Hair gel is water-soluble, making it easy to wash out of your hair. Simply rinse your hair with water, and the gel will dissolve, leaving your hair clean and free from product buildup. You can use your regular shampoo to cleanse your hair after using gel, ensuring that all traces of the product are removed. If you have curly hair, chances are you want to define your curls without weighing them down or causing frizz. Finding a product that works for curls is harder than it seems. If you've tried every curly hair product in the books and are still looking for something with a little extra oomph, it may be time to consider using a hair gel. To get more insights on the best gels for natural hair we spoke with an expert to get insights for this story: The research into the effects of hair gel itself is fairly limited, though it’s unlikely that any of the commonly used ingredients will cause hair loss. One study found that PVP is safe for use in cosmetics [2]. Living in the UK has its positives, but if there’s one negative we’ve definitely been noticing recently it’s the weather. Pretty much constant wind only means one thing in particular: unruly, windswept hair. Sure, you might be into that just-got-out-of-bed look (we’re looking at you, Timothée Chalamet), but if you’re after a ’do that stays in place, then investing in the right product is essential. Enter hair gel. And trust us, it doesn’t just have to be something you buy to complete a Halloween costume look.

Put a liberal amount of gel into your fingertips and do a basic mussed-up look, getting your hair into a combination of spikes and casual messiness. Then, take a medium-tooth comb, wet it, and run it along the sides of your head, above each ear.Hair gel generally offers a high shine finish. The polymers present in the gel create a reflective surface on the hair, resulting in a sleek and glossy appearance. This high shine can give your hair a polished and professional look, perfect for formal occasions or when you want to make a statement with your hairstyle. For waves, Hardges recommends covering your hands in gel and using your fingers to rake through your hair, squeezing your curls as you go. There are many different styles you can achieve with gel–it is really versatile,” says McLaren. “Gels are great for hold, definition, shine, and humidity protection.” For long-lasting styles, “Gel has more grit and a better hold than most hair creams allowing for styles to last all day,” says Harrington. “Gels behave more as a bonding unit for styles while creams and oils can make hair too soft to hold a desired look.” For curls and coils, don't rake through your hair at all — just squeeze the gel into your curls. "The more separation you create, you're also going to create a lot of frizz," Hardges explains. "You want to stop frizz from happening instead of trying to get rid of it after it's there." Yes, Francis says. "Because it's a water-based product, it will distribute much better, giving better coverage and desired style execution." If you need it for serious styling help, he says, "You could use a tiny dot of gel on dry hair if you have stubborn flyaways that you would apply with the tips of your fingers." What should you look for in a hair gel?

Not convinced? We had a feeling, so we grabbed some extra reassurance from celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis, the master behind the chairs of stars like Julianne Moore and Winona Ryder. So what makes for an A-list-worthy gel, you ask? Francis says the key to finding the perfect formula is to avoid those that contain alcohol, which is responsible for the dreaded 2000s crunch. And always start out with a lower hold; simply add more product if needed. "If it's too strong or firm, it could leave the hair flaky or crusty, and there may not be much flexibility with the styling," he says. The most important thing to remember when applying hair gel? Less is more. In fact, that simple rule is so important that we’re going to say it again: when applying hair gel, less is more. Hair wax is known for its versatility in styling options. It can be used to create various looks, from messy and textured styles to sleek and structured ones. You can achieve different levels of hold and texture by adjusting the amount of wax used. Hair wax works well with most hair types and lengths, making it a popular choice for those who like to experiment with their hairstyles. Hair gel versatility

What is the best hair gel to use?

Hair wax typically offers a low to medium shine, depending on the brand and formulation. It provides a natural-looking shine that enhances the hair’s texture and adds dimension to your style. The wax absorbs light rather than reflecting it, resulting in a subtle sheen that gives your hair a healthy appearance. Hair gel shine factor The ideal product for lads who prefer a flexible yet firm finish.R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel combines thesupport and control of a gel with the flexibility and shine of a wax. To make styling even more straightforward, it works equally as well in dry hair as it does in wet. It is also vegan and cruelty-free. Hair gel is best applied to wet or damp hair. Squeeze a small amount of gel into your palm and rub it between your hands to activate it. Apply the gel evenly throughout your hair, working from the roots to the ends. Use a comb or your fingers to distribute the gel and create your desired style. You can also blow-dry your hair after applying gel to set the style in place.

Hair gel is renowned for its strong hold and ability to keep even the most unruly hair in place. It offers a firmer hold compared to hair wax, making it suitable for hairstyles that require maximum control and structure. Hair gel can keep your hair styled for extended periods, even in humid conditions or when exposed to wind. Hair wax vs hair gel control Start by] squeezing a dime-size amount to hands and warming it up by rubbing hands together until product disappears,” Machado explained. “Then apply from root to tip, making sure to work [the hair gel] through the entire head. Don’t be scared to really get in there for the best effect and longest wear.” When applied to wet hair, the hair gel will yield a wet look to be carried throughout the day, [with] a high shine [and] more polished finish,” Machado tells us. However, when used on dry hair, the gel is more for “holding the style created by a hairdryer or air-dry finish.” Hair wax offers a medium to strong hold, depending on the brand and formulation. It is ideal for styling shorter hair and creating textured looks. The wax provides a pliable hold, allowing you to reshape your style throughout the day without losing control or the desired look. It gives your hair a natural hold that doesn’t appear stiff or overly structured. Hair gel hold level Because there are so many styling gels on the market, it can feel overwhelming to find the right one for your hair type, texture, and hairstyle you're going for. After all, many gels are alcohol-based and can cause dry hair or damage in the long run.Most hair gels contain some form of polymers, which are what creates the long-lasting hold. They can be in the form of naturally derived ingredients, such as starch, cellulose, silk protein, or hydrolyzed wheat protein. Then, synthetic polymers appear on a list as copolymers, polyquaternium, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, silicone ingredients, or acetates. Gel is a great choice for everything from twist-outs to holding a sleek pony in place. However, some people might not enjoy the look or feel of them. Pomade doesn't offer as much control as gel, but may be gentler on hair. Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best drugstore makeup essentials.

Hair gel, on the other hand, is a styling product that is designed to provide a strong hold and maximum control over your hair. It is usually made from a combination of water, alcohol, and polymers. Hair gel is known for its ability to create sleek, structured hairstyles that stay in place for extended periods. Composition Hair wax compositionA gel will provide that separation that you like to see when you have curls, and it's also going to give you a little bit more definition," says Leigh Hardges, a Chicago-based hair stylist. "Because of the way it coats the hair, it's going to help prevent frizz." According to Hardges, hair gel works best on 3A (loose, springy ringlets) to 4A (tight, defined, S-shaped curls) hair types. But first, how do you apply hair gel? Hardges says to apply when your hair is still soaked. "You always want to layer gels: You never want to mix them with anything in your hand because they’ll curdle." Opt for using a leave-in conditioner first, then following up with a gel. Hardges likes to squeeze in an oil after her gel has dried to get rid of any gel cast (the hard coating some gels can leave behind) and add extra moisture. We conducted hours of research on the best gels, evaluating each on formula type, active ingredients, and how it feels in your hair. After consulting with top stylists Kevin Murphy and Sally Hershberger, we narrowed down our list to these best in show.