Best Hair Gels for Wavy Hair of 2025

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 11 Feb 2025

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For those with wavy hair, finding the right hair gel can be a challenge. The market is flooded with products that claim to enhance waves, but not all deliver on their promises. However, there are some hair gels that have received positive feedback from users with wavy hair. These gels help to define and hold waves without leaving hair feeling crunchy or stiff. They also provide moisture and nourishment to keep hair healthy and looking its best. If you're struggling to find the perfect hair gel for your wavy locks, we recommend trying some of the top-rated gels available on the market.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly for Frizz Control Cover #TOP 1
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly for Frizz Control
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly Gel for Curls Cover #TOP 2
Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly Gel for Curls
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Gel Cover #TOP 3
Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Gel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Hair Gels for Wavy Hair

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly for Frizz Control

U005
Pink
200 ml (Pack of 1)
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly for Frizz Control Cover
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly 200ml - Frizz Solution Defining Hair Gel for 2a-4c Curly, Wavy, Coily Hair - Vegan & Cruelty-Free

The Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly is a cult favourite designed to tackle frizz while enhancing shine and defining your curls. This medium-hold gel is perfect for managing all types of wavy, curly, and coily hair, ensuring your locks look their best every day. With a silicone-free formula, it offers professional salon-quality results without harsh ingredients. Plus, it is vegan and cruelty-free, making it a great choice for eco-conscious consumers looking to embrace their natural beauty.

What We Like
Effective frizz control
Enhances shine and definition
Suitable for all curl types
Vegan and cruelty-free
Easy application method

Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly Gel for Curls

2622207
white
59 ml (Pack of 1)
Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly Gel for Curls Cover
Curlsmith - Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly - Vegan Defining Gel for Wavy, Curly or Coily Hair (59ml)

Curlsmith Flexi-Jelly Gel is a lightweight liquid gel designed to define and enhance your curls and waves. Its strong hold ensures your hair stays styled without feeling heavy or experiencing build-up on your scalp. For best results, simply apply it to soaking wet hair to seal in moisture and tame frizz. With Curlsmith's unique blend of healthy ingredients, you can achieve professional results without compromising on quality. Plus, it's free from harmful chemicals, making it a safe choice for your hair care routine.

What We Like
Defines and enhances curls
Lightweight and strong hold
No build-up on scalp
Free from harmful chemicals
100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free

Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Gel

2622934
White
59 ml (Pack of 1)
Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Gel Cover
Curlsmith - In-Shower Style Fixer - Vegan Extreme Hold Styling Gel for Dry, Wavy, Curly or Coily Hair (59ml)

The Curlsmith Styling Gel provides moisture and extreme hold for your hair, helping to tame frizz and flyaways effectively. By using it on soaking wet hair, you can achieve defined curls with a simple application method. Curlsmith stands out by combining fresh, natural ingredients with homemade remedies, ensuring healthy results for your hair. Additionally, this gel is free from harmful substances like sulphates and silicones, making it a safe choice for all curl types.

What We Like
Extreme hold without drying
Natural, healthy ingredients
No harmful chemicals
Curly Girl Friendly
#TOP 4

Curlsmith Curl Defining Soufflé for Curls

white
227 g (Pack of 1)
Curlsmith Curl Defining Soufflé for Curls Cover
Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé - Vegan Medium Hold Styling Gel for Wavy, Curly and Kinky Hair (237ml)

The Curlsmith Curl Soufflé is a unique product that combines a moisturiser and a medium hold styling gel in one. This semi-solid jelly provides moisture, helping to keep your curls hydrated while offering bouncy hold and definition. After application, it creates a slight "cast" on your curls, trapping moisture for enhanced definition. Once your curls are dry, simply scrunch your hair to break the cast and reveal soft, defined curls. With Curlsmith’s commitment to healthy ingredients, you can enjoy professional results without compromising on quality.

What We Like
Moisturises while styling
Creates defined, bouncy curls
Easy scrunching for soft finish
Vegan and free from nasties
#TOP 5

INECTO Naturals Curl Club Scrunching Jelly

40027021
White
200 ml (Pack of 1)
INECTO Naturals Curl Club Scrunching Jelly Cover
INECTO Naturals Curl Club No Crunch Scrunching Jelly 200ml, Vegan & Cruelty Free Frizz Styling Curl Control Hair Gel for Curly or Wavy Hair, 100% Natural

The INECTO Curl Club Jelly offers a weightless hold that enhances your natural curl pattern. Simply scrunch it into damp or dry hair for soft and beautiful curls without heaviness. Infused with a magical blend of 100% natural shea butter, coconut, and castor oil, this gel nourishes your curls while providing a delightful fragrance. Free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, the formula is designed to be curl-friendly, ensuring your waves, curls, and coils look their best every day.

