Light and medium-hold gels are one of the biggest categories out there — and honestly, most of them don’t work. I’ve tested hundreds of gels. I’m really picky, and I’ll tell you straight up when something isn’t worth using.

Today I’m sharing the few light and medium-hold gels that actually perform well, especially when the weather shifts and you’re dealing with dry air or mild humidity.

I’ve included options for both SOFT and ROUGH finish hair types. Before we get started, quick note: these gels aren’t chosen because of the season — it’s really about humidity levels.
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If you live somewhere with dry air or mild humidity, these lightweight and medium-hold gels can work really well and give you softer, more flexible results. If you live in a humid climate, you’ll still get your best longevity from a strong-hold gel.

But in dry or mild humidity, I like to experiment a bit more, and these are the gels I reach for most often.

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Best light & medium hold gels for soft-finish hair

Bounce Curl Light Hold Cream Gel

• Lightweight formula with minimal emollients — watery feel but not runny.
• High slip; spreads easily and feels very clean on the hair.
• Smooth application with no noticeable texture or grit.
• Light hold.
• Refreshes well because it reactivates easily without buildup.
• Performs best in dry or mild humidity.
• Great for fine hair and soft-finish hair.

​Bounce Curl Light Hold Cream Gel​

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly

• Slightly thicker and “grippier” than the other lightweight gels.
• Has a touch of texture — not gritty, but definitely more structured in feel.
• Slip is moderate; not as slippery as Curlsmith or Tootilab.
• Refreshes well, but the grip gives more control on day 1.
• Medium hold with a bit more staying power.
• Performs well in mild humidity — better frizz control than the super-light gels.
• Great if you want more support and definition without jumping to a strong-hold gel.
• Great for fine hair and soft-finish hair alone or paired with a leave-in or cream for rough-finish or coarse hair.

​Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly​

Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly

• One of the lightest gels in this lineup — super airy and humectant-based.
• Gives a really clean, soft finish without weighing hair down.
• High slip, spreads easily, and works great for refreshing with just water.
• Doesn’t have any noticeable texture or grit — very smooth.
• Gives medium hold with flexible movement and soft feeling hair.
• I find the longevity really solid in cooler, low-humidity weather.
• Great option if your hair gets easily weighed down or needs lightweight moisture without oils.
• Great for fine or rough finish hair when paired with a leave-in or cream.

​Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly​

Best light & medium hold gels for rough-finish hair

Tootilab All Weather Styling Gel

• Very lightweight and humectant-based — no oils or butters.
• High slip and extremely easy to spread; refreshes effortlessly with water.
• Completely smooth — no texture or grit.
• Flexible medium hold that looks soft and natural.
• Performs best in dry or mild humidity, not extremely humid conditions in MY experience. However the curls hold their shape very well.
• Has heat protection, which is a unique benefit for a gel.
• Great for soft or rough-finish hair.

​Tootilab All Weather Styling Gel​

Marc Anthony Define & Hold Flex Hair Styling Gel

• More emollient than the others — it has lightweight oils and butters that add softness.
• Performs well in dry or mild humidity because the emollients help maintain moisture.
• Still feels surprisingly lightweight, but definitely more conditioning than a humectant-based gel.
• High slip — excellent for refreshing because it reactivates instantly with water.
• No grit or texture — very smooth application.
• Flexible medium hold with good softness and curl memory.
• Great for rough-finish or coarse hair.

​Marc Anthony Define & Hold Flex Hair Styling Gel​

Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard

• Very unique humectant-based formula.
• Smooth, no texture or grit — very slippery and easy to distribute.
• Medium-strong hold.
• Performs especially well in dry climates because humectants help attract moisture.
• Great for normal-to-dry hair that needs slip and moisture without an oily or buttery feel.
• Ideal if you want defined, shiny curls with a lightweight, flexible finish.
• Great for medium to coarse-textured hair and rough-finish hair.

​Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard​

Best Light & Medium Hold Gels Comparison Chart

​CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHART​

How to Choose

Remember, this isn’t really about the time of year. Your results depend more on humidity levels and what your hair needs to last. Strong-hold stylers are still great year-round, especially if you want maximum longevity or live somewhere humid.

These gels are simply the ones I love using in dry or mild humidity because they’re lightweight, flexible, and great for hair that gets weighed down easily. Some of them — like Umberto Giannini — even hold up really well because of the polymers, which are totally fine in dry or mild conditions.

To maximize the hold of these gels, use the Strong Hold Method Cheatsheet. If you need help choosing the right gel, you can use my How to Pick Gels Chart as a guide.

Check out my Shop Page, where you can filter products by hold level, conditioning level, and more to find exactly what you’re looking for.

And if you want support picking products that are right for your hair — and learning how to properly test them to know whether they truly work for you — my Winter Group Curl Coaching Membership is open for enrollment through December 31st.

You don’t have to guess anymore — you just need the right support. To discuss if you are a fit, email me at info@genamarie.co or send me a DM on Instagram or Facebook with the word GROUP.

🎁 Weekly Holiday Giveaway 🎁

Win products selected by me based on your hair type!

I’m giving away curated curl product boxes during the holiday season, with 4-6 products personally selected by me based on your hair type and what your hair actually needs.

This isn’t a random bundle. I’ll choose products intentionally, using the same thought process I use when coaching clients — so you’re getting things that make sense for your hair, not just what’s popular.

Each week, I’m choosing one person to receive a curated box of 4-6 curl products, selected by me based on your hair type and goals.

​Requirements:

-Exclusive to my email list subscribers.
-Must complete the Hair Type Quiz so I can accurately pick products.
-No purchase necessary.
-U.S. residents only.
-Winners are notified by email.

Good luck! ✨