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Best Hair Gel

Last updated: 17 Jan 2023
If you enjoy experimenting with the look and feel of your hair, you’ve probably tried using hair gel before. Hair gel helps in several different ways, from fashioning curls to adding volume to your hair to simply helping to keep stubborn hairs in place. It works in a similar way to hair spray, but it applies more directly and dries more quickly. The looks and styles that you can design by using hair gel are limitless. However, for best results, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using the right product. If you don’t know much about hair gel, you may not be sure what makes one brand or style of hair gel different from another. In this article, we’re going to tell you more about what hair gel is and how it works. We’ll also show you some of the best options currently available for hair gel that were carefully chosen based on how well it holds hair, how strong it is, and how long you can expect to see results. Go ahead and start thinking about that new hairstyle that you want to try, and trust that the gel will take care of the rest.
Invincible Gel that Holds Like Glue
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Top Pick
Buy on Amazon
Invincible Gel that Holds Like Glue
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Runner Up
Buy on Amazon
Offers a 24-Hour Clean and Extra-Strong Hold
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Contender
Buy on Amazon
Up to 64 Ounces of Hair Gel
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Honorable Mention
Buy on Amazon
High Hold with Low Shine
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Also Consider
Buy on Amazon
No Wax, No Flaking, and No Drying Alcohol
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Another Great Pick
Buy on Amazon
Show Contents
The Best Hair Gel in 2023
  • 1 Top Pick – Invincible Gel that Holds Like Glue
  • 2 Runner Up – Invincible Gel that Holds Like Glue
  • 3 Contender – Offers a 24-Hour Clean and Extra-Strong Hold
  • 4 Honorable Mention – Up to 64 Ounces of Hair Gel
  • 5 Also Consider – High Hold with Low Shine
  • 6 Another Great Pick – No Wax, No Flaking, and No Drying Alcohol

The Best Hair Gel in 2023

Top Pick – Invincible Gel that Holds Like Glue

1
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Key Features

This hair gel is both aluminum and gluten free.

This gel offers a non-sticky and no-flake formula for crazy holds

Pros

  • Washes out with shampoo
  • Great for vertical hairstyles

Cons

  • More liquified when compared to other models
Buy on Amazon

Runner Up – Invincible Gel that Holds Like Glue

2
image

Key Features

This hair gel is both aluminum and gluten free.

This gel offers a non-sticky and no-flake formula for crazy holds

Pros

  • Washes out with shampoo
  • Great for vertical hairstyles

Cons

  • More liquified when compared to other models
Buy on Amazon

Contender – Offers a 24-Hour Clean and Extra-Strong Hold

3
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Key Features

This brand carries an array of products for your hair and skincare needs, from shampoos to color care and styling products.

This hair gel utilizes an exclusive combination of citrus protein, Vitamins B3 and B6, fruit, and plant-derived extracts for extra strengthening and conditioning.

Pros

  • Contains no silicone, parabens, or dyes
  • 98% derived from natural formula featuring Acacia Gum, used around the world for its natural holding properties

Cons

  • Can sometimes cause flaking
Buy on Amazon

Honorable Mention – Up to 64 Ounces of Hair Gel

4
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Key Features

For best results, the manufacturer recommends blow-drying hair before application

Make sure your hair is well-cared for and styled for the foreseeable future with this extra-large container of hair gel

Pros

  • The alcohol-free formula creates the appearance of thicker hair
  • Its high viscosity works great for medium to thick hair and is easy to rinse out

Cons

  • Does not hold as hard as other hair gels
Buy on Amazon

Also Consider – High Hold with Low Shine

5
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Key Features

For best results, apply to towel-dried hair

This product uses a moisture-rich cream gel to provide a textured look while taming hair and leaving behind a matte finish.

Pros

  • This option provides moisturizing and conditioning benefits
  • It tames hair for a frizz-free natural look

Cons

  • The largest container available is 3 ounces
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Another Great Pick – No Wax, No Flaking, and No Drying Alcohol

6
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Key Features

This product works well with all hair types including natural and curly textures. It will not damage or dry out your curls, so your hair will look great even when this gel is not in it.

This product conditions and shines your hair, and is especially great for braiding, twisting, and smoothing edges

Pros

  • This hair gel utilizes micro-emulsion technology for a great hold as well as ample shine and conditioning
  • Offers 3x less breakage than comparable hair gels

Cons

  • This is not a great product for users with sensitive skin
Buy on Amazon

Hair Gel Buying Guide

The first thing to think about when purchasing a new gel is how strong of a hold you want in your hair. Some gels will firm up harder than others. The benefit is that you’ll be able to get whatever style of hair you want. However, the gel will likely appear more noticeable in your hair, and may end up being more difficult or time-consuming to wash out. Something else to pay attention to is how you’ll wash the gel out of your hair. You likely don’t want to keep it in there forever. The easiest gels to wash out are the ones that are water-soluble – they can easily be washed out in the shower with shampoo.

Hair gel comes in a variety of sizes. On the smaller end, you can get a container of hair gel that is only 1.75 ounces or 3 ounces. These sizes are great for keeping with you to style your hair on the go, or for packing in your carry-on bag while traveling by plane. Of course, buying in bulk will often save you money, and you can expect to spend less per ounce when purchasing a larger tube or container of hair gel. The larger containers on this list can hold between 14 and 16 ounces of hair gel, or even 64 ounces if you want the absolute largest container.

Your hair type has a lot to do with the kind of gel that will work best for you. If you have thinner or more coarse hair, you might prefer a gel that is better designed to fit and mold your hair. If you prefer vertical hairstyles, there may be gel specially designed to help you get the results that you want. As you begin shopping for hair gel, it’s helpful to go ahead and think about what your desired end result is, in terms of what hairstyle you’re generally going to be working with. 

Typically, you will apply hair gel to your hair when it is dry or damp. Some manufacturers will recommend blow drying for optimal holding, but as a general rule, gel can go in your hair after it has been dried with a towel. You may also want to do some research on the gel that you’re about to buy to see what the scent is like. Hair gel isn’t typically made to have a scent, but sometimes it happens regardless, and you probably don’t want to purchase a gel if the smell is overly strong or unpleasant.

FAQ

Q: What’s the main chemical used in hair gel?

A: Typically, hair gel is made of styling polymers and other particles in a liquid medium like water. The solid particles work together to form a network throughout the liquid that swells and forms a jelly-like mass. The product has a thick consistency in the bottle, but comes out easily and spreads evenly on your hair. When the product is applied, the polymers deposit onto the surface of the hair and cause opposite strands to be attracted to each other through different forces, which create clumps of hair.

Q: Is hair gel safe to use in my hair?

A: When used occasionally, hair gel will not harm your hair. However, overuse can lead to hair that begins to dry out, leaving your hair more prone to breakage. Your hair may also end up being more frizzy and unmanageable. It’s best to follow any instructions that are listed on the bottle when using hair gel, and ensure that you’re not using the product more than recommended or directed.

Wendy Lockwood
By Wendy Lockwood
Wendy Lockwood is a journalist based in North Carolina with over 13 years of experience covering parenting, home, kitchen, and cooking. She has two daughters, Jodie and Alexis, and a grandson on the way. When she’s not with her family, Wendy enjoys reading on her porch, cooking for her husband, Mark, and taking long walks out in nature. Even though Wendy is not much of a traveler, she loves taking trips to the ocean where she can read, walk and enjoy the sunshine.
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