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Updated August 21, 2024: This article on the best hair gels was updated with new product selections and additional expert input on how to use hair gels for wet hair looks and more. Our editors are continuing to test hair gels for consideration in this expert-approved guide.
The hair gel category is undeniably vast, catering to every hair type and trend. Whether you’re looking for a curly hair product to enhance your natural coils or are easing into the slicked back trend or wet hair look after a hair gel hiatus that followed the regrettable crunchy hair fad of the 2000s, there’s a product out there for you. Fortunately for all, hair gels have undergone a significant upgrade over the years. Today’s best hair gels are often lightweight and flexible, providing a barely-there finish with ample hold — minus the unwanted shine or “crunch” that characterized formulations from years past.
As we’ll explore shortly, hair gels aren’t a one-size-fits-all deal. But they do stand out from other products like curl-defining mousse and frizz-controlling wax sticks. Naomi Dove, Aveda’s North America artistic director on the company’s Texture team, says gels reign supreme for providing “long-lasting hold and definition,” and a “protective shell that holds up well in humidity and combats frizz, especially for curls and coils.” Of course, the best hair gel for you depends on your end-goal, be that spikes, ringlets, or a slicked-back bun.
Ahead, we rounded up the 15 best hair gels for every hair type, with a range of options to fit every budget. We included some of the most well-known brand names in the hair gel category, including TikTok-famous beauty products from Got2b, Garnier, and Oribe, along with lesser-known options that need to be on your radar. We also spoke with five professional hairstylists for their expert insight on the best hair gels and picked their brains for the qualities to seek out in these best styling gels when curating this comprehensive list.
Top Hair Gels of 2024
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Best Drugstore Hair Gel
Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Hair Gel
Sizes available: 6 oz
Ingredients: Moisturizing panthenol
It’s no secret that Got2b is a leader in the hair gel space — and this particular one is a well-known bestseller. The strong-hold formula comes highly recommended by celebrity hairstylist Davontae Washington, who regularly uses it and says it “lives up to its ‘invincible’ claim,” keeping hairstyles intact all day. He also notes that it doesn’t leave the hair feeling sticky or weighed down once applied. It’s a fan-favorite for everything from baby hairs to spiky styles, and it’s also one of the best hair gels for sleek ponytails.
What testers say: “I had gone through several gels stating they were ‘mega hold’ that just didn’t work as I needed. Then I saw this and thought “why not?!”I’m so happy I did! With my hair being so short it has a tendency to want to stick straight up out of my head but Got2B Ultra Glued allows me to actually shape and smooth down my fine hair! The best part is that when it’s time to wash it out, it melts away with shampoo immediately.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.99
Courtesy photo
Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel
Sizes available: 6.8 oz
Ingredients: Moisturizing glycerin
Seeking a hairstyle that stays put without an overly strong hold? Garnier’s formula might be just what you need. The drugstore gel has garnered lots of popularity on TikTok as a go-to for sleek buns and ponytails, lauded for its ability to provide hold without weighing down the hair. Unlike some products that leave lingering residue even after showering, this formula ensures a clean washout, as attested by its 10,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon.
What testers say: “My children and I both use this stuff! My 10 year old son uses it to keep his hair nice and neat, I use it when I style my hair wavy, and I use it to keep down flyaways in my 11 month old daughter’s hair when I put it up in ponytails. It’s lightweight, barely any scent, and still has good hold without looking crunchy. If you want a super strong hold this isn’t for you, but if you want a natural good hold, this is it!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $4.00
Best Hair Gel for Fine Hair
Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel
Sizes available: 8.5 oz
Ingredients: Strengthening rosemary leaf extract, hydrating glycerin, and soothing aloe leaf juice
The Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel is a favorite of celebrity hair stylist Cody Renegar. “It provides medium hold, but it is very lightweight and also conditioning,” he says. Renegar is among the many who appreciate the liquid gel texture that makes it easy to spread through the hair, along with being a big fan of its ingredients. One of its formula standouts is rosemary leaf extract, which a 2015 randomized controlled trial published in SkinMed Journal found comparable to the regrowth treatment minoxidil in its ability to deliver fuller-looking hair with consistent use.
