York Barbershop, Robert Lagerman. Lagerman comes from a family with a long barber tradition. As early as 1884, his great-grandfather started a men's salon in the center of Rotterdam. More than a hundred years later, in 1990, Lagerman came up with a completely New concept based on the old-fashioned barbershop, not knowing that he would set a trend with it.
He opened a shop on the Oude Binnenweg where the craftsmanship and attention of the classic barber were combined with a cozy, café-like atmosphere. A place where men feel comfortable, take the time for a chat, and drink an excellent espresso or a beer. By now, the barbershop is legendary. When Graziano Pellè played at Feyenoord from 2012 to 2014 and had his Hair cut by owner Robert Lagerman, all the boys wanted the same hairstyle as the Italian striker. In addition, they developed their own hair products, including the Pomade.
Reuzel Blue Strong Hold Pomade vs Corleone ‘Sticky Stuff’ High Shine Pomade
The Reuzel Blue Strong Hold is incredibly popular, but one of the few Pomades water-based that gives a high Shine. The Corleone also provides this, which makes the battle extra interesting. We have tested both to give our judgment.
Ingredients
What immediately stands out is how short the list of ingredients is for the Corleone Sticky Stuff. Looking at those from Reuzel, there are quite a few more. They are mainly substances that serve as preservatives, Colour- and fragrance agents, and substances that influence have on the substance. In terms of function for the Hair, both products are equal in this regard as far as we are concerned. No particularities. Therefore, we keep the score at 0. Score: 0 - 0 draw
Scent
It's always nice to have a pleasant scent in your Pomade. For that, you're actually in good hands with both Pomades. We find the scent of the blue Reuzel to be the nicest of all Reuzel products. Reuzel calls the scent Vanilla wood. That's about right. A sweet and woody scent. Also nicely subtle. The Pomade from Corleone has a fresh masculine scent reminiscent of a typical masculine cologne. Very nice! Both Fragrances will appeal to many men. Our preference leans slightly more towards the Corleone. Just a bit fresher and more masculine. Score 1 – 0 for Corleone
Structure and application in the Hair
The first major differences become clear here. The Reuzel Blue strong Hold is effortlessly scooped out of the packaging with your finger and the substance is nicely pliable. You distribute it very easily through the Hair. The Corleone is different. It's not called Sticky stuff for nothing. The substance is thicker and when you distribute it through your Hair, you feel it's a bit stickier, but not unpleasantly so. You still scoop it out of the pot effortlessly and distributing it through the Hair is still very easy. Because the Reuzel is just a bit easier, it gets the point. Score: 1 – 1 tie
Styling
While applying to the Hair, the Reuzel is easier, now the Sticky Stuff performs much better when styling your Hair. The advantage of the thicker and slightly stickier substance is that your Hair does exactly what you want. The Corleone Sticky Stuff provides incredible control. No other Pomade has done this so well so far. We are pleasantly surprised. The Reuzel Blue does this much less well. You apply it easily but have to put relatively more effort to get your Hair into the desired style. This point clearly goes to the Corleone Sticky Stuff. Score: 2 – 1 for Corleone
Hold
Both products give a high Hold to the Hair. Here too we notice a big difference. The blue Reuzel stiffens much more in the Hair, as if you're using a Hair Gel. We don't really like that. However, your Hair stays in place well. Truly a high Hold indeed! The Corleone does not stiffen but has just as good a Hold. Your Hair stays well in place and can even be restyled somewhat because it doesn't stiffen. This point goes to Sticky Stuff. Score: 3 – 1 for Corleone.
Shine
Both the Reuzel and the Corleone call the product a high Shine Pomade. In our opinion, it sits somewhere between medium and high Shine in. Both of them do give a good shine, but not a real high Shine. The Corleone provides just a bit more shine than the Reuzel. We also find the finish looks nicer with the Sticky Stuff. We give this point to Corleone Sticky Stuff. Score: 4 – 1 for Corleone.
Washing out
The washing out is really effortless with both Pomades. Of course, they are both water-based products and are both absolutely non-greasy. No clear difference was noted during the washing out. Therefore, we give both Pomades a point. Score: 5 – 2 for Corleone.
Price
For the Corleone Sticky Stuff, you now pay €19.95 for 100 grams. The Reuzel is currently discounted to €12.45 for 113 grams. Normally, you pay €17.95 for this. Therefore, the Reuzel is cheaper. This point clearly goes to Reuzel. Score: 5 – 3 for Corleone.
And the winner is…
The Corleone Sticky Stuff High Shine Pomade is really the clear winner for us. That makes the Reuzel Blue Strong Hold absolutely not a bad product. It still belongs to the top of the Pomades op waterbasis. But the Corleone Sticky Stuff does everything we expect from a Pomade on a water basis. Especially the amount of control it gives over your Hair has really pleasantly surprised us.