Are you ready to change your relationship with hair? If you want to define curls, remove frizz
, add volume, or get the perfect sleek updo, the right product will make all the difference.
But, with so many options, finding the best styling gel to give your hair type the love it deserves can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re giving you this cheat sheet to distinguish between the many gels out there.
The Best Styling Gels At a Glance:
- Biolage Styling Gelée
– Best for Effortless Waves - Oribe Curl Gelée – Best for Defined & Bouncy Curls
- Garnier Fructis Style Curl Sculpting Gel – Best for Long-Lasting Definition
- ECO Styler Professional Styling Gel – Best for Firm Hold
- L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clear-Minded Clean Gel – Best for Clean & Lightweight Hold
- TRESemmé TRES Two Hair Gel – Best for Salon-Quality Results
- Bumble and Bumble Bb. Gel – Best for Textured Hairstyles
- American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel – Best for a Classic Strong Hold
- Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Hair Gel – Best for Maximum All-Day Hold
- Shedavi Wash & Go Hair Gel – Best for Natural Hairstyles
The 10 Best Styling Gels of All Time
The most important ingredient for a flawless hairstyle is a good styling gel. These products have been crowned the best gels of all time by a joint effort of technicians, reviewers, and hair experts alike.
1. Biolage Styling Gelée – Best for Effortless Waves
Biolage Styling Gelée is a crowd favorite, as it delivers stunning waves and beachy textures without any sticky residue. Even though this product isn’t a strong hold gel, it does feature moisturizing jojoba oil and agave nectar that nourish your hair while providing a flexible hold.
The Biolage styling gelée is ideal for curly hair, as it comes with a humidity-resistant formula designed for frizz control. The all-purpose gel is entirely made of naturally derived ingredients, so you won’t have to worry about parabens, mineral oil, or artificial colorants. And with a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, the Biolage styling gelée proves to be a powerful product that’ll completely switch up your hair routine.
2. Oribe Curl Gelée – Best for Bouncy Curls
Oribe Curl Gelée is a game-changer for curly-haired people that don’t want to go to a stylist each time their hair starts acting up. This gelée formula comes with a blend of natural extracts and active ingredients that nourish your curls and enhance their shape and texture.
The Oribe curl gelée tames frizz, adds moisture, and provides a soft hold that doesn’t feel crunchy. We have dubbed the Oribe products among the best hair gels out there because they’re full of natural ingredients like macadamia, neem, and apricot oils – adding hydration and a healthy, medium hold for finer hair. And this hair gel currently holds a 4.3-star rating on Amazon, so it’s worth a shot.
3. Garnier Fructis Style Curl Sculpting Gel – Best for Long-Lasting Definition
Garnier Fructis-Style Curl Sculpting Gel is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t hold back. Best for those with curly or wavy hair, this gel provides long-lasting definition without making your hair crunchy. Because it is enriched with nourishing fruit extracts and aloe vera, it keeps hair soft, hydrated, and frizz-free.
Whether you’re going for natural curls or a polished hairdo, this gel is your go-to for a hairstyle people will remember. All you have to do is apply the frizz-control gel to damp hair and twist your curls loosely around your fingers. And thanks to its great definition results, this natural hair gel maintains a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, so make sure to give it a try and see for yourself.
4. ECO Styler Professional Styling Gel – Best for Firm Hold
For those after a gel that offers versatility and extreme hold, ECO Styler Professional Styling Gel is a top choice. This gel is excellent for all hair types, from coarse hair to fine locks. And, thanks to its lack of damaging alcohols and 100% pure olive and coconut oil, it keeps hair in place without hurting the strands.
This celebrity hairstylist product is perfect for creating sleek updos or styling baby hairs in a unique and memorable way. Moreover, the strong hold gel is designed to condition as you style, so you can nourish curls, add hair volume, and enjoy a nice shine all at once. Lastly, this alcohol-free formula holds a 4.3-star rating on Amazon, joining the other gels in their pride and glory.
5. L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clear-Minded Clean Gel – Best for Clean & Lightweight Hold
If you’re looking for a clean, lightweight hold that doesn’t weigh hair down, the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clear-Minded Clean Gel is the perfect product for you. This coconut-oil hair gel provides fantastic control and definition without any stickiness or flakes. And the alcohol-free gel contains active ingredients that nourish and protect hair while keeping your hair in place.
The silicone-free styling gel can be used both in wet or dry hair and is a great alternative for short hair that needs some extra work. Unlike your usual hair gel that weighs hair down and gives it a sticky feel, the L’Oréal hair gel makes your hair look gorgeous while defining curls and providing a flexible hold. This product is among the best hair gels on Amazon, where it boasts a 4.5-star rating and thousands of reviews.
6. TRESemmé TRES Two Hair Gel – Best for Salon-Quality Results
TRESemmé TRES Two Hair Gel is a salon-quality hair gel that guarantees stunning results at home. This gel offers an extreme hold that tames even the most unruly hair, making it ideal for those with curly or kinky hair. Moreover, this line of hair gels is designed with an alcohol-free recipe and humidity-resistant formula, so you can enjoy your beautiful locks regardless of the weather conditions.
With a 4.4-star rating on Amazon and hundreds of positive reviews, this hair gel has a strong customer base satisfied with its great results. And dubbed America’s #1 Styling Brand, these hair gels let you style with confidence, whether you air dry, blow dry, or use a curl roller.
