Without a doubt, the number one product we're asked to provide a recommendation for is a strong-hold gel. However, there are a lot of reasons why we like softer gels and why you might want to consider them as part of your routine if you're not getting the results you'd expect from your styling products.

A soft-hold gel - in our opinion - is anything below a 5/10 on our own imaginary gel stength scale. They're strong enough along for single-day wear but may need some additional help or refreshing to get you through multiple days. They don't leave a really hard, crunchy cast and there's no need to scrunch it out.

The Benefits of a Soft-Hold Gel

• No crunch or stiffness. Many curlies like their curls to feel soft and have natural movement. Soft-hold gels leave behind a touchable, bouncy finish and don't result in that "helmet head" phenomenon you sometimes get with a strong-hold gel until you scrunch out the crunch.
• They are lightweight. Most soft-hold gels can be great for hair that is easily weighed down and can include ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and flaxseed that help maintain your hair's natural moisture without adding additional weight.
• Reduce frizz without a hard cast. Soft-hold gels are capable of creating beautiful definition and taming frizz.
  
• Enhance and maintain your natural shape. If your hair has a lot of natural definition and holds a curl well on its own, you probably don't need a turbo-charged, strong-hold gel.
• They're buildable. One of the biggest plusses of soft-hold gels is that you can layer them with other products for your ideal style without worrying too much about your hair becoming weighed down. They pair beautifully with hairspray, foam, or mousse.
• They reactivate well. Soft-hold gels usually don't need much encouragement to come back to life. A little bit of water or some water mixed with leave-in conditioner or more of your gel should do the trick.
• They're less sticky. Some hard-hold gels work well because of that sticky factor. Soft-hold gels often feel like there's nothing on your hair once it is dry.
• Ideal for air drying. Soft-hold gels make it easy to get on with your day without worrying about how your hair might dry or having a cast to break.
• Helpful for volume. Strong-hold gels are not usually good for adding volume to your hair. Because of their soft, touchable finish, soft-hold gels often provide a bit more bounce and movement.

Our Top Soft-Hold Gel Recommendations

We carry a huge variety of gels in store and online at Curl Warehouse, and we have a ton of personal experience with these products to if you are looking for something in particular.

Here are some of our favourite gels that provide beautiful hold without the crunch:

• Bounce Curl Light Hold Creme Gel
• LUS Brands Love Ur Curls Irish Sea Moss Gel
• Ouidad Out of Thin (H)air Volumizing Jelly
• Jessicurl Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion
• Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel
• Inahsi Naturals Pamper My Curls Flaxseed Styling Gel
• Pretty Curly Girl Flexible Hold Gel
• Earthtones Naturals Lite Curl Defining Gelly

Products to Use with Soft-Hold Gels

Products that complement soft-hold gels to help you further refine your style include:

• Mousses and foams for volume and additional longevity, such as Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Lift Volumizing Foam. Add these products after your gel, on hair that is partially dry, for a lived-in, voluminous look.
  
• Hair spray for long-lasting hold, like the Bounce Curl Alcohol-Free Hair Spray which can be applied on wet or dry hair.
• Volumizing products for more volume, such as the Puff.Me Dry Texture Spray (applied after) or Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Volume Lotion (applied before, like a primer). 

If you have more questions about soft-hold gels or you'd like personalized product recommendations or help with your wash day routine, send us an email at products@curlwarehouse.com or visit us in person at 526 42 Ave SE in Calgary, AB!