When it comes down to it, sometimes all you need is a strong product to keep your hair in place. While hair gels may conjure up images of the most cringe-worthy styles from the early 2000s, they’re really very useful when you need them. (And, despite some protestations, several styles from the 2000s are making a comeback.)
We have excellent news for you if you want to dip your toes (or rather, your tips) back into the gel pool. Today’s formulations aren’t the goopy blue tints of yesteryear.
They’re a touch creamier, typically nutritious, completely adaptable, and provide a long-lasting flexible grip. Furthermore, you might expect overall better-looking hair. Gel is your buddy whether you have a pixie, smooth back, cropped cut, sleek updo, or scrunchy curls, or if you want to experiment with the wet hairstyle.
Scroll down to see the top gels on the market right now.
Best Hair Gels For Flexible Hold In 2023
1. Overall winner: Biolage Styling Gelée
What is the greatest hair gel available today? You’re taking a look at it. Styling Gelée by Biolage is an all-purpose, pro-level product designed to provide not only control but also body, gloss, and nutrition.
But it does not end there. The lightweight, somewhat creamy composition adds volume, smooths frizz, and gives your hair a genuinely stunning finish. It forms and sculpts without crunchiness or a sticky residue since it contains blue agave nectar, citrus oil, and other botanicals.
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Increases volume
- Frizz and flyaways are reduced.
- gleaming finish
What We Don’t Like
- Hold is not as powerful as other alternatives.
2. Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel is the most affordable option.
Thanks to Garnier, you can obtain the excellent stuff without spending a fortune. The Pure Clean Styling Gel from the company has an amazing 98% organically derived components and provides a powerful yet weightless finish with no flakes.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- It does not flake.
What We Don’t Like
- It can be drying.
3. Oribe Curl Gelée for Shine and Definition is the best splurge.
Are you feeling fancy? Buy yourself a tub of Curl Gelée. It contains Oribe’s distinctive plant-derived compound of lychee, watermelon, and edelweiss flower extracts, as well as hydrating natural butters and oils to enhance bounce and reduce frizz.
What We Like
- Moisturizing
- Frizz and flyaways are reduced.
- Increases volume
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than other choices
4. Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel is best for Wavy Hair.
When working with waves, use Brigeo’s Curl Charisma. The 90-percent organically derived solution contains healthy-hair components including quinoa extract, rice amino acids, and tomato fruit ferment extract to provide your hair with a flexible hold and nourishing boost.
What We Like
- Adaptable grip
- Moisturizing
- Frizz and flyaways are reduced.
What We Don’t Like
- Hold is not as powerful as other alternatives.
5. Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel is best for fine hair.
What about fine hair? Big Volumizing Gel contains fortifying hydrolyzed wheat protein as well as calming aloe vera. Apply it to damp hair, then blow-dry, and watch as it adds body, strength, and a delicate bounce to your hair.
What We Like
- Increases volume
- Strengthening
- Bottle with a pump
What We Don’t Like
- It is sticky.
6. Davines This Is a Strong Hold Cream Gel is the best strong hold cream gel.
Need something that will remain in place for more than a few hours? Choose Davines. This no-nonsense, strong-hold gel isn’t playing around, as the name implies. It dries fast, adds texture, and keeps your ‘do clump-free.
What We Like
- Strong grip
- It dries rapidly.
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- Finer hair may become weighed down.
7. R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel has the best flexible hold.
R+Co Motorcycle is your best chance for a piecey aesthetic that isn’t as hard as a rock. Despite the intimidating name, a dab of this transparent gel will leave your hair soft, moisturized, and with just the perfect amount of texture.
What We Like
- Adaptable grip
- Finishing touch
- Works on both wet and dry hair.
What We Don’t Like
- Hold is not as powerful as other alternatives.
8. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel is ideal for humid climates.
Are you bothered by the high humidity? Ouidad’s Advanced Climate Control Gel is designed to combat frizz and flyaways while providing a dependable hold and increased texture for curls, coils, spirals, kinks, and waves.
What We Like
- Frizz and flyways are reduced.
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- Hold is not as powerful as other alternatives.
9. Amika Haute Mess Texture Gloss is the best texturizing product.
Amika’s saucily called Haute Mess deftly rides the line between exquisite and untidy. Squeeze this gel gloss into your hair and admire your newly dazzling texture.
What We Like
- Increases volume
- Not clingy
- Finishing touch
What We Don’t Like
- Finer hair may become weighed down.
FAQ
What Should You Look for When Purchasing Hair Gel?
Polymers
Most hair gels contain polymers, which are responsible for the long-lasting hold. They can be naturally sourced components like starch, cellulose, silk protein, or hydrolyzed wheat protein. Then there are copolymers, polyquaternium, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, silicone components, and acetates on the list.
Ingredients that Strengthen
When shopping for hair gels, seek for a “variety of compounds meant to safeguard the health of your hair and scalp while giving you that on-trend gel finish,” according to world-renowned session stylist Kevin Murphy.
While formulations vary significantly, prominent components include plant-based butters such as mango, cocoa seed, and shea, as well as natural oils such as apricot, jojoba, macadamia, castor, tea tree, neem, baobab oil, and coconut. There are also choices with hydrolyzed wheat protein, keratin, quinoa extract, rice protein, and other amino acids. Aloe vera is also frequently used to provide smoothness and texture.
Formulation
Modern hair gels are available in a variety of compositions. Traditional translucent gooey gels, nutritious gel creams, lightweight gelées, and balms that lie midway between gel and pomade are all available.
How should hair gel be applied?
Massage the gel into your hair with a dime-to-nickel-sized dab in the palm of your hand, evenly covering each strand. To get the desired effect, use your fingers to add texture, scrunch your curls, or tousle your hair.
Is hair gel bad for your hair?
Murphy adds that a high-quality hair gel mixed with the correct ingredients may close the cuticle and generate shine. Products with low-quality ingredients and a high alcohol content, on the other hand, can cause dry, brittle hair and dry out your scalp.
Is hair gel perishable?
“Everything has an expiration date,” Murphy explains. “Most brands have a two-year or longer shelf life before they yellow or the suspension lowers, making them watery.”
