Styling curly hair often requires more than shampoo and conditioner alone. The best gels for curly hair will control frizz and extend the shape of your spirals. Typically applied as the final step in a washday routine—after leave-in conditioners, foams, mousses, and curl creams—these products seal in moisture and add definition. Finding one that doesn’t leave hair crunchy or weighed down, however, can be tricky. Lightweight formulas tend to suit looser curls and finer textures, while stronger-hold versions give tighter coils the structure they need. To take out the guesswork, Glamour editors and contributors tested a range of popular hair gels on different curl types to find the ones that truly deliver.
The best gels for curly hair, at a glance
How we tested
Glamour editors and contributors with a range of hair types—from waves to coils—tried each gel on freshly washed hair over the course of several weeks. Testers applied the products according to package directions, often pairing them with leave-ins or creams as part of a typical curly routine. They evaluated how easily the gel distributed through wet hair, whether it created a cast, and how curls looked and felt once the cast was scrunched out. We also noted how well each gel controlled frizz, how long definition lasted between washdays, and whether the formula caused any buildup, dryness, or flaking. We narrowed down the best curly gel products, from luxurious hair brands to drugstore buys that were great for styling various curl types and edges.
Best Overall: Briogeo Curl Charisma Frizz Control Gel
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- What we love: Defines curls and waves without stiffness; scrunches out easily; lightweight feel that lasts into day two
- Worth noting: Light-to-medium hold may not be strong enough for tighter coils
Briogeo makes one of our top shampoos for curly hair so it’s no wonder that they also make our favorite gel. This light-to-medium-hold curly-hair gel smooths frizz and defines without leaving behind a sticky or crunchy finish. Powered by rice amino acids and quinoa extract, it helps lock in hydration and maintain curl shape, while tomato fruit ferment enhances definition. Our tester with long, fine hair that sits between curly and wavy noticed that the formula kept her curls intact overnight, adding softness and bounce without weighing strands down.
Our reviewer says: “Sometimes my curls can get stretched out, especially after a few days, so I look for a gel or cream with staying power,” says Glamour reviewer Alexandra Provo. “The Briogeo gel is on the more liquid side, with a light hold. Applying about two quarters’ worth gave a good cast. After scrunching out the cast, my curls were defined and soft, even the next morning.”
Best for Coily Hair: Pattern Curl Gel
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What we love: Medium but not stiff hold; defines curls with bounce
Worth noting: For very dense coils, the medium hold may need layering with other stylers
This gel glides on smoothly, enhances curl definition, and leaves strands silky rather than crunchy. Aloe vera helps add softness and shine, coconut oil delivers moisture and cuts down on frizz, and cacay oil provides lightweight nourishment. While flexible enough for looser curls, it’s also formulated with natural coily hair in mind. Pattern describes it as giving life to 3B–4C textures without stiffness. Among wavy and curly hair products, its balanced hold and refreshing cucumber-like scent make it a standout.
Our reviewer says: “Lately, a wash-and-go has been my primary hairstyle, as my curls just won’t behave in a twist-out during the humid months,” says Glamour senior visuals editor Lauren Brown. “That’s where the Pattern Curl Gel has been a real game changer for me. It’s great for a quick curl refresh in the shower after a couple days. Like all the hair care products in this line, the fragrance is intoxicatingly fresh, like cucumbers in cocktail.”
Best for Fine Hair: Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel
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- What we love: Lightweight, flexible hold; scrunches out easily; leaves curls soft
- Worth noting: For coarser curls, may want heavier gel
This lightweight gel defines curls without stiffness, keeping them touchable and bouncy while reducing frizz. Formulated with aloe vera, flaxseed, and thyme, it locks in shape and shine without parabens, silicones, or sulfates. Our tester with 3A curls found that it enhanced definition on washday and kept frizzy hair at bay through day two without flaking or weighing it down. The cast scrunched out easily, leaving curls soft and natural-looking.
Our reviewer says: “I like how light this gel is on my fine curls. Other gels I’ve tried make them feel stiff and look greasy, even after I scrunch out the cast, but with this, my curls are very soft and bouncy. It’s pretty fragrantly perfumed, which I don’t love, but not so badly that I won’t keep using it after my leave-in and foam, then followed by a diffuser,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.
Best for Humidity: Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Frizz Gel Oil
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- What we love: Defines curls without crunch; resists humidity; thin, easy-to-distribute formula
- Worth noting: Can feel a little drying; fragrance is strong and sweet
This hybrid gel-oil smooths frizz while giving curls hold and definition that lasts. The clear formula is lightweight but substantial enough to create a cast that scrunches out softly, leaving hair touchable instead of stiff. Our tester with 3C curls found that the product shaped spirals beautifully and resisted humidity, though it left some dryness by the end of the day.
