Table of Contents

• What is Hair Balm?

• What Is Hair Gel?

• What Is Hair Jelly?

• How Does Hair Gel Help Style Natural Hair?

• How to Use Curl Jelly and Hair Balm for Your Curls

• FAQs on Hair Gel, Hair Jelly and Hair Balm

Hair Jelly, Hair Balm and Hair Gel - What’s the Difference?

Each one has a unique purpose in your styling routine. 

Compared to decades ago, we’re all better equipped than ever to style our curls and coils. But there’s a minor downside to having various options: it can be confusing to understand what differentiates one styling product from another.   

Hair jelly, hair balm and hair gel are among the most common styling essentials for curls and coils. Although they all help your hair look stunning, each has its own benefits. This article highlights what makes hair balm, hair gel and hair jelly special and answers frequently asked questions — such as how to use hair gel and what is hair balm — so you can leverage each product’s talents. 

What Is Hair Balm?

The answer to what is hair balm can be explained like this: hair balm is a hair-smoothing product with light to medium hold. Like a skin salve, hair balm contains emollients, such as butters, waxes and oils, and is packaged in a tub or tube where its consistency stays solid at room temperature. Upon application, hair balm quickly melts due to the heat from your hand. Hair balm helps to shape styles, tame flyaways and give looks longevity. Our new matte-finish Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm offers up to 24 hours of hold and frizz control for up to 48 hours.

What Is Hair Gel? 

Hair gel is a thick gel that delivers firm hold. For anyone with textured hair, it’s a go-to for defining curls. Hair gels of the past have gotten a bad rap for being sticky and leaving hair stiff, crunchy and dry due to hair gels' alcohol content. However, many hair gels today are designed to provide strong hold and definition while leaving strands touchably soft. Coco Crème Curl Shaping Cream Gel shapes and defines curls with soft, natural hold. You’ll never have to worry about your hair becoming flaky or stiff when using it!

What Is Hair Jelly?

Think of hair jelly as hair gel’s easygoing sister. Both hair jelly and hair gel provide hold but hair jelly has a thinner consistency, drying down to a soft, not stiff, finish and allowing for restyling flexibility. Our new Black Vanilla Moisture & Hold Jelly lets you style and restyle without buildup, flakes or crunch and delivers up to 72 hours of hold. Use it to keep your curls sculpted and hydrated without the stickiness of traditional hair gel. 

How Does Hair Gel Help Style Natural Hair?

If you’re wondering how hair gel helps style natural hair, you’ll be glad to know that the product is amazing for long-lasting curly styles! When applied to damp strands, hair gel creates a thin yet hard layer, known as a cast, over your curls and coils. The cast helps maintain definition and acts as a physical barrier that protects against frizz. 

How to Use Curl Jelly and Hair Balm for Your Curls

You can use curl jelly and hair balm for your curls in multiple ways, such as for definition or hold. 

How to Use Hair Gel or Curl Jelly for Defined Curls

Apply curl jelly or hair jelly on damp hair. Work the formula into your curls, starting from roots to tips. Our new Goddess Strength Moisture & Hold Jelly, which works on wet, damp or dry hair, controls frizz for up to 48 hours and benefits all curls, coils and hair textures. 

How to Use Hair Balm for Smooth Curls

Work hair balm into dry hair before styling to shape hair while smoothing out frizz. In addition, you can use it after styling to touch up your look. Our new Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm strengthens hair with its fortifying formula.

FAQs on Hair Gel, Hair Jelly and Hair Balm

Now that you know the differences between hair balm, hair gel and hair jelly, we went ahead and answered the most common questions about these styling must-haves. 

Is Gel Bad for Your Hair?

The possibility that gel is bad for your hair is a concern that often comes up for anyone considering adding hair gel to their routine. Hair gel, when used in moderation, shouldn’t cause damage to your hair. However, when used excessively and left on the hair for days and days, gel can build up and cause scalp irritation. Most gels contain alcohol, which can dry out the scalp, putting the scalp’s sebum production into overdrive and promoting dandruff. To avoid experiencing any of its adverse effects on hair, don’t overuse hair gel and focus the application on your strands, not on your scalp. Our alcohol-free Wash Day Delight Gel-to-Foam Styler hydrates and defines curls and coils minus the frizz, crunch, flakes or weigh down! 

Does Hair Gel Cause Hair Loss?

Hair gel probably won’t cause hair loss. Hair loss is most often due to other factors, such as a family history of hair loss, medical conditions or even stress. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, pulling your hair tightly in certain styles can also lead to hair loss. That doesn’t mean you have to give up your cornrows, tight braids or other tightly pulled back styles; just remember to give your hair a break in between such looks by trying looser styles. 

Can You Bring Hair Gel On A Plane?

Whether or not you can bring hair gel on a plane is a common question for anyone about to travel. No one wants to arrive in paradise and then spend their vacation with their hair looking anything less than perfect. There’s good news: You can pack any size of hair gel in your check-in luggage, but if you plan to bring it in your carry-on, you must follow the TSA 3-1-1 Liquids Rule regarding liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes. Each passenger can bring such items into their carry-on as long as 1. the items are in travel-size containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and 2. all of the containers fit into a single quart-size, clear, plastic zip-top bag. 

Is Hair Jelly the Same as Hair Gel? 

Hair jelly and hair gel are similar in that both are gels that can be used to define curls and coils and set styles in place with some degree of hold. Compared to hair gel, hair jelly is thinner and leaves styles reworkable. Hair gel is frequently used for styles that require strong hold. 

What Is Hair Balm For? 

Use hair balm to tame frizz and flyaways and create a smooth bun or ponytail. 

Can You Use Beard Balm in Hair? 

Beard balm does for beards what hair balm does for the hair on top of our head: it softens, smooths and shapes. Using beard balm on your hair likely won’t cause any harm. But a hair balm’s special formulation gives it an advantage over beard balm. Our Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm delivers long-lasting hold and frizz control and is formulated to protect the hairline from breakage.