What testers say: “I have very fine but very curly hair that is shoulder length. I have used this product for almost twenty years, and recommended it to many people who also use it. It gives the right amount of hold and fights the frizz. Many products for curly hair weigh it down for me, but this does not. It doesn’t make your hair crunchy, whether you air dry or blow dry. A little goes a long way, and it smells heavenly.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22.00
Got2b Glued Brows and Edges Gel
Sizes available: 0.54 oz
Ingredients: Castor oil
If your primary reason for picking up a hair gel is to tame your edges or finesse flyaways, consider Got2b’s Glued Brows and Edges Gel. Rather than a tub of gel or a standard tube, this top hair gel is packaged in a mascara-sized container with an included spoolie wand. So rather than coating your hands in the product to apply it, you simply dip the wand in the gel then use it to target your hair line or rogue strands near your ears or temples. It’s an excellent hair gel option for detail work as well as travel; the formula is similar in hold to Got2b’s aforementioned and bestselling Glued Hair Gel. And as the name suggests, you can also use it to lock down your brows.
What testers say: “It’s a good edging brush if you have soft or coarse hair. I like the minimal amount of styling gel used. It also smells really good for me as well. Easy to apply and keep in a small bag for convenience.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.69
Best Hair Gel for Straight Hair
Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17
Sizes available: 6 oz
Ingredients: Thickening copolymers
Struggling to style your stick-straight hair? Whether you have fine or thick hair, you’ll use this lightweight Kenra styling gel as frequently as your favorite hair straightener. Its formulation includes copolymers that actively coat your hair strands, creating body, texture, and, above all, a strong hold that lasts until you rinse it out in the shower.
What testers say: “I have tried a lot of different products trying to find something to give my hair some body. My hair is straight, fine and thinning, which makes it difficult to work with. The first time I used this Kenra styling gel I was immediately impressed. I washed my hair, wrapped it in a hair towel wrap to partially dry it, applied the Kenra styling gel and proceeded to dry it. I was amazed at the change in my hair. It was immediately noticeable how much body my hair had.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $14.25
Biolage All Purpose Styling Gelée
Sizes available: 16.9 oz
Ingredients: Smoothing blue algae
This lightweight, medium-hold hair gelée has a winning combination of affordability and effectiveness. It’s a standout for all hair types, from fine to curly hair, and its five thousand five-star reviews are a testament to that. Testers with fine hair applaud its ability to add body without weighing down hair, while those with curls appreciate how it maintains a natural feel without stiffness. Plus, this top Amazon beauty product comes in a generously sized 16.9 oz bottle, so you’ll be well-stocked on hair gel for months.
What testers say: “I have spent way too much money on products to give my fine hair body, only to push it to the back of my cabinet and never use it more than a few times. FINALLY, a product that makes my hair fuller and adds body that holds all day. I love this product and am so happy I found it! It also enables me to keep a little more length to my hair because of the added body. Bonus: my hair is shinier too! YAY!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22
American Crew Firm Hold Hair Gel
Sizes available: 3.3 oz
Ingredients: Soothing allantoin and moisturizing panthenol and safflower oil
This firming formula locks your hair in place for all-day wear without drying out your strands. Its formula includes moisturizing panthenol, safflower oil, and soothing allantoin, so you don’t have to worry about stripping your hair of hydration. Although it’s one of the best hair gels for men, testers of all genders highlight its universal appeal, noting that the entire family loves it because it’s non-flaky, gives the hair a natural-looking shine, and has a gender-neutral scent.
What testers say: “My family has very thick (male and female) hair, long, short, straight, frizzy, super natural curly, hair. This works on all of us for whatever look we are trying to achieve.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $8.32
Best Moisturizing Hair Gel
Oribe Rock Hard Gel
Sizes available: 3.3 oz
Ingredients: Moisturizing argan oil and shea butter and strengthening vegetable protein
Renegar swears by this hair styling gel for ladies and guys because it’s versatile and moisturizing. Unlike traditional hair gels, it boasts a unique cream-gel texture with softening argan oil and moisturizing shea oil. And it doesn’t compromise on staying power. One of the best hair gels for long hair, it makes your strands feel soft to the touch and look shiny, making it ideal for use as a root lift for a blowout. Given its paraben-free and sodium chloride-free composition, Renegar attests that it’s safe for color-treated hair and individuals with keratin treatments.
