Hair gel is the longest-running hairdressing product, and can be used to create anything from sleek, pulled-back hairstyles to messy and spiky styles. Using hair gel is not difficult, if you have thought about the hairstyle you want. Whether you want to straighten your wavy hair, or straighten your hair for a formal meeting, hair gel will be your best friend.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Applying Hair Gel
Step 1. Choose a good quality gel
Hair gels are usually categorized according to the concentration of the compound and their staying power. The color and smell of the hair gel usually have no effect on how it works. Most gels are applied by rubbing with the tips of your fingers, but there are also some that use the spray method. Decide which one is best for your style, or try each one and see which one you prefer.
- The light, foamy gel is effective for creating a cheerful, slightly messy style. Your hair will still look supple and not stiff.
- Medium-hold gels are the best choice for shiny, sharp spiked hair because they can hold the shape of your hairstyle for a long time.
- The long-lasting gel gives you a sleek look and keeps your hair neat all day long. You may not be able to comb it with even your fingers, but your hair will still look neat even in the storm.
Step 2. Wash your hair before starting
Starting with thoroughly washed hair will make it easier for you to style your hair with the gel. Use shampoo and conditioner for your hair as usual, then towel-dry it but leave it slightly damp. It's important to leave your hair slightly damp when you want to use the gel, so don't wipe your hair dry. If you don't have much time, wetting your hair in a basin can also be a good option.
Using the gel on dirty, oily hair can make the gel ineffective and make your hair look more "crispy". This will also split the ends of your hair and damage your hair, so it's always better to wash your hair first
Step 3. Take some gel
Take a small amount of hair gel with the tips of your fingers and rub it into your hands until evenly distributed, then rub it into your hair, like you would shampoo when you wash your hair. Depending on how thick and long your hair is, you will need to apply an appropriate portion of the gel, so that it spreads evenly between your fingertips. Remember, you can add this gel later if you feel it's not enough, but it's hard to get the gel off your hair without washing it again. So, use it little by little, with the following guidelines:
- Use as much gel as 1 cm in diameter for short hair.
- Use as much gel as 1.5 cm in diameter for medium length hair.
- Use twice or more than 1.5 cm in diameter for long hair (especially thick hair).
Step 4. Apply the gel
Style your hair the way you want it to look (as described earlier). In general, you should apply the gel by starting at the top of your hairline and working your way back towards the nape of your neck. Use your fingers to apply the gel, after which you can also use a comb.
- For straight hairstyles, [Comb|Comb] or style your hair the way you want.
- Twist or twist your hair with your fingers to make it curly.
- To give a curly or wavy style more volume, especially at the roots, turn/bow your head to knead the gel evenly.
Step 5. Perfect your style
Most hair gels contain alcohol, so they dry out quickly. If your gel doesn't, you will need to wait a few minutes for your gel to dry. You can keep changing your hairstyle while the gel in your hair is still wet, but once the gel dries, your hair will become stiff and hold its shape. Once the gel has stiffened your hair, you're done styling your hair and you're ready to show off your new hairstyle!
Part 2 of 2: Determining the Hairstyle
Step 1. Try a messy and informal look
Gel is the best product to make a messy hairstyle but still look cool. This is perfect when you want a casual look but look neat and don't have much time to style your hair.
- To create this style, spread the gel all over your hair using the tips of your fingers, then move the strands in different directions and trim any stubborn strands.
- The best gel for creating this style is a light textured gel, and the best hair type for this is slightly longer hair with sufficient thickness.
Step 2. Try the simple part
If you don't want to take a lot of time on your hair and just need to style it, gel is a good choice. This type of hairstyle is intended to make your hair look as natural as possible, simply by combing and parting your hair in a natural parting, but not risking frizz and getting out of your hairline.
- Place a small amount of gel in your hand and style your hair using your fingers, pulling it under your head, in the opposite direction.
- Take a comb and slightly dampen it with water, then comb your hair in the direction you started, if you want the result to be a little more slick.
- This hairstyle is the best choice for thinner and shorter hair, but it is also suitable for other hair types. It can also be a hairstyle that masks the problem of hair loss.
Step 3. Style your hair in a slick back style
This slicked-back hairstyle is similar to the hairstyles of Don Draper, Pat Riley, or Jay Gatsby. This type of hairstyle looks classic and simple. This hairstyle is great for special and formal occasions, and can be done with plenty of gel and a fine-toothed comb.
- Spread the gel all over your hair, making sure the gel runs from the front to the back of your hair, without splitting your hair. Comb using a wet comb as neat and even as possible.
- This hairstyle is especially good for rather long hair with sufficient thickness. This style can cover the part of the hair that is falling out, so be careful if the part of your hair that falls out is visible.
Step 4. Try to make a sharp hairstyle
If you've always dreamed of spiky hair like a rock singer, you can make it with your favorite hair gel. However, this hairstyle is usually only suitable for everyday casual activities (don't use this style for your first date) and fun.
- Take a small amount of gel on the tips of your fingers, and spread it through your hair pointing upwards, then pull your hair up and taper the ends with your fingers until they look sharp. For a lighter style, you can do it only on the front of your hair.
- Wait a few minutes and allow this sharp style of hair to dry, then take a small amount of gel with the tips of your fingers and apply one more time, strengthening the spiky sections and raising them a little more, if you want to accentuate the sharpness.
- This style is perfect for rather long hair with sufficient thickness. If it's too long, you may need to use hair spray (and maybe even an egg white) which works the same way as a gel to harden your hair.
Step 5. Try the pompadour hairstyle
You know what style you want, right? Style your hair like Elvis Presley and Conan O'Brien, which is a very cool skirt hairstyle. This may be the most challenging hairstyle, but it is basically an amalgamation of several of the above techniques. You can even try it while you're sitting at home, so you know how when you want to style this hairstyle later.
- Take a small amount of the gel you want with the tips of your fingers, and gather the hair onto the top of your head. It is a combination of a spiky hairstyle and a casual hairstyle that is a bit messy. Then, take a comb of medium density, wet it, and comb the hair in a side-up motion on the left and right sides of your hair so that the two halves meet in the center of the top of your head.
- If you want a more formal pompadour, you can neatly part your hair along your natural hairline to one side, in a straight line, then brush your hair left and right back as well. You may need to use your fingers to raise the front section of your hair as high as you want.
- This style is perfect for hair that is long at the top and fairly short, or even very short at the sides.
Tips
- Keep in mind that for certain styles, if the shape needs to be maintained for a long time, it will require a lot of gel. Choose these styles only for special occasions. If you have long hair, try using a stronger gel around the ends, and don't use a less strong gel all over your hair.
- Try using a conditioner that doesn't need to be rinsed off for a softening effect on your hair.
- Use the gel as needed according to the needs of your hair. If you use too much gel, your head will look like a helmet, and you don't want other people to see that look. This principle also applies to hair gel; a small amount is usually sufficient.
- If you have curly hair you may need to dry your hair after applying the gel.
Warning
- The gel will leave white dirt falling from your hair. This can be caused by several factors. You may be using too much gel, so try reducing your gel or increasing your gel strength level to give your hair the staying power you want. Another reason is that you may be using a low-quality gel.
- Take a look. Gels costing Rp. 15,000–Rp. 25,000 at the nearest supermarket may be better for you than branded gels that cost Rp. 100,000. Think about which one you think is the best, in terms of texture and resistance to your hair.
- If this gel makes your hair lose its color or feel itchy, wash your hair immediately. You may be allergic to the mixture of ingredients in the gel.
- If you have oily hair or use the gel for more than a day without washing your hair, avoid using the gel near or in contact with the roots of your hair.
