10 Best Hair Gels for Men to Buy in 2023

HAIR GEL has made some of the most iconic men’s hairstyles in history possible: Gordon Gekko in Wall Street who defined the 80’s slicked-back corporate look; the punk spikes of Sid Vicious, both in real life and as played by Gary Oldman; Justin Timberlake’s frosted boy band curls, Pauly D’s Jersey Shore blowout, Lionel Richie’s Jheri curl… The list goes on.

Today, hair gels for men are versatile, long-lasting, and actually feel easy to style with—i.e., no longer smeared on your scalp in sticky, thick layers. Suitable for every texture or length, the best hair gels can even save you from coarsely-textured hair or unruly curls by taming the frizz without weighing your hair down. And if you want your hair to shine, like for a classic movie star side part, hair gel can do the trick while being more lightweight than pomade.

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The good news is that hair gels today are made of natural ingredients and don’t contain as much alcohol (which is what gives hair that wet, cripsy look). Now as healthier water-based hair products, hair gel has become easier to apply (a pea-sized amount is enough), delivering a more natural look and flexible hold. Another plus is its effectiveness at spot treatment, smoothing sides, and taming cowlicks.

That is all to say hair gel for men is probably the hardest-working product in your Dopp kit. Below, we sourced the 10 most trustworthy gels—in every budget, for all types of hair, and all styling possibilities. Now all that’s left to do is find the one that best fits your style!