Hair gel is one of the oldest hairdressing products on the market and can be used to create styles ranging from classic combed back to disheveled or crew cut. It is not difficult to apply it when you already have your style in mind. Whether you're simply trying to tame frizzy hair or want a particularly glamorous look for your next formal event, gel can become your new best friend.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Apply the Gel
Step 1. Choose the right gel
Hair gels are typically classified based on compound density and holding strength. Color and scent usually do not affect effectiveness. Most gels are applied with the fingertips, but some are spray versions. Evaluate which one is best for your style or try several to decide which one you prefer.
- A light, fluffy gel will give you a cheeky and messy look. It will allow you to have some wavy locks and not "stiff" hair.
- A medium hold gel is great for keeping hair straight and pointy with a wet look. It's ideal for a hairstyle that almost defies gravity.
- A thick gel gives you a slicked-back look, holding your hair firmly in place all day. You may not be able to run your fingers through them, but these products can hold your hair in place even in the midst of a storm.
Step 2. First wash your hair
Starting with clean hair makes it easier to apply the gel and create the style you want. Put the shampoo and conditioner on as usual and use a towel to dry your hair, but leave it a little damp. It is important that they are not completely dry when you apply the gel. If you're short on time, you can just lightly wet them in the sink.
If you apply the gel on dirty or greasy hair you get a less effective hold and a more "rigid" look. It also facilitates the formation of split ends and does not protect the health of the hair, so it is always a good idea to wash it thoroughly first
Step 3. Get some gel
Place a drop on your fingertips and rub your hands together to coat them evenly. Then rub it into your hair, as if you were using shampoo. Depending on how thick and long your hair is, you need to use an appropriate amount to distribute it evenly with your fingertips. Remember that you can always add more, but it's hard to get it out of your hair without washing it, so be moderate:
- Use a dime-sized amount if you have short hair.
- Use a little more if you have medium length hair.
- Apply the equivalent of two or more dime if you have long (or particularly thick) hair.
Step 4. Apply the gel
Style your hair according to your chosen look (as noted above). Generally speaking, you should start by smearing it just above the hairline and working towards the crown of the head and towards the nape of the neck. Apply it with your fingers and, if you wish, use a comb to make it penetrate and to distribute it better.
- If you want your hair to look straight, brush it or style it according to the desired style.
- Curl or twist your hair with your fingers to encourage curls.
- To give more volume to curly or wavy hair, especially at the roots, bend forward by lowering the head and spread the gel evenly.
Step 5. Complete the style
Most gels contain alcohol, which allows the hair to dry quickly; if yours does not, you have to wait a few minutes for the gel to stabilize. You can style it while it is wet, but once it dries it becomes stiff and firm. When the gel is set, the look is defined and you are ready to show off your new hairstyle!
Part 2 of 2: Decide on the Style
Step 1. Try a messy and informal look
The gel is the most suitable product to give the hair a disheveled but sophisticated look. This is ideal for days when you want to look casual, but tidy at the same time, and don't have much time to style your hair.
- To create this look, you simply have to distribute the gel through your hair using just your fingertips, moving the strands in different directions and taming the unruly locks.
- The most suitable gel for this purpose is one with a light texture and offers the best results with medium length hair and moderate thickness.
Step 2. Try a simple style
If you don't want to spend too much time on your hair and are just looking for a way to keep it in order, gel is a good solution. The goal of this style is to give your hair the most natural look possible, but without risking it becoming frizzy or unruly as the day goes by. To achieve this effect it is enough to put a small amount of gel in the hands and distribute it in the hair. If you wish, you can complete the work by combing them.
- Put a small amount of gel in your hands and shape your hair with your fingers to give it the style you want, smooth it on the sides by pulling it in opposite directions.
- Take a comb and lightly dampen it under water, then comb the hair according to the direction in which you shaped it with your hands, so the hair will be more defined and neat.
- This look is best suited for thinner, rather short hair, but is equally good for all hair types. It can also be an effective style for masking thinning hair.
Step 3. Choose a classy look by combing your hair back
Few things appear as sophisticated as a slicked-back hair style reminiscent of Don Draper, Pat Riley, or Jay Gatsby. This type of hairstyle has an elegant and simple look. This style is best suited for special occasions and formal gatherings and can be achieved by placing a generous amount of gel and using a fine-toothed comb.
- Spread the gel through your hair, combing it from the brow line towards the back of the head, without moving it away from it. Use a damp comb to comb them as neatly and flat as possible.
- This style is best suited to medium to long hair and moderate thickness. It could highlight a bald forehead a lot, though, so be wary if your hair isn't that thick and you can't get the look you want.
Step 4. Try the "crew cut" hair
If you've always dreamed of having spiked hair like rockers, you can easily recreate the look with some of your favorite gels. While this style is generally only appropriate for some informal circumstances (don't dress like this on your first date), it can be a nice way to change your look.
- Put a dab of gel on your fingertips and apply it to the hair in upward strokes to form tips. If you want to create a less exaggerated look, you can only put it on the front of the hair.
- Wait a few minutes and let the tips start to dry out, then put another small amount of gel on your fingertips and reapply it on your hair, strengthening the tips and giving some shape if you really want them to stand out.
- This look is best suited to medium length hair with moderate thickness. If they are too long, you will probably need to use hairspray (and possibly egg white) as well as gel to make sure the hair stays in place.
Step 5. Try the Pompadour hairstyle
Maybe you want to try something extravagant. Bring out the Elvis Presley or Conan O'Brien in you with this practically rockabilly style. It is probably the most difficult to create of all the styles described so far, but it is basically a combination of some of the techniques listed in this article. Even if you look so simply on a day when you stay at home, it is definitely a look that deserves to be tried at least once to get out of the routine.
- Put a generous amount of gel on your fingertips and create a "tousled" look by combining spiked brushed hair with other messy looking ones. Next, take a medium-toothed comb, wet it and slide it to the sides of the head, over the ears.
- If you want a more formal pompadour look, you can create a clean line by combing the natural part of your hair on one side of your head. Do the same thing on the other side. You may need to style the hair in the front with your fingers to get the tuft up as high as possible.
- This style is best suited to hair that is rather long at the top and rather short, or even shaved, at the sides.
Advice
- Remember that certain styles require a large amount of gel if maintained for a long time. Create those hairstyles that require a lot of effort just for special occasions. If the gel needs to hold over the entire length, try using a stronger one at the ends rather than a medium hold all over your hair.
- Try using a leave-in conditioner under the gel to soften the effect.
- Use only a gel that has the necessary hold to tame your hair. One that is too strong can give the hair the shape of a "helmet", which does not look good on anyone. The same thing goes for the amount of gel; a small dose is usually more than enough.
- If your hair tends to wrinkle easily, you should dry it after applying the gel.
Warnings
- The gel may leave a white residue and fall off in flakes. This could be caused by several factors. You may have used too much, so try wearing a little less, or switch to a stronger hold for the same amount of gel. The problem could also be caused by a gel that is too strong for what you need; in this case it is sufficient to use a lighter one. You may also have used a poor quality one.
- Search well in stores to find the right gel. A gel between 2 and 5 euros at the supermarket could sometimes be more effective than a professional 20 euro one. Find out which is best for your hair type.
- If the gel causes spots or itchiness, wash your hair as soon as possible. you may have an allergy to one of the ingredients.
- If you have oily hair or spend more than a day without washing it, do not apply the gel near the roots.
