Gel-based hair products – has their time come (again)?
If one was to assemble a starter kit for an adolescent male of the 80s, 90s, or even early 2000s, then surely an alcohol-based hair gel would be the first product that comes to mind.
These products have undoubted holding power, with countless high-school formals littered with eligible males with hair so static that it looked like they’d stood in a wind tunnel for hours on end in preparation.
Hair gel will never quite shake its reputation for gaudiness–especially for those who experienced it during its heyday. Nevertheless, a new generation of men and an improved formula are seeing hair gel make a comeback.
Mercifully, today’s hair gels are not crunchy one-hit wonders. You still can obtain the traditional wet look with maximum hold if that’s what you prefer, but those yearning for something else are also catered for. Many hair gels have now done away with the blueish goop of yesteryear and are now creamier, more flexible, and can even provide a matte finish.
Many are also alcohol-free and formulated with natural ingredients that possess nourishing properties. This means you can avoid a dry and irritated scalp and, perhaps more importantly, hair that looks as brittle as porcelain.
While hair gel is no longer as niche as it used to be, it is better suited to those with medium to high-density hair that may be curly, wavy, or coarse. Those who need a product to tame fizz without making their locks appear limp may also find value in adding a hair gel to their arsenal.
By extension, those with thin or thinning hair should avoid most gels and choose something like a mousse or serum instead.
How to use hair gel
So how do you apply hair gel the right way?
Simply follow these steps:
1. Decide on a hairstyle and then on the most suitable hair gel. Gels with a light, foamy consistency can be used for a messy look, while thicker products are perfect for slick-back and side part hairstyles where hold is a priority.
2. Ensure your hair is washed beforehand. The appearance (and indeed effectiveness) of hair gel is improved when applied to clean hair as opposed to hair that is dirty or greasy.
3. Use the gel like you would a shampoo. This means placing a small amount on your fingers, rubbing it into your hands, and applying it to your hair. The amount of gel required depends on your hair density and length. As a general rule, those with short or thin hair only need a dime-sized amount.
4. Work your way in. Apply the gel starting at the hairline and then move toward the roots. Repeat as necessary or use a comb to spread it around more easily and then style.
The top five hair gel products we love
4D recommends
If there was ever one hair gel to rule them all, it would have to be Biolage Styling Gelée with almost 5,500 4 and 5-star reviews on Amazon.
This product delivers on control, shine, body, and nourishment. Enriched with blue agave nectar, the borderline creamy nature of this hair gel also adds volume while taking care of flyaways and frizz. In other words, it does what any good hair gel should.
Aveda is a great brand at a slightly higher price than some competitors, but don’t let that dissuade you. This is an great hair gel backed by a company with proven and consistent results in the health and beauty industry.
Aveda hair gel is a high-hold product targeted at active men who want a wet look and sleek finish. As a recviewer says “My favourite hair gel! Would recommend this to anyone and everyone. Virtually invisible, and your hair stays how you want it to be all day while feeling (almost) the same”
Baxter of California Thickening Style Gel
We said earlier that most hair gels do not mix with thin or thinning hair, but this one bucks the trend.
The Baxter of California Thickening Style Gel is a high hold, pomade-style product that adds thickness and is enriched with nourishing Vitamin B5, birch juice, and ginger. It’s also economical, with only a fingernail-sized amount needed in most cases.
L'Oréal Men Expert Extreme Fix Indestructible Gel
Best known for its wide range of hair & beauty products, L’Oreal produces a strong hair gel that leaves your hair in place the whole day, and it's not greasy or sticky. It has a lovely, manly fragrance, and a little goes a long way !
L’Oreal Men Expert Gel is affordable and can hold its structure without fading or flaking. Click here to get a special 4D price at Boots !
One of our writers swears by hair powder and the wonderfully named Geeza is a winner !
Geeza is a revolutionary premium, professional-grade men's volume powder that thickens and helps style your hair is an extreme way to get fantastically fuller, voluminously bouncy, massively manageable hair with a gorgeously soft matte finish
Best gel for fresh hairstyles
For those who may be thinning on top or simply prefer a younger look or style, it is hard to go past the high-hold, texture-adding hair gel from Baxter of California. 4Ders get a special 15% off by clicking here (valid for 30 days)
Best gel for classic hairstyles
L’Oreal Men Expert Gel is one of the best gels for a wide range of classic hairstyles. It is perfect for men who want a light but firm hold with an appearance and feel that is softer and more gentle than a sleeker, more traditional hair gel.
Final thoughts
Hair gels (and the hairstyles they inspire) are enjoying somewhat of a renaissance at present. But that doesn’t mean everything is going back to the way it was in the 80s or 90s.
Modern hair gels offer a sleek and matte finish and the alcohol-free versions are more kind to your scalp and the appearance of your hair. The five hair gels we featured in this piece are a good representation of this new paradigm which respects the traditions of old while also catering to modern men who desire something more.
References
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Biolage-Styling-Gelee
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baxter-California-Thickening-Style-Gel/dp/B07QFJZBBN
Click here to get a special 4D price on L’Oreal at Boots !