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Growing up, hair gels were the drying, hardening gels of childhood dance competitions (when my mom would scrape my hair back into a teeny bun). But good hair gels can give you the right level of hold and control without any of the moisture-zapping, rock-solid-scalp effects. Instead, they contain hair-friendly ingredients like argan oil and flaxseed that can actually trap that moisture within your hair as you style it. Basically, whether you want to define your curls and waves, tame flyaways, or control your edges, a hair gel is the way to go.
First, some definitions: As hair gels have had some bad press in the past, often brands will label them with gel-adjacent terms, like “balm.” To be clear, when talking about hair gels, I mean any gelatinous product designed to give the hair some definition or hold — so when you see a balm below, know it’s to all intents and purposes a gel. Next, as gels are used for such a range of purposes, I made sure to speak to people with all kinds of hair types when compiling my list of the best. I then chatted to stylists and experts in hair care, as well as gathered some advice from our beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton on how to safely use hair gel (without breakage) if you’re slick-back-bun curious. Read on for the best gels (and balms, and gelées) — and you can also read my reporting on anti-frizz products and leave-in conditioners.
Update on January 17, 2025: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Ingredients
Along with a level of hold, I’m looking for ingredients that will nourish. This is particularly important if you’re someone with a tighter curl or kinky-hair type as “when curls tend to be tighter, they don’t need as much hold,” says Dhiran Mistry, a stylist at David Mallett salon. Instead, they need the moisture of ingredients like olive, argan, and jojoba oil and flaxseed.
Dispenser
Nobody really wants to scoop their hand into a big pot of gel, so I’ve included options below that have pumps or other less-messy dispensers.
Price
As hair products go, gels are often on the cheaper side. To make sure you know exactly what you’re spending, though, I’ve made a note of price per ounce.
The best hair gel overall
Ingredients: Aloe extract | Price: $0.73 per oz
Earlier this year, our beauty columnist Rio wrote an ode to Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel, calling it “the key to a slick back bun — without the breakage.” She liked the fact that it was lightweight and easy to wash out, but still could secure her hair in place all day (the brand described the product as having ‘extra strong hold.’) I started doing some research into the gel. The ingredients list was full of green flags: It uses the naturally derived acacia gum as its main holding agent, as well as containing aloe extract, one of my favorite hair-friendly (and skin-friendly ingredients), as well as vitamins b3 and b6, and other conditioning, non-drying ingredients. During my research, I saw plenty of reviewers with wavy and curly hair types saying that it gave them great curl definition, and lasting hold without any crunchy residue. As it’s suitable for most hair types — not all, I wouldn’t recommend this for kinky hair which, as I mentioned, needs less hold and more moisture — and it’s so affordable, I’m naming it our top pick.
Best less-expensive hair gel
Ingredients: Olive oil | Dispenser: Tub | Price: $0.25 per oz
I first heard about this gel on the London Underground: I was sitting opposite a girl with a perfectly slicked bun, and asked her what she used to lock it into her place. She told me that she switched between using argan oil and olive oil eco gel to keep her flyaways down and hair slicked back. I immediately went out and bought a tub myself, and it’s what I’ve been reaching for since. The gel has a particularly strong hold — I have bangs, but when I slick them back with this gel, I don’t need any added bobby pins or slides to stop them from breaking free. The gel is also great for setting curls, too, says model and influencer Destiny Owusu. “When I’m just wearing my natural curls, I wet my hair in the shower every morning so the curls are fresh. I put in some leave-in conditioner, then I run my fingers through it with Eco Style Olive Oil Gel,” she says. “It makes my set last an entire day.” Also I slick my hair back a couple of times a week, and six months since buying my tub, it’s still half full.
Best curl-elongating gel
Ingredients: Jojoba oil, vitamin B5 | Dispenser: Tub | Price: $0.55 per oz
When we did a deep dive on the best products for curly hair, stylist Stephanie Louis, told us about Soultanicals. “They’re a brand that really understands curly hair, especially those with tightly coiled hair at the end of the curl spectrum,” she says. “This ‘Gelly’ is a phenomenal curl definer and curl elongator — so the holy grail of double whammies.” By this she means that the gel can be used both to set the curls in place, and to protect them from frizz between wash days — so they elongate the style.
Best less-expensive curl-elongating gel
Ingredients: Flaxseed (vitamin E), wheat protein | Dispenser: Tub | Price: $0.47 per oz
Aunt Jackie’s gel offers a lot of the same benefits, at a slightly lower drugstore price. Its ingredients list is particularly nourishing: Flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids, which work with strengthening wheat protein to fortify the hair as it provides hold. Flaxseed also acts as a sealant, which prevents breakage over time. Jonathan Emanus, an artist who we chatted to about curly hair maintenance, recommended it as the ultimate non-flake hair gel. “I use it for most of my protective styles and to style my eyebrows and sideburns,” he says.
Best hair gel for dry curls
Ingredients: Wheat protein and amino acids, arnica flower, vitamins A and E | Dispenser: Squeezy bottle | Price: $2.14 per oz
As Mistry mentioned above, tighter curls need an injection of moisture. This is where a lightweight, moisture-rich gel works best. “This Ouidad gel contains meadowfoam-seed oil and arnica flower to lock in moisture — and cut down on dryness and frizz,” says Mistry. It also contains wheat protein, one of my favorite nourishing and strengthening ingredients for all kinds of hair.
Best for slicked-back buns
Ingredients: Rosemary-leaf extract | Dispenser: Pumpable bottle | Price: $10.67 per oz
For a slick back bun that needs serious hold, hair stylist Rogerio Cavalcante turns to R+CP. “It works best on sleek styles, especially for updos, top knots and tight ponytails keeping hair in place without the crunchy feel,” he says. Part of what makes it work so well, he says, is the controllable pump that stops you from overdoing it with the product. Instead, you get a slicked but still breathable style.
Our experts
Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist
Jonathan Emanus, artist
Stephanie Louis, hairstylist
Dhiran Mistry, stylist at David Mallett salon
Destiny Owusu, model and influencer
Rio Viera-Newton, Strategist beauty columnist
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
