15 Best Gels For Curly Hair & Bouncy Locks (2024), According To An Expert
Use these hair care essentials to quickly tame the frizz of your coils and define them well.
Ciara is an Irish hairstylist with 14 years of experience in haircuts, keratin treatment, and special occasion styling. She began her hairdressing career at the age of 15. After graduating, Ciara joined Toni&Guy and specialized in cutting and styling.
Read full bio of Ciara Rice
Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
Read full bio of Medha Deb
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Image: Shutterstock
There is something innately beautiful about curly hair; the way it coils up and bounces, its almost dreamy. To turn that dreamy feeling into a reality can be quite the task without the best gels for curly hair. Because let’s face it, your curls will give your nightmares if you don’t fix them and care for them. You will end up spending hours taming your curly hair so that your head doesn’t look like a walking nest! While regular hair gels may come in handy for a quick fix, they cause you more harm than good in the long run. They even end up making your curls more challenging to manage and pile on the misery. To solve this problem, you need specially formulated hair gel for curls that helps control and define your glorious curls. Not sure which is the best get for your curly hair? Not to worry, we’ve got your back. Check out our list of the top 15 gels for curly hair.
In This Article
15 Best Gels For Curly Hair And Bouncy Locks That Work Like Magic
1. Best Anti-Thinning:Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
If you have natural, heavy curls that often shrink, you need a dose of protein to stretch out those curls and bring them back to life. This curly hair gel is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as flaxseed oil, shea butter, and omega fatty acids to leave your hair feeling supple. It offers the goodness of elements that have been used as a natural remedy for hair growth and softer, smoother, and well-defined hair. You can use it on both dry and wet hair; however, it works best on wet hair. We consider this gel to be the best hair gel for curly hair because it beautifies hair while keeping it nourished. In this YouTube video of the tester’s experience of the product, you will find a detailed review of this product.
- Promotes hair growth
- Anti-thinning
- Regulated scalp health
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- It may not be suitable for type 3C and above hair.
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 17,863 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
2. Best Non-Drying Formula: Garnier Fructis Style Scrunch Controlling Gel
The Garnier Fructis Style Scrunch Controlling Gel contains coconut water that delivers defined, volume-controlled curls without frizz or residue. This shea butter-infused curl gel has curl-binding elements that help maintain your curl shape and shine. It provides frizz-free curls for up to 48 hours and offers 24-hour luster. This gel nourishes hair, promotes a natural look, and maintains the natural curl pattern. A little amount of this product is all you need to get magnificent, well-defined, manageable curls.
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Offers frizz control
None
"This gel yields soft curls without giving the hair a wet look. It does require a bit of use, but it keeps the hair healthy and shiny rather than stiff."
Quick Tip3. Best Anti-Frizz:Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard Natural Styling Gel
The search for the perfect curling gel that works like magic for 4C curls can be exhausting. But if you’ve finally found this curling gel and know how to work with it, you’ll never want to stop using it. Infused with a wealth of botanicals like horsetail, chamomile, and vitamin E, the Kinky-Curly hair custard truly loves your curls. It contains aloe vera that works like a pro and imparts your hair a healthy shine while keeping dryness at bay. For best results, apply this high-performance aloe vera gel for curly hair to freshly-washed, soaking wet hair. If you want to know more about this product, check out this video on YouTube for more insights and the reviewer’s experience of using the product.
- Enriched with natural ingredients
- Provides long-lasting hold
- Moisturizes
- Removes frizz
- Non-greasy
- It is scented.
