Are you looking for a gel for curls ? In this blog we give you tips for finding the best curl gel and what you should pay attention to when purchasing a gel.
What is a gel?
A gel is a product that ensures that your curls stay in shape , have less frizz and get a little bounce. So many benefits ! All gels are formulated in a certain way. A gel often consists of the following elements:
- Water
- Polymers (so your hair stays in shape)
- Emulsifiers (ensure ingredients can dissolve)
- Substance improvers (to make it thicker/jelly-like)
- Perfume (for the scent)
- Preservative (to make your gel shelf stable)
- Additives (for extra shine, moisture, etc.)
What types of gels are there for curls?
Gels come in many shapes and sizes. In principle you can divide them into three types : a strong hold gel, a medium to low hold gel and an activator. An activator is actually a combination of a gel and cream in one, and it also differs in substance from the strong and medium/low hold gels. The substance of an activator is often cream-like, while a 'real' gel is often transparent in color.
There is also a difference in the use of ingredients, which we will discuss further later. For example, one manufacturer uses synthetic ingredients to provide the hold of a gel, while other manufacturers and brands prefer more natural ingredients . Furthermore, certain gels have a very short ingredient list, but there are also gels that contain extra extracts and other nourishing additives.
Finally, hair gels also come in different packaging: tubes, bottles, pouches and jars. Nowadays you can even find gels in solid form.
What are the benefits of a gel?
A gel is an indispensable product as a curly girl. It has the following benefits for your curls:
- Prevents frizzy hair
- Provides better curl definition
- Protects your hair
- Gives your curls hold and fixes them
What should you pay attention to when buying a gel?
Water is always the first ingredient. This is often followed by an ingredient that provides hold. This ingredient coats your hair and dries, ensuring the fixation of your hair. In English they also call these 'film formers'. Film formers lie on your hair and pull strands of your hair together, creating clumps/definition. After drying you often get a cast that you can squeeze out. These film formers are therefore important in a gel.
Polymers
Polymers within a gel ensure that your hair stays in good shape. It is an art for many cosmetic chemists to add sufficient polymers to the gel without making your hair too heavy, greasy or sticky. For this purpose, chemists often use a combination of different types of polymers to find the best combination. Polymers are fixing ingredients within a gel.
The above takes a lot of time and is therefore often extensively tested. They often do this by applying a styling polymer to a strand of (straight) hair and then letting it dry. A machine then stretches the hair. Chemists can get a lot of information from this: how stiff does the hair become? To what extent can the hair return to the shape it had?
Examples of common polymers in gels are:
- PVP/VA copolymer or VP/VA copolymer PVP: These are one of the best gel film formers. But, these ingredients also have a downside because they can absorb water very quickly. This means that in humid weather, your hair attracts a lot of moisture.
- VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer
- Polyacrylate acid
- Polyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer
- VP/Dimethylaminoethyl Methaceylate Copolymer (VP/DMAEMA) – this is also known as Polyquaternium-11
- Polyquaternium ( Polyquats ) Cationic Polymers. Provide hold and are resistant to damp weather.
- Polyquaternium-4
- Polyquaternium-10
- Polyquaternium-11
- Polyquaternium-28
- Polyquaternium-69
- Polyquaternium-72
Not all polyquaterniums are fixative. Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-44, Polyquaternium-47, Polyquaternium-55, Polyquaternium-59, Polyquaternium-87 etc. are used as conditioning agents, better detangling of the hair or for UV protection.
Fixing humectants in gels
In addition to the above fixing ingredients, there are also fixing humectants . Humectants also form around the hair but generally provide less good hold than the above. But you can also get a cast in your hair with these humectants:
- Flax seed gel
- Aloe vera
- Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Carboxymethyl cellulose
- Pectin
- Xanthan Gum
- Guar Gum
- Marshmallow Root
- Slippery Elm
- Nettle Extract
- Panthenol
- Hydrolyzed Protein
- Peptides
- Amino Acids
What is a 'good' gel?
