12 Best Styling Gel for Black Women’s Hair 2024

November 7, 2024

Find out the best styling gel for black women's hair and how to use styling gel on natural hair. Also read reviews about the Eco Styler gel and other products for natural 4c hair.

If you want to embrace your natural type 4c curls, you need a good styling gel for black women's hair to keep it frizz free and the texture well defined.

Black women's coily hair is more prone to frizz, dryness, and breakage so your styling gel should not only be able to hold hairstyles well and define curls but also moisturize your curls.

I've reviwed some of the best gels for 4c natural hair below.

Styling Gel For Black Women's Hair	Best For	Chief Ingredients
Mixed Chicks Styling Gel	Type 3 Textured Hair	Glycerin, Rosemary, Thyme and Witch Hazel
Kinky Curly Curling Custard Gel	4c Textured Hair	Aloe Vera, Horsetail, Chamomile And Marshmallow
tgin Rose Water Defining Styling Gel	Water-based Gel	Olive Oil, Rose Water, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel	Climate Control Gel	Shea Butter, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
ECOCO Eco Styler Gel	Best Overall	Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Olive Oil
Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly	Non-Water Based Gel	Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Blueberry, Aloe Vera, Keratin, Argan Oil
Design Essentials Sleek Edge Control	Edge Control	Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin
Tailiah Waajid Tight Hold Loc It Up Gel	Strong Hold	Yarrow Root, Rosemary, Nettle Extracts
Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel	Organic Gel	Honey, Ginger, Aloe Extract And Babassu Oil
Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel	Shrinkage	Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Flaxseed
Hicks Edge Control Gel	Tapered Cuts	Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Briogeo Curl Charisma Frizz Control Gel	Frizzy Hair	Quinoa Extract And Keratin Amino Acids

Which Hair Gel Should I Use For 4c Black Hair?

I've found the ECOCO Eco Styler Gel the best for styling Black women's 4c hair type. It contains olive oil that moisturizes and softens curls while it also has wheat protein that gives a strong but flexible hold, making curls more defined and hairstyles last longer.

Top Styling Gel For Black Women’s Hair 2024

Mixed Chicks Styling Gel

Best Gel For Slicking Back Natural Hair

I love how the Mixed Chicks Styling gel caters to both type-3 and type 4 hair. So a lot of women can use it without worrying about it's suitability for their hair.

But what is excellent about this styling product is it's natural formula. According to a research paper published in the Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology vol. 31,3 (2021), hair products used by Black Women were more likely to contain hormone disrupting chemicals (most notably parabens).

So this gel's natural formula including fennel, ivy, dandelion, rosemary, witch hazel, among other herbs was a blessing to 4c hair.

I really loved the formulation. It is super strong! Even if you squeeze out a pea-sized amount, you’re good to go. This is a relief because the Mixed Chicks Styling gel is slightly on the expensive side.

I also loved the ingredients in this styling gel, especially the inclusion of emmolients like glycerin as they keep my curls moisturized without leaving them greasy like some heavy butter-based products do. So if you’re looking for volume, you’ve got to try this product.

Also, the rosemary and lavender scent is completely natural and simply lovely. So bonus points for that!

This styling kept my hair soft and nourished while providing a firm hold for a long time. And the best part is that it didn't flake or leave residue on my hair.

Even though the name says "mixed girls" a lot of women find that this gel is suitable for 3b and 3c textured hair as well. It just gives a lighter hold, that’s all.

PROS-

Provides curl definition on different hair textures l
Helps holds hair in place as it's got a strong hold
The glycerin-based formula is hydrating but not too rich
The product is not tested on animals
The fragrance is from natural essential oils and not added perfumes

CONS-

None that I could find

My Ratings:

Holding Power - 4/5
Moisturization - 3.5/5
Ingredients - 4.5/5

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Kinky Curly Curling Custard Gel

Best Moisturizing Gel For 4c Hair

I had been dealing with a lot of frizz lately and wanted something to take care of this issue when I found this Kinky Curly Custard.

I had high hopes for this product as it's supposed to eliminate frizz instantly while being silicone-free at the same time.

