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
View on Ulta
View On Amazon
What We Like
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Lightweight
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Adds volume
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Minimizes frizz and flyaways
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Shiny finish
What We Don’t Like
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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
View On Amazon
View On Target
View On Target
What We Like
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Affordable
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Lightweight
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Doesn’t flake
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Affordable
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Long-lasting
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Strong hold
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Moisturizing
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Minimizes frizz and flyaways
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Adds volume
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Smells good
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Touchable finish
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Great for wash-and-gos
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Doesn’t flake
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Promotes hair growth
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Strong hold
What We Don’t Like
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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
View On Target
View On Walmart
What We Like
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Moisturizing
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Shiny finish
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Minimizes tangles
What We Don’t Like
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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
View on Ulta
View On Amazon
View On Nordstrom
What We Like
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Flexible hold
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Moisturizing
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Minimizes frizz and flyaways
What We Don’t Like
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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
View on Ulta
View On Target
View On Walmart
What We Like
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Affordable
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Not sticky
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Moisturizing
What We Don’t Like
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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
View on Ulta
View On Amazon
View On Walmart
What We Like
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Adds volume
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Strengthening
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Pump bottle
What We Don’t Like
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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
View On Amazon
View On Walmart
View On Milkandhoney.com
What We Like
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Strong hold
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Dries quickly
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Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
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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
View On Amazon
View On Nordstrom
View On Walmart
What We Like
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Flexible hold
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Touchable finish
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Works on wet or dry hair
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Minimizes frizz and flyways
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Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Adds volume
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Not sticky
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Touchable finish
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Lightweight
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Touchable finish
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Moisturizing
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Flexible hold
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Lightweight
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Not sticky
What We Don’t Like
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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
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Matte finish
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Adds texture
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Easy to work through hair
What We Don’t Like
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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