Hair Gel for Men: Types and Usage Guide

For many, the words "hair gel" conjure up images of the overly-gelled, stiff hairstyles of the past. The truth is, hair gel has evolved significantly, offering a wide range of options for different hair types and styles. This article will explore the various types of hair gel available today and provide practical tips on how to use them effectively.

The Evolution of Hair Gel

Hair gel has come a long way since the days of drugstore gels that created shiny, helmet-like heads. These older gels were often crunchy to the touch and left flakes throughout the day. Modern hair gels offer much more versatility, catering to different hair textures and desired styles.

Different Types of Hair Gel

"Hair gel comes in many textures and consistencies," explains celebrity stylist Melissa DeZarate. "It’s no longer just the extra crunchy slicked-back look of the past." Here's a breakdown of the different types of hair gel:

• Lightweight cream gels: These are ideal for wavy and curly hair, providing both moisture and hold to enhance the hair's natural shape.
• Medium-hold gels: These can be used on straight hair as an alternative to mousse, offering beautiful volume and shape that volumizing sprays might not achieve.
• Hard-hold gels: These are perfect for creating sweat-proof styles, especially when the hair is combed or brushed into place and allowed to dry completely.

Custom formulas are also available, allowing you to find a gel that perfectly suits your specific needs. For example, you can find high-hold options that smooth frizz for straight hair without creating a stiff, helmet-like effect, or curl-enhancing and moisturizing gels for textured styles that offer lightweight hold without the crunch.

Universal Hair Gel Tips

To achieve the best results with hair gel, here are some universal tips, with specific advice for different hair types, courtesy of DeZarate:

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1. Start with Wet Hair: Regardless of your hair texture, hair needs to be wet to activate the gel. Use freshly cleaned or rinsed hair, and it should be towel dried but still damp. Even for a quick application, spritzing the hair with water is essential to achieve the desired result. Applying gel to wet hair helps lock in moisture and prevent unwanted frizz.
2. Blow-Dry for More Control: Blow-drying after applying gel can provide more hold compared to air-drying. This can be particularly useful for curls, allowing you to lock in added definition and have greater control over the finished style.
3. Use Sparingly on Thinning Hair: If your hair is fine or thinning, use less product, especially for shorter styles. Opt for a lightweight or medium-hold gel and apply it sparingly to avoid weighing the hair down. For short, sparse styles, it’s often best to stick with a lightweight gel or switch to a light-hold cream instead.
4. Tame Flyaways: Hair gel can be used to tame cowlicks and flyaways. It's excellent for creating wind- and weather-resistant hairstyles.
5. Start Small: Begin with a small amount of gel and add more as needed until you achieve your desired style. Typically, you'll need more gel than other products like fibers or clays. For shorter styles, start with a penny-sized amount, and for medium to longer styles, use a nickel-sized amount.
6. Shampoo Regularly: Washing your hair every morning before application, followed by a residue-free conditioner is ideal for gel users. While you may prefer to wash your hair every second or third day, gels often wear best in freshly shampooed strands. Some curly styles will incorporate a leave-in conditioning cream prior to gel use, but other hair types will want to start with a totally clean, towel-dried canvas.

How to Use Hair Gel on Curly, Wavy, and Coily Hair

Hair gel can be a game-changer for achieving defined, controlled curls without frizz. Here's how to use it effectively for your hair's natural texture:

1. Start with Freshly Washed Hair: Begin with a fresh canvas for the gel application. After shampooing, use a conditioner. Many curly types prefer to get it from their leave-in conditioning cream. Dry off your hair after the shower, but make sure it’s still damp before applying the gel.
2. Optional: Apply Leave-In Conditioner: Apply your leave-in conditioning cream. Note that any two products, when used together, will create a slightly different effect than if used on their own. So you may want to test your gel with and without a leave-in base, just to see if it still helps you achieve your end goal-especially if the gel has conditioning ingredients.
3. Apply the Gel: For curly hair, you can be more generous with lightweight gel than those with shorter, straighter styles. Start with a nickel- or quarter-sized amount and massage it into your palms. The goal is to evenly coat the strands. For looser curls, target the ends of the hairs with gel and scrunch the curls upwards. For coily hair, press the palms together and run entire groups of strands through the palms, from roots to ends. Experiment with different methods to find the best coating technique, which may vary depending on your hair length.
4. Dry the Hair: You can use a diffuser or let your hair air-dry. A blow dryer will typically deliver more hold and control.
5. Loosen Locked Curls: Hair gel might leave with some initial “crunch” in the hair gel, while it holds your curls together. If so, gently pick these curls apart by pulling lightly on the ends of hair, then letting them bounce into their resting place.

Other Hair Styling Products for Men

In the vast world of hair and grooming, there is no shortage of hair products to choose from. Hair products can give you that long lasting finished barber look that ensures your hair game is on point and stays intact throughout the day.

• Salt Spray: Applying salt spray to your hair can make it feel thicker and gives it a strong hold. This is a great option if you are not keen on using many other products and want a hassle-free hair product regime. It helps keep your blowdry in place, so there is no need for hairspray.
• Mousse: Mousse or styling foam is designed for curly hair and works best when scrunch drying or diffuser drying. The ingredients in mousse help enhance the shape of curls. Mousse can be applied to both curly, messy and straight hair when wet before blowdrying. It can enhance volume and ensure a great hold in a blowdry. It will also add a natural hold if you don’t want to add other styling products after your blowdry.
• Wax: If you are looking for extremely strong hold, wax is the product to use. Wax will also give you heavy shine as well as hold. A good tip for waxes is to use them on your beard or moustache to give it a definite shape.
• Pomade: Pomade has become the more preferred hair product for men these days, compared to gels and waxes. Applying pomade to your finished style will give it a really nice hold and a noticeably natural look. Pomade will work in most hair types, but it is not recommended for fine hair, as it will cause it to look limp and flat. The pomade may even stick to the scalp.
• Clay: Clay will give you a super matte finish when applied to your finished hairstyle. It can be used in an array of men’s hairstyle choices, but be careful not to apply too much to your hair, as it can cause the hair to clump.
• Hair Paste: Hair paste is a little more of a lighter option compared to clay. Using paste on lighter hair will give you the best results and is not a heavy product at all. This product is perfect for guys who don’t want to make a fuss around styling and want a natural look.

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