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 washday 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.

4. Best for Fighting Humidity: Bumble and Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Gel Oil

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Bumble and Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Gel Oil

• 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.”

5. Best for Defining Coils: 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 — characterised 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.

Our tester says: “My curls felt light and bouncy, which is important for my hair, since it can fall flat pretty easily,” says Glamour reviewer Sarah Holden. “Living in the South with intense humidity, I found it didn’t hold up quite as strongly as the heavy-duty gel I usually reach for, but it’s definitely one I’d add to my rotation on less humid days.”

6. Best for Natural Bounce and Softness: Amika Curl Corps Enhancing Hair Gel

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Amika Curl Corps Enhancing Gel

• What we love: Lightweight hold that enhances definition; keeps curls soft; controls frizz without stiffness.
• Worth noting: May not have strong hold enough for tighter coils or high-humidity environments.