The best gels for curly hair are great for hold and definition, but have you ever tried to search for one online? The choice is overwhelming. Thankfully the following guide will help to determine the best gel for your individual needs. With a range of light, medium, and stronghold gels, Curlsmith has you covered, and the best part is that our range is suitable for all curl types, and textures.
Table of Contents:
- Different Types of Hair Gels Explained
- Guide to Hold
- Curlsmith’s Best Hair Gels for All Types of Curls Hair
- Best Selling
- Best for Strong Hold
- Best For Damaged Curls
- Best For Protection Against Humidity
- Best for Fragrance-Free
- Best for Color
- How to Use Gel Stylers
Different Types of Hair Gels Explained
Some gels can leave your curls feeling stiff and dry, but you can trust that Curlsmiths selection will leave your hair feeling bouncy and defined. Our styling gels fall into three variations; jelly, souffle, and gel. Let's take a look at how they differ.
Jelly
Our Jellies have been designed for those that feel like regular gels weigh down their curls. The light silky consistency spreads easily through the hair, coating all the strands with the risk of buildup. If you require a medium hold, try our Frizz Control Curl Retainer, or Hydro Flexi Jelly. Alternatively for a light hold try our Shape Up Aqua Jelly which is great for all curls types and best for weak damaged curls.
Souffle
Our Curl Defining Souffle has a gel o-like texture and offers the benefits of a cream and gel styler. Its great for those that feel like a gel makes the hair stringy. The silky custard is infused with moisturising such as Bassuba.
Gel
Our gels are specially formulated with a thicker consistency that works to set your natural curl pattern in place. This helps lock in definition, tame frizz, and create long-lasting curls that stay bouncy and beautiful, no matter the weather.
Guide to Hold
At Curlsmith, our stylers have a number system of 1-10 to indicate the level of hold offered; one being light hold and 10 being strong hold. Many of our medium-to-strong hold stylers create a cast on the hair, helping to lock your curls in place. The stronger the hold the more prominent the cast, but don’t worry! Once the hair is completely dry, scrunch the crunch with our Bonding Oil, or Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum to reveal juicy, defined curls.
Curlsmith’s Best Hair Gels for All Types of Curls Hair
Now that we have defined the gels in our range, let's take a closer look at the best gels to suit your needs.
Best Selling Gel
When considering the best gel for moisture and hold, look no further than our Curl Defining Souffle. Featuring ingredients such as Shea, Avocado, and Sunflower oil for ultimate moisture. And Irish Moss, a styling agent that provides hold and definition. It's a great all-rounder styler suitable for all curls and texture types. Our souffle is ideal for those that want moisture, definition, shine, and lasting hold.
Best for Strong Hold
Our strongest hold Gel is our In Shower Style Fixer from our moisture recipe range. This powerhouse delivers ultimate definition and long-lasting weather resistant results. Although this provides the strongest hold in our range, it doesn't leave you with the dreaded crispy curls that can often be associated with the use of gels. Say goodbye to stiff, crunchy hair and hello to bouncy, touchable curls.
Key Ingredients: Andiroba, an indigenous plant of the Amazon rainforest, is valued for its well-known properties. Avocado, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils provide added nourishment. Aloe, sage, rosemary, pepper, and basil extracts are recognized for their antioxidant properties.
Best For Damaged Curls
When your curls are damaged, you want to be sure that even your stylers are providing protein to help strengthen your tresses. Our Shape Up Aqua Gel will do just that. The super-light consistency easily glides throughout your strands and provides flexible definition with a light hold to ensure that you don't compromise on volume. This gel is the best in our range for all curl types and textures that are damaged and weak.
Key Ingredients: Hemp Seed and Rice Protein complex, a plant-based alternative to animal keratin that helps the hair look stronger and more elastic. A powerful patent active that targets and fortifies internal hair structure. A blend of nutrient rich superfoods such as, prickly Pear, Guava, Shitake Mushroom, Kale, Blackcurrant, and Pumpkin Seeds.
Best For Protection Against Humidity
Humidity is one thing that haunts curlies, so if a gel contains anti-humidity properties, it's a win. Our Fragrance-Free Stronghold Gel and In Shower Styler Fixer offer protection against humidity and provide long-lasting results.
Key Ingredients: The main ingredient responsible for protecting your curls from humidity is the Polyquaternium-69. Along with a botanical blend to provide moisture, softness and shine.
Best For Frizz Control
Unwanted frizz poses a common challenge for those with curly hair. While a bit of frizz can add volume and body, excessive frizz can become troublesome. That’s why our Frizz Rescue Curl Retainer is formulated with a nourishing blend of curl loving ingredients that control frizz and provide curl definition with a medium hold without leaving your tresses feeling sticky.
Key Ingredients: A tri-oil blend of sunflower, watermelon, and argan oils. This blend forms an invisible layer on the hair, helping to prevent curls from losing their shape and definition when exposed to humidity. Another key ingredient is squalane, a popular skincare component now recognized for its multiple benefits for hair, including improved moisturization, added shine, and enhanced elasticity.
Best for Fragrance-Free
Some of our curl friends experience sensitivities when using products, and others would rather not have fragrance in their stylers. Whatever the reason, we have the best Fragrance-Free Stronghold Gel that provides extreme definition and long-lasting weather resistance results.
Key Ingredients: Lemon peel, rich in vitamin C, has been used for centuries to help strengthen hair and enhance its vitality. Jasmine flower is known for its exceptional moisturizing properties, making it a natural choice for keeping hair soft and hydrated. Hops are seen as a powerful ingredient for promoting overall hair health, supporting stronger and more resilient strands.
Best Gel for Color
For any of our curl friends who want to experience a vibrant color without fearing damaging your locks, temporary hair makeup is the product for you. It is available in five different shades and combined with a gel, so it is the perfect product for definition and color. The gel contains a blend of sustainable, ethical, and high-pigmented pearls that deposit a high pigment to the hair's surface. The intensity of the pigment allows the color to show even on dark hair. You don't need gloves to apply the gel because they don’t stain. Once applied and 100% dry, the gel will define your curls with that pop of your chosen shade. The best part is it leaves the hair in just one wash, so you can move on to trying another shade without the fear of causing damage to your tresses.
Key Ingredients: Synthetic Fluor phlogopite, an ethically sourced pigment that doesn't damage the chemical structure of the hair but sits on top to provide a vibrant color. A blend of styling agents that create a strong cast to offer frizz control extreme definition and long-lasting hold. A fragrant blend of blue berry, barrage, periwinkle, and Juniper extracts.
How to Use Gel Stylers
Let’s dive into how to apply gel to your hair step by step:
-
Start with soaking wet hair.
Make sure your hair is freshly washed and dripping wet for the best product absorption.
-
Prime with a leave-in conditioner.
Apply your favorite leave-in to add moisture and prime your curls.
-
Section your hair.
Divide your hair into manageable sections to ensure even application.
-
Apply the gel using the raking method.
Take a small amount of gel and rake it through each section with your fingers starting on your lengths and ends, then working your way to the root for even distribution.
-
Select your preferred styling technique.
Choose your preferred styling method, finger curling or shingling for definition, or scrunching for added volume and curl enhancement.
-
Let it set.
Either air dry for a natural finish or diffuse for added volume and quicker drying.
Style with Curlsmith
You now know the difference between a jelly, souffle, and gel, but you should also know which styler would best suit your curly needs. If you are still unsure which gel styler is best for you, take our curl quiz, which will provide you with recommendations. No matter your results, you will have peace of mind knowing that all of our products are sulfate, paraben, and silicone-free. In addition, our gels are Vegan and curly girl friendly.