What testers say: “It’s taken me over a decade to find a good hair gel. Many have hold, but they damage the hair. This is the only one I know that actually conditions and softens the hair. My hair is softer by the end of the day and the hold is still strong.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $42
Best Hair Gel for Curly Hair
Pattern Beauty Curl Gel
Sizes available: 3 oz, 9.8 oz, and 25 oz
Ingredients: Soothing aloe vera, strengthening rosemary leaf extract, and hydrating coconut oil
You asked, and Tracee Ellis Ross answered by creating the best styling gel for natural hair (no surprise here, as her brand, Pattern, also makes one of the best hair dryers for curly hair). This best curly hair gel contains aloe vera and hydrating coconut oil that defines curls yet leaves them soft, not stiff or hard, as is sometimes the case with other gels. It’s a favorite for wash and gos, and some testers have noted that they don’t even have to apply more the next day and that a touch of water has helped re-stretch and revitalize curls without adding more product.
What testers say: “This product accomplishes 5 things for me. It seems to ACTIVATE my curls to start with (something few other products do). It also provides definition, the perfect amount of soft hold, natural shine, and completely eliminates frizz.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
Best Hair Gel for Edge Control
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel
Sizes available: 2 oz
Ingredients: Strengthening rosemary leaf extract, soothing chamomile extract, and hydrating glycerin
Mielle Organics’ Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil may be wildly popular, but it’s not the sole product from the brand deserving of praise. Take, for instance, this edge control, which ensures no flakes, stiffness, or greasiness. Despite its compact size, a little goes a long way. It not only styles but also promotes edge health, preventing breakage, and it’s friendly for wavy to type 4C hair.
What testers say: “If you find wearing your hair up gets tricky, add Mielle edge gel to your hair to make wearing your hair up easier. Mielle edge gel does not harden your hair as other edge gels I have tried do. Therefore I use Mielle edge gel on a larger portion of my hair than just the edges. Absolutely love it.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.98
Best Hair Gel for Frizzy Hair
Moroccanoil Styling Gel
Sizes available: 6 oz
Ingredients: Hydrating argan oil, soothing rosemary leaf extract
Ditch frizz with the help of this luxurious formula from Moroccanoil. “What’s great about this gel is that it is argan oil infused, which is full of antioxidants and vitamins that are beneficial for your hair,” says Katelyn Ellsworth, hairstylist and founder of The Roslyn Salon and Style Icon in San Diego. The ingredient moisturizes the hair and, in turn, adds shine, protects from breakage and, as promised, fights frizz. We rate it as one of the best hair gels for thick hair, as a little goes a long way.
What testers say: “I bought this to slick my frizzy baby hairs whenever I pulled my hair back in a ponytail. It works amazingly well. No headbands needed!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $24.70
Best Hair Gel for Spikes
SexyHair Style Hard Up Hard Holding Gel
Sizes available: 5.1 oz
Ingredients: Moisturizing glycerin
True to SexyHair’s famously suggestive marketing promises, this maximum-hold hair gel stays put, regardless of the wind strength or unpredictable weather conditions. (Some testers even claim it can withstand a rainstorm.) It’s one of the best strong-hold hair gels, made to help style spikes or any look defying gravity, ensuring it lasts from morning to night and stays intact through sweaty workouts, humidity, and, as one tester put it: “the general chaos of daily life.”
