You may have retired that go-to bottle of hair gel years ago after watching Friends one too many times and realizing that you never want to feel like Ross when Rachel admits he wears too much of that gel in his hair. But the Y2K trend is back and better than ever, and that goes for the early 2000s love for hair gel too. And let’s set the record straight.

Hair gel has evolved since then, and it’s nothing like those spiky hair days you may remember. The formulas are elevated with styling and nourishing benefits that make for some of your best hair days yet. Plus, you’ll find a lot of them skipping out on alcohol, which cemented those crisp, wet looks of the 2000s but did some drying damage to hair and scalp. 

Hair gel is also a great multi-functional product to have in your hair care arsenal. Whether you want to experiment with a slick side part, define your curls, or tame pesky flyaways and cowlicks. To help you find the best of the best (and rediscover your love for hair gel), we’ve rounded up our top 10 picks for 2021.

Best Buy

1. Harry’s Firm Hold Hair Sculpting Gel

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You really can’t go wrong with a firm hold and a polished finish. And Harry’s has knocked it out of the park with this hair sculpting gel that gives you the perfect, long-lasting firm hold without any flaking – all for less than $8. Whether you’re styling and enhancing your curl pattern or slicking back straight locks, this gel is great for all hair types who want to cut down on frizz, have their style last all day, and have the ease of washing it out at the end of the night. 

The alcohol-free formula won’t dry or damage your hair and can set your bold style in place without any worry of flaking or fading. Plus, the product goes a long way and is good for two years after opening – talk about a good investment.