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Do you want to clean up your disorganized look? Do you spend more time than required setting your hair? If you said yes, gift yourself a reliable styling gel and enjoy a flexible hold without compromising the growth of your mane. Most of them are alcohol-free and have plenty of hair benefits, including moisturization, nourishment, and conditioning.
These unique gels are water-based, so they still allow hair restyling even when they dry up after application. You can use your wet hands at any time to return the gel to a liquid state and make a different hairstyle. To help choose a product that perfectly suits your locks, check this list of the leading men's hair gels of 2024 to achieve a shiny, full appearance.
Our Picks of the Hottest Men's Hair Gel
American Crew Men's Hair Gel — Best Overall
Tame your hair with this men's hair gel from American Crew to get a frizz-free, defined look. It features a dual polymer complex that ensures a firm hold and outstanding shine. It also comes infused with natural extracts like vitamin B5, providing your hair with a natural-looking, thicker appearance.
With incredible moisturizing and conditioning benefits, this hair gel can be used on both dry and wet hair. It distributes easily through hair because of the presence of a carbomer. Its balanced pH prevents your scalp and hair from drying up. Thanks to its extra firm holding power, natural extracts, and desirable shiny finish, this moisture-rich hair gel is the best overall on the list.
Pros
- Lasts all day long without flaking
- Non-greasy with firm holds
- Offers pleasant scent
Cons
- No pump comes with the bottle
Got2b Men's Hair Gel — Most Convenient
Style away your hair with this Got2b Men's Hair Gel that offers the strongest hold ever. It is aluminum-free and can be effectively used on dry or damp hair. Powered by high-tech styling agent Alpha XTR, this styling gel can help create wonderful vertical hairstyles.
The non-sticky, no-flake formula of this gel spreads evenly throughout your locks. You can use it to tame your hair, spike your edges, or even hold down hair laces. A small amount of gel will be enough to keep your hair styled for the whole day. Owing to its easy application and easy removal, this styling gel is the most convenient to use.
Pros
- Non-sticky, no-flake formula
- Come off easily with a little shampoo
- Strong but gentle on hair
Cons
- Takes a while to naturally dry
Johnny B. Mode Men's Hair Gel — Unscented Option
Make your hair look thicker with this intensely vicious men's hair gel from Johnny B. It helps you tame stubborn hair to provide you with your desired look. Its alcohol-free, no-flake formula perfectly styles medium to thick hair with an easy application.
Once the gel dries up, you can add some water to your hair to easily revitalize or restyle them. Rinsing this gel out is also as simple as applying it. It also has no scent, so the lingering smell won’t overpower your perfume.
Pros
- Has a thick formula
- Holds hair without stickiness
- Doesn't leave white residue on drying up
Cons
- The packaging is not great
Nioxin Men's Hair Gel — Safest formula
If you are looking for a stiffness-free, firm hold for your short to mid-length hair, your search can end here. With ProThick technology, this professional hair gel from Nioxin forms bonds between locks, creating space. Its thickening polymer complex coats around each hair strand and boosts the volume. It also provides you with thick, smooth-feeling hair while adding definition to them. Plus, this styling gel is derma-tested, so you know it’s safe. For the best result, blow-dry your hair after applying it.
Pros
- Make hair look fuller
- Smoothens hair without stickiness or stiffness
- Lightweight and value for money
Cons
- Leaves hair dull looking if used wrong
Redken Brews Men's Hair Gel — Long-Lasting
Perfect for styling your curly hair, this men's hair gel from Redken Brews provides you with a clean, defined separation. Featuring a medium hold and shiny finish for all hair types, this option volumizes your hair significantly. Apart from adding hold to your styled locks, it also makes them smell pleasant. You can squeeze and apply the gel to your damp or dry hair to flaunt a flake-free hairstyle. On top of everything, it offers a long-lasting grip without restricting the movement of your hair.
Pros
- Ideal for curly hair
- Leaves your mane shiny
- Free of dairy products
Cons
- Not a firm holding gel
Men's Hair Gel: A Buying Guide
Given the wide variety of hair styling gels available today, finding the ideal one is an arduous task. Not every hair care product suits every hairstyle or every hair type. With this in mind, check out this full-fledged buying guide with all the important information you need to get your hands on the perfect hair gel for men.
How Should You Use a Hair Gel?
Using hair gel is quite simple. You just need to follow these steps:
- Squeeze or take out a small amount of gel onto your palm
- Rub it between your hands
- Apply it to your damp or towel-dried hair and distribute it evenly throughout
- Blow-dry for volumizing or simply style as you desire
Features To Look for in a Men’s Hair Gel
Hold strength
Styling gels ‌provide a strong hold and high shine. Most of them contain a dual polymer complex which enhances their holding strength, so ‌buy this product to get a firm grip with a well-defined look. You can also find some products that come with a medium-hold to help you manage your curly hair effectively.
Formula
Always choose an alcohol-free formula to prevent unwanted hair damage. It should also be non-sticky and flake-free so that you don’t have to deal with flakes or residues after application. Plus, the gel should have a low pH along with moisturizing and conditioning benefits so that you don't end up drying your hair or scalp. If you want to add thickness to your mane, get a gel with more viscosity.
Nutrients for Nourishment
High-quality hair gels come infused with natural extracts like vitamin B5 to add nourishment, smoothness, volume, and healthy shine to your hair. If you have unhealthy hair, ‌pick a product containing these nutrients.
Scent
Before purchasing a hair gel, make sure it has a light, pleasant scent that doesn’t compete with your perfume’s fragrance. You can also find some unscented products if you want no fragrance at all.
How To Choose the Perfect Hair Gel
Performance
A hair gel's performance can be ‌satisfactory if it can offer you a strong hold, high shine, frizz-free look, and a voluminous finish. Your styling should not be at the cost of your hair health, so make sure its formula doesn't cause dandruff or dryness. Above all, it should offer a flake-free, defined appearance throughout the day.
Hair type
Before picking a product, check whether it supports your hair type. Some gels work great on thick hair, while others help to volumize thin hair. Your hair length and texture also play a significant role in determining the right gel. Most products are formulated to suit short to mid-length hair. But if you want to tame your long curls, ‌look for a product with a medium hold.
Ease of use
Your hair gel should distribute easily throughout your hair, allowing quick styling. It should also come off easily without making your locks look messy or stubborn.
Packaging
Some highly viscous hair gels are packed in tubes while others come in bottles. Many brands offer their products in both packages, so you can buy one you find convenient to use.
Price
The price of hair gels varies significantly owing to their wide-ranging benefits, formula composition, performance, longevity, and quantity. If you want a quality hair care product, then you should be ready to spend $11-$19.