7. Bumble and Bumble Bb. Gel – Best for Textured Hairstyles
Bumble and Bumble Bb. Gel is perfect for people looking to experiment with blow-drying hairstyles. This coconut oil gel offers a medium hold that lets you sculpt and shape your hair effortlessly. And whether you want to create spikes, tousled waves, or slicked-back looks, Bumble and Bumble Bb. provides fantastic control and adds shine to just about any hairstyle.
This line of styling gels can be used on both wet hair and dry locks, so you can integrate it before setting, after hair drying, or while styling. This 4.5-star rated hair gel also works great on all hair types, and its Amazon reviews from people with fine hair, thick hair, and everything in between show for this.
8. American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel – Best for a Classic Strong Hold
If you’ve ever asked about the best hair gels that ensure your hair stays in place, the classic American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel has probably come up once or twice. This is one of those frizz-control gel products specifically made for one hair type: short, straight hair – typically men’s. Still, the American Crew product is a great gel that adds volume and texture while providing a strong grip throughout the day.
This hair gel comes with an alcohol-free formula that won’t dry hair or damage strands. People even use it as a brow gel, thanks to its success in keeping rouge hair in place. So, whether you’re going for a wet look or a more natural style, you can rest assured that the active ingredients in this hair gel will provide excellent results. As such, this styling gel is a fan favorite for men worldwide, holding a 4.6-star rating on Amazon.
9. Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Hair Gel – Best for Maximum All-Day Hold
Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Hair Gel lives up to its name by providing a maximum hold that lasts through any situation. This gel is perfect for those with wavy and curly hair, but it will also do wonders for other hair types. Thanks to its quick-drying formula, your hair sets in place instantly, giving you a sleek look.
Despite its powerful hold, the Aussie hair gel is surprisingly easy to wash out, making it the obvious choice for daily styling. And due to its jojoba oil and sea kelp infusion, this hair gel has also facilitated hair growth for many buyers, who have awarded the product with a kick-ass 4.6-star rating on Amazon.
10. Shedavi Wash & Go Hair Gel – Best for Natural Hairstyles
For people with wavy hair who want to show their loose strands some love, the Shedavi Wash & Go Hair Gel is a godsend. Shedavi’s Wash and Gos formula is packed with natural ingredients like Vitamin B Complex, agave, argan oil, and hibiscus, which define, hydrate, and hold curly hair.
The best thing about this product is that it combines the softening benefits of a conditioner with the bouncy hold of a gel, giving you the best of both worlds. All you have to do is apply a generous amount in your hands and then scrunch the gel on damp hair. These hair gels hold a 4.0-star rating on Amazon, and while Shedavi is less renowned than our other alternatives, its fine hair gel is certainly worth a try.
Your Ultimate Styling Gel Buying Guide
Before you decide to buy one of the hair gel options we provided, there are a few checklist items you need to take care of. To buy the best gel for your specific hair type, bear in mind the following factors:
Hair Type
All hair types require specific formulations to achieve the desired results. For curly hair, opt for a gel that offers a strong hold and frizz control without making your curls feel crunchy. Wavy hair people will benefit from gels that enhance texture and provide a soft, natural hold.
For those with straight hair, lightweight gels that add volume without weighing hair down are best. And, if you have coarse hair, look for a styling gel with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil to tame frizz and define curls.
Hold Strength
Styling gels come in various hold strengths, ranging from light to strong. The hold strength determines how well the gel keeps your hairstyle intact throughout the day. For a flexible and natural look, go for a gel with a light hold. Medium-hold gels strike a balance between flexibility and hold power, which is ideal for blow-dry hairdos or simpler hairstyles.
If you need your hair to stay in place all day or are experimenting with more complicated hairstyles, go for a gel with a strong hold. There are also extreme-hold alternatives, but excessive use may result in stiffness and flakiness that you don’t want.
Gel Formulas
For healthy hair, it is essential to choose a good hair gel. Gels containing alcohol can dehydrate and brittle hair. So when searching for hair gels, look for those that don’t contain alcohols or sulfates. There are alternative ingredients that leave the hair soft and manageable.
Oils such as jojoba, coconut, and argan oils provide hydration, nourishment, and a healthy shine. In addition, those with aloe vera and sea kelp add moisture and revitalize your hair.
Hairstyling Flexibility
Some gels are specifically made with a certain look in mind, while others offer more versatility. If you want to experiment with different hairstyles, buy a gel that gives you this freedom.
Longevity & Residue
A good hair gel should keep your strands in place throughout the day. Gels that give a long-lasting hold and don’t leave a sticky feel afterward are ideal, so try to aim for those. Remember that your gel should leave your hair feeling light and clean, especially in humid conditions.
Customer Reviews
Before buying, make sure to check customer reviews. Other buyers can tell you how good a hair gel is, how well it holds their hair, and how ideal it is for a specific hair type. They can help you see how well a gel will work on your hair and whether it has all that you need from it.
Wrapping Up
Finding the best hair gel for your hair can transform your entire look. Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coarse hair, there is a perfect out gel out there for everyone.
The 10 best hair gels we’ve featured have received awesome reviews and high praise in the hair care industry. Because of their moisturizing ingredients, powerful hold, and frizz control, these gels offer a wide range of benefits that you can’t go wrong with.
So, get ready to take your hairstyling game to a new level with these amazing hair styling gels. And if you need more ideas, inspiration, and resources, continue exploring Team True Beauty and find your new favorite hairstyle today!