However, I was a bit disappointed with the formula after using it.

I liked the water-based formula that uses aloe vera and vitamin E to hydrate hair instead of rich butters or emollients. However, I felt that this wasn't moisturizing enough for my 4c curls.

My hair looked really crunchy and dry after using it for a bit. Maybe if you have a less coily hair texture or greasy hai this formulation would be suited to you. But it didn't work on my hair.

If you really wanted to use this product, I suggest layering with a heavy moisturizer or using it to try out twists, Bantu knots, or other such styles as it keeps frizzy hair at bay and provides a firm hold that lasts for long.

Plus, it’s so lightweight, it doesn’t leave your hair greasy. But that's the only good thing I can say about this gel.

While it doesn't leave residue on hair thankfully due to the silicone-free formula, it did leave my curls crunchy. Yes, even after I used it with water!

Also, the added perfume was a tad disappointing. But nothing irritated me more than the price tag. I paid almost double for 8 fl. oz of this product that I did for Mixed Chicks Styling Gel.

PROS-

Enhances your natural curls as it gives a strong hold
The aloe vera-based formula hydrates hair and prevents frizz
Gives your hair great bounce and volume as formula is lightweight
No parabens are present in the gel so it's safe for your health

CONS-

Very little product offered for a very large price tag
The formula can leave hair sticky and weighed down if used incorrectly
Not moisturizing enough for 4c hair
Contains added perfume that can dry hair and be unsuited for sensitive scalps

My Ratings:

Holding Power - 5/5
Moisturization - 3.5/5
Ingredients - 4/5

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tgin Rose Water Defining Styling Gel

Best Water-Based Styling Gel For Black Women's Hair

I have always used the leave-in conditioner by Tgin and it's worked fantastically for my hair for so long. So naturally I was excited to try this product.

However, I felt it was a sort of hit and miss.

I mean there are many things I like about this styling gel. I love how it's free of alcohol, silicones, parabens, and other ingredients that can either dry out your tresses or leave them flaky.

But at the same time, I'm not too much of a fan of the perfume in the formula. I don't like added fragrances on my hair and this one didn't smell too good either - very synthetic and fruity.

When I used this gel on my wet hair after applying conditioner and cream (I learned my lesson with the Kinky Curly Custard) I found it did leave my curls well-defined.

However, on using it multiple times, I found it can leave hair stringy. So I suggest cutting down on the product or only using it once a week or something.

I also have to warn you it doesn't really mix well with creams. So make sure you don't apply it before a cream or immediately after. You will end up with clumps.

PROS-

Produces high definition curls as it gives hair a strong hold
Boosts volume as the water-based formula is lightweight
The lightweight formula is suited for low porosity 4c hair
No animal testing and artificial colors or parabens in the product
There's no silicones here so you won't see much product buildup

CONS-

Contains added perfume and has a strong fruity smell
Does not mix well with creams
Can cause curls to become stringy if used often

My Ratings:

Holding Power - 3.5/5
Moisturization - 4/5
Ingredients - 4/5

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Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

Best Climate-Control Styling Gel For Black Women's Hair

If you’re looking for a product to protect your curls as well as your hair color, then I suggest using the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel is the perfect pick for you.

I love how it keeps the frizz at bay on my hair as soon as I apply it. Also, it also comes with a UV and heat filter that protects my locks from losing their sheen. So I really like using this product when I'm coloring my hair.

The protein-rich gel helps seal the hair cuticle, giving you amazing curl definition and leaving your tresses smooth.

I also think this is one of the best styling gel for black women’s hair if you live in a high humidity area.

As much as Iliked what this gel did for color-treated hair, we were disappointed in one area. Alcohol!

Yes, the formulation contains alcohol and can be a bit drying. I highly recommend using a moisturizing cream before using this one.

PROS-

Can use during any climate
Best suited for all curl types
Makes hair healthier and shinier
Reduces hair tangles and porosity.
Anti frizz technology for high definition curls

CONS-

Contains alcohol causing dryness.

· The gel consistency is crunchy.

