The Best Hair Gels in 2022 | Top Reviews by Bestcovery

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The LA Times editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more

Hold Your Hair in Place with the Best Hair Gel

  1. DevaCare Arc AnGell Conditioning Hair Gel
  2. It's A 10 Miracle Firm Hold Hair Gel
  3. Johnny B Mode Styling Hair Gel
  4. American Crew Styling Hair Gel
  5. Deva Curl Angel Light Hold Hair Gel
  6. Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Hair Gel
  7. Nioxin Volumizing Reflectives Thickening Hair Gel
  8. Pantene Curl Enhancing Spray Hair Gel
  9. Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Hair Gel
  10. Curly Sexy Hair Liquid Curling Hair Gel
  11. Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel
  12. Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Hair Gel
  13. Pantene Curl Enhancing Spray Hair Gel
  14. Buyer's Guide

While hair gel is mainly used to hold a hairstyle in place, it can also provide other useful benefits like providing humidity resistance,boosting hair volume, and controlling unruly curls. Although lower quality hair gels are known to make hair sticky, greasy, and stiff, higher quality hair gels will improve the appearance and health of your hair. Refer to our buyer’s guide below and see the list of the best hair gels in 2022 to help you determine which hair gel is best suited for your hair type and styling preferences.

Compare The Best Hair Gel Of 2022

DevaCare Arc AnGell Conditioning Hair Gel - Best Hair Gel Overall

Arc AnGel Firm Hold Defining Gel by DevaCare is perfect for curly-haired individuals. It moisturizes and enriches your hair with vitamin C for superior nourishment and styling definition. This particular gel works differently than most as it quickly dissolves directly into wet hair. Once dry, hair then holds form and curls become more defined. Users insist their curls are never sticky or stiff, but rather naturally soft and sexy. Considering all the fabulous users reviews, this gel is guaranteed to impress.

It's A 10 Miracle Firm Hold Hair Gel - Runner Up

Stop sacrificing flexibility and movement for a firm hold. It's A 10 Miracle Firm Hold Gel is an emollient-rich formula that contains natural ingredients such as sunflower seed extract, Noni extract, and Chinese tea leaf extract. This gel is effective on both dry and wet hair, leaving it protected, nourished, and relaxed while providing a reliable hold. Users love how this gel fights frizz and keeps hair controlled. It's A 10 Miracle Firm Hold Gel isn't tacky or sticky and it won't flake.

Johnny B Mode Styling Hair Gel - Honorable Mention

Johnny B. Mode Styling Gel is a thick formula that provides medium hold without any buildup. It's a powerful gel with a unique structure that allows you to create any hairstyle imaginable. Unlike some hair gels, this formula won't damage your hair, leave behind flakes, or make your hair crunchy. Users are extremely impressed with this medium hold gel, claiming it provides the perfect hold and shine. It's also very long lasting as one bottle lasts for several months! You'll also receive compliments on the smell of your hair.

American Crew Styling Hair Gel - Consider

Pump up your hair with American Crew Light Hold Styling Gel. It's enriched with natural extracts that cause your hair to appear thicker, shiner, and more hydrated. This styling gel also provides light holding power that is ideal for fine or thinning hair and perfect for blow-drying. Users claim this product keeps hair in place without leaving it stiff or sticky. It keeps your hair manageable and supplies a natural-feeling hold. Considering all the benefits, this multi-functional gel is worth a try.

Deva Curl Angel Light Hold Hair Gel - Best Light to Medium Hold Hair Gel

Recommended for curly and wavy hair, DevaCurl Angel Light Hold Defining Gel is awesome because it literally dissolves into wet hair upon contact. As a result, your curls become moisturized, protected, and enhanced without any stiffness, stickiness, or residue. Users insist this gel works wonders at eliminating frizz and defining curls. Since it is a light hold gel, don't expect a strong hold. Instead, your curls will ultimately feel and look very natural.

Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Hair Gel - Best Volumizing Hair Gel

Spritz some Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Gel into your hair for amazing volume with maximum hold. Infused with white ginger, this spray gel contains natural Australian ingredients that enhance all hair types. It also helps control flyaways and fuzziness without weighing hair down or leaving a crunchy feeling. Users claim this volumizing spray gel works great on both wet and dry hair, plus is very easy to use. Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Gel leaves hair extremely soft, touchable, and manageable, so it's definitely worth trying.

Nioxin Volumizing Reflectives Thickening Hair Gel - Best Volumizing Hair Gel

Nioxin Volumizing Reflectives Thickening Gel strengthens and adds dimension to your hair from the inside out. It also provides super-strong hold with maximum volume and shine. Unlike many hair gels, this formula doesn't contain alcohol, which can damage the scalp. Users claim this thickening gel adds fullness and provides an all-day hold that doesn't feel stiff. However, some users feel this gel makes hair difficult to comb through. Aside from that, Nioxin Volumizing Reflectives Thickening Gel is a very effective product that delivers results.

Pantene Curl Enhancing Spray Hair Gel - Best Curling Hair Gel

Pantene Curl Enhancing Spray Gel immediately controls frizz and defines all types of curls. It features advanced friction-reducing polymers, which cling each strand of your hair to protect against humidity throughout the day. This spray gel never leaves a sticky residue on your hair, but rather keeps curls soft and touchable. Users love the lightweight quality of this gel and claim it defines curls beautifully while eliminating frizz. It enhances both wet and dry curls, so you can use it anytime.

