When you follow the curly girl method, many things improve. Your curls are more defined, you have less frizz and generally feel more confident about your hair. If it wasn’t for the biggest challenge: finding curly girl approved products… Because I’ve been there and because I know how much work it can be to find the right products to use, I’ve made this list of 7 curly girl-approved gels for you!
Related: Your complete guide to the curly girl method
Related: 10 curly girl approved conditioners
Related: 7 curly girl approved hair oils for shiny locks
Disclosure: Some of the links below are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel*
Let’s start with y favorite curly girl approved gel of all times.
Aunt Jackie’s “don’t shrink” gel* is my holy grail of curly hair gels! Seriously! I could write a love song about it!
(Which I am going to do now. This list used to be a list of 7, but now that I’ve discovered this gem, it needs to be on here, and in the first spot!)
Not only is this hair gel free of drying alcohols, silicones, or any other not curly girl-approved ingredients, it also is the only hair gel I’ve used so far that gives my curls shape and shine WITHOUT feeling like hair gel!
I use it in wet hair, directly after washing. Once everything’s completely dry, I scrunch out any leftover “hardness”. And then I have super soft and shiny hair.
Sigh. I love it so much!
If you are like me and don’t like your hair feeling too stiff or “sticky” after using gel, give this one a try.
You can get Aunt Jackie’s curling gel here*!
Related: The best Curly girl gifts for every occasion – 2022 edition
2. The dippity-do Girls With Curls Leave-In Curl Defining Cream*
The dippity-do Girls With Curls Curl Defining Cream* deserves the first points for having such a cute name. But it doesn’t only shine when it comes to branding.
This gel is absolutely curly girl-approved: No silicones, parabens, mineral oils or drying alcohols.
It does contain some proteins. Proteins are amazing for many people with damaged hair. But for others, it could be too much.
So if you notice your hair being somehow “stiff” and getting drier after using this gel, you might be suffering from “protein overload” or your hair might be generally protein sensitive.
However, this product only lists one protein, so the total amount is likely not an issue.
It also contains humectants. Those things are awesome for helping your hair with moisture balance. Unless you are in a hot and dry place, where humectants can actually dry your hair out more!
In conclusion, this is a pretty neat product for any time but your beach vacation. If you don’t live near a beach and simply need a curly hair approved gel – go for it!
(For protecting your hair at the beach, check these tips out instead!)
You can buy this Curly girl-approved gel here*!
3. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Frizz Control Sculpting Gel*
This* curly girl-approved hair gel is perfect for you if you are struggling with frizz.
It will help you define your curls without weighing them down. It also contains a protein, so again, watch out for your hair getting dry after using it.
You can buy the Not Your Mother’s Frizz Control Gel here*!
4. Om Botanical Conditioner and Styling Gel*
This hair care product by Om Botanical* functions as both a conditioner and as a styling gel.
Honestly, there are no ingredients here you need to worry about. No humectants, no sulfates, no parabens, no silicones, no alcohol. We loooove a gel without alcohol for curly hair!
Instead, the formula focuses on various Ayurvedic herbs, aloe vera, and various oils. While this is great for your hair health, it will also mean that you’ll get a rather soft styling effect.
Related: 8 ways to use Aloe vera gel for hair
If you are looking for a super-strong hold, this might not be your perfect product. But if you love your curls soft and bouncy, try it! In the worst case, you have still gotten an amazing conditioner!
You can buy the Om Botanical hair gel & conditioner here*!
5. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioning Shine Gel*
Shea Moisture is well-known for producing lots of curly girl-approved products. This conditioning gel is no exception: clearly a cg approved gel!
It will be perfect for you if you are looking for a light-textured hair gel, but not so much if you want a strong hold.
Get the Shea Moisture Conditioning Gel here*!
Related: The best water based curly hair products
6. Shea Moisture Curling Gel Soufflé*
The Shea Moisture Curling Gel Soufflé* is definitely curly girl approved and a hair gel specifically for curly hair. And it used to work really well, too!
However, unfortunately, Shea Moisture seems to recently have had trouble with the quality of this product.
So be aware, that you might have to try a few times to get a “good” product if you decide to get this one!
Get the Shea Moisture Curling Gel Soufflé here*!
7. MopTop Curly Hair Mustard Gel*
The MopTop Curly Hair Mustard Gel* is another perfectly Curly girl-approved gel without any of the ingredients you want to avoid for shiny, defined curls.
It contains several moisturizing ingredients together with some leaf extracts and oils, which will give you the styling effect.
If you use it in wet hair, it will leave a cast, which you’ll need to scrunch out. After that, you’ll be able to enjoy soft, well-defined curls!
You can buy the MopTop Curly Hair Custard here*!
8. Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard*
The Kinky Curly Curling Custard* is one of the most well-known curly girl-approved hair gels for kinky hair.
Related: Your ultimate guide to the 4 hair types
And, of course, it contains no parabens, sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, or other not curly girl-approved chemicals.
Fans of this curl custard praise it for its frizz-preventing and curl-enhancing abilities.
You can buy the Kinky Curly Curling Custard here*!
Make your own DIY hair gel
Of course, you can also simply make your own hair gel at home. All you need are water, linseed, and some patience.
I explain the exact steps for making your own homemade hair gel (without gelatin) here!
Got any more curly girl-approved gels?
To make sure everyone can get these products, I focused on curly girl-approved gels you can easily get online. If you know of any good ones you’ve tested and loved, let me know and I’ll add them to this list!
And as usual, pin this to your hair care Pinterest board!
Related: 6 hand-selected, curly girl approved shampoos
*These links are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Hello… Have you tried Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé? It also has no sulfates, paragons, silicones, mineral oils, etc. It does contain sodium benzoate, but it’s near the bottom of the ingredient list. My youngest daughter, who has long, very curly hair, won’t use anything else. It’s available directly from their website, and also in some stores.
Hi Candace, thanks for the tip! I personally haven’t tried it yet, but I’ll keep it in mind for my next hair gel shopping trip!
Do you use the Living Proof AMP volumizer on dry hair?
Hi Carolyn!
Yes, I would use it on dry hair like a hair wax. I haven’t heard of anyone using it on wet hair, so I don’t know if that would work as well.