6 Highly Recommended Hair Gels for Step 5 of the Max Hydration Method

Get the best results in step 5 of the max hydration method with these highly recommended hair gels plus DIY hair gel for this step.

This is the continuation of the max hydration method series.

In this series, I review and recommend the best products for each step of the process based on my experience and research.

You can read the previous articles in the series at the below links:-

Max Hydration Method

The hair gel process is step 5 and the final one in the max hydration method.

At this stage, you are aiming to form a gel cast around the defined curls created by the clay rinse and leave-in conditioner step.

This process will help your curls last for several days without needing to go through the whole max hydration method every day.

I’ve tried many organic and botanical gels for this step and below are the top 6 gels I’ve found to be the most effective:-

Best Hair Gels for the Max Hydration Method

1. Kinky Curly Curling Custard

All the ingredients in Kinky Curly Curling Custard are botanical and agree with most hair types.

It, however, comes with a hefty price tag and doesn’t last long if you have long hair.

You can dilute it prior to use but even with that; it still doesn’t go very far. Kinky Curly Curling Custard is a treat for me when my wallet allows it or when there’s some sort of sales going on.

I also found that when used full strength, it made my hair clump in a way I didn’t like.

I recommend using it diluted for the best results. Kinky Curly Curling Custard comes in two sizes – 8oz and 16 oz.

Kinky Curly Curling Custard Ingredients: botanical infusion of water, horsetail, chamomile, nettle and marshmallow, organic aloe vera juice, agave nectar extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), pectic, citric acid, potassium sorbate, and natural fragrance. BUY HERE.

2. Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Hair Gel

Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Hair Gel is a natural gel with some very good ingredients. The texture is buttery as opposed to the clear texture of KKCC.

However, it doesn’t make it any less effective and is a matter of preference based on what your hair likes.

Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Hair Gel is very creamy and it wasn’t necessary for me to use a sealing oil after applying this gel.

I also found it handy for twisting my hair a few days later. It comes in an 8 oz and has the same price point as Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Hair Gel Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera gel), deionized water, macadamia integrifolia (macadamia) seed oil, persea (avocado) gratissima seed oil, simmondsia (jojoba) Chinensis seed oil, prunus (sweet almond) dulcis oil, ricinus (castor) communis seed oil, behenetrimonium methosulfate and cetearyl alcohol(BTMS), camellia (green tea) sinensis, ulmus (slippery elm) eulva, ascorbic (vitamin C) acid, tocopherol (vitamin e), d-panthenol, phenoxyethanol/caprylyl glycol(optiphen), sorbic acid, scent. BUY HERE.

3. Epiphany Naturals Curly Creme with Argan Oil

A product with argan oil is always a winner as this is one of the oils that help with the fight against hair breakage.

Epiphany Naturals Curly Creme with Argan Oil is a creamy runny texture, which softens and smoothens the hair. It also helps combat frizz.

Left in overnight, it gives even more definition and hold the next day. You can also add on more than usual without it leaving any residue behind.

Among its winning ingredients are horsetail extract, marshmallow root, coconut oil, hibiscus, and Irish moss. It comes in an 8 oz size.

Epiphany Naturals Curly Creme with Argan Oil Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice infused with Organic Marshmallow Root, Argan Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Manuka Honey, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cellulose Gum, Ginger Extract, Phenoxyethanol Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Fragrance. BUY HERE.

4. Miessence Certified Organic Shape Styling Gel

Miessence Certified Organic Shape Styling Gel is designed to condition, nourish and protect hair and with ingredients such as aloe vera and rosehip oil, it does just that.

Additionally, Miessence Certified Organic Shape Styling Gel doesn’t leave any flakes behind. It gives a great definition and hold, which lasts for up to 3 days.

It’s a bit on the pricey side and I would suggest diluting before use or alternating with less expensive gels. It comes in an 8.5 oz size.

Miessence Certified Organic Shape Styling Gel Ingredients: organic aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *organic sugar-cane ethanol, *organic fermented grain extract, *organic rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) seed oil, chondrus crispus (carrageenan) gum, non-GMO xanthan gum, *organic pelargonium graveolens (geranium)essential oil, geraniol#, citronellol# (#component of organic essential oil). *Certified Organic Ingredient. BUY HERE.

5. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Sweet Soul Magic Curl Stimulator

With Uncle Funky’s Daugther Sweet Soul Magic Curl Stimulator, your curls are greatly defined without being crunchy or causing build-up.

It aids in elongating curls and giving an appearance of longer length.

It contains aloe vera, marshmallow, chamomile, nettle, horsetail, vitamin e, and agave nectar, all key ingredients for strength and moisture.

Though a bit expensive, it comes in three different sizes to match different budgets – 12 oz, 18 oz, and 32 oz.

Uncle Funky’s Daugther Sweet Soul Magic Curl Stimulator Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera) Extract Juice, Aqueous – Infused Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Agave Tequilana (Agave Nectar) Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Fragrance. BUY HERE.

Bonus – DIY Hair Gel

Though all the hair gels recommended above are wonderful, nothing beats formulating something customized for your specific hair needs.

Even if you have an aversion to mixing your own products, making hair gel is simple. It can contain as little as 2 ingredients and as many as 10 ingredients.

You can check out the below earlier articles for all the ingredients you can include in your DIY hair gel:-

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