What is the purpose of a styling gel?

The primary purpose of a styling gel is to add hold and control to hairstyles. Styling gels are designed to provide a firm, yet flexible hold that keeps hair in place throughout the day. They contain polymers that help to create a film over the hair strands, which provides structure and helps maintain the desired style. This is especially useful for creating styles that require definition and staying power, such as slicked-back looks, spikes, or defined curls.

While some products may offer additional benefits like nourishment or color, these are not the primary functions of styling gel. Instead, styling gels are specifically formulated to enhance the manageability and styling of hair by ensuring that it stays exactly how the stylist intended.