The 16 Best Hair Gels for Curly Hair, Wavy Hair, and Thick Hair 2023

Table Of Content

• #12: Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curls
• Best for Tight Curl Patterns: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé
• Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Define & Shine Gel Serum
• People With Curly Hair Are Saying This Viral Gel Is The ONLY Product You Need To Style Your Hair, So I Tried It
• Give the formula two weeks
• Eco Style Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Styling Gel

You'll love the lightweight consistency that won't leave your hair feeling greasy. While the "I woke up like this" look has never been cooler, those of us with curly or wavy hair know that it's not as effortless as it sounds. While genetics determine curl formation, the key to creating shiny, bouncy, static-free tresses is finding products that are specifically formulated to provide hydration and create definition.

#12: Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curls

Kinky Curly Curling Custard Gel is a top pick in the curly hair community. Some of the main things people like about the gel are that it reduces frizz and smooths even the unruliest hair. They also love that the gel is alcohol-free and non-drying to the hair.

Best for Tight Curl Patterns: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé

It has a traditional consistency for a hair gel and uses PVP to form a thin coating over curls, providing medium-level hold. In addition to simply enhancing curls, Cantu promises that the gel is also great for twists and braid outs (and multiple reviewers agree). For some people, how a product is applied is just as important as what it’ll do. If you’re not a fan of reaching into tubs or squirting gel into palms, this spray formula lets you apply gel directly onto hair (just be sure to rake it through so it’s evenly distributed). It has an extra hold that’ll help clump curls together without crunchiness. This does-it-all formula helps give curls a lasting shape while keeping the texture soft and flexible.

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Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Define & Shine Gel Serum

“I applied this on my damp hair before drying, and loved how well it defined and boosted my curls — and the subtly sweet scent,” says one tester. This GH Beauty Award winner is packed full of ingredients like glycerin, castor oil, and aloe, which work to hydrate curls instead of making them crunchy or sticky. “It feels featherlight, gave my hair bounce and tamed flyaways,” a tester says. It's alcohol-free, so it won't dry your hair out, and you can use it on damp or dry hair. If you have curly hair, chances are you want to define your curls without weighing them down or causing frizz. 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.

Read on for a few of the hair products he trusts on his clientele, plus a handful of the best hair gels we trust with our hair too. This custard is on the lighter end of the custard spectrum, so it won't feel as heavy on finer hair types. If you've got fluffy waves or loose curls that need a little extra help in the curling and clumping department, try this medium-hold hair gel. It's more moisturizing than it is defining, so it'll add softness and shine while helping to encourage your natural curl pattern without a crunchy finish.

● Think about your preferred styling routine and the type of looks you want to achieve. Some gels are better suited for wash-and-go styles, while others may work well for twist-outs or braid-outs. You may need to try a few products before finding the one that works best for you.

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People find that they can easily create gravity-defying styles, braided protective styles, and more with this gel. Now, to dive into things a little bit deeper, it’s time to look at the pros and cons of this gel. They’ll lend some insight into whether it’s the right gel for you. We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

If the consistency becomes clumpy, separated or small white balls form, then it’s time to try a different product combination. DeLeon Ramirez, who is also a major fan of this gel, loves to use this on his clients with 3A to 3C who have fine, thin curly hair. "It won't weigh fine hair down and has nourishing ingredients like aloe, rosemary, and flaxseed that helps keep thin hair healthy," he says.

This ensures that the gel addresses the unique characteristics of curly hair, providing the desired hold and definition without compromising moisture or causing excessive stiffness. According to Carol’s Daughter, the gel provides a soft hold for the perfect wash-and-go that will last all day without drying out curls. The product doesn’t contain parabens, silicones, mineral oil, or synthetic colors, and if you love it, you can buy various other products from the same line to swap out your whole hair-care routine. Another even went so far as to write, “Best stuff on the market for fine hair!!

” Using the gel is simple, too — just apply from root to tip and air dry or dry with a diffuser. When you want just a mist of gel to amplify and hold texture in your curls, look no further than R+Co Freeway Defining Spray Gel. Plus, there is nutrient- and protein-dense spirulina to nourish your strands, and polymers to provide hold, definition, and volume. And according to multiple reviewers, the paraben-, sulfate, and mineral oil-free gel spray left their hair feeling soft and natural.

You can sometimes get away with applying gel to damp hair but generally speaking, the best way to apply gel is to very wet hair. Every curly/wavy girl knows the feeling of sticky, crunchy curls after trying your best to style your hair using a gel. It’s designed for scrunching into wet hair, but I apply it section by section as I braid.

When the air isn’t humid in an exaggerated way, your curly hair may be more defined and bouncy, because it’s hydrated by the water that is present in the air. However, as humidity levels continue to rise, you may notice a loss in curl pattern, a lot of frizz or lack of volume. This is because your hair may be absorbing too much water, resulting in cuticle disruption.

Rake it through your sopping-wet hair in sections, re-wetting each section as you work (trust the process), then air-dry or diffuse. This is especially important for curlies whose strands are already drier than other hair types by nature. I'm also not saying that you should immediately throw out your products if they contain coconut oil. Like I said above, it has a lot of amazing benefits, but I had to provide this PSA in case there's anyone else out there struggling with the same issue and can't pinpoint what it is. Make this fast-absorbing finishing oil the final step of your styling routine.