11 Best Curly Girl Method Approved Gels 2025
This is a list of the best curly girl method approved gels to include in your 2025 curly girl routine, to ensure that your defined curls last longer that wash day!
Curly girl gels are key to achieving long lasting, frizz free curl definition. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably tried countless products to find the ultimate curly hair gel.
In this post, I’m revealing my top curly girl gel picks, the ones that have truly lived up to their promises and transformed my curly hair game.
So, whether you’re a seasoned curly girl or just beginning your journey, join me as we explore the best gels to help your curls flourish and shine!
Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”
Best Curly Method Approved Gels
- Twist Weather Up Weightless Curl Defining Gel
- Aussie Instant Freeze Gel 20 HR Max Hold
- Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard
- Camille Rose Curl Maker
- Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat And Humidity Gel
- Curl Smith Curl Defining Styling Souffle
- Bounce Curl Light Creme Hair Gel
- Garnier Fructis Curl Treat
- Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel
- Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel
- Dippity Do Girls With Curls Gelee
Each of these top-rated curly girl gels can be conveniently found on Amazon, ensuring a hassle-free shopping experience. To purchase, simply click on the image of the gel that piques your interest.
Please remember that brands may change ingredients, so it’s always a good idea to double check before your purchase.
Twist Weather Up Weightless Curl Defining Gel
Buy On: Amazon
As a curly girl, I’m always on a mission to find the best curly girl method approved gel that gives me defined curls without the dreaded sticky or crunchy feeling.
I’ve found EVERYTHING I’ve always wanted in this affordable curly girl approved gel.
This remarkable curly girl gel not only defines my curls but also leaves it hydrated, combats humidity-induced frizz and flyaways, leaving my curls looking flawless and juicy.
Our curls’ unique structure makes them more susceptible to frizz, but with Twist Weather Up Gel, I’ve found the perfect solution to keep my curls looking fabulous with no residue.
For me, this curly girl gel offers unparalleled results and delivers hydrated, soft, touchable hold without any crunchy residue, making it an absolute must-have in my curly hair routine.
Give it a try, and you’ll soon see why it’s become a personal favorite of mine!
You may love this post: Twist By Ouidad : Curly Girl Twist Hair Product Review & Results
Aussie Instant Freeze Gel 20 HR Max Hold
This curly girl approved gel is one of the best to create a gel cast so that your defined curls last for days.
This affordable curly girl gel promises a 20-hour maximum hold and ensures that everytime I style my curls, I get the desired definition, minus any annoying flakes.
I highly recommend giving Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Gel a try—you won’t be disappointed!
You may also love: My full review of this curly girl gel
Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard
This curly girl gel is a rich, moisturizing gel that leaves my curls hydrated and incredibly defined.
This curly girl method approved gel provides excellent slip and is fantastic for creating a strong cast that helps preserve my wash day results for days.
I’ve been impressed with the definition and hold it offers my curls.
Kinky Curly Custard is protein-free, making it an excellent option for curly girls with protein-sensitive curls.
This gel is a definite must-try for any curly girl seeking hydrated, well-defined, healthy curls.
Camille Rose Curl Maker
This natural curly girl gel is a must try for long lasting, defined curls. It’s lightweight and the slip is amazing.
Enriched with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and aloe leaf juice, the formula defines and holds my curls, ensuring they look fabulous all day long.
Another advantage of this gel is that it works wonders on refresh days. Just a small amount is needed to revive my curls and keep them looking fresh and lively.
If you’re searching for a natural curly girl gel that delivers lasting definition, I highly recommend giving this one a try.
With its lightweight texture, incredible slip, and nourishing ingredients, it’s a curly hair essential that won’t disappoint!
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat And Humidity Gel
This curly girl approved, strong hold gel clumps curls and provides hold for days. It has a thin consistency, is very lightweight and provides a lot of slip.
This flexible hold gel doesn’t leave my hair crunchy, sticky, or weighed down, but instead delivers frizz-free, perfectly defined curls, regardless of the climate.
The sulfate-free and paraben-free formula not only styles my curls but also nourishes it, resulting in healthy, naturally beautiful curls. I’ve been genuinely impressed by this bestselling styler, which has consistently saved me from hair-raising situations.
This gel offers flexible hold, nourishes your hair, and provides superior frizz protection and I highly recommend giving this curly girl gel a try.
Curl Smith Curl Defining Styling Souffle
Curl Smith’s protein free gel is a nice medium to strong hold gel that is easily reactivated with water.
This curly girl method approved gel serves as both a moisturizer and a medium hold styling gel that delivers moisture, bouncy hold, and definition to any curl type.
