Different Types of Hair Gels

There’s a common misconception that hair gel is something that makes your curls hard, crispy, dry, flaky, or greasy looking, but gel has come a long way over the years and has many benefits. Gel is one of the most versatile styling products for your curly hair and does most of the heavy lifting to improve your curls’ appearance.

• Different Types of Hair Gels
• Benefits of hair gels
• Types of Gels
• Gel
• Thin Gels
• Medium Gels
• Thick Gels
• Souffle
• Cream Gel
• Spray Gel
• Mousse Gel
• Tips for Using Gel
• Styling with Curlsmith

Finding the right gel for your hair type and using the right techniques allows you to achieve all the benefits of gel such as definition and frizz protection. There are many different types of gels that all result in a slightly different look. Curlsmith offers a wide range of gels, varying in consistency and hold level, so you’re bound to find the right gel for you. They also have the hold level displayed on each styling product label, making it easy to know if it’s what you need. All of Curlsmith’s products are silicone-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and contain ingredients that nourish your curls.

Benefits of hair gels

Hair gels are a type of styling product that help you achieve the look you desire by enhancing your natural curls and making them last longer. Styling products come in many forms such as curl cream, gel, mousse, and hairspray. However, gel has many benefits that other styling products cannot achieve on their own and typically work on all curly hair, wavy hair, and coily hair types. Gels are applied to your hair after washing and applying leave-in conditioner or curl creams. 

Gel provides hold and control for your curls which prevents frizz, creates definition, and helps the curls clump together. It can even provide moisture depending on the formula. Gel also provides a protective barrier on your curls to keep them in place in between wash days, lock in moisture, and provide shine. The stronger the hold, the more frizz protection and longevity.

Curlsmith offers many forms of gel that have different benefits for each curl type that we will dive into.

Types of Gels

Gels come in many different forms and vary based on their formula. Each type has a different consistency, hold level, and moisture level. Depending on your unique hair’s needs and your desired results, you may find that certain gel formulas will perform better than others. Curlsmith’s guide can help you find the best curly hair gel for your needs. Below is a summary of the various types of gel formulas.  

Gel

This is your standard type of styling gel that is often labeled on products as “gel” or  “jelly” and can vary in consistency and weight. Hold and moisture levels can vary among all the gel consistencies, but certain consistencies may benefit your curls more depending on your needs.

Thin Gels

The thinnest formula of gel has a runny, slippery consistency. This type is great for those who struggle with tangles such as high porosity and damaged hair. Thin formulas are also great for fine-textured hair that can often get weighed down. The Curlsmith Shape Up Aqua Gel is a thin consistency with lots of slip. It also contains strengthening protein ingredients, making it great for those with fragile hair such as fine curly hair and damaged curly hair. It provides a light, flexible hold which means it will dry with a slight cast but can be scrunched out to reveal soft curls that still have hold. 

Medium Gels

Gels can also have a medium-thickness or consistency and still be lightweight. These can be a clear or opaque color, depending on the amount of moisturizing ingredients. Curlsmith’s Hydro Flexi-Jelly and Fragrance-Free Shine Jelly are examples of this medium-thickness gel type. They contain water within the first ingredients so they are still easy to distribute and won’t weigh down the hair. Both of these gels provide a flexible, medium hold that can be scrunched out to reveal soft curls. This formula can be used on any curl texture and porosity, especially medium-textured hair.

Thick Gels

Another type of gel is a thick consistency gel which is often a heavier-weight gel compared to the previous types. These are suited for all curl types, especially coarse hair that can easily withstand a thicker formula. They often are clear in color, contain oils, and are strong hold which makes them great in humidity. The Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer and Shine Gel both are thick gels with strong hold and humidity-resistant ingredients. Some may find that thick gels are hard to apply, so it’s recommended to apply these gels to very wet hair. Fine hair types may get weighed down with these, but can still use them in small quantities or dilute them with water before applying them.