Pro TipAunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel Best Anti-Thinning | Garnier Fructis Style Scrunch Controlling Gel Best Non-Drying Formula | Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard Natural Styling Gel Best Anti-Frizz | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Curly, Coily | Kinky-Curly-Wavy | All, Curly |
| Dimensions | 4 x 5 x 6 inches | 1.75 x 3 x 6.75 inches | 5.91 x 2.76 x 1.97 inches |
| Weight | 14.88 Ounces | 7.6 Ounces | - |
| Color | - | - | Original Version |
| Weight | - | - | 1 pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 17,863 | - | 916 |
| Price | $9.69 | - | $30.99 |
4. Best Dye-Free:MopTop Curly Hair Custard Citrus Kumquat
MopTop’s curly hair custard is popular for its long-lasting results and strong hold on the hair. It works like magic for wavy, curly, and coily hair. Loaded with ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and sea botanicals, you get a fair amount of shine and moisture from this cream-gel for curly hair. A little bit of this product goes a long way as the gel is in its concentrated form for the best value. Use it on wet hair, and styling curly hair is bound to get as easy as pie. Popularly known as the best curl activator, this hair custard works well on frizzy hair as well.
- Suitable for 2A to 4B hair
- Easy to use
- Parabens and sulfate-free
- Free of dye
- Phthalate-free
- Slightly expensive
Quick Tip5. Best For Moisturizing: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel
The Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel provides moisture, luster, and maximum curl definition while preserving its shape. It is formulated with aloe vera, coconut oil, papaya, and plumeria extract that tame frizz and nourish curls without making them crunchy. The gel strengthens the hair strands from within and makes your hair shine, appear healthier and manageable. The luxurious formula keeps your hair in place all day without being sticky or flaky. The natural ingredients boost curls’ suppleness and add body and volume to each strand. This product helps detangle, protect, and define curls while being gentle enough to use on colored hair.
- Paraben-free
- Silicon-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Flake-free
- Controls frizz
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 1,857 rave reviews on Amazon.
6. Best Anti-Split Ends:The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian 24 Karat Glistening Gold Twisting Gel
Managing curls can be quite challenging, and if you have split-ends and damaged hair that’s prone to breaking, it gets all the more overwhelming. Well, not anymore! We bring you an elixir for your hair, and that’s The Mane Choice gold twisting gel. This restorative care gel is formulated for damaged hair and is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D to promote hair growth and repair split ends and damage from chemical treatments. The oh-so-good ingredients like mongongo, and baobab oils give your curls the right kind of twist. This gel rightfully earns its place among good hair products for curly hair.
- Repairs damaged hair
- Improves hair elasticity
- Renders anti-breakage properties
- Promotes hair growth
- Silicone-free
- Some may find it sticky.
"I loved using this gel for the added moisture. It held my hair comfortably, leaving it soft. Using it alongside a leave-in conditioner yielded good results with a noticeable reduction in breakage."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 1,129 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
7. Best Color-Safe:Giovanni L.A Hold Styling Gel
If you have colored locks, you need a color-safe gel or a curl mousse like this one. It works great for low porosity hair without weighing the curls down. You’ll find some of the best organic ingredients for healthy hair that deliver visibly shinier, well-defined tresses. Styling curly hair becomes all the more convenient as this gel can be applied to both dry and wet hair. If you opt for products on the grounds of being cruelty-free, Giovanni is leaping bunny certified to give you complete assurance.
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Offers a firm hold
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- No parabens or sulfates
- Some may find the consistency to be too thick.
"This styling gel perfectly defines my curls and keeps them non-frizzy. It's lightweight, great for straight hair too, and eliminates fly-aways effortlessly. It has a subtle scent, is harmless to hair, and has a surprisingly effective hold. Frankly, it's a curly hair savior!"
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 1,159 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
8. Best Cruelty-Free:Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Defining Crème
If you have moderately curly or wavy hair from 2A to 3C, finding the right gel can be tricky. Briogeo knows this and has come up with a cream to address the problem. This lightweight formula accentuates your curls while caring for it — thanks to ingredients like rice amino acids, avocado, quinoa extract, and tomato fruit ferment. It is formulated to keep frizz-causing bad guys at bay, and the avocado replenishes moisture and makes your hair softer. The best thing about this gel is its weightlessness, it is also easy to apply and holds onto your curls without feeling heavy. Apply this curly hair cream to sopping-wet hair, and you’ll witness ultra-light, high-definition curls that move with you.
- Frizz-free
- Infused with natural ingredients
- Retains moisture
- Paraben, silicone, sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Some may find the fragrance overwhelming.
