“The best hair gel is going to give you the most hold with versatility,” says pro hairstylist Mideyah Parker. “Meaning you can use it in the foundation of the hairstyle to create the look you’re going for, or you can use it at the end as a finishing touch to secure out of place hair.” From defining curls to sweeping hair into a sleek low bun, there are many looks that can benefit from the best hair gels. Ahead, everything you need to know about these stylers according to celebrity hairstylists, including how to apply and the best products to shop.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Gels
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Best Soft Hold: R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel
- Why We Love It: According to hair stylist Rogerio Cavalcante, R+Co’s flexible gel combines hold with conditioning, making it ideal for styles that need texture without sacrificing softness. Suitable for all hair types, this allows movement while maintaining control. “I love how it keeps the hair looking natural, with no crunch or stiffness,” adds celebrity hair artist Castillo Bataille. Plus, it contains coconut oil, which adds shine and protects your hair at the same time—perfect for days when you want control but still want your hair to move.
- Key Ingredients: Brazilian coconut oil, sunflower seed extract, keratin
- Hold: Flexible hold
- Size: 5 oz
- Best For: Wavy, tight, or coily hair
Best for Fine Hair: Oribe Rock Hard Gel
- Why We Love It: If you have fine hair, you’ll want something that not only keeps everything in place but also provides flexibility, like the Rock Hard Gel from Oribe—even celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, the pro behind Amal Clooney’s looks, notes that even fine hair types can benefit from a gel’s long-lasting hold. “Opt for a lightweight gel—nothing too heavy, as it will make your hair look thinner and stiff,” he advises.
- Key Ingredients: Super-hold resin complex, argan oil, shea oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Hold: Intense hold
- Size: 3.4 oz
- Best For: Fine hair
Best For Thick Hair: Got2B Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Hair Gel
- Why We Love It: Thick hair types arguably benefit the most from an efficacious gel to lock every strand in place, even if you must work in sections to do so. Both Giannetos and Parker recommend the Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Hair Gel because the latter “wants to make sure the look is secured without any movement.” This is one of the strongest gels on our list, ensuring your style will stay in place for hours on end. Pro tip: use it atop your favorite edge control to keep your baby hairs laid all day (or night).
- Key Ingredients: N/A
- Hold: High hold
- Size: 6 oz
- Best For: Thick hair, curly hair, edge control
Best Affordable: Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel
- Why We Love It: It’s often a struggle to make curly hair cooperate, especially when trying to create definition without crunchiness or weighing it down. Giannetos likes Eco Style’s Styling Gel—a well-loved formula in the curly community. It’s coveted not only for the sheer amount of product you get (one tub will last you a while!) but also for its airy gel formulation that layers seamlessly onto hair—meaning you can define curls or sweep hair into a slick back bun while maintaining bounce and sheen.
- Key Ingredients: Olive oil
- Hold: Maximum hold
- Size: 8 oz
- Best For: All hair types
Best for Sleek Styles: Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel
- Why We Love It: Parker opts for the Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel to achieve slick ponytails and more. “It’s a liquid, so it’s easy to use and layer.” A little goes a long way, so be sure to use it sparingly to avoid overdoing it. And if you’re going the slicked-back route, we recommend pairing it with a good boar bristle brush to smooth out all those baby hairs.
- Key Ingredients: Ylang ylang, petitgrain, lavender
- Hold: Medium hold
- Size: 8.5 oz
- Best For: Fine to medium hair types
Best For Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel
- Why We Love It: For curly hair types, Parker is a fan of the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel. “It locks out humidity, prevents frizz and flyaways, and defines curls with a flexible hold.” Rake the product onto damp hair in sections then let air dry (or use a diffuser) to achieve soft, bouncy, definition.