What We Like
Weightless hold for soft curls
Nourishing natural ingredients
Free from harmful chemicals
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 6

Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Gel for Curls

2622850
white
237 ml (Pack of 1)
Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Gel for Curls Cover
Curlsmith - In-Shower Style Fixer - Vegan Extreme Hold Styling Gel for Dry, Wavy, Curly or Coily Hair (237ml)

The Curlsmith Styling Gel offers moisture and extreme hold, effectively taming frizz and flyaways to give you beautifully defined curls without drying your hair. To achieve the best results, apply it to soaking wet hair using the “praying hands” method. This unique gel is crafted with healthy, natural ingredients inspired by homemade remedies, ensuring professional results without any harsh chemicals. It is also vegan and free from sulphates, silicones, mineral oils, and phthalates, making it a safe choice for your hair care routine.

What We Like
Moisture-rich formula
Extreme hold for curls
Vegan and Curly Girl Friendly
No harsh chemicals

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly and Cream Duo

U005; U004
350 ml (Pack of 1)
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly and Cream Duo Cover
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly & Creme De Curl Control Cream Duo for Curly or Wavy Hair, Vegan & Cruelty Free, 2 Pack

The Umberto Giannini Curl Duo includes a Scrunching Jelly and a Curl Control Cream, both designed for curly or wavy hair. This vegan and cruelty-free set allows you to enhance your natural curls while keeping them well-defined and manageable. The scrunching jelly is perfect for adding texture and volume, making your curls pop. Meanwhile, the control cream helps to tame frizz, giving you a polished look that's easy to achieve at home.

What We Like
Vegan and cruelty-free
Enhances natural curls
Tames frizz effectively
Easy to use
Suitable for wavy hair

Holy Curls Curl Gel for Defined Curls

Holy Curls Amsterdam
300 ml (Pack of 1)
Holy Curls Curl Gel for Defined Curls Cover
Holy Curls - Curl Gel for Curly, Coily and Wavy Hair, Vegan, Sulphate Free, 300ml, Natural Ingredients

The Holy Curls Gel is designed to give you perfectly defined curls every day without the dreaded crunch. Infused with natural ingredients like baobab, coconut oil, and aloe vera gel, it provides a soft hold while enhancing curl definition. The gel is also moisturising and features a delightful fragrance from sweet orange, bergamot, and grapefruit essential oils, making your hair care routine enjoyable. By applying it to soaking wet hair, you can easily achieve well-formed curls with minimal effort.

What We Like
Soft hold without crunch
Natural ingredients and vegan
Moisturising with pleasant fragrance
Designed for all curl types
#TOP 9

Johnny's Chop Shop Easy Styler Gel for Hair

White
100 ml (Pack of 1)
Johnny's Chop Shop Easy Styler Gel for Hair Cover
Johnny's Chop Shop - Easy Styler Lightweight Styling Gel, For Frizz, Straight or Wavy Hair, Natural Finish (100ml)

Johnny's Easy Styler Gel is a lightweight styling gel that provides a natural finish, perfect for all hair types. It offers a lightly moisturising formula that helps to smooth your hair without weighing it down. You can easily create texture or a sleek look by simply running a small amount through clean, damp hair. Additionally, this gel is enriched with sea minerals and jojoba oil, which nourish and hydrate your hair, leaving it healthier and more manageable.

What We Like
Natural-looking flexible hold
Lightweight, non-crunchy formula
Nourishing sea minerals and jojoba oil
Easy application and styling
#TOP 10

Sofn'free Gel Activator for Curls and Waves

SOF N' FREE
20585.0
CLEAR
500 ml (Pack of 1)
Sofn'free Gel Activator for Curls and Waves Cover
Sofn'free Gel Activator For Curls, Waves & Natural hair, 500ml (16.9 Fl Oz (Pack of 1))

The Sofn'free Gel Activator provides an excellent solution for enhancing your curl and wave definition without leaving a greasy appearance. Its easy and convenient application makes it perfect for daily use, allowing you to maintain beautifully defined and natural-looking curls effortlessly. This product is suitable for all curly, wavy, and natural hair types, making it a versatile addition to your hair care routine. With this gel, you can enjoy the confidence of well-defined curls every day.

What We Like
Non-greasy finish
Convenient daily use
Enhances curl definition
Suitable for various hair types
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What type of gel is good for wavy hair?

Raw Curls Firm Hold Gel For wavy users, definition and hold are important in a gel BUT it cannot weigh down your hair. As a firm hold gel this product is all about preventing frizz and retaining moisture which results in a shiny, defined, and moisturized effect that you will love.

2. What does gel do for wavy hair?

Gels made for waves and curls (think type 2c-4a hair) are usually super-high in hold and lower in moisture, giving curls that crunchy, ramen-noodle finish. AND THAT CRUNCH IS A GOOD THING. That thing we all hated is actually called a “gel cast,” and it's the magic behind traditional curly hair gels.

3. Does Curl gel work on wavy hair?

Curl cream is such a versatile product and is not reserved for only those with super curly hair. Curl cream and wavy hair are also a perfect match.

Editor's Notes

During our hair gel for wavy hair research, we found 83 hair gel for wavy hair products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 55,400 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hair gels for wavy hair list. We found that most customers choose hair gels for wavy hair with an average price of £10.20.

The hair gels for wavy hair are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hair gels for wavy hair, including Umberto Giannini, CURLSMITH, Inecto, Holy Curls Amsterdam, Johnny's Chop Shop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 258 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Charlotte Powell Avatar

Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.