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Image: MomJunction Design Team
The best hair gels for women are great for taming flowing hair and smoothing out flyaways and frizz.CMore importantly, these gels help you create fashionable hairstyles, add texture to your hair, make your hairstyle stay longer, give your tresses a sleek look, and make you look well-groomed and stylish. The use of hair gels dates back to the ancient Egyptian period (1). Modern-day hair gels may have thickeners and polymers that help mold your hair and make them firm (2).
Anastasiia Rud, a professional hairstylist, says, “Styling gel is a basic styling product that can be used to create a variety of everyday or evening hairstyles. It can fix both long curls and short hair equally well and help you create a fashionable wet hair effect or pull off the vintage hairstyles of the 1950s.”
So, check out this list we have curated for you to find an expert-recommended gel that provides visible results. Apply it to your curls to add volume to your hair and style it effortlessly.
Top Picks
13 Best Hair Gels For Women
1. Best Non-Sticky:Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Styling Gel
Image: Garnier Infused with the goodness of aloe vera extract, the celebrity-favorite Garnier Fructis’ Pure Clean styling gel is perfect for everyday use, as it is non-sticky and non-flaky. It provides your hair with a stronghold, ensuring all-day performance without leaving residue or weighing down the hair. Additionally, this lightweight hair gel contains natural ingredients and is free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and DMDM hydantoin. The gel also features acacia gum, which is known for its holding properties, and nourishing active fruit proteins like vitamins B3 and B6.
2. Best Humidity-Resistant:Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel
Image: Sexyhair Suitable for all types of hair, the SexyHair volumizing hair gel gives your hair the desired thickness with medium hold. If you want to increase hair volume, apply this gel to damp hair before blow-drying it. The blow-drying hair gel can provide up to 72 hours of humidity resistance for blow-dried hair. This medium hold hair gel enhances the smoothness and manageability of your hair and provides thermal protection up to 450 °F. Moreover, the gel has not been tested on animals. This product testing video will provide you with added insights into the hair styling product.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 5,355 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
Pro tip3. Best For All Hair Types:Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting Gel
Image: Paul Mitchell The celebrity-endorsed Paul Mitchell sculpting gel uses a powerful formula to hold the gel firmly in your hair. The gel exudes radiant shine, adds a bold texture to your hair, and makes your hair moist. It combines the scent of citrus herbal with aromas of lemon, chamomile, and neroli, bringing the ultimate fragrance. The super clean gel is suitable for all hair types.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 3,835 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
| Product Image | Best Non-Sticky  | Best Humidity-Resistant  | Best For All Hair Types  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Styling Gel | Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel | Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting Gel |
| Hair Benefits | Cleanses, moisturizes, repairs | Provides fresh-feeling hair, without weighing down | Extra strong hold, non-flaking, no residue |
| Liquid Volume | 6.8oz | 8.5oz | 6.8oz |
| Scent | Natural | Unscented | Complex citrus herbal with notes of Lemon and Neroli |
| Material Type Free | Paraben-free | Dairy-free | Paraben-free |
| Hair Type | All | All | All |
| Product Benefits | All day hold with no visible residue | Humidity-resistant | Vegan |
| Product Dimensions | 1.75 x 3 x 7in | 2.56 x 2.48 x 5.79in | 2.95 x 1.78 x 7.12in |
| Amazon Rating | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Amazon Review | 13,639 | 6,339 | 4,860 |
| Buy Now | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
4. Best Super-Strong:Redken Hardwear 16 Sculpting Gel
Image: Redken Whether you want textured natural curls or textured beach waves, Redken Hardwear sculpting gel is your answer. It is a super-strong and professional-grade formula that can style your hair to give it a versatile look. The non-sticky hair sculpting gel has a long-lasting effect and provides maximum hold with a flake-free finish. Apply a small amount of gel to your hair to increase its thickness and achieve a high shine. Take a look at this review video to know more about the product and make an informed buying decision.
Quick tip5. Best Gluten-Free:Kenra Styling Gel
Image: Kenra Kenra brings you this styling hair product formulated for professionals to help you create different looks. The gluten-free formula is suitable for all hair types and different hairstyles. The scientifically formulated gel-based formula imparts fullness to hair and makes your hair shine all day long. For visible results, apply the professional-grade gel on wet hair.
Why It’s Worth Buying: Over 1,474 reviewers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 1,474 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
6. Best Cruelty-Free:Aussie Hair Gel
Image: Aussie Perfect for all hair types, Aussie hair gel adds volume and natural texture to your hair. A dab of this gel can work real magic on your hair. The gel is rich in natural ingredients, such as Kakadu plum and Australian bamboo, which exude a radiant shine, and is infused with floral and citrus fragrances. The product is Peta-certified and cruelty-free. The natural hair gel comes with three gel tubes.
7. Best Lightweight:Pantene Hair Gel
Image: Pantene The expert-recommended Pantene hair gel is a powerful pro-v formula that works beautifully on curly hair and helps you achieve well-defined curls. Rich in vitamin B5 and antioxidants, it reduces the loss of protein in the hair. Therefore, it can enhance the strength of the hair and prevent damage. The hair gel with its lightweight frizz-control formula tames roughness and flyaways and gives your hair a natural feel. The non-stick and curling hair gel also locks in your curls to give a radiant appearance.