- Key Ingredients: Chamomile and vitamins A and E, wheat protein and amino acids, meadowfoam seed and corn oils, arnica flower, ceramides
- Hold: Flexible hold
- Size: 8.5 oz/ 33.8 oz
- Best For: Wavy, tight, or coily hair
Best Finishing Gel: Crown Affair The Flexible Hold Finishing Hair Gel
- Why We Love It: Crown Affair’s hair gel provides a light yet buildable hold that’s easy to brush through. “This gel is meant to define and finish styles,” says celebrity hairstylist and groomer Michael Dueñas. “It can be used on dry hair, as well. It tames all flyaways and gives great shine.”
- Key Ingredients: Tsubaki seed oil, jojoba milk, film-form polymer
- Hold: Light hold
- Size: 4.1 oz
- Best For: All hair types
Best Alcohol-Free: Moroccanoil Styling Gel
- Why We Love It: Dueñas describes Moroccanoil’s styling gel as an extremely strong hold gel that locks styles in place and smooths even the unruliest curls. “It can work well if used sparingly on curly hair to help define and reduce frizz,” he says. Great for keeping hair in place while taking a workout class or enjoying a night out, this argan-oil infused gel has you covered. Plus, it doesn’t contain alcohol, so it styles hair without drying it out.
- Key Ingredients: Argan oil
- Hold: Long-lasting hold
- Size: 6 oz
- Best For: All hair types
Best For Textured Hair: Bread Beauty Supply Hair Gel
- Why We Love It: Bread Beauty Supply’s gel is a dream for textured hair, providing a soft hold for type 3 and 4 curls. Formulated with clean ingredients that are super hydrating (yuzu extract, red algea, snow mushroom), it keeps your curls defined, yet touchable and soft. “I love that it contains aloe vera and hibiscus, which not only tame frizz but also leave your hair feeling nourished,” says Bataille. “If you’re after glossy, frizz-free curls that stay in place without that ‘gel feel,’ this one is perfect.”
- Key Ingredients: Yuzu extract, snow mushroom, red algae
- Hold: Flexible hold
- Size: 6.2 oz
- Best For: Wavy, tight, or coily hair
Best for Curl Definition: Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Hair Cream
- Why We Love It: If you’ve got curly or coily hair, this gel is a “lifesaver,” says Bataille. It provides the definition you want without the crunch. He adds, “What I really love is how it’s packed with coconut, olive, and marula oils, so your hair stays hydrated and frizz-free.” It’s perfect for wash-and-go styles or when you want to define your curls for a twist-out. The result? Shiny, healthy-looking hair with a soft hold that lasts.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, marula oil, olive oil
- Hold: Lightweight
- Size: 5 oz
- Best For: Wavy, tight, or coily hair
Best Drugstore: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Styling Gel
- Why We Love It: Those interested in clean beauty will appreciate that this gel is made with nearly 100% naturally derived ingredients. Its finish is lightweight and offers a medium hold, making it perfect for daily styling without the heaviness—and a clutch option for when you need your look to last all day. “It’s a budget-friendly and healthier choice for maintaining hairstyles,” says Cavalcante.
- Key Ingredients: Acacia gum, citrus protein, Vitamins B3 and B6
- Hold: Strong hold
- Size: 6.8 oz
- Best For: All hair types
Best Edge Control: Kiss Colors Maximum Hold Edge Fixer
- Why We Love It: Bataille says Kiss Colors’sMaximum Hold Edge “provides a strong hold that keeps baby hairs in place all day long.” What he loves most is how many of these gels are infused with hydrating oils, like argan or castor, so your hair stays smooth and shiny without flaking or drying out. It’s perfect for when you want a polished, clean finish—especially for updos or as a finishing touch to braided styles where the details really matter.
