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As the warmer weather approaches our twisting butters and curl creams need a little more backup to hold our styles in place. Summer means humidity, which means frizz if you don’t lock the moisture into your hair. I’m a huge fan of gels year-round, but particularly in the summertime when I need the extra assistance in maintaining multiple-day hair. Not all gels are created equal, however, and it’s important to pick a gel that will combat humidity without sucking the life out of your strands. Scroll through this gallery to find five of the best gels for frizz-free results without the dryness.
KINKY CURLY CURLING CUSTARD
The Kinky Curly Curling Custard ($14.39, target.com) is hands down one of the best gels on the market. Yeah, I said it. If your hair pattern has any sort of curl, kink or coil, this lightweight gel will make it pop and hold its shape for days. It works wonders for defining my hair, which is majority type 3, as well as my friend’s more tightly coiled, type 4 hair. My favorite thing about the custard is that it’s made with all natural ingredients including agave nectar and aloe vera juice, which make it great not only for hold but for moisture as well. While I use a leave-in religiously, this is one of the only gels I would dare to put on my naked hair.
TALIAH WAAJID CURL SEALER
The name pretty much says it all. The Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer ($4.76, walmart.com) is more like a traditional gel in texture, except lightweight. The alcohol-free formula provides hold without drying your hair out, making this a great gel option for mid-week touchups. I like to use this gel for everything from setting a wash and go, to laying down my hair for a sleek bun or ponytail.
CURLS BLUEBERRY BLISS CURL CONTROL JELLY
The Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly ($17.99, target.com) is one of my holy-grail gel picks. Not only does it smell like a blueberry jolly rancher, but it sculpts my curls like nothing else and somehow stands up in any weather without leaving a super crunchy gel-cast. It’s magical.
ECO STYLER OLIVE OIL PROFESSIONAL STYLING GEL
An OG, the Eco Styler Olive Oil Professional Styling Gel ($2.97, walmart.com) has been in my collection since I first went natural four years ago. Thicker in consistency than each one of the aforementioned gels, this one is best used sparingly, but even as a heavier gel it doesn’t weigh my curls down. That being said, nothing—not even humidity—is penetrating through this stuff.
OUIDAD ADVANCED CLIMATE CONTROL HEAT & HUMIDITY GEL
Last but not least is the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($26.00, sephora.com). As the name suggests, this one is made with anti-frizz technology specifically targeted towards combatting humidity. The wheat protein in the formula along with flexible styling polymers adapt as heat or humidity increases so that your curl definition remains firmly in place. Silk protein also keeps the hair cuticle from opening up and letting in excess humidity.
Have you tried any of these gels for frizz-free hair? Let us know in the comments section down below.
