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Byrdie / Lecia Landis
All hair gels are not created equal—and if you have curly, coily, or kinky natural hair, then you know that different occasions call for different gels. The right gel will provide clumping for your wash-and-go curls and definition for your twist-outs, but the wrong gel? Well, that’s just a dry, crunchy mess.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel, which can work for all different curl types. We love that it contains honey, aloe extract, and babassu oil to provide ample hydration while tamping frizz. If you're looking for something more lightweight, consider Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel, which provides natural-looking definition with zero sticky or tacky feeling.
When searching for the best gel for you, it's important to consider your hair’s texture and porosity, as well as your styling needs. For those with low-porosity hair (your hair doesn’t allow in moisture easily), you’ll want to reach for a lighter gel to prevent product build-up. For those with high-porosity hair (your hair easily absorbs moisture), it might take a strong moisturizing hold to keep frizz at bay. Whichever your texture or your curl goals, there's a gel out there for you—and we've rounded up the best of them.
Keep reading to discover the best gels for natural hair.
Best Overall
Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel
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Mielle Organics
Made with over 70-percent organic ingredients
Crunch-free hold
Defines curls
Can be drying for some
You might’ve been forced to choose between moisture or hold in the past, but this styling gel gives you the best of both worlds. The formula—which contains honey, aloe extract, and babassu oil—nourishes and hydrates your hair while also offering curl definition and frizz reduction. Those with a wide range of curl types rave that it delivers a crunch-free hold without sticky build-up or damaging chemicals.
Price at time of publish: $13
Hair Type: Curly | Active Ingredients: Acrylates Copolymer | Scent: Honey and Ginger | Size: 12.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
ECO Style Olive Oil Styling Gel
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Sally Beauty
Weightless
Controls frizz
Alcohol-free
Can create flakes in hair
We’ve all seen this OG gel on the shelves at our local beauty supply store, but there’s a reason why this classic product has become a styling staple. The alcohol-free formula provides serious hold and definition while olive oil moisturizes strands. It can be a great option for those who wash their hair frequently (it’s known to flake after three or four days of buildup), but it really shines as a maximum-hold styler for twisted or braided styles.
Price at time of publish: $6
Hair Type: All | Active Ingredients: Triethanolamine | Scent: Clean | Size: 16.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Lightweight Hold
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel
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Sephora
Encourages uniform curl formation
Very moisturizing
Protects hair from free-radical damage
Could use a bit more hold
This gel provides light to medium hold for long-lasting, natural-looking definition with superior movement, shine, and softness. This formula—made with quinoa extract, keratin, and rice amino acids—fortifies strands and increases elasticity as well as smooths and seals the hair cuticle to lock out frizz and promote consistent curl formation. Reviewers also love that this lightweight formula doesn’t cause any stiff or sticky after-effects.
Price at time of publish: $24
Hair Type: Curly | Active Ingredients: Polyquaternium-37, panthenol | Scent: Clean | Size: 6.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Strong Hold
Taliah Waajid Tight Hold Loc It Up for Natural Hair
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Amazon
Flake-free
Superior hold for thicker hair
Smells good
May feel gooey to some
If you’re looking for serious hold minus the flakes, this gel is the one for you. It’s strong enough to maintain loc styles—it's ideal for retouching or even creating new locs. But it’s also flexible enough to use as a styling gel to define your curl pattern and limit frizz. The all-natural formula is alcohol-free, which also makes it a great option for those with sensitive scalps.
Price at time of publish: $13
Hair Type: Color-Treated, Locs | Active Ingredients: Acrylates copolymer | Scent: Rosemary and Nettle | Size: 6.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Strengthening
NaturAll Club Curl Defining Flaxseed Gel
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NaturAll Club
Softening
Available in flexible hold and extreme hold
Adds volume
Definition is harder for coily hair
This nourishing gel (made with organic flaxseeds) keeps your natural hair strong, but it also delivers amazing hold. The formula is non-sticky and leaves natural hair feeling soft and crunch-free—plus, it allows for flawless wash-and-go styles, twists, and braid-outs. It's available in both flexible hold (for defining curly hair) and extreme hold (for defining kinky, coily hair).