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, glycerin
- Hold: Strong hold
- Size: 3.38 oz
- Best For: All hair types
Best Long-Wear: Redken Sculpting Curl Gel
- Why We Love It: To really sculpt your hair, you’ll need something with an extra-strong hold, like this curl gel from Redken, which promises an impressive 72 hours of wear Achieving these results is as simple as applying to damp hair, then styling to your liking; the look basically sets itself. And since it’s infused with hydrating squalane and jojoba oil, it’ll be extra nourishing for curly hair types.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, jojoba oil
- Hold: Strong hold
- Size: 8..5 fl oz
- Best For: Wavy, tight, or coily hair
Best For Light Hold: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel
- Why We Love It: Formulated to offer a light to medium hold, this gel from Briogeo enhances curl definition while keeping hair moisturized. It works wonders for taming frizz and provides long-lasting hold without weighing down curls—a common issue with many hair gels. And in expected Briogeo fashion, this features a host of nourishing ingredients like rice amino acids and tomato fruit ferment which condition the hair during wear.
- Key Ingredients: Rice amino acids, tomato fruit ferment
- Hold: Light to medium hold
- Size: 6 oz
- Best For: Wavy, tight, or coily hair
Best For Strong Hold: TRESemmé Ultra Hold Hair Gel
- Why We Love It: TRESemme’s hair gel is an affordable option that can be found at any drugstore when you’re in a pinch. Apply it to the surface of your hair and then comb through to smooth it down. Remember: less is more here to avoid any crunchiness.
- Key Ingredients: N/A
- Hold: Strong hold
- Size: 9 oz
- Best For: All hair types
What are hair gels used for?
Hair gels are primarily designed to shape, hold, and define hair. They are perfect for taming flyaways, creating slicked-back styles, or defining curls and waves. Depending on the formula, Bataille explains that hair gels can provide varying levels of hold, from flexible to rock-solid, catering to a wide range of hairstyles. Dueñas adds that some gels can boost volume when applied at the roots, blown dry into wet hair for hold, or used to enhance beach waves.
How to Choose a Hair Gel for Your Hair Type
Parker, whose clients include stars from Natasha Lyonne to brands like Coach and Collina Strada, explains that a good gel shouldn’t flake, and shouldn’t contain alcohol (which often results in dryness and breakage). Otherwise, Parker’s tip is to put a bit of product onto your fingertips to gauge its tackiness and hold—that way she can determine if the gel will work with your hair type. “You wouldn’t want to put a product on your hair that will do the opposite of the desired outcome.”
Basically, you want to consider your hair texture and the level of hold you need. Cavalcante explains that for fine hair, lightweight gels that won’t weigh down the strands work best. For thicker or curly hair, a stronger hold gel can help define curls and control frizz. Additionally, gels with hydrating ingredients are ideal for keeping hair healthy, strong, and nourished.
Is hair gel healthy for hair?
Hair gel is not inherently bad for your hair, but it depends on how often it’s used and the type of gel, Dueñas explains. “Higher quality hair gels use better ingredients—some even impart moisture back into the hair or contain coconut oil, which helps provide nourishment,” he says. “Cheaper gels are often heavy in alcohol to dry the product quickly, which can strip your hair of its natural moisture.” Additionally, overuse of gels, especially those with alcohol or harsh chemicals, can lead to dryness and buildup over time, so it’s important to choose products that support hair health and regularly cleanse your hair, Bataille says.
How to Apply Hair Gel
Cavalcante suggests applying a small amount of gel to your palms and distributing it evenly through your hair, starting from the roots. For curly hair, he recommends scrunching the gel into damp hair or using your fingers to curl each strand individually for a more defined look. “For structured styles, such as slicked-back looks, use a higher hold gel to ensure long-lasting control,” Bataille adds. “Adjust the amount based on your desired hold and finish.”
Do you put gel on wet or dry hair?
Dueñas recommends applying hair gel to wet hair to help distribute it evenly. Your style will determine whether you apply it from root to ends, just at the roots, or from root to mid-length. He says that it’s important to emulsify the gel well between your palms and gently rake your fingers through your hair. If you’re applying it from scalp to ends, use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution. For curly hair, it’s best to rake your fingers through with the desired amount, then add more to your palms and scrunch it in for extra definition.
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