What testers say: “I have purchased this several times without having any problems. I like my hair short and spikey. Living on the Oregon coast it is always windy. With this holding gel my hair stays spiked until I wash it out.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $21.95
Best Flexible-Hold Hair gel
R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel
Sizes available: 5 oz
Ingredients: Hydrating coconut oil and smoothing sunflower seed extract
This R+Co formulation marries the benefits of a hair gel and wax in one, and there are different ways you can use it. For example: We love using it before a blowout for touchable texture, hold, body, and shine, but you can also use it on wet hair to create a heavily defined style, or on curls for hold and definition. Regardless of how and when you use it, you’ll still be able to brush through your hair; it won’t harden and feel like plastic, making it one of the best wet look hair products we’ve come across.
What testers say: “Motorcycle is the best gel for a natural look. It won’t leave your hair hard as a rock and your head full of white flakes.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $31
Best Hair Gel for Humidity
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel
Sizes available: 2.5, 8.5 and 33.8 oz
Ingredients: Humidity-fighting sericin, hydrating shea and murumuru butter, and strengthening ceramides
Those living in humid climates know the struggle to keep hair frizz-free and locked down. But this formulation from Ouidad — one of the most renowned curly hair brands — locks in moisture and locks out humidity with sericin (a protein derived from silk). It works in tandem with hydrating shea and murumuru butter, along with strengthening ceramides, to deliver curls that are both nourished and defined, with a soft feel.
What testers say: “I used to hate rainy, humid days (which is almost every day where I live, especially in summer) because my hair would lose all shape and become a poofy mess, but since I’ve been using this product, I don’t even think about it anymore! I’ve been using this gel for my 2B/2A fine, dry hair for a few years now, and it’s the only product I’ve used (I’ve tried Shea Moisture, Aussie, Herbal Essence, and most of the popular styling products) that doesn’t leave build-up or weigh down my hair.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $26
Best Non-Toxic Hair Gel
Carina Organics Alcohol-Free Styling Gel
Sizes available: 8 oz, 33.8 oz, and 135 oz
Ingredients: Moisturizing olive fruit oil and soothing nettle leaf extract
Many brands claim their products are clean, but there’s no universal definition of what that truly means. That’s why we rely on organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to help us find products that lack any and all potentially harmful ingredients. Carina Organics’ Styling Gel boasts a great rating on the EWG website because it’s completely devoid of synthetic ingredients. What’s more, it delivers results. Testers equally applaud its lean ingredient list, volume-boosting power, and medium hold.
What testers say: “The hold/control is impressive for a gel with only one hold ingredient. Most of all I love that it is fragrance free and has so few total ingredients. The fact that it is able to do what it does while being so natural and safe for my skin and hair is amazing. If you are someone with sensitive skin that tends to react to lots of hair products, I encourage you to try this.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $17.08
Prose Custom Styling Gel
Sizes available: 8.5 oz
Ingredients: Custom formula
If you prefer crafting your own personalized formula rather than choosing from pre-existing options, Prose makes it possible. The process involves taking a quiz that asks about your hair texture, length, density, styling habits, desired level of hold, hair goals, and fragrance preference. Based on your responses, the brand then tailors a custom hair gel with ingredients specifically suited to your unique needs.
What testers say: “I have high porosity hair, so humidity is a big concern for me. With Prose Styling Gel, my hairstyle withstood a mile long walk, on a really humid night!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
How to Get the Wet Hair Look With Hair Gel
Beyond controlling edges and sealing a slicked back bun in place, hair gel is an essential product for achieving today’s trending wet hair look. “A slicked back hair look doesn’t mean you have to pull your hair back into a bun,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. “I think that some people who are new to using gel don’t think that it’s necessarily for women or women with longer hair, but that’s not the case.” Just take a look at this year’s runways and red carpets, where we’ve seen stars like Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland, Rita Ora, and Kim Kardashian (actually, the majority of the Kardashian-Jenner clan) wear short to long hair pushed back away from the face with a dripping-wet, shiny finish.
Rebecca Hall, Kim Kardashian, and Tyla wear wet hair looks on recent red carpets.