Quick tip8. Best Alcohol-Free:TRESemme Gel
Image: Tresemme TRESemme offers a pack of two gels that can maintain your hairstyle for 24 hours, even in high humidity. The professional-grade formula provides a firm hold, removes frizz, and promotes long-lasting shine. It is alcohol-free and prevents dry hair. The product has not been tested on animals and is suitable for all hair types.
9. Best Vegan:Aveda Brilliant Retexturing Gel
Image: Aveda Aveda gel, rich in plant extracts, provides a firm hold and adds shine to medium and coarse hair. The advantages of proteins provide softness and, at the same time, add a bold texture to your hair. The strong hold hair gel is rich in certified organic aloe and allows you to create any style. The vegan hair care product is manufactured using 100% solar technology, comes packaged in a recyclable bottle, and is cruelty-free.
10. Best With Olive Oil: Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel
Image: Eco Style Eco Style’s styling gel provides a superior hold to keep your hairstyles from unraveling. Enriched with olive oil, this gel smooths the hair’s cuticle layer, reduces split ends and damage, and delivers moisture and hydration to the scalp and hair. Suitable for all hair types, including coiled, curly, wavy, and straight, this gel can be used to control frizz without flaking, itching, or greasiness
11.Best Sustainable:KMS Hairplay Styling Gel
Image: Kms The dermatologist-tested KMS Hairplay styling gel provides a shiny, glossy finish to your hair while giving hold and control. It comes in a 6.7oz tube and is easy to apply to towel-dried hair. You may blow-dry for fresh style and finish or leave it to air-dry for wet looks. The gel provides a super strong hold without gluing your hair down and causes no flaking or build-up. This strong hold hair gel is sustainably produced and free of harsh chemicals, mineral oil, alcohol, and gluten. Additionally, it has not been tested on animals.
12. Best Biodegradable:Jason Styling Gel
Image: Jason Jason HI-shine styling gel is formulated with plant-based proteins and flaxseed extract to promote the hair’s volume and shine. It is suitable for all hair types, including colored and perm hair. The affordable hair gel for color-treated hair gives your hair a salon-like texture. This biodegradable and natural formula contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum and is cruelty-free.
13. Best Non-Greasy:Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel
Image: Vanicream A dermatologist-tested formula, Vanicream hair styling gel provides firm and long-lasting control to your hair. The formula helps repair damaged hair, holds the hair in place, and prevents flakiness, leaving behind no greasy or sticky residue. The gel for damaged hair contains no fragrances, preservatives, alcohol, sulfates, or phosphates.
How To Choose The Right Hair Gel For Women?
Here are some tips to consider when choosing a hair gel for women to ensure visible results.
- Consistency: Light hold hair gels with thin consistency may not be strong enough to hold your hair for long. Choose a gel with a thick consistency to adequately maintain your hairstyle.
- Features: Hair gels should be non-sticky, non-greasy, and anti-stiff. Try to choose gels that offer these benefits. It is best to choose a gel that has not been tested on animals and does not contain any chemicals to prevent unnecessary damage.
- Staying-power: A high-quality hair gel can provide long-lasting hold and protect your hair from flyaways and frizz.
- Hair type: All hair gels are designed to have different holding power for different hair types. Choose a gel according to your hair type to get the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I put gel on wet or dry hair?
It is recommended to use gel on wet or damp hair. Dry hair makes it hard to spread the gel evenly in your hair.
2. Is hair gel safe to use?
Yes, they are safe to use for a short period of time, but never leave them on your hair overnight. In addition, avoid using hair gels formulated with alcohol-based ingredients as such gels may dry and damage your hair (3).
3. Is hair gel or hairspray better?
Both have their own benefits. Hair gels are suitable for adding a healthy shine to your hair, while hairsprays are suitable for adding volume as well as maintaining the hairstyle.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is an experienced writer and reviewer of fashion and beauty products. To share her knowledge with you and inspire you to buy premium products, she has formulated a list of the best hair gels for women after going through various customer reviews. These gels will enable you to achieve flawless hairstyles along with great shine and volume. Furthermore, to make her article helpful, Poulami has described all the recommended products, majorly discussing their packaging, ingredients, and effectiveness. Moreover, she has included a well-designed buying guide to ensure you choose the right hair gel.
The Bottom Line
With the best hair gel for women that complements your unique hair type, you can kiss away bad hair days and ensure a long-lasting hairdo. The options listed here are made from high-quality ingredients and provide a superior hold, like the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Styling Gel and the Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting Gel, to give you your desired look with minimal effort. You can also consider the Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel, which provides thermal protection and makes your hair manageable. However, before purchasing a suitable hair gel, consider parameters such as consistency and non-sticky and non-greasy texture to keep your hair soft and manageable.
Infographic: How To Apply Hair Gel? A Step-By-Step Guide
Hair gels help hold the hair in place and add shine, texture, and body to hair. Now that you know the best hair gels available on the market, read this infographic to learn how to apply hair gel correctly. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- N.C.McCreesh et al.; (2011); Ancient Egyptian hair gel: new insight into ancient Egyptian mummification procedures through chemical analysis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440311002743 - Peter Hoessel et al.; (2010); Assessment of styling performance in hair gels and hair sprays by means of a new two-point stiffness test
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20939974/ - Hair Styling Products
https://www.poison.org/articles/hair-styling-products-eye-skin-scalp-irritation-173
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