How to Set Hair Without Gel

Co-authored by Matt King

Last Updated: February 16, 2023 References

Hair gel is probably the most common styling product used to set hair, but it’s far from the only option. Other products, like hair clay, offer a lighter hold than gel and allow you to restyle your hair throughout the day. Hair wax also allows you to rework your hair but provides a bit more hold to keep your hair neat and sleek. Hairspray creates the strongest hold to keep your hair in shape on even the windiest day.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Hair Clay

1
Wash your hair and blow-dry it fully with a hair dryer. Using shampoo and conditioner, clean your hair and towel-dry it. Dry your hair completely with a hair dryer—clay creates a firmer hold when applied to dry hair. Make sure you’re pointing the hair dryer in the direction you’re planning to style your hair. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you prefer a lighter hold on your hair, stop blow-drying when your hair is still damp but not dripping.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- If you typically use a pre-styling product like hair tonic, leave-in conditioner, or heat protectant spray, massage that into your hair before blow-drying.
2
Rub a pea-size amount of hair clay between your hands to warm it up. This process should take between 5 and 10 seconds. When you’re done, the clay should be spread evenly across your fingers and palms in a thin layer. There should be no visible clumps or dollops of clay left on your hands.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- The precise amount of hair clay you need depends on how long your hair is. Short hair generally requires one pea-size dollop, while medium-length hair requires two. Since you can always layer more hair clay on later in the process, be conservative when starting off.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Make sure to select hair clay that has a matte finish and that’s solid in state.
Advertisement
3
Distribute the clay evenly through your hair, starting at the back. Work your hands through your hair, beginning at the roots and moving to the tips. You want to leave the hair coated in a thin layer of clay.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- It’s best to work back to front on your head to make sure you don’t accidentally end up with a ton of product in the front above your forehead.
4
Style your hair with your fingers, a comb, or a brush. Fingers will leave you with the most natural-looking style. Brushes are good for a neater look, such as a ponytail or slicked back style. Combs are best if you want a style with a defined hair part.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Hair clay is a good option if you want to do a pompadour since it adds volume to your hair.
- If it seems like you need more product to really set your hair, scoop up another pea-size amount and repeat the process.
5
Fix your hairstyle by using a tiny bit more hair clay to tame flyaways. Scoop up just a thin layer of clay with a fingertip and rub it between your palms to warm it up. Use this final bit of product to lightly coat the outer layer of your hairstyle to give it a bit of extra hold.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Hair clay is best for fairly natural slicked-back styles for short and medium-length hair.
- You can restyle your hair throughout the day since this product doesn't dry hard.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Styling with Hair Wax

1
Wash and dry your hair. Use shampoo and conditioner to clean your hair. Blow-dry your hair or let it air-dry—wax should be applied to just slightly damp or completely dry hair.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- It’s best to style clean hair. Even a bit of grease can ruin the effectiveness of hair products.
2
Rub a pea-size amount of wax between your palms until it’s soft. The heat of your hand will cause the wax to emulsify. When you’re done the wax should be spread evenly across your hands in a thin layer. There should be no clumps of wax left on your fingers.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- There are two types of hair wax you can buy. Water-based waxes are easy to wash out, while wax-based waxes require a deep cleansing shampoo to get out of your hair. Double-check which kind you’ve purchased to make sure you’ve got the right products to clean your hair at the end of the day.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
3
Use your wax-coated hands to work your hair into the desired style. If you have short hair, brush the surface of your hair with your palms to coat your hair in a thin layer of wax. Then you can start using your hands to shape the hair how you’d like. Wax works well for a sleek slicked-back look—use your fingers or a comb to brush back your waxed hair.
- If you have thick hair, then you will need to use a brush to smooth your hair back and make it lay flat. Otherwise, it may still look puffy in some places.
- Hair wax can also work with longer layered haircuts by providing definition. Instead of brushing the wax through all your hair, twirl the ends of your hair between your wax-coated fingertips. Don’t rub it into the roots or mid-shaft of your hair because it will make your head look greasy and limp.
- Hair wax also helps to define the curls in your hair by making them springier and more structured. Work the wax into the ends of each curl with your fingertips.
4
Add another layer of wax if you need more definition. If a pea-sized amount of wax isn’t enough to completely set your hair, use your fingers to scoop out another pea-sized amount of wax. Rub it back and forth in your palms until it emulsifies, then layer it into your hair on top of the original wax.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Keep working in pea-size increments until your hair is set. Be careful of using too much—it’s easy to add more, and it’s almost impossible to remove product from your hair (other than washing it) once it’s been applied.
5
Fix and finish your style with a smidge of extra wax. Scoop out a tiny amount of wax with one fingertip. Warm it up by rubbing it back and forth between your fingertips then brush your fingers over flyaways and other loose hairs to neaten up your hairstyle.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Since wax doesn’t dry hard, you’ll be able to rework your hairstyle throughout the day. However, keep in mind that wax is thick and can be hard to style your hair with depending on your hair texture, so this might not always work out.
- You can also carry your hair wax with you in your purse or your pocket if you plan to do a major retouching job while you’re out.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Hairspray

1
Select your hairspray based on your desired finish. Some hairsprays provide a stronger hold than others. Others provide additional gloss and shine. Determine which type will work best for the hairstyle you’ve selected.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- For example, if you have oily hair you should stay away from hairsprays marked “ultra shine,” “diamond gloss,” or similar. These will make your hair appear greasy.
- You can also make your own all-natural DIY product with sugar hairspray. To make sugar hairspray, boil 1 cup (240 mL) of water and add 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of sugar, mixing until it dissolves. Let the mixture cool, then put in an empty spray bottle.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}
2
Style your hair how you want it using a blow-dryer or other products. Hairspray can be used in combination with other products like hair clay or wax to provide a firmer hold. You can also blow-dry your hair using a round brush or other styling tool to create your ideal look.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Hairspray is also often used in combination with a curling iron to keep waves from quickly falling out of your hair.
- Hairspray is also great for keeping a pompadour hairdo from losing its structure and volume throughout the day.
3
Spray your hand with hairspray and lightly brush your hair's surface. Using your hairspray-coated hand, pick up flyaways and neaten the sides of your hair. Before you set your style with hairspray you want to make sure it looks exactly the way you want. If you’re using a medium or strong-hold hairspray, it will be difficult to fix your hairstyle after you spray it. Opt for a soft-hold hairspray if you want a more flexible style.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- To reach both sides of your head easily, it’s best to spray one hand and do one half then spray the other for the other half.
- Make sure your hairspray is within arms’ reach during this process because you’ll need to grab it and spray quickly once you’re ready to set your hairstyle.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
4
Spray all over your hair to fix it firmly in place. Once your style is exactly how you’d like it, give your hairspray bottle a quick shake. Holding the bottle at arm’s length, spray it all over your hair to coat your style in hairspray. Use circular motions around your head to ensure you don’t spray too long in one spot.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Keep your hand moving while you spray to avoid saturating your hair and making it thick, clumpy, and heavy.
- Protect your eyes with the other hand to make sure you don’t get hairspray in your eyes.
5
Wait until the hairspray has dried before touching your hair. The hairspray will take about 10 to 20 seconds to dry. If you touch it before it is dry, it will make the hair look greasy. It could also alter the hairstyle you’ve spent so much time perfecting.^{[19]
X
Research source}