Our reviewer says: “Lately, a wash-and-go has been my primary hairstyle, as my curls just won’t behave in a twist-out during the humid months,” says Glamour senior visuals editor Lauren Brown. “That’s where the Pattern Curl Gel has been a real game changer for me. It’s great for a quick curl refresh in the shower after a couple days. Like all the hair-care products on this line, the fragrance is intoxicatingly fresh, like cucumbers in cocktail.”
Best for Fine Hair: Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel
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Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel
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Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel (8 fl. oz.)
- What we love: Lightweight, flexible hold; scrunches out easily; leaves curls soft
- Worth noting: For coarser curls, may want heavier gel
This lightweight gel defines curls without stiffness, keeping them touchable and bouncy while reducing frizz. Formulated with aloe vera, flaxseed, and thyme, it locks in shape and shine without parabens, silicones, or sulfates. Our tester with 3A curls found that it enhanced definition on wash day and kept frizzy hair at bay through day two without flaking or weighing it down. The cast scrunched out easily, leaving curls soft and natural-looking.
Our reviewer says: “I like how light this gel is on my fine curls. Other gels I’ve tried make them feel stiff and look greasy, even after I scrunch out the cast, but with this, my curls are very soft and bouncy. It’s pretty fragrantly perfumed, which I don’t love, but not so badly that I won’t keep using it after my leave-in and foam, then followed by a diffuser,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.
Best for Humidity: Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Frizz Gel Oil
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Original photo from Paton Hardy testing Bumble and Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil
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Bumble and Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil (5 fl. oz.)
- What we love: Defines curls without crunch; resists humidity; thin, easy-to-distribute formula
- Worth noting: Can feel a little drying; fragrance is strong and sweet
This hybrid gel-oil smooths frizz while giving curls hold and definition that lasts. The clear formula is lightweight but substantial enough to create a cast that scrunches out softly, leaving hair touchable instead of stiff. Our tester with 3C curls found that the product shaped spirals beautifully and resisted humidity, though it left some dryness by the end of the day.
Our tester says: “The gel defined my 3C curls really well and gave me a great look, though I did notice some dryness as the day went on,” says Glamour reviewer Páton Hardy. “The fragrance across the line was strong but pleasant—fruity, sweet, and similar to a perfume I’d wear—so it wasn’t off-putting. The shampoo lathered up quickly and felt very slippery, while the conditioner was thicker and hydrating. The gel itself was see-through and thin, easy to apply without running everywhere, and it dried down without leaving my hair crunchy.”
Best for Definition: Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel
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Original photo from Sarah Holden testing Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel
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Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel
- What we love: Strong definition; smooths frizz; adds bounce and shine
- Worth noting: Works best outside of extreme humidity; pair with with heavier-hold gel if you need extra staying power
Formulated for tighter curl patterns, this gel gives coils long-lasting definition and frizz protection without leaving them stiff. Coily hair—characterized by densely packed curls that are prone to dryness—often needs gels that balance moisture with enough hold to keep styles in place. With wheat-derived amino acids to smooth and strengthen strands and mango butter to nourish and hydrate, this formula helps coils stay soft, defined, and resilient.