Price at time of publish: $15
Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily | Active Ingredients: Caprylhydroxamic acid |Scent: Flaxseed | Size: 8.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Defining
The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel
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The Doux
Humidity-resistant
Touchable hold
Adds shine
May need to follow up with moisturizer
This humidity-resistant formula creates a long-lasting, flexible hold, and helps to fight frizz while defining your style. It especially comes in handy for those who are transitioning from relaxed to natural hair or with multiple hair textures, and it comes with a promise to keep your curls poppin', defined, and shining. As a bonus, this 16-ounce container holds plenty of product, so you can feel good about getting the most bang for your buck.
Price at time of publish: $14
Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily, Textured | Active Ingredients: Ppg-5-Ceteth-20 | Scent: Unscented | Size: 16.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Edge
Design Essentials Sleek Edge Control
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Amazon
Intense shine
Provides texture to short styles
Works on wet or dry hair
Results may not be drastic to some
When I first found this edge control on my mother’s bathroom sink, let’s just say that it didn’t stay there for long—it remains one of the best edge controls I’ve ever used. You can count on this product to tame your flyaways and provide a firm hold to unruly hair. And, while there’s no miracle product that'll completely change the texture of the hair that frames your face, this will definitely help you style your baby hair to perfection.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: Relaxed, Natural | Active Ingredients: Ceteareth-25 | Scent: Clean | Size: 2.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Thinning
NaturAll Club Flaxseed Gel Edge Control
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NaturAll Club
Covers gray roots
Long-lasting
Minimizes the look of thinning edges
May leave some residue
Edge control is typically a quick fix, but this product doesn’t just lay your edges—it promotes growth, too. Made with organically sourced flaxseed, this formula offers strength and naturally derived protein to help promote edge hair growth and prevent breakage. This product will smooth your edges, tame frizz, and manage flyaways to reveal effortless, filled-in, and laid-back edges that last all day long.
Price at time of publish: $19
Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily, Textured | Active Ingredients: Ceteareth-25 | Scent: Clean | Size: 2.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Wash-and-Go
CURLS Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly
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Amazon
Reparative
Stimulates follicles for hair growth
Curl-enhancing
Smells overly sweet to some
For all of the curly girls who don’t like gel for their wash-and-go styles, this jelly is a total game-changer. My high-porosity hair is very curly yet fine, which makes it difficult to find a gel that defines my curls without drying them out or causing too much product build-up. I’d almost written off gel completely until trying the Blueberry Bliss Collection, but once I did, I never looked back—my curls were hydrated, soft to the touch, and more manageable.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, Kinky, Coily | Active Ingredients: Castor seed oil | Scent: Blueberry | Size: 8.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Multi-Purpose
Pattern Beauty Strong Hold Gel
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Pattern Beauty
Fortifying
Built-in slip
Color-safe
Hold could be longer-lasting
You can never go wrong with a slicked back pony, and this gel has what it takes to get the job done. Never damaging or drying, reviewers love that it has a flexible yet strong hold that’s great for a variety of styles. It also has a slippery texture that distributes well throughout your hair, making it an ideal choice to define your curls when rocking a wash-and-go style.
Price at time of publish: $25
Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily | Active Ingredients: Polyquaternium-37 | Scent: Clean | Size: 15.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Scalps
Curlsmith Hydro-Style Flexi Jelly
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Curlsmith
Travel-size options
Minimizes scalp build-up
Silky consistency
Might make hair too wispy to some
This medium-hold styling gel is formulated to be super lightweight, delivering the definition you deserve without product build-up that can irritate your scalp. It’s super-charged with hyaluronic acid and hydrates both your scalp and your hair, plus it’s full of several other yummy ingredients, like green tea, thyme, and lavender.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily | Active Ingredients: PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil | Scent: Unscented | Size: 2.0, 8.0, or 16.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
This lightweight gel is ideal for those with low-porosity hair, providing curl definition that is flexible and soft to the touch.