9. Best Organic Ingredients:Innersense I Create Hold Styling Gel
If you swear by clean beauty products, why not opt for a gel for a curly hair type that boasts a list of clean ingredients? The I Create Hold styling gel is the ideal solution for optimal hold with the added benefits of hair-loving components. The organic and antioxidant ingredients care for your hair from the roots to ends and impart smoothness while holding your curly locks in place. Honey, rice, wheat amino acids, aloe, and rooibos tea work in tandem to prevent aging. No crunch, no dryness, glistening curl strands, and healthy hair — if it’s yes to all, you must say yes to this strong-hold gel. According to reviewers, the product gives the perfect hold while leaving the hair non-greasy.
- Certified organic ingredients
- Suitable for aging hair
- Free of parabens and sulfates
- Cruelty-free
- Non-GMO
- Thick and sticky consistency
"This product feels incredibly lightweight on my curls, offering them definition. Although it made my hair crunchy on the first application, gradually it helped settle my hair into bouncier, moisturized curls. Overall, I'm quite impressed with its performance."
10. Best UV Protection:Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat And Humidity Gel
Flyaways, humidity, and environmental aggressors are the worst nightmares for a person with curly hair. When you lay your hands on a good gel for curly hair like this one, you can keep these bad guys at bay. This gel is non-sticky and provides curl enhancement, The Ouidad gel is an ideal choice when you live in a hot and humid place and try to lock out humidity while preserving your hair’s natural moisture. The advanced technology gel offers an impressive hold and a beautiful shine in any weather. It also prevents the unwanted volume from frizz, so that curly hair styling doesn’t feel challenging.
- Anti-frizz nanotechnology
- Offers UV filter for protection
- Long-lasting hold
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Slightly expensive
11. Best Alcohol-Free Formula:Alikay Naturals Aloe Berry Styling Gel
Berries are a preferred key ingredient in hair care products for wavy, curly hair, and this styling gel is loved by many for its remarkable antioxidant properties. The Aloe Berry styling gel from Alikay Naturals is a remedy worth considering if you have dry, damaged curly or coily hair. This gel consists of numerous essential oils to preserve the natural moisture in your curls while allowing you to experiment with different styles. Aloe vera works as a natural conditioner, and sweet almond oil nourishes your hair from the roots. It offers a medium hold for 2A to 3C coils and doesn’t feel sticky.
- Moisturizing
- Doesn’t flake
- Makes the hair softer
- Alcohol-free
- May not lock 4C hair in place
12. Best Additives Free:Mielle Organics Styling Gel
This styling gel from Mielle can be used every day to manage unruly curls. It helps create high-definition curls with smooth and shiny edges, and it keeps your hair frizz-free. It packs natural ingredients like ginger, honey, aloe extract, and babassu oil that care for your hair and make it soft and healthy. The hair styling gel doesn’t cast a crunch after-feeling or feel greasy. Apply it all over freshly washed hair for an overall moisturized finish or part your hair into segments to define each curl.
- Doesn’t contain artificial additives
- Contains 70% certified organic ingredients
- Suitable for 4C hair
- Doesn’t feel sticky
- Softens hair
- It may have a strong fragrance.
"This Mielle gel holds my curls in place while leaving them soft and fluffy. It also has a pleasant fragrance that lingers in my hair throughout the day. With this, I can set my hair and create sleek hairstyles."
13. Best For pH Balance:Taliah Waajid Hold Me Down! Gelle
This easy to use styling gel for curly hair can be applied to both wet and dry hair. It adds an impeccable twist to the curls while holding them in place. It is formulated with green apple and aloe for conditioning and without sulfates and parabens to cut down the exposure to chemicals. Just wait for your hair to be completely dry before you break the cast. The result will be a shiny hair texture that welcomes just about any style with no crunch and no frizz.
- Balances pH levels
- Promotes scalp and hair health
- Strengthens hair
- Alcohol-free
- Contains sodium hydroxide
"This product leaves no residues on my hair and provides a good definition for twist-outs with no itching or flaking. I love that it quickly absorbs into my hair, softening it. I always use it to create braided hairstyles."
