To get more insights on the best gels for natural hair we spoke with an expert to get insights for this story: 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. I would suggest looking for a gel with either no alcohol or the least amount of alcohol possible so as to not draw out moisture and dry out your hair that you spent time washing and treating,” says Ebony Gordon, an expert on natural/curly hair, color, extensions, and overall hair health. “No matter your hair texture, balance and moisture is key”.

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. 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. 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.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." Different hair gels can suit different hair types, but overall you'll want to look for something that will hold your hair in place throughout the day, while also having some actual benefits to your hair's health. Look for products that are infused with ingredients such as vitamin B5, as well as hydrating agents and proteins. You may also want to look for something that's infused with essential oils, if you're after an aroma, and make sure to opt for something that's flake-free and doesn't leave a residue. Just take a look below for some of our current favourites. Is hair gel bad for your hair?

Without further ado, below are the best you can buy right now and a bit of information on what to look out for first. What is the best hair gel to use?Hair gel is unlikely to cause hair loss. Most male hair loss is caused by a combination of genetics and hormones, and manifests as male pattern baldness . So your hair thinning is more likely to be caused by baldness genes than the hair gel you’re using. 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.

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 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.

Hold and Control

Alcohol-free: Alcohol can be a problem in any hair care product. In textured hair, it can increase dryness. Since textured hair tends to err on the dryer side already, this can be damaging and can make hair look dull. Fortunately, many products on this list are free of alcohol, including CURLS Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly. 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. 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? 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. 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

To apply hair wax, start with dry or slightly damp hair. Scoop a small amount of wax onto your fingertips and rub it between your palms to warm it up. Apply the wax evenly throughout your hair, focusing on the roots and areas where you want to add texture or hold. Use your fingers to shape and style your hair as desired, working the wax through from the roots to the ends. Hair gel applicationA 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?