10 Embarrassing Hair Gel Mistakes You Don't Want to Make & 10 Tips for a Great Hairdo
Avoid These Common Hair Gel Mistakes
Want to keep your hair looking stylish all day? Well, that's where hair products like hairspray and gel come to the rescue. Hair gel in particular can be one of the easiest ways to give your hairstyle shape, hold, and definition, but anyone who's used it knows things can go wrong pretty fast if you're not careful—or you're too heavy-handed. No one wants dry, greasy-looking, flaky hair, after all! If you don't want to step out with an embarrassing hairdo after an hour of work, make sure to avoid these common no-nos.
1. Using Way Too Much Gel
More gel doesn't necessarily mean more hold, and piling on the product can leave your hair looking stiff and overly shiny. Start with a small amount, especially if you're working with a strong-hold formula. You can always add a little more if you need extra control, but removing excess gel isn't nearly as easy. Your hairstyle should still look like hair rather than a thick layer of styling product.
2. Applying Gel to Completely Dry Hair
Putting gel on completely dry hair can make it harder to distribute the product evenly, particularly if you're using a thick formula. You may end up with concentrated patches of gel in some areas while other sections barely have any product. Slightly damp hair gives you more time to work the gel through your strands before you start shaping everything. Just make sure your hair isn't soaking wet, since excess water can dilute the product and weaken its hold.
3. Picking the Wrong Hold
Not every hairstyle needs the strongest gel you can find. A lightweight style may become unnecessarily stiff with an extra-strong formula, while a complicated style might fall apart if you're using a product designed for light hold. Think about how much control your hairstyle actually requires before choosing a product. The right level of hold should support your style without making your hair feel uncomfortable.
4. Ignoring Your Hair Type
A gel that works beautifully for one person's hair might not give you the same results. Fine hair can easily become weighed down by heavy products, while thick or coarse hair may need something with more hold. Curly hair can also require a formula that provides definition without leaving the curls crunchy. Pay attention to how your own hair responds rather than assuming a popular product will automatically work for you.
5. Rubbing Gel Only Into the Top Layer
If you only spread gel over the surface of your hair, the underneath sections may have little to no product holding them in place. This can make your hairstyle look uneven and cause pieces to fall out throughout the day. Work the product through the sections that actually need control, using your fingers or a comb to distribute it. You don't need to coat every strand, but the product should be spread more evenly than just smoothing it over the top.
6. Forgetting to Wash Out Product Buildup
Using styling gel regularly without properly cleansing your hair can leave behind product buildup. Your hair may start feeling coated, heavy, or less manageable even after you've washed it. If you notice that your usual amount of gel isn't styling your hair the way it normally does, buildup could be part of the problem. Make sure you're cleansing your hair regularly enough for the products you use.
7. Touching Your Hair Constantly
Once you've finished styling, repeatedly running your hands through your hair can disrupt the shape you've worked to create. It can also transfer natural oils from your hands onto your hair, making the style look greasier. If a few strands are out of place, fix them deliberately rather than repeatedly rearranging the entire hairstyle. The less you interfere with the finished style, the better it has a chance of holding.
8. Using Gel Without Checking for Flakes
Some gels can leave visible flakes as they dry, especially when too much product is used or when the gel doesn't interact well with another styling product. Those little white pieces can be particularly noticeable against dark hair or clothing. If you've ever mistaken dried gel for dandruff, you know how awkward it can look. Test a product before relying on it for an important event, and avoid layering incompatible products whenever possible.
9. Not Considering the Weather
Humidity, heat, wind, and rain can all affect how your hairstyle holds throughout the day. A style that looks perfect indoors may lose its shape quickly once you're outside. Before applying your gel, think about where you'll actually be wearing the hairstyle and how much exposure it will get to the elements. Choosing a suitable product and adjusting your expectations can save you from a frustrating midday touch-up.
