Anyone reading this who was in their teenage years during the early 00s will be all too familiar with hair gel. Remember that crunch? Yikes!
Well, we can let bygones be bygones when it comes to the spiky-all-over cut à la Taylor Lautner or any member of N Sync’s signature crispy coiffure, but hair gel still remains a useful styling tool today.
According to celebrity groomer Josh Knight, who works with the likes of Paul Mescal, Will Poulter and Corey Mylchreest, it can be used to create this latest trend-led styles: “Right now, I love a mullet or Sixties mod haircut - anything with a lot of texture to it. I use a softer gel in curly hair to create more of a defined curl and a harder gel to create details with the hair - or if I wanted a really slicked look to stay in place.”
The good news? The options on the market nowadays go far beyond the flakey formulations we remember from two decades ago. If you’re in the market for both style and substance, look out for strengthening and conditioning ingredients like aloe vera or vitamin B - although these will come at a slightly higher price point.
For Knight, there are a couple of brands that deliver the best results: “Got2b’s gel is my favourite for a stronghold or Sam McKnight’s Self Control is great for shine and guaranteed all-day wear”.
The all-important question - how do you make sure you remain flake-free? He continues: “Start with less gel because you can always build it up but it’s harder to take it down. If it does go flakey you can usually use water to reactivate the gel.”
So, without further ado, find your new styling companion in our pick below.
Keep scrolling for the best.
Hair by Sam McKnight Self Control Gel 150ml
An expert in the done-undone tousled look, Sam McKnight’s range of hair products is sure to satisfy your styling needs.
This gel, which is on the more sculpted end of the spectrum, offers a strong that’s perfect for a slicked-back style. Even better, it contains honeysuckle and amaranthus seed extracts which will nourish your hair whilst it keeps it in place.
Buy now £22.00, Cult Beauty
Aesop Sculpt Hair Polish
Whether you’re in the market for shine, a fresh citrus fragrance, extra volume or wet-look styling, Aesop’s hair polish has you covered. Simply work it into damp or dry hair and comb it into the desired position.
Buy now £25.00, Aesop
Harry’s Sculpting Gel
Harry’s, the cult-favourite men’s grooming brand, has a great range of well-priced products you can trust - including this hair gel. It won’t flake or fade, and thanks to its alcohol-free credentials, it won’t damage your hair either.
Buy now £5.00, Harry’s
Baxter of California Thickening Style Gel Men
Enriched with ginger and birch juice, ginseng and vitamin B5, Baxter of California’s thickening gel will soften and smooth your hair whilst it works its high-hold magic - with no flaking, crunchiness or residue in sight. Although it’s on the more expensive end of the spectrum, it’s a gel that will improve both health and shine in one easy hit.
Buy now £38.10, Amazon
R+Co Ring Tone Ultra Defining Gel Creme
For any guys blessed with curly locks, R+Co’s gel creme will define your ringlets without weighing them down. Infused with nourishing agave nectar extract, it will fight against frizz in humid environments, whilst the chia seed, prickly pear oil and vitamin B will lock in moisture as it keeps your style in place.
Buy now £25.00, Cult Beauty
Bumble and bumble Sumogel
New York-based label Bumble and bumble is one of the best haircare brands in the business. From its shampoos and conditioners to its masks and treatments, all of the products are supercharged to be beneficial for your hair from the outside in - and its comprehensive selection of styling products is no exception.
This gel is enriched with panthenol and aloe vera which will nourish your hair, while the firm hold formula will keep it in position all day long.
Buy now £26.00, Space NK
Jack Black Hair Gel
If you prefer a flexible hold, Jack Black’s Body Building Gel is the one for you. It will also deliver volume, definition, a lustrous sheen and a range of hair-loving proteins and vitamins. For £12, you really can’t go wrong.
Buy now £14.00, Amazon
Vo5 Mega Hold Styling Gel 200 ml
A strong hold gel that does what it says on the tin, Vo5’s Mega Hold Styling Gel has been a stalwart on the styling scene for decades for a reason. It’s a no-frills formula that’s long-lasting and high-performance - and it will keep your hair in place from AM to PM for a fraction of the price.
Buy now £3.00, Boots