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ECOCO Eco Styling Gel

Best Styling Gel For Black Women's Hair Overall

There are three reasons why I think the Ecoco Eco Styler Gel is perhaps the best styling gel for black women’s hair.

One, it’s got a nourishing formula that doesn’t dry out your curls. Two, it gives an amazingly strong hold. And three, it’s super affordable.

What’s not to love?

The formulation comes packed with olive oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and glycerin - all of which keep my hair shiny and moisturized.

Plus, it has an alcohol-free formula too!

I also loved how this styling gel works on multiple hair textures. Type 2, type 3, type 4 - if you’ve it, this gel will style it!

A little heads up. Wash off this styling gel within 2-3 days of using it. If you leave it on for too long, the product build-up starts to flake.

PROS-

Can use during any climate
Best suited for all curl types
Makes hair healthier and shinier
Reduces hair tangles and porosity.
Anti frizz technology for high definition curls

CONS-

Contains alcohol causing dryness.
The gel consistency is slimy and leaves flakes on hair

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Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly

Best Non Water-based Hair Gel

Okay. So technically speaking, this product is not a gel but a jelly. But hey, it works the same (and even better if I might add) as a hair styling gel. So why not?

If you have high-porosity hair with a very fine texture, the Curls Blueberry Bliss Jelly might be the best option for you.

The formulation contains aloe vera extracts, hydrogenated castor oil, and quinoa extracts that define curls and reduce frizz. This is great for hair that loses it's moisture easily as the aloe vera adds moisture to it while the castor oil formula helps prevent this moisture's loss from hair.

best strong hold hair gel for natural hair

This jelly is amazing for different hair textures too. So you

As it doesn’t cause a lot of product build-up and still provides a strong hold, it's perfect for type 2, 3, and even type 4 hair.

And I absolutely adore the fragrance it leaves behind too.

However, this might be a problem for some as the fragrance is due to added perfumes and can trigger sensitive scalps. So be careful!

PROS-

Fragrant blueberry and fruity scents
Holds curls up well in place as it's got a strong hold
Prevents hair breakage and damage
Blueberries contain Vitamins C and B complex that increases hair growth
No artificial colors and cruelty free formulation

CONS-

Small quantity given for the price tag
Using it too often can make your hair too dry and flaky

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Design Essentials Sleek Edge Control

Best Edge Control Gel

I honestly believe that the best hairstyles can end up looking terrible if your edges aren’t laid well. Any regular gel can leave them crunchy and sticky.

And if it’s got alcohol, it can be devastating to your fragile baby hair. Enter the Design Essentials Sleek Edge Gel.

It’s the best product for laying down your edges. I only use a fingertip amount and I've found that is enough to give a medium hold and keep those flyaways from messing up your look. So this is a product that gives you your money's worth!

This Design Essential product is not just for the edges. It works amazingly well as a styling gel for short hair.

With nourishing emollients like glycerin and castor oil, this product keeps your hair sleek and frizz-free.

I also liked the fact that it’s cruelty-free. So that's a good bonus point.

PROS-

Does not harden the hair or leave flakes
Provides a good hold that is long lasting
Light fresh scent that is not overpowering
Works well with both wet and dry hair
Adds an intense shine to hair without making it look greasy

CONS-

The gel can be a bit sticky and itchy and not found in all retail stores
Size only available in 2.3oz

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Tailiah Waajid Tight Hold Loc It Up Gel

Best Strong Hold Hair Gel For Natural Hair

If you’re someone who loves experimenting with their hair, you should definitely try the Tailiah Waajid Tight Hold Loc It Up Gel.

As the name suggests, this gel offers a strong hold for creating locs and other tight hairstyles.

But that’s not all it does. This hair styling gel helps define your natural curl pattern too.

And the best part? It’s completely free of alcohol and parabens. So you can use this gel on a sensitive scalp.

It contains the goodness of rosemary, nettle extracts, and yarrow root, all of which help nourish your curls. The gel is also fantastic for women with colored hair.