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Hair Gel - Best Curling Hair Gel

Protect your curls against humidity with Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel. It features heat-activated wheat protein, which absorbs humidity and prevents hair from expanding. This water-soluble formula also contains vitamin A and amino acids for maximum hydration, nourishment, and shine that lasts. Users insist this gel works wonders and really transforms hair. With this product, your curls will become soft, shiny, and bouncy. Make sure to follow the application instructions for optimum results.

Curly Sexy Hair Liquid Curling Hair Gel - Best Curling Hair Gel

Boost and mold your curls with Curly Sexy Hair Liquid Curling Gel. This hair gel contains wheat and rice proteins combined with avocado extract and pro-vitamin B5 for shine, volume, and style hold. As a result, curls remain very flexible and defined for hours. Users claim this gel helps tame flyaways and control frizz without weighing heavily on hair. Curly Sexy Hair Liquid Curling Gel also makes your curls less tangled and easier to manage on a day-to-day basis.

Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel - Best Drugstore Hair Gel

Take your style to new heights with Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel. Designed for vertical hairstyles, this gel provides a super-strong hold without flaking or stickiness. It has a glue-like hold, but feels like a gel in your hair. Users are overwhelmingly impressed with this styling gel, claiming it really keeps hair in place and works great on short hair. It also dries very quickly and reduces time spent on your daily styling routine.

Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Hair Gel - Best Volumizing Hair Gel

Spritz some Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Gel into your hair for amazing volume with maximum hold. Infused with white ginger, this spray gel contains natural Australian ingredients that enhance all hair types. It also helps control flyaways and fuzziness without weighing hair down or leaving a crunchy feeling. Users claim this volumizing spray gel works great on both wet and dry hair, plus is very easy to use. Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Gel leaves hair extremely soft, touchable, and manageable, so it's definitely worth trying.

Pantene Curl Enhancing Spray Hair Gel - Best Curling Hair Gel

Pantene Curl Enhancing Spray Gel immediately controls frizz and defines all types of curls. It features advanced friction-reducing polymers, which cling each strand of your hair to protect against humidity throughout the day. This spray gel never leaves a sticky residue on your hair, but rather keeps curls soft and touchable. Users love the lightweight quality of this gel and claim it defines curls beautifully while eliminating frizz. It enhances both wet and dry curls, so you can use it anytime.

Buyer's Guide

The main purpose of hair gel is to keep a hairstyle secure with a variety of holds ranging from light to firm. These products are best applied to clean, wet or damp hair in order to stiffen the particular style. Although most commonly used on shorter hairstyles, hair gel is also available for curly hair as well as for boosting volume. To avoid ending up with greasy or sticky hair, consider your hair type, style, and needs before choosing a hair gel.

Natural Feeling

Hair gel is a styling product which can either leave hair smooth and textured, or transform it into a stiff, greasy mess. A high-quality hair gel will be lightweight and feel natural when styled into hair, allowing strands to remain flexible without any flaky residues. Additionally, hair gels which are formulated without alcohol are healthier to use and more likely to feel natural in hair.

Reliable Hold

An important feature of any hair gel is to hold a hairstyle in place. Whether a hair gel provides a light hold or firm hold, it should be reliable enough to last throughout the day as well as resisting the negative effects of humidity. Some hair gels are designed to hold curls, while other gels are best for keeping short, textured hairstyles secure.

Nourishing

Like all hair styling products, hair gel should provide some type of nourishment to your hair. Hair gels containing nourishing ingredients such as sunflower seed extract, peptides, and wheat protein that can help increase volume and improve the overall health of hair. The best hair gels will also infuse hair with nutrients unlike lower quality hair gels which are more likely to cause scalp irritation. 

Hair Gel Types

Drugstore Hair Gel

If you can’t afford a salon hair gel, a quality drugstore hair gel can provide the same styling performance at a fraction of the price. Drugstore hair gels are available in various holds and suited for various styling purposes such as creating volume or defining curls. Some types will feature spray applicators, while others come in squeeze tubes.

Firm Hold Hair Gel

Coarse, thick, or long hair in need of maximum hold may require a firm hold hair gel. However, firm hold should not mean settling for a heavy gel that weighs down your hair. The best firm-hold hair gels provide the ultimate in holding power while allowing hair to maintain a soft, flexible texture.

Light-to-Medium Hold Hair Gel

For a light or moderate hold to provide some control over your hairstyle, a light-to-medium hold hair gel can keep strands right where you want them. These hair gels are best for keeping loose strands in place, adding shine, and controlling frizz. The best light-to-medium hold hair gels give your moderate control over hair without any stiffness or heaviness.

Volumizing Hair Gel

Volumizing hair gels are ideal for fine or limp hair needing a boost. These hair gels should make hair appear fuller and healthier without weighing it down. The best volumizing hair gels provide a lightweight, yet reliable hold while increasing hair’s body.

Curling Hair Gel

Curly hair is often prone to frizz, especially in humid conditions and thus curling hair gels can help define curls and make them easier to manage. The best curling hair gels are lightweight to prevent them from weighing down curls while providing a secure hold that’s resistant to frizz and tangling. These hair gels should also leave curls soft and lustrous.

 

bestcovery team.jpg
Our research team searches out the best of everything so that you can confidently pick the perfect products and services for your needs.
Related Content
Go to top