The 17 Best Hair Gels of 2023 | by Byrdie

Scroll down for the best gels that don’t feel crunchy.

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.

If you’re interested in dipping your toes (or rather, your tips) back into the gel pool, we’ve got good news. Today’s formulas aren’t like the goopy blue hues of decades past. They’re a little creamier, often nourishing, totally versatile, and offer a flexible hold that lasts for hours. What’s more, you can count on all-around better-looking hair. For those rocking a pixie, slick back, cropped cut, sleek updo, or scrunchy curls—and anyone wanting to explore the wet hair look—gel is your friend.

When it comes down to it, sometimes you just need a powerful product that’ll keep your hair in place. While hair gels might remind you of the most cringe-worthy looks of the early aughts, they’re actually really great when you need them. (And despite some protests, lots of styles from the 2000s are coming back.)

Best for Fine Hair:

Best for Thick Hair:

Best for Wavy Hair:

Best for Curly Hair:

Best for Baby Hairs:

Best for Natural Hair:

Oribe Curl Gelée for Shine & Definition at Amazon

Best Overall:

What to Look For

In This Article

Best Overall

Biolage Styling Gelée

4.6

View on Ulta

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What We Like

• Lightweight

• Adds volume

• Minimizes frizz and flyaways

• Shiny finish

What We Don’t Like

• Hold isn’t as strong as other options

What’s the best hair gel of today? You’re looking at it. Biolage’s Styling Gelée is an all-purpose, pro-level product formulated to deliver not just control but also body, shine, and nourishment. 

But it doesn’t stop there. The lightweight, slightly creamy concoction adds volume, tames flyaways, smooths frizz, and leaves your hair with a truly gorgeous finish. Enriched with blue agave nectar, citrus oil, and other botanicals, it shapes and sculpts without crunchiness or a sticky residue.

Price at time of publish: $21

Active Ingredients: Blue agave nectar and citrus oil | Hair type: All | Size: 16.9 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Budget

Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel

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View On Target

View On Target

What We Like

• Affordable

• Lightweight

• Doesn’t flake

What We Don’t Like

• Can be drying

Thanks to Garnier, you can get the good stuff without shelling out a bunch of cash. Containing an impressive 98 percent naturally derived ingredients, the brand’s Pure Clean Styling Gel offers a strong yet weightless finish without any flakes.

Price at time of publish: $5

Active Ingredients: Fruit protein, and vitamins B3 and B6 | Hair Type: All | Size: 6.8 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Drugstore

Aussie Instant Freeze 20-Hour Hold Hair Gel

 Courtesy of Walmart

View On Walmart

View On Walgreens

What We Like

• Affordable

• Long-lasting

• Strong hold

What We Don’t Like

• Dries with a crunchy cast

Aussie is a go-to for drugstore haircare, so it’s no surprise the brand makes a standout gel. Infused with sea kelp and jojoba oil, Instant Freeze offers maximum hold and a refreshing scent—no flakes, no stickiness, no residue.

Price at time of publish: $3

Active Ingredients: Australian jojoba oil and sea kelp | Hair Type: All, especially unmanageable hair | Size: 7 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

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Best Splurge

Oribe Curl Gelée for Shine & Definition

View On Amazon

View On Sephora

View On Dermstore

What We Like

• Moisturizing

• Minimizes frizz and flyaways

• Adds volume

What We Don’t Like

• Pricier than other options

Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to a tub of Curl Gelée. It’s got Oribe’s signature plant-derived complex of lychee, watermelon, and edelweiss flower extracts, plus nourishing natural butters and oils to hydrate, tame frizz, and add bounce.

Price at time of publish: $44

Active Ingredients: Murumuru, mango, and cocoa seed butters | Hair Type: Curly, coils, medium to thick | Size: 8.5 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

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Best for Natural Hair

Pattern Curl Gel

View on Ulta

View On Sephora

View On Target

What We Like

• Smells good

• Touchable finish

• Great for wash-and-gos

What We Don’t Like

• Hold isn’t as strong as other options

With braids, twists, and coils in mind, Pattern Beauty’s take on hair gel is this sizable tube containing an au natural blend of nutrient-rich ingredients. We’re talking cacay oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera, plus a slightly sweet aroma of rose, neroli, and patchouli.

Price at time of publish: $25

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, coconut oil, and cacay oil | Hair Type: Curly, coils, textured hair | Size: 9.8 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Baby Hairs

Kreyòl Essence Sleek + Chic Edge Gel

View On Ulta

What We Like

• Doesn’t flake

• Promotes hair growth

• Strong hold

What We Don’t Like

• Contains fragrance

You’ll be glad to have Sleek + Chic Edge Gel on hand when styling your baby hairs. Containing all-star ingredients like black castor, moringa, mango, and coconut oils, the Haitian superfood blend helps lay the tiniest hairs flat for a polished finish.

Price at time of publish: $11

Active Ingredients: Haitian moringa oil and papaya | Hair Type: All | Size: 4 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Curly Hair

Curls Dynasty Twisted Definition Twisting Cream

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What We Like

• Moisturizing

• Shiny finish

• Minimizes tangles

What We Don’t Like

• Hold isn’t as strong as other options

For the curly-haired camp, we recommend Twisted Definition, a creamy gel that simultaneously moisturizes and defines. Drawing from marshmallow root, ginger, shea, and aloe, it pulls out all the stops for spirals, coils, and kinks.

