Best hair gel UK

Which is the best hair gel in 2024?

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Best of 2024: Find the right hair gel in the UK

With many styling products available, it’s difficult to know which one is best for your hair, with popular products like hair gel, wax, and mousse all providing a different finish. Looking for the best hair gels but unsure what you need? Here’s a guide to what to look for and how to find the best hair gel for your hair type.


The 10 best hair gels in the UK (November 2024)

The bestseller list compares hair gels from multiple brands
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Alberto Balsam 5000297625233 hair gel
Alberto Balsam 5000297625233
  • Volume: 200 ml per package.
  • Formula: Salon tested formula.
  • Hold: For ultimate hold and control.
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Offer TOP 2
Image of Eco Style ECOOLV08 hair gel
Eco Style ECOOLV08
  • Ethical: Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, promoting sustainable hair care practices.
  • Nourishment: Enriched with olive oil for sleek, hydrated, and shiny hair.
  • Size: 236 ml container for portable, on-the-go styling needs.
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TOP 3
Image of L'ORÉAL 100684577 hair gel
L'ORÉAL 100684577
  • Smooth: No stickiness, stiffness, or flaking
  • Gentle: Kind on hair, causing no damage
  • Clean: No visible residue after use
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TOP 4
Image of Goldwell 830-420-A76 hair gel
Goldwell 830-420-A76
  • Protection: UV filter and elastomer guard against color loss and heat.
  • Ingredients: Bamboo proteins for natural, flexible styling.
  • Brand: Trusted by over 62,000 professional stylists.
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TOP 5
Image of Eco Style I811A hair gel
Eco Style I811A
  • Versatile: Perfect for all hair types, providing sleek and hydrated styles.
  • Vegan: Formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients.
  • Moisturisation: Enriched with olive oil to moisturise and define hair.
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TOP 6
Image of L'ORÉAL 3600520921068 hair gel
L'ORÉAL 3600520921068
  • Type: Ideal for normal hair.
  • Style: Provides strong hold with bounce-back flexibility.
  • Speed: Dries ultra-quickly for immediate styling.
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TOP 7
Image of WELLA PROFESSIONALS 81070331 hair gel
WELLA PROFESSIONALS 81070331
  • Convenience: Washes out easily, no residue.
  • Finish: Provides natural shine without stickiness.
  • Durability: Resists heat and sweat for all-day hold.
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TOP 8
Image of Eco Style 905040 hair gel
Eco Style 905040
  • Versatile: Suitable for creating various hairstyles with flexibility and control.
  • Ethical: Formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients for cruelty-free beauty.
  • Hydration: Contains Moroccan argan oil to hydrate and nourish hair.
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TOP 9
Image of Eco Style 905060 hair gel
Eco Style 905060
  • Safe: Alcohol-free, paraben-free, no flake, no tack, anti-itch for all hair types.
  • Moisture: Made with 100% pure olive oil for scalp and hair hydration.
  • Hold: Provides all-day soft, bouncy, shiny hair without heaviness.
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TOP 10
Image of Brylcreem S1W30553 hair gel
Brylcreem S1W30553
  • Brand: Trusted and reputable Brylcreem quality.
  • Volume: Contains six 150ml packs for extended use.
  • Hold: Strong and long-lasting grip for all hair types.
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Table of contents
  1. Read the definitive hair gel buying guide
  2. View the hair gel picks and see how they rank in the top list

hair gel buying guide

Do you want to buy a good hair gel? This is all you need to know.

A short explanation: What are hair gels?

Image of hair gels

Hair gel is a hairstyling product that is typically made from either acrylic or ethanol polymers. These proteins form a wet film in the hair, which when dried, hardens to hold the hair in place. The best hair gels can hold a variety of hair types while maintaining a shine, although cheaper hair gels may leave a crust residue on the hair and cause it to feel brittle. Good hair gel can be used to add texture to hair, to slick it back, and to add volume.

What are the benefits of good hair gels?

Hair gel is a very popular product used by both men and women to style their hair. There are many reasons to invest in a great hair gel, namely giving your hair a unique style or holding it in place for a long time. Many people use hair gel to style their hair for special occasions, while it’s a daily ritual for many people working in the fashion and beauty industries. Hair gel is not only used to style hair but often to treat certain hair conditions, with most gels giving hair a thicker appearance.

How to choose the best hair gel in 2024?

Additional image of hair gel

Choosing the best Hair gels depends on the individual. As is the case with all styling products, the best hair on one person may not be the best on another. Knowing what is the right hair gel for your needs can be difficult due to the sheer amount of the products available. Therefore, it’s good to know what to look for in a hair gel:

  • Hair Type: One of the easier ways to choose a hair gel is to be aware of your hair type, making it easier to find a suitable gel. Most gels are more than capable of styling normal hair. However, if your hair type is more on the wild or difficult end of the spectrum, then you need a heavy-duty gel that has a strong hold to tame it, and maybe even go for something designed for this such as thick curly hair.
  • Hold: Not all hair gels are the same, with each offering its own kind of hold. Some are designed to straighten thin layers of hair making them appear longer, some hold curly hair in place without issue, while strong or maximum hold gels are what you need to control wavy, thick, or unmanageable hair. Never assume every hair gel is the same, because each is designed for certain hold and style, so make sure whatever you buy is suitable for your type of hair.
  • Ingredients: Hair gels are traditionally made with a few simple ingredients, so few that it’s possible to make your own at home. However, with the abundance of cheap chemical relaxers, there’s a fair chance many will be used in the cheaper end of the spectrum for the sake of adding more volume to thicker and straighter. This is a problem because some ingredients can dry the scalp, leave flakes in the hair, or cause a negative reaction on the skin. Should you have any of these issues with the better quality ingredients then try a different one, but be sure to do a patch test on your skin to protect against an adverse reaction.

Which types of hair gels are available to buy in the UK?

There are countless types of hair gel available, so it is understandable that some many struggle to choose the best one for their hair. The most popular hair gels include:

  • Extra Hold Hair Gel: This gel offers the strongest hold, making it the best choice if you want long-lasting styles or have thick, hard to manage hair.
  • Wet Line Hair Gels: Features a lighter hold and glossier finish, it’s a popular choice for most users as it is very easy to use. A great choice for most styling from medium to short lengths.
  • Dry Hair Gels: A lighter gel that offers a more natural look, it’s ideal for thinner hair or to get a more understated, relaxed style for all hair types.
…are you ready for the best picks of 2024?

VIEW THE TOP 10 LIST →