Our tester says: “The gel defined my 3C curls really well and gave me a great look, though I did notice some dryness as the day went on,” says Glamour reviewer Páton Hardy. “The fragrance across the line was strong but pleasant—fruity, sweet, and similar to a perfume I’d wear—so it wasn’t off-putting. The shampoo lathered up quickly and felt very slippery, while the conditioner was thicker and hydrating. The gel itself was see-through and thin, easy to apply without running everywhere, and it dried down without leaving my hair crunchy.”
Best for Definition: Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel
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- What we love: Strong definition; smooths frizz; adds bounce and shine
- Worth noting: Works best outside of extreme humidity; pair with with heavier-hold gel if you need extra staying power
Formulated for tighter curl patterns, this gel gives coils long-lasting definition and frizz protection without leaving them stiff. Coily hair—characterized by densely packed curls that are prone to dryness—often needs gels that balance moisture with enough hold to keep styles in place. With wheat-derived amino acids to smooth and strengthen strands and mango butter to nourish and hydrate, this formula helps coils stay soft, defined, and resilient.
Our tester says: “My curls felt light and bouncy, which is important for my hair, since it can fall flat pretty easily,” says Glamour reviewer Sarah Holden. “Living in the South with intense humidity, I found it didn’t hold up quite as strongly as the heavy-duty gel I usually reach for, but it’s definitely one I’d add to my rotation on less humid days.”
Best for Anti-Frizz: Amika Curl Corps Enhancing Hair Gel
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- What we love: Lightweight hold that enhances definition; keeps curls soft; controls frizz without stiffness
- Worth noting: May not have strong hold enough for tighter coils or high-humidity environments
This lightweight gel is designed to define curls and keep frizz in check without the crunch. The formula—free of parabens, mineral oil, and phthalates—adds shine while enhancing curl shape, and it layers easily with creams or leave-ins. Our tester with looser curls and naturally dry hair was surprised by how soft her strands felt, noting that the gel provided just enough control without overwhelming her curl pattern.
Our reviewer says: “My curls are somewhat loose, and my hair tends to be on the dry side with a tendency to frizz,” says Glamour reviewer Heather Mack. “I tend to think gels are too intense for my curls, but this gel was the right amount. My curls felt more defined without losing their soft natural look.”
Best for Wavy Hair: Ceremonia Pequi Styling Gel
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- What we love: No stiff or crunchy finish; medium hold; boosts moisture and shine; great scent
- Worth noting: May not offer enough hold for coarser curls
Unlike many styling gels that leave hair stiff, this clean formula defines waves and curls while keeping them soft and bouncy. Pequi oil helps restore moisture and add shine, aloe vera smooths frizz and hydrates, and açai extract delivers antioxidants for healthier-looking strands. With its flexible, medium hold, it’s a standout among wavy-hair products—lightweight enough for everyday air-dry styles yet strong enough to slick hair back without residue.
Our tester says: “I’m used to sticky, heavy gels from the drugstore. This Ceremonia gel is a huge upgrade from that,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle, who has long, thick, wavy hair. “There’s no crunch on my waves, and it smells delicious. I love using it for my air-dry routine or when I want a slicked-back bun.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you choose a gel for your curls?
The right gel depends on both your curl type and your styling goals. If you have fine or looser curls, look for a lightweight formula that won’t weigh hair down but still offers frizz control and soft definition. Medium to thick curls often benefit from a medium-hold gel that adds shape without crunch, while tight coils may need stronger-hold options or gel-oil hybrids that lock in definition and moisture. Ingredients can guide you too. Humectants such as aloe vera draw in hydration, while oils like coconut or flaxseed can help smooth frizz and add shine.
How do you use gel on curly hair?
For best results, apply gel to soaking-wet hair as the final step after leave-ins, creams, or foams. Rake it through section by section, or scrunch it upward from the ends to help curls clump together. Once hair is fully dry—either air-dried or diffused—you can scrunch out the cast (the slightly stiff coating) to reveal soft, defined curls. Some people also like to refresh curls on day two by reactivating gel with a mist of water and a light scrunch.
What’s the three-gel method?
The three-gel method is a curly-hair technique that layers different gels in a single routine to get the best of multiple formulas. For example, you might start with a lightweight gel for curl clumping, add a stronger-hold gel for definition and frizz control, and finish with a gel-oil hybrid for softness and shine. The idea is that each gel plays a role—lightweight for shape, strong for longevity, nourishing for touchability—so your curls stay defined longer without feeling crunchy or heavy. It does take some trial and error, but fans of the method say it helps them customize results to their specific curl type and climate.
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