14. Best Paraben-Free Formula:Oribe Curl Gelèe For Shine & Definition
Crunch-free gels that kill the frizz are every curly-haired person’s dream. Let your dream come true with the Oribe Curl Gelèe that blesses your hair with rich ingredients like macadamia, murumuru seed butter, and avocado for lustrous, manageable coils. This gel deeply moisturizes hair, locks in moisture, and adds a natural shine to the curls while smoothing them up to the very ends for well-defined spirals. You can diffuse or air dry your hair after applying this wonder gel. The result? Healthy curly hair texture and a happy you! According to reviews, the product is flake-free and makes hair shiny and soft.
- Suitable for coily hair
- Color safe
- Offers UV protection
- Dermatologist-tested
- Free of parabens, silicones, sulfates, and sodium chloride
- Helps retain natural moisture
- Slightly expensive
- Scented
"This curl jelly tames my frizz, leaving my curls well-defined and soft. It even combats dryness atop my head. More than anything, I'm thrilled about zero flakes. All you need is a small quantity for all-day curl-management. It's non-greasy too. And it has a pleasing scent."
15. Best Non-Greasy Formula: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Frizz Control Sculpting Gel
The Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Frizz Control Sculpting Gel holds your curl shape and fights frizz. Formulated with rice, amino acids, and proteins, this gel provides essential hydration, nourishment, and protection to your hair. It helps boost the stability of your curls, while also keeping them free from residue. This gel is specifically designed to be curl-friendly, making it a suitable option for those with chemically-treated or dyed curly hair.
- Flexible-firm hold
- Long-lasting frizz control
- Flake-free
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Gluten-free
None
Whether 2A curl type or 4C coils, we’re sure that you’ll find the perfect gel for your unique tresses in our list of the best gels for curly hair. If you’re overwhelmed with all the options and unsure as to how you can choose the ideal gel for your curl type, here’s a buying guide to help you out.
How To Choose Gel For Curly Hair?
- Type of curls
From 2A to 4C and from wavy, curly, coily, to kinky types of tresses, it can be truly challenging to understand which product would pamper your kind of curls without weighing them down. You’ll find a range of curl gels that offer different degrees of hold.
While curly, kinky, and coily hair from 3A to 4C type would require a strong hold, products that offer moderate or light hold for manageable hair are well-suited for wavy hair or 2A to 2C type hair. Most of the brands specify the type of hold they offer or the kind of curls they’re suitable for in the description.
- Crunch v/s no crunch
The most common perception is to view crunch or a cast as an enemy. However, gels that leave behind a crunch are in fact effective. The crunch protects your hair from frizz and retains moisture for an even and natural hair texture. The key to getting rid of the crunch is by scrunching it out after your hair is completely dry.
Most people who complain about the gel leaving behind flakes could be because they try to get rid of the cast on half-dried hair. So, if you know your way with crunches or a cast, you’re good to go.
- Natural Ingredients
Since gels for curly hair are formulated to provide a strong hold, they might damage your hair over time. Buy a gel for curly hair that contains natural and nourishing key ingredients to neutralize the damaging effects and offer restorative care. You can prevent your hair from deteriorating upon regular use of the gel.
Many brands offer gels infused with ingredients with restorative benefits. Make it a point to go through the list of components, research them, and buy the right one.
- Application
Would you want to use a gel that can be applied only to wet hair or would you prefer one that can be used on dry hair as well? Identify what kind of application you prefer, go through the product description, and ensure you opt for the gel that works for you.
- Other factors
If you color your hair, it is recommended to choose a gel that is color-safe. If you live in hot and humid weather conditions on most days, it is best to opt for a gel that offers UV protection and locks out frizz from humidity.
Now that you know how to choose the best gel for curly hair, here’s a basic guide for how to apply gel to your hair for the best results.
How To Apply Gel On Curly Hair?
- Step 1: Most gels work like magic when you apply them to sopping wet hair. You can either start applying the gel as soon as you’re out of the shower with drenched curls or soak your hair in a bucket of water before immediately applying the gel.