Best Anti-Frizz
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
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Ulta
Lightweight
Advanced frizz protection
Award-winning formula
May make hair feel sticky
For curly hair, humidity is not your friend. That’s because textured hair leaves the hair cuticle exposed, causing your strands to expand and frizz when they encounter water. The answer? This protein packed-gel, which seals every strand and locks in moisture to define dull frizzy hair. The result is a flexible hold that won't leave hair crunchy, sticky, or weighed down.
Price at time of publish: $75
Hair Type: Curly | Active Ingredients: Acrylates copolymer | Scent: Clean | Size: 8.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
tgin Rose Water Defining Styling Gel
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Ulta
Strengthens hair follicles
Adds shine
Protects from free radicals
Can create flakes
Twist-outs, braid-outs, roller sets, and slicked back looks—if you can style it, this gel can hold it. This rose water gel delivers moisture and soft hold to your hair for greater definition without flakes or residue. Plus, it's free of harmful sulfates, parabens, and artificial colors, so you can feel confident that you aren’t sacrificing the well-being of your hair for the sake of a style.
Price at time of publish: $16
Hair Type: Wavy, Curly | Active Ingredients: PVP/VA Copolymer | Scent: Rose Water | Size: 13.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Fine Hair
Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel
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Nordstrom
Medium hold
Creates body to the hair
Refreshing fragrance
May feel greasy to some
When you have fine hair, it can be difficult to find a gel that delivers the hold you want without weighing down your curls. This liquid gel does just that while the Morikue protein-infused formula conditions, fortifies, and creates definition. Reviewers also rave that it adds body and volume to limp hair.
Price at time of publish: $27
Hair Type: Fine | Active Ingredients: PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil | Scent: Rose Water | Size: 13.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Elongating
Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
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Amazon
Promotes hair health
Enriched with flaxseed and wheat protein
Gives bounce and stretch
Ingredients could be more healthier
For type 4 hair, we all know that the shrinkage is real, but this beautiful gel does the work to stretch shriveling curls. The formula—made with flaxseed, shea butter, and extra-virgin olive oil—conditions your hair while nourishing the scalp and promoting hair growth. Users love that it defines curls without flaking or weighing hair down.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, Coily | Active Ingredients: Carbomer, Aminomethyl propane | Scent: Unscented | Size: 15.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
A small amount can be used on clean, dry hair, but this gel works best when used on clean, wet (or damp) hair. Apply more for tighter curls and less for elongated curls.
Best for Coily Curls
As I Am Soothing Gel
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Amazon
Works on very thick hair
Made with organic extracts
Contains wheat protein
Not very humidity-proof
Hold and shine? Check and check. This smoothing gel has a thick yet lightweight consistency that does wonders for type 4 curls. With aloe vera and wheat protein, it moisturizes as it strengthens, working to provide a strong hold without drying your hair out.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, Coily | Active Ingredients: Carbomer, Aminomethyl propane | Scent: Unscented | Size: 8.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel, which works well to hydrate and define all curl types. A fantastic lightweight alternative is Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel, which also boasts a hydrating formula to shape curls and keep hair soft and bouncy.
What to Look For in Gel For Natural Hair
Alcohol-free
Alcohol can be a problem in any hair care product. In textured hair, it can increase dryness. Since textured hair tends to err on the dryer side already, this can be damaging and can make hair look dull.
Consider your hair's porosity
If your hair is highly absorbent, you'll need a stronger, more moisturizing product in order to prevent frizz. But if your hair is low porosity, you'll want a lighter gel so that you don't experience buildup quickly. if you're unsure of your hair's porosity, try this simple and quick test.
Styling purpose
While some products can function in an all-in-one capacity, many will work better specifically for edge control, or protective styles, or loose curls. Using an edge control gel for braids or twists may not be as effective as choosing a gel that's made for that purpose.