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. 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.

Hair wax is a hairstyling product that is used to mold and shape the hair. It is typically made from a combination of natural waxes, oils, and emollients. Hair wax provides a medium to strong hold, allowing you to style your hair in various ways and keep it in place throughout the day. Hair gel For waves, Hardges recommends covering your hands in gel and using your fingers to rake through your hair, squeezing your curls as you go.

What's a good hair gel?

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? A 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? 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.

All hair gels are not created equal—and if you have curly, coily, or kinky natural hair, then you know that different occasions call for different gels. The right gel will provide clumping for your wash-and-go curls and definition for your twist-outs, but the wrong gel? Well, that’s just a dry, crunchy mess.

Definition

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? 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 composition