Price at time of publish: $14

Active Ingredients: Marshmallow, ginger root, aloe vera, and shea butter | Hair Type: Type 3 and 4 curls, coils | Size: 8 oz | Formula: Cream | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Wavy Hair

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel

Sephora

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View On Nordstrom

What We Like

• Flexible hold

• Moisturizing

• Minimizes frizz and flyaways

What We Don’t Like

• Hold isn’t as strong as other options

If you’re working with waves, reach for Brigeo’s Curl Charisma. The 90-percent naturally derived formula is chock full of healthy-hair ingredients like quinoa extract, rice amino acids, and tomato fruit ferment extract to give your hair a flexible hold and a nourishment boost.

Price at time of publish: $24

Active Ingredients: Rice amino acids, quinoa extract, and tomato fruit ferment | Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coils, fine to thick | Size: 5.5 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Thick Hair

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Souffle

 Courtesy of Ulta

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What We Like

• Affordable

• Not sticky

• Moisturizing

What We Don’t Like

• Consistency gets ruined in hot weather

SheaMoisture’s Gel Soufflé does amazing things for those with thick hair and short cuts. The natural formula adds definition and hold, but since it doesn’t contain silicone or polymers, you won’t get any sticky buildup.

Price at time of publish: $14

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, agave nectar, flax seed oil, and shea butter | Hair Type: Thick, curly, coils | Size: 12 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Fine Hair

Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel

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What We Like

• Adds volume

• Strengthening

• Pump bottle

What We Don’t Like

• Feels sticky

Fine hair? Size up with Big Volumizing Gel, which contains fortifying hydrolyzed wheat protein and soothing aloe vera. Apply it to damp hair, then blow-dry, and watch as it plumps up your hair with body, strength, and a soft bounce.

Price at time of publish: $20

Active Ingredients: Amino acids and fruit extracts | Hair Type: All | Size: 8.5 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

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Best Long-Wear Hold

Davines This Is a Strong Hold Cream Gel

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View On Milkandhoney.com

What We Like

• Strong hold

• Dries quickly

• Lightweight

What We Don’t Like

• May weigh down finer hair

Need something that’ll stay put for longer than a few hours? Go with Davines. As its name suggests, this no-nonsense, strong-hold gel isn’t messing around. It dries quickly, adds texture, and preserves your ‘do without any clumps.

Price at time of publish: $28

Active Ingredients: Glycerin and castor oil | Hair Type: All | Size: 4.22 oz | Formula: Cream-like gel | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Flexible Hold

R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel

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View On Walmart

What We Like

• Flexible hold

• Touchable finish

• Works on wet or dry hair

What We Don’t Like

• Hold isn’t as strong as other options

For a piecey look that’s not hard as a rock, your best bet is R+Co Motorcycle. Despite its tough-sounding name, a dollop of this clear gel will leave your hair feeling soft and hydrated with just the right amount of texture.

Price at time of publish: $31

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, sunflower seed extract, and keratin | Hair Type: All | Size: 5 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Against Humidity & Frizz

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

Ulta

View on Ulta

View On Amazon

View On Dermstore

What We Like

• Minimizes frizz and flyways

• Lightweight

What We Don’t Like

• Hold isn’t as strong as other options

High humidity got you down? Ouidad’s Advanced Climate Control Gel is formulated to battle frizz and keep flyaways in check while delivering a reliable hold and an enhanced texture for curls, coils, spirals, kinks, and waves.

Price at time of publish: $26

Active Ingredients: Sericin and wheat protein | Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8.5 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Texturizing

Moroccanoil Styling Gel

Courtesy of Moroccanoil

View On Moroccanoil.com

View On Saks Fifth Avenue

What We Like

• Adds volume

• Not sticky

• Touchable finish

What We Don’t Like

• May weigh down finer hair

Moroccanoil’s styling gel combines the power of their famous argan oil with an alcohol-free formula for a hydrating, long-lasting, and strong hold. Tousle your hair with a squeeze of this gel, and behold your newfound brilliant texture.

Price at time of publish: $26

Active Ingredients: Argan oil | Hair Type: All | Size: 6 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Defining

Girl + Hair Curl Cloud Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel for Curly Hair

View On Amazon

View On Girlandhair.com

What We Like

• Lightweight

• Touchable finish

• Moisturizing

What We Don’t Like

• Strong smell

If it’s definition you’re after, pick up a tub of Curl Cloud. With neem, tea tree, castor, and pimento oils, this antioxidant-rich hair gel accentuates coily and kinky hair and creates a soft hold for loose curls, twist-outs, and braid-outs.

Price at time of publish: $15

Active Ingredients: Coconut and tea tree oil | Hair Type: Curly, coils | Size: 8 oz | Formula: Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

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Best for Shaping

Sally Hershberger 24K Vanity Hair Shaping Balm

View On Sallyhershberger.com

What We Like

• Flexible hold

• Lightweight

• Not sticky

What We Don’t Like

• Unhygienic packaging

“My favorite product to provide texture, control, and hold is the 24K Vanity Hair Shaping Balm,” says celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger. “Similar to gel in terms of delivering flexible hold, this balm blends seamlessly into the hair and gives it long-wearing shape and definition without any stickiness.”

Price at time of publish: $32

Active Ingredients: Beeswax | Hair Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | Formula: Balm | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Buns

Ouai Matte Pomade

 Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Sephora

View On Violet Grey

What We Like

• Matte finish

• Adds texture

• Easy to work through hair

What We Don’t Like

• Not long-lasting

This pomade smells addicting, just like the rest of Ouai’s products, and works just as well to sleek the hair, too. Because of it’s lightweight texture, the pomade is easy to work with and manage through various hair types. Expect nothing but a long-lasting hold and a healthy matte finish.

Price at time of publish: $24

Active Ingredients: Beeswax and kaolin clay | Hair Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | Formula: Pomade | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No