PROS-

· Does not harden the hair
Provides a good hold that is long lasting
· Light fresh scent that adds a polished look to your hairstyle
· Work well for wet and dry hair
· Adds an intense shine

CONS-

· The gel can be a bit sticky and itchy and not found in all retail stores
· Size only available in 2.3oz

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Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel

Best Organic Styling Gel For Black Women's Hair

Some styling gels give a firm hold. Others nourish your hair. This Mielle Organics Styling Gel manages to do both.

Even on day three, this gel keeps your hair looking good, without any need to wet it again.

It contains a blend of 70 percent organic ingredients, including babassu oil, ginger, honey, and aloe vera extracts.

They keep frizz at bay and leave your curls smooth and shiny. The styling gel is also designed not to leave any crunchy residue in your hair after a while.

The runny texture has a lot of slip too. So it can easily coat every strand of your curls.

We also loved the natural ginger scent, but some users found it a bit overwhelming.

PROS-

· Made for nourishing and hydrating your hair
· Encourages healthier and stronger hair hold
· The ultimate curl definition and frizz reduction
· No artificial chemicals
· Leaves hair soft with no flakiness
· Doesn’t leave residue and is lightweight

CONS-

· Scent may be very strong
· The gel may be too heavy on some hair textures

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Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel

Best Styling Gel For Shrinkage

The one problem with type 4 hair - shrinkage! The best solution? Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel! Seriously, this gel is a blessing for all the ladies dealing with shrinking curls.

We were amazed by how the flaxseed, olive oil, and shea butter formula come together to nourish, elongate, and define your curls.

The styling gel is also great for finding out your natural curl pattern.

The styling gel is also lightweight. So you don’t have to worry about product build-up, flaking, or greasiness.

We should warn you, though. This gel contains mild hair relaxers - that’s how it gets your curls to elongate.

So if you’ve got fine hair or type 2 or 3 textures, we think you should steer clear of it.

PROS-

· Provides long lasting natural curls and waves
· No parabens
· Promotes hair growth and scalp health
· Super lightweight and gives your hair extra bounce
· Prevents hair loss and split ends
· Pleasant smell

CONS

Too much gel if applied, can turn hair crunchy and tacky.

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Hicks Edge Control Gel

Best Styling Gel For Tapered Cut Hair

This Hicks Edge Control Gel helps you set those pesky, wispy strands at the edge of your hairline. It doesn't leave behind a greasy residue or white flakes or any sort.

If you've got tapered cuts and styles, this gel is perfect for keeping them under control. We like how it holds down edges for a long time, but rinses out easily too.

The gel-like formula is also free of problematic ingredients like gluten.

PROS-

· It holds the hair firmly in place
· Adds extra shine and is non flaky
· No greasy residue
· Rinses out easily
· Leaves your hair feeling healthier and shinier

CONS

The gel is too sticky and difficult to clean

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Briogeo Curl Charisma Frizz Control Gel

Best Frizz-Control Styling Gel For Black Women's Hair

Packed with amino acids and quinoa protein, this gel helps keep frizz at bay.

There's keratin extracts that help strengthen hair while keeping them in control and rice extracts that increase its elasticity.

The hair gel offers a discreet, natural-looking finish and isn't big on shine.

If you want something that gives at least a medium hold, you should go for this one.

PROS-

· Provides a natural looking soft and shininess
· Provides high definition long lasting curls
· Nourishes curl textures
Promotes curl formation
· Minimizes frizz
No stiffness ,crunch and stickiness
· Provides smooth and bouncy curls
· Vegan and cruelty free product

CONS

Hair may dry up quicker than usual

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What Makes A Hair Gel Good For Black Hair?

I have 4c coily hair so to test these products I first used them myself. After which I rated them on a scale of 1-5 based on certain parameters. These include:

Holding Power - A good styling gel should be able to hold your hairstyles well and keep your curls well defined without making them crunchy.
Moisturization - I know, I know a styling gel only helps define curls and edges but black women's hair needs all the moisture it can get and I love a 2-in-product that hydrates and styles hair too.
Ingredients - Type 4 hair is more prone to dryness and damage so I looked if the styling gel contains any harsh ingredients such as alcohol, added perfumes, dimethicone, etc.