10. Going to Bed with Gel in Your Hair
Leaving a large amount of styling product in your hair overnight isn't a great habit, particularly if you've applied several products during the day. Your hair can feel stiff and coated by morning, and your pillowcase can pick up some of the residue. If you've used a substantial amount of gel, consider washing or thoroughly rinsing your hair before bed when appropriate for your routine. Starting the next day with clean, manageable hair also makes your next hairstyle easier to create.
Now that you know which common mistakes to avoid, let's jump into what you should do. These next 10 tips will help you get better results without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
1. Start with Clean Hair
Clean hair gives you a better starting point for most hairstyles because you're not trying to work around excess oil and old styling products. After washing, gently towel-dry your hair so it's damp rather than dripping wet. This also gives you a chance to see how your hair naturally falls before you start shaping it. From there, you can apply your styling product where you actually need it.
2. Warm the Gel Between Your Hands
Before putting gel directly into your hair, spread it between your palms and fingers. This helps distribute the product more evenly and reduces the chance of applying one large blob to a single section. Once your hands are coated, work the product through your hair using the amount you actually need. You'll have much more control over the final result this way.
Nataliya Melnychuk on Unsplash
3. Work from the Back Forward
Instead of immediately concentrating on the front of your hairstyle, start with the back and sides before moving toward the areas people see first. This lets you distribute the product gradually and gives you a better sense of how much you have left. By the time you reach the front, you can use a smaller amount for more precise styling. It also helps prevent the front from becoming overloaded with product.
4. Use a Comb for a Neater Finish
Your fingers are useful for creating texture and a more relaxed hairstyle, but a comb can give you much cleaner lines. Use it to smooth sections, define a part, or guide your hair in a particular direction. You don't necessarily have to comb your entire head; sometimes a few passes in the right areas are enough. Choose the tool based on the finish you're trying to achieve.
5. Give the Hairstyle Time to Set
Resist the urge to immediately put on a hat, run your hands through your hair, or start adjusting every strand after you've finished styling. Give the product some time to settle and establish its hold. This is particularly useful when you're creating a structured hairstyle that needs to stay in a specific position. Once the gel has set, you'll have a better idea of whether anything actually needs fixing.
6. Keep the Front Looking Natural
The front of your hair is often the most noticeable part of your hairstyle, so it's easy to overwork it. Rather than covering it in gel, use a small amount to control stray pieces and shape the section where you want it. A lighter application can help the hair retain some movement while still looking styled. If you can see an obvious layer of product, you've probably used more than you need.
7. Combine Gel with the Right Tools
You don't have to rely on your hands alone when styling your hair. A comb, brush, blow dryer, or other appropriate styling tool can help you achieve more precise results, depending on your hairstyle. For example, a blow dryer can help direct the hair before you finish with gel for additional hold. Using the right tool at the right stage can make the styling process much easier.
8. Style in Small Sections
Trying to control your entire head of hair at once can make it difficult to get an even result. Instead, divide your hair into manageable sections and work through them one at a time. This is especially helpful if you have thick, long, or textured hair that doesn't respond evenly to one quick application. You'll have greater control over both the amount of product and the direction of each section.
9. Keep a Small Amount for Final Touch-Ups
Don't use your entire supply of gel during the first few minutes of styling. Leaving a tiny amount available allows you to smooth down a stray strand or reinforce a section after you've seen the finished shape. You may find that you don't need any additional product at all, which is perfectly fine. The important thing is having the option to make small adjustments without starting over.
Steve Johnson from Valparaiso Indiana, USA on Wikimedia
10. Choose a Hairstyle You Can Maintain
A great hairdo isn't only about how it looks immediately after styling; it should also be realistic for your day. If a hairstyle requires constant adjustments, excessive product, or a complicated routine to keep it in place, you may be better off choosing something simpler. Consider how long you'll be wearing it and what you'll be doing while it's styled. The best routine is one that leaves your hair looking good without requiring you to think about it every few minutes.
