The 8 Best Hair Gels for Men of 2021

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Hair gel has long been a staple styling product for men. It has a rich history to say the least, with some of the most famous style icons of the last century (think: Gable, Dean, Travolta, Beckham) all fans of a firm hold. However, even though it’s been around longer than many other grooming essentials, it is perhaps the most precarious and intimidating product to use. Too much and the hair collapses like a sad scarecrow; too little and your barnet is bouncing around like an inflatable at a car dealership. However, there are certain hair gels that are truly a cut above the fold, with both styling and nourishing benefits, and we've done the work of rounding up the best of them.

Keep scrolling for the best hair gels for men.

Best Overall: Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Clean Styling Gel

Kiehl's never looks at a product in a linear way, which is why the brand's hair gel offering has conditioning benefits, too. Enriched with botanicals and formulated with pracaxi oil, the product nourishes the hair as much as it styles it. Overall, it does exactly what you would want your gel to do—it gives just the right amount of both shine and hold. Wins all around.

Best Budget: Harry’s Sculpting Gel

If you're a grooming nut, chances are you’ve heard of Harry’s. The brand has a smart subscription service for razors and shaving products, delivering everything you need straight to your door on the regular. However, its hair offerings are equally strong, with pomades, waxes, and gels available at a great price. This gel, in particular, is great—its non-glossy, easy-to-use formula has a decent hold, giving you a slick (but not overdone) vibe.

Best Scent: Horace Gel Pomade

Horace, a new brand on the block, isn't following the rules when it comes to this category. Think natural ingredients, a pot (!!!!), and a fresh fragrance—all free from parabens, silicones, and mineral oils, which is no easy feat. The formula feels great, leaving a glossy shine and strong hold to the hair when you work it through.

Best Splurge: Bumble & Bumble Give ‘Em Gel

Any cool-kid salon will be stocked with Bumble & Bumble, a hairdresser go-to brand. More flexible than traditional gels, this one has a medium hold, moderate shine, and a non-sticky finish. It’s definitely a get-up-and-go kind of gel—the sort you need when you're running late in the morning and just using your fingers.

Best Pomade: Malin & Goetz Hair Pomade

As the name would suggest, a pomade is paste-like in feeling—a sort of wax-meets-cream. If you want a little hold but a lot of texture, this product is your new best friend—it delivers that effortless bed-head look with ease.

Best Clay: Larry King Velvet Texture Clay

Larry King's sleek London salons are a staple of It-boy culture and his eponymous brand of hair products follows suit. His signature Velvet Texture Clay might be the standout, though. Perfect for a little more hold than a pomade, this is a dream for a gritty, matte look.

Best Balm: Aesop Violet Leaf Hair Balm

For those seeking a bit of shape but not a stiff style, balms are the ticket. They leave a floppy, schoolboy look and a slight gloss that hints at really healthy hair. (For this reason, they're especially perfect for dry, coarse, or unruly locks.) Aesop’s version should be your go-to. Its blend of nourishing butters and natural oils absorbs beautifully without leaving any residue—brilliant if a dry scalp also plagues you.

Best Wax: Hanz De Fuko Sponge Wax

Perhaps the most common hair product after gel, wax has a nice pliable hold that can be adjusted throughout the day with ease. Think Zayn Malik, David Beckham, or Zac Efron—all great hair, all wax devotees. Hanz De Fuko has nailed the category, with a formula that's the perfect combo of firm and flexible.

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