It’s a thick gel so a little goes a long way. To apply, rub the product between your hands so that it’s easy to apply. It forms a nice gel cast for long lasting curls.
Upon application, this curly girl gel creates a slight “cast” on my curls, trapping moisture inside and providing definition.
The formula is free from sulfates, silicones, mineral oils, and phthalates. Moreover, it’s curly girl friendly, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free.
Its unique texture, safe ingredients, and impressive results have made it an indispensable part of my curly hair care and I definitely recommend it to all curly girls.
Bounce Curl Light Creme Hair Gel
Bounce Curl’s gel has a really nice creamy consistency so it’s easy to apply to your curls.
This curly girl gel doesn’t weigh down my hair, allowing me to create volume while still defining my curls.
The unique blend of gel and a touch of cream leaves my hair feeling weightless while defining and locking in my curl shape for days.
So, if you’re seeking a hair product that offers lightweight hold, curl definition, and volume, I highly recommend giving this curly girl gel a try.
Garnier Fructis Curl Treat
Buy On: Amazon
This curly girl gel is formulated to hydrate, condition, and smooth frizz, leaving my curls nourished and shining.
It’s curly girl method approved as it doesn’t contain any sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial colorants or mineral oil.
This gel creates a good gel cast so that your defined curls last for days. This curly girl gel is definitely worth a try!
Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel
This curly girl method approved gel is very budget friendly and I was eager to try it!
I was thrilled to find that this curly girl hair gel provides a non-flaking hold with no residue and provided the necessary hold to make my wash day results last for days.
At the incredible price point, this is a definite keeper for my curly hair routine.
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel
Briogeo’s gel is perfect for wavy or curly hair, from textures 2a to 3c.
It’s a lightweight gel that will define your waves and curls without too much crunch or hold.
This curly girl gel offers light to medium hold, resulting in long-lasting, natural-looking definition with excellent movement, shine, and softness.
If you’re in search of a product that provides natural frizz control and enhances your curls’ definition, shine, and softness, I highly recommend the Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel.
Dippity Do Girls With Curls Gelee
Girls With Curls‘ gelee is a lightweight, pink gel creates a lovely gel cast that helps my defined waves and curls last longer, ensuring my style stays in place throughout the day.
This curly girl gel provides nice slip for easier application and encourages curls to clump very easily.
This is an affordable curly girl approved gel as it is sulfate, paraben, alcohol and silicone free. It contains protein (hydrolyzed wheat protein) and humectants (sorbitold, propylene glycol and aloe).
If you’re in search of a curl girl approved gel that delivers lasting hold, easy application, and curl clumping, I highly recommend giving Girls With Curls’ gelee a try.
You may also love: My full review of this curly girl gel
Curly Girl Approved Gels
Remember that using the right gel for your hair may take some experimenting.
These curly girl method approved gels are a great place to start and I’m sure that a few on this list will make it to your go to curly girl gel list.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with any of these gels or if you have a favorite curly girl approved gel that I should try and add to this list! Let me know in the comments 🙂
What Does Gel do For curly hair
Gel is essential in your curly girl routine as it locks in moisture and your curl pattern.
Gel is an essential styling product for curly hair, as it plays a crucial role in defining, enhancing, and maintaining the natural shape of curls.
When applied correctly, gel creates a “cast” around each curl, which helps lock in the hair’s natural moisture and protect it from frizz-causing humidity.
By doing so, gel ensures that your curls stay well-defined, bouncy, and frizz-free throughout the day.
Gel also adds a level of hold to your curls, enabling them to maintain their shape without feeling weighed down or crunchy.
This hold is particularly important for those with looser curl patterns, as it helps prevent curls from losing their structure or becoming limp over time.
Should You Use Gel or Mousse For Curly Hair?
If you’re still learning the curly girl method or learning what works best with your curls, you may be wondering, “Should I use a gel or mousse?”
For curly girls, the main difference between a curly girl gel and a mousse is that gels contain ingredients that are incredible for creating a gel cast and so it provides strong hold to keep your curls well defined and frizz free for more days.
What’s a gel cast and why is it good
A gel cast maintains your curls while protecting them from external elements like, humidity and wind.
Is a term used to describe the protective barrier that forms around each individual curl when a gel is applied to wet or damp hair.
The cast is created as the gel dries, resulting in a slightly crunchy, hardened outer layer that encapsulates and preserves the curl’s shape.
You will know a gel cast is formed when your curls feel hard and crunchy after applying your curly girl gel.
This might sound unappealing at first, but the gel cast actually offers numerous benefits for those with curly hair.
The primary advantage of a gel cast is that it locks in the hair’s natural moisture, preventing frizz and flyaways caused by humidity and environmental factors.
