Difference Between Hair Gel and Hair Wax

Last Updated : Sep 6, 2022 / By Sandeep Bhandari / Fact Checked / 4 mins

Hair gel can come in gel or spray form. It is required to create spikes. One has to use it in wet hair. It does not last long, so once the hair is dry, the hairstyle might lose some of its charms.

Hair wax is, just as its name implies, wax for hair. It is used to style short hair and make it look bouncy and fluffy. It is perfect to style dry hair. It lasts for a long time, unlike gel.

Comparison Table Between Hair Gel and Hair Wax

Parameters of Comparison	Hair Gel	Hair Wax
Form	Hair gel comes in various forms, such as gel and spray.	Hair wax comes only in one form that is solid wax.
Use	Hair gel can only be used on wet hair.	Hair wax can be used on dry hair as well.
Removal	Hair gel can be removed easily with just one wash.	Hair wax needs several washes for its complete removal from hair.
Function	Hair gel gives the hair a glossy and shiny look.	Hair wax has varieties, from glossy to matte.
Style	Hair gel is best to get a spiky style.	Hair wax brings movement to the hair, so you can use hair wax to style your hair bouncy, fluffy, or frizzy.

What is Hair Gel?

Hair gel is mainly used for a sleek glossy look. It is used to make spikes as gel helps to hold the hair. It gives hair a stiff and formal look.

Hair gel can last the whole day, depending on the brand. Some brands have light gels too. It is best to use light gel if one has thin hair. Hair gel has a vast price range one can choose from.

Not only as gel, but hair gel also comes as a spray which is very convenient to use. Hair gel is easy to remove as only one rinse is enough to remove all the gel from the hair.

What is Hair Wax?

Hair wax is simply what the title suggests. It is wax for hair. It comes in solid form, and it is water and oil-based, and it lasts longer compared to hair gel. It is best to style short hair.

Hair wax, unlike hair gel, gives the hair a bouncy look. It has both glossy and matte finish products. And one can use it even in dry hair. Rather it is advised to put wax on dry hair.

Hair wax is creamy, so it does not make hair dry or hard. People with frizzy hair can use wax to make hair soft and smooth. Wax provides a casual look.

An ideal hair wax should not contain a lot of chemicals. It is comparatively harder to wash off the wax from hair. One rinse with water can not wipe out all the wax from hair.

Main Differences Between Hair Gel and Hair Wax

1. Hair gel offers shiny and glossy hair, and in contrast, hair wax can give the hair both a glossy or matte look as per the preference.
2. On the one hand, hair gel is easy to remove. Only one wash is enough to remove hair gel from one's hair. On the other hand, hair wax is not very easy to remove from the hair.

Conclusion

Both gel and wax are boons for men. One can choose it based on their hair type and preferences. One should always stick to the usage direction for the best results.

Some people do not know the difference between the two products and think they are the same. So they often fail to get the desired results.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073802004127
2. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruckmani_Kandasamy/publication/315739068_Formulation_and_Evaluation_of_Herbal_Hair_Gel_for_Hair_Growth_Potential/links/5acb47814585151e80a9b320/Formulation-and-Evaluation-of-Herbal-Hair-Gel-for-Hair-Growth-Potential.pdf