- Step 2: To begin with, take a tiny amount of the gel and work your way through different segments of curls. Make sure that you coat each of the curls so that you have highly defined spirals. Detangle and distribute the gel evenly through all parts.
- Step 3: Wait for your hair to dry. You can use a diffuser or air dry it. Don’t touch your hair before it is completely dry because the product is setting on your hair.
- Step 4: Now that your hair is completely dry, you’ll notice a cast or a crunch. Start by scrunching the crunch from the bottom and work your way up. This helps get rid of the cast and gives way to shiny and bouncy curls.
The Bottom Line
Curly hair, whether natural or parlor-styled, is never easy to style. But the best gels for curly hair can make the task easier for you. The gels mentioned in our list have anti-thinning qualities and are mostly chemical-free. They are enriched with key ingredients like argan oil, flaxseed oil, aloe vera, and honey that provide a firm hold to the curls and keep the strands nourished. The Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel elongates your curls and provides crunch-free hold. The Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard Natural Styling Gel restores your natural hair pattern and offers excellent curl definition, while the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel gives your curls a flake-free hold while adding extra moisture and shine. These gels also control frizz and ensure lasting results. However, avoid products that have sticky textures or harsh chemicals like alcohol.
Ciara Rice, a hairstylist with 14 years of experience says, “The ultimate concern for curly hair clients are moisture and hold. Using a gel as a styling product will give us more definition, more hold and less fuzzy looking curls. Gel ensures that our curls hold on to moisture better therefore keeping our curls better hydrated and shiny.” Gels are lightweight giving us hold, shine and flexibility for shape… as we know curly hair doesn’t like to behave, so having a product that we can use and manipulate is super helpful in creating shapes with our curls. Gels for curly hair are designed to hold our curls. As the day goes on our curls can unravel, frizz up, dry up and lose definition especially depending on the weather and moisture levels that day. This is why a gel is always a popular choice for clients with a curl texture as it holds definition and locks in moisture.
A common conversation I have with clients on the salon floor is we don’t want a product overload in our curls, making sure our chosen curl gel isn’t sticky as last thing we want is an 80s throwback look of crispy and crunchy curls, the aim is soft and bouncy curls. Alcohol free products, as well as silicone free is also on the agenda as we don’t like our curls crispy and dried out leaving a residue or flakes from the product.”
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Medha Deb, is a hair care enthusiast whose passion lies in reviewing hair products as they hit the shelves. For this article, she conducted an extensive research on hair gels that are best for curly hair and bouncy locks. She read hundreds of online product reviews to curate this list for her readers. Her recommended formulas promote hair growth, are mostly chemical-free, and non-greasy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gel good for curly hair?
For curly, frizzy hair, it is generally recommended to use a gel. If you don’t use it, your hair would be more vulnerable to environmental aggressors that cause hair damage. This is why, when you pick the right gel, gels are actually good for taming unmanageable curls.
Is gel or cream better for curly hair?
While not all gels and creams are created equal, gels generally offer a stronger hold as compared to creams. Creams are more popular for their moisturizing properties. If you go through the ingredients list and make an informed decision, both gels and creams can work wonders.
Is Eco Styler gel good for curly hair?
Eco Styler is one of the most popular brands that has been an absolute saviour for 4C curls. However, many natural beauty influencers started spreading the word that the product contains carcinogens because of some questionable ingredients like tetrasodium. The brand spoke in its defense and claimed it only uses safe ingredients in its products. So, with so much confusion, it is mostly left to the buyer whether or not they’d trust the brand.
Which is better: curly hair gel or mousse?
Gels are a better pick for long-lasting curls, although mousse is not less behind in imparting natural curls an extra volume and bounce.
Does gel dry out curly hair?
Yes, some gels can make your hair more crunchy and dry. But you can try the Twist By OUIDAD Weather Up Gel, known for its hydrating features.
Can you put gel on dry curly hair?
No, do not apply gel to wet curly hair for the best results and avoid hair damage.
What order do you put products in for curly hair?
Start your hair care routine with deep cleansing followed by conditioning. Later, apply some mousse or curl cream to get it styled.
Read full bio of Ciara Rice
Read full bio of Medha Deb
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.