Souffle

Souffles are a unique formula of gel and can sometimes be called custards. These are typically medium-weight but have a whipped, jelly-like consistency. They can have an opaque color due to the moisturizing ingredients. Due to their moisturizing properties, you may be able to skip curl cream and use custard as a one-step styler. The Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Souffle is highly moisturizing and provides slip making it great for all curl types. It also has moisture-retention properties and contains oils to help seal in moisture. This is helpful if you live in a dry climate or struggle with your curls drying out in between washes. It has a buildable hold, and depending on how much you use, it will provide strong hold. Be careful to not apply too much of this souffle or it will be hard to scrunch out all the gel cast if you want a softer look.

Cream Gel

Cream gels are very similar to custards but often have even more moisturizing ingredients, making them lean more towards a cream styler. These are different than regular curl cream because they include styling agents like gel. These usually have very little hold and create soft, fluffy curls. For those who don’t need a lot of hold, you may be able to get away with this being a one-step styler. If you struggle with frizz or humidity, you may want to avoid cream gels or layer them with a regular gel. The Curlsmith Feather-Light Protein Cream is a styling cream that provides moisture and has properties that provide a light, touchable hold.

Spray Gel

Spray gel is a similar formula to thin gels, but comes in a spray bottle. These will usually have more water in them so they can be sprayed, making them very lightweight. This formula is ideal for styling wavy hair or fine hair who don’t want something to weigh down their curls. Spray gels can vary in hold level, but will often be light hold due to the higher water content.

Mousse Gel

Mousse gel combines mousse, an airy, foaming styling product with gel. The consistency usually resembles a foam or a mousse but often has a bit more of a slippery feel. They can come with a pump, which usually has more water in the formula, or in aerosol form, which often contains less water. Mousse gels are great for those that want weightless volume and definition. They are also great at plumping up your curl clumps. Due to the high water content, they’re usually light to medium hold.

Tips for Using Gel

Fortunately, gel is a fairly easy product to use especially once you find the right formula for your hair’s needs. Depending on how you use it, you can adjust your product application technique to suit your desired result.

• The more gel you use, the more hold you get. The less gel you use, the less hold.
• For soft curls, scrunch out the gel cast once your hair is completely dry, with dry hands or a bit of oil on your hands to prevent frizz.
• If your hair frizzes up immediately after scrunching out the cast, then you didn’t use a strong enough hold gel or you didn’t apply enough gel.
• For longer-lasting curls, don’t scrunch out all the gel cast. This is also helpful if you style and diffuse your hair before bed because you can leave the cast in overnight to prevent frizz, and then just scrunch it out in the morning.
• If you’re unable to scrunch out the gel cast, you likely applied too much gel or the gel was too heavy for your hair. Opt for a gel with fewer oils in the ingredients. 
• If you use too much gel, you may notice flakes on your hair with some gels. This can also be from product build up or not combining the right curl cream or leave-in underneath. Fortunately, the Curlsmith gels do not flake.
• For gels with a very thick formula, use more water when applying them.
• For gels with a thin formula, you can use less water and damp style.
• If you like to style soaking wet, scrunch your hair with a microfiber towel before diffusing or air drying. This can also absorb excess product if you think you may have applied too much gel.
• Use a curl cream or a leave-in underneath your gel for moisture.
• The more creams and leave-ins you use underneath, it will soften your gel cast.
• The more water you use when styling, the softer your gel cast will be because water dilutes the gel.
• Look for gels that contain “Polyquaternium” in the ingredients if you want to prevent frizz in humidity. The Curlsmith Shine Gel and the In-Shower Style Fixer both contain this ingredient.
• Layer gels to customize your look. If you want more fullness but also need humidity protection or want extra hold, use a light hold gel like the Shape Up Aqua Gel all over, then glaze on a light layer of the Shine Gel for added hold and humidity protection.
• Mix a little bit of gel and water in your palms and use that to refresh frizz in between wash days. Diluting the gel will prevent your hair from getting weighed down when layering on more products when refreshing.

Styling with Curlsmith

Finding the right gel for your hair type and using the right techniques allows you to achieve all the benefits of gel such as definition and frizz protection. There are many different types of gels that all result in a slightly different look. Curlsmith offers a wide range of gels, varying in consistency and hold level, so you’re bound to find the right gel for you. They also have the hold level displayed on each styling product label, making it easy to know if it’s what you need. All of Curlsmith’s products are silicone-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and contain ingredients that nourish your curls.