Hair gel is a hairstyling product that is applied to wet hair to aid in the styling process. Hair gel comes in several forms, including gel consistency, liquid consistency, or spray form. The holding power of hair gel varies from light hold to strong hold and is most frequently the preferred styling product for styles that are allowed to air dry. Hair gel is sold at both professional hair salons and at discount drug stores.

Though hair gel is used to aid in the styling process of many different hairstyles, hair gel is most useful at providing a “wet look.” Hair gel is also useful for “crunching,” a styling term that refers to bunching up strands of hair to boost any natural or chemical curl or wave in the hair. Even though hair gel creates a superb wet look and works well with air dry styles, it can also be used when blow drying and heat styling.

The method of applying hair gel depends on the type in use. If you are using spray gel, simply spray all over the hair from roots to end and then work into the hair using your hands. For regular or liquid hair gel, apply a quarter-sized dollop to one palm, rub together with the other, and work into the hair. For longer hair, more may be necessary to cover all strands. Always apply hair gel to damp towel-dried hair as it is not designed for use on dry hair.

Similar to other styling products applied to wet hair, hair gel can be reactivated by lightly spraying the hair with water once dry. To revamp a style in a hurry, simply mist your hair with a spray bottle full of water and reshape. If additional hold is desired, you can easily reapply a small amount of hair gel before combing or shaping.

If you have dry hair, you should avoid using hair gel that contains alcohol. Like other styling products, hair gel can build up on the hair follicles over time with frequent use. To remove this build-up, simply use a clarifying shampoo once every few weeks. Follow up with a conditioner after washing hair with a clarifying shampoo and then style as usual. Experiment with different types of hair gel and different hold strength to find the product that best suits your styling needs.