Getty Images
To pull off the wet hair look at home, Fitzsimons suggests having two products at the ready: Hair gel and a shine spray. “Start by coating your hands with hair gel, then use your hands to push your hair back from your hair line to the back of your head,” says Fitzsimons. Next, “let it dry, don’t touch it, and your hair will set in that shape.” Most hair gels leave a shiny finish once they’ve set, which will create a line of demarcation between the gelled hair and dry hair. “You’ll want to use a good amount of shine spray on the hair that doesn’t have gel in it so there’s more of a seamless texture throughout the lengths of your hair.” Fitzsimons recommends Naturelab Tokyo’s Perfect Shine Oil Mist for the job, which reflects shine with pearl extracts and platinum fibers.
What to Look for in the Best Hair Gels
- Polymers: All the best hair gels contain polymers, creating a film on the hair that helps lock your hairstyle into place. Polymers fall into two categories: naturally derived and synthetic. While many brands use synthetic polymers, some choose natural alternatives. For instance, Carina Organics and Aveda use naturally derived polymers from Acacia Senegal tree bark and cellulose, respectively. In contrast, SexyHair and Got2B utilize synthetic polymers and copolymers like PVP and VP/VA. Regardless of which they use, it’s important that they’re present, especially if the product is marketed for its hold. To identify them in a product, a quick scan of the ingredient list to find words like “polymer” or “copolymer” will do the trick. In cases where these terms are absent, a brief ingredient lookup will help you determine if they’re using a natural polymer instead.
- Key ingredients: While polymers are essential for achieving hold, an ideal ingredient list should also cater to your specific hair type. The best hair gels in this story use strengthening ingredients like rosemary leaf extract, moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter, and soothing ingredients like aloe and safflower oil.
- Textures: No hair gel formulation is created equal these days. Unlike in the past, when hair gels were commonly thick and sticky, today’s formulations come in a diverse range of textures. In this piece alone, we covered gel-cream formulations, lightweight gelées, serum-like liquid gels, and more traditional yet modernized goopy gels. The texture you choose is ultimately up to personal preference on your desired feel. Gel-creams and serums will provide more of a soft touch, where true gels often provide more shine and hold.
- Size: Bottle size is worth considering when choosing a hair gel, and they vary drastically. It’s important you ask yourself a few questions: Do you plan to travel with it in a carry-on or weekender bag? If so, opting for a size under 3.4 ounces is the way to go. Planning to use it daily? In that case, you might prefer a formula that comes in a bigger bottle, such as the Biolage All Purpose Styling Gelée, or one where a small amount goes a long way so you don’t run out too quickly.
How We Selected the Best Hair Gels
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To find the best hair gels of 2024, our team thoroughly conducted market research, studied hundreds of customer reviews (including the good and bad), and interviewed professional hairstylists to learn about their tried-and-true favorites and what to look for in the best hair gels. Using their advice and building off our research, we curated a list of the top 15 hair gels, including drugstore and high-end options and a mix of formulas such as gel-cream textures and more traditional true-gel ones. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Courtesy
Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of his eponymous hair care line. Fitzsimons counts Bella Hadid, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox, Joan Smalls, and Shay Mitchell as his regular clientele.
Davontae Washington is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. He specializes in natural hair, wigs and hair extensions and has a host of celebrity clients including Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Winnie Harlow, among others.
Naomi Dove is Aveda’s North America Artistic Director on the company’s Texture team. She is also the salon director at The Blue Daisy Salon and Day Spa Aveda Concept Salon in Buckeye, Arizona.
Katelyn Ellsworth is a hairstylist as well as a natural color and extension specialist. She’s the founder of The Roslyn salon and Style Icon in San Diego.
Cody Renegar is a celebrity hairstylist with over 25 years of experience working in top salons across the country and is regarded as a master colorist & stylist, and master barber – a rare combination. An influential style maker, Cody has been featured in Vogue, People, InStyle, and Oprah Daily, to name a few.
Meet the Authors
Marisa Petrarca is a Twin Cities-based journalist specializing in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, who has written for numerous publications, including POPSUGAR, Allure, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and more. Her extensive expertise contributed to product selections in this piece. (Her favorite hair gel is the Biolage All Purpose Styling Gelée.)
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan contributed to the August 2024 update of this article on the best hair gels with additional expert-back product picks as well as tips on how to use hair gel to create the trending wet hair look.