The gel cast also ensures that your curls maintain their defined shape throughout the day and even for days after wash day.
Once your hair is fully dry, simply “scrunch out the crunch” to gently to break the cast, releasing soft, defined, and frizz-free curls.
In essence, a gel cast is a curly girl’s secret weapon, as it guarantees well-defined, bouncy, and resilient curls that stay in place all day long.
So, if you want long lasting, defined curls, it’s important to use a gel with strong enough hold to form a hard cast over your defined curls.
How do you scrunch out the crunch
Of course, you don’t want hard, crunchy curls right? So let’s talk about scrunching out the crunch.
When you scrunch out the crunch, you’re removing the gel cast to reveal, softer, bouncier curls.
The best way I’ve found to scrunch out the crunch is using your favorite finishing oil.
Lubricate your hands with the oil. Then, gently scrunch your dried curls until your curls feel softer. The oil will act as a sealant and and will add shine to your frizz free curls.
Read more about how to scrunch out the cruch to break the gel cast
The Best Ways To Apply Hair Gel
Your preferred method of applying your curly girl gel will take some experimenting. It will also depend on your circumstances and your desired results.
The best ways to apply Curly Girl gels:
- In sections
- The Prayer Hands method
- Rake & Shake
Sections
For maximum definition, you can divide your curly hair into small sections and apply your gel to each section. You can scrunch each section as you go, or you can scrunch when all sections have been completed.
Applying this much product will increase your drying time, but your curls will be very defined and frizz free.
Prayer Hands
Coat your hands with your preferred gel, press your hands together over your hair and slide downwards until the end of your hair. Repeat until all of your hair is coated with gel. Finish by scrunching
Rake
With this method, with gel coated hands, rake the gel through the length of your curly hair. Then shake your fingers back and forth. Again, finish by scrunching
Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:
Product recommendations
- 3a 3b Curly Curly Girl Method Approved Products
- Drugstore Curly Girl Method Approved Products For Wavy & Curly Hair
- Best Drugstore Curly Hair Products
- Affordable Curly Girl Products For 2a 2b 2c Wavy Hair
- Sulfate Free (Low Poo) Shampoos – Curl Girl Method Approved
- Curly Girl Method Approved Conditioners For Hydration & Easy Detangling
- Curly Girl Method Deep Conditioners You Need To Try
- Best Leave In Conditioners For Curly Hair & Wavy Hair
- Safe Curly Hair Products for Kids
- Ingredients To Avoid For Curly Hair
- Best Curly Girl Accessories You Must Try
- Curly Girl Gift Guide – Get Something On This List For The Curly Girl In Your Life
Product Reviews
- Hairitage Curl Creme – Curly Girl Approved Curl Cream Review
- Aussie Instant Freeze Gel – Curly Girl Approved Gel Review
- Eco Argan Oil Gel – Curly Girl Approved Protein Gel Review
- Kinky Curly Curling Custard Product Review
- Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner Review
- Curly Girl Product Review – Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
- Dippity Do Girls With Curls Gelee Review
Important Information To Care For Curls & Waves
- What Is Type 3 Hair – 3a 3b 3c Curls & How To Take Care Of It
- How To Take Care Of Curly & Wavy Hair
- Learn How To Deep Condition Curly Hair
- How To Squish To Condish Wavy & Curly Hair
- Find Out How Often Should You Use Leave In Conditioner
- Can You Put Leave In Conditioner On Dry Hair?
- Is Leave In Conditioner A Heat Protectant? Find Out What You Should Use
- Can You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair?
- Find Out What Happens If You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair
- What Is A Gel Cast & How To Scrunch Out The Crunch
- Signs of Moisture Overload & How To Fix It
- Protein Overload Signs & How To Fix It
- How To Fix Wet Frizz
- How To Start The Curly Girl Method
- This Is How To Tell If You Have Naturally Curly Hair – Take the free quiz
- Curly Hair Care Tips & Super Quick Wash Day, Refresh Day Routines For Moms
Dyeing Textured Hair At Home Without Damaging It
Wavy & Curly Hair Routines & hairstyles
- Curly Hair Styling Routine for 3A & 3B Curls
- Wavy Hair Styling Routine 2a 2b 2c Curls
- Curly Hair Winter Routine
- Easy Way To Refresh Curly & Wavy Hair
- How To Style Low Density, Fine Cury Hair
- The Best Way To Define Curls, Make Hair Curlier & Curls Tighter
- How To Grow Curly Hair Faster
- 3 Easy Ways To Sleep With Curly Hair Without Ruining Your Curls
- 5 Ways To Use Coconut Oil To Transform Curls