A good hair gel therefore contains the following:
- Make sure that the gel at least contains film formers . Preferably polymers such as PVP, PVA etc.
- Would you prefer a gel on a more natural basis? Then look for ingredients such as: xanthan gum, aloe vera juice, flaxseed extract and chia seed extract (fixing humectants).
- In addition to the above, a gel may also contain a humectant that often works well with polymers.
Tips for using a hair gel
In addition to the above, it is also good to know how to use a gel properly so that you can benefit most from the hold of the gel. Some tips are:
- Do not use too much cream or leave-in before applying the gel. Use a little bit, experiment with it and build it up if necessary.
- Apply the gel to damp hair (not to soaking wet hair: when the water is still dripping out). Pat it dry a little with a curling towel .
- Apply several layers of gel. Is your hair 80% dry? Then feel free to apply a little more gel to increase the hold level.
- If necessary, use a second gel to create even more hold for your hair. Our advice would be to choose a gel with strong and medium to low hold.
A gel for curls
A gel for curly hair sounds crazy, because gel is something for men, right? But, it certainly isn't! Because a gel is a super good product for curly hair. It ensures that your hair stays in shape better and longer. In addition, it puts a very thin layer around your hair, which reduces frizz and retains moisture in your hair.
Don't like that hard feeling? No problem. Because you can squeeze out this hard layer (also called a cast) with an oil or serum. You do this when your hair is 100% dry. Afterwards you will notice that your curls feel softer again, look more natural and have a bounce.
Top 5 gel for curls:
1. Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Gel
When we talk about a popular gel for curls, the Curl Jelly Gel from Umberto Giannini really takes the cake. This has been our most popular CG gel since 2019. Why? Because he is so damn good! This curly girl gel gives your curls a medium to hard hold. Furthermore, it is suitable for multiple curl types and textures. So you can also use this gel very well with wavy hair because it is super light. Also good to know, it also has a very nice price.
2. Creme of Nature Argan Snot Styling Gel (no longer available)
Another winner! Because this gel has become so incredibly popular in 2020 that it was hard to find! The secret of this gel for your curls? The hold! This gel gives your curls 200% hold. You can be sure that you will get a cast from this gel. Another advantage of this gel, although the substance is very thick, the ingredients are not too heavy. This means that you can also use it as a curly girl with wavy hair. Another advantage? This bottle is available for only 9.89 euros. And if you tell someone that you are using this Snot gel, don't be surprised by strange faces!
The most used gel for curls from Babs in her curl workshops (a hairdresser we work with), who uses this gel from Giovanni Cosmetics very often in her workshop! Why? It gives a super good hold (medium to hard hold) and can be used for multiple curl types and textures. This gel, like its predecessors, is also very light. Because it is a light gel, you can be sure that your curls will not sag. This gel also has a nice price in the lower segment.
4. Treluxe Hi Definition Curl Enhancer
This CG gel comes in a jar and is in a slightly higher price range. It is so popular because the gel is part of the top brand Treluxe . Treluxe is a brand from America that has already managed to win the hearts of many curlies. This gel for curls is on the thicker side in terms of structure, but just like the snot gel, on the (ultra) light side based on its ingredients. It is packed with extracts and that makes it so light and mega concentrated compared to its predecessors. Finally, this curl gel contains protein, while the above gels are protein-free.
And then, last but certainly not least, the curl gel from Holy Curls . This gel is characterized by its striking character: the packaging and, best of all, its ingredients. Are you looking for a gel that is vegan and eco? Then you have come to the right place at Holy Curls. This CG gel is ultra concentrated and formulated with the best ingredients. The hold of the gel is medium. Looking for extra hold? Then you can use this gel very well in combination with another gel (for example one of the above). This gel is in the slightly higher price segment compared to other CG products. On the other hand, it is super concentrated, so you can use it for a long time. Just like the Treluxe variant, this curly girl gel also contains protein.
Are you looking for a good gel for curls? Then you are now inspired and we are sure that you made a good choice! View all CG gels or ask a question below.