Hair Gel vs. Hair Paste: What's the Difference (And Which One Does Your Kid Need)?
If you've ever stood in the bathroom trying to decide between hair gel and hair paste for your child's hairstyle, you're not alone. Both products promise to tame flyaways, hold curls, and keep hairstyles looking neat — but they work in very different ways, and choosing the right one can make all the difference between a frizzy morning and a smooth, happy start to the day.
At No Nasties Kids, we've formulated both our Hair Gel and Hair Paste to be gentle, plant-based, and free from harsh nasties like SLS, SLES, EDTA and parabens — but the two products aren't interchangeable. Here's a full breakdown of how they differ, so you can pick the right one for your child's hair type and style.
The Quick Answer
- Hair Gel is lightweight, offers medium hold, and dries without any crunchy or stiff finish — perfect for wet styling and curl definition.
- Hair Paste is a slightly heavier, medium-weight formula with medium hold and a soft, pomade-like feel — perfect for taming frizz, smoothing, and slicking styles into place.
Now let's dig into the details.
No Nasties Kids Hair Gel
Our Hair Gel is designed with a light, water-based gel texture that provides medium hold without ever feeling stiff, sticky, or crunchy once it dries. It's an especially popular pick among families following the Curly Girl Method, since it can be applied to wet hair to help set natural curls and encourage definition as they dry.
Best for:
- Setting curls while hair is wet (Curly Girl Method friendly)
- Taming flyaways and frizz
- Adding light hold to short hairstyles
- Kids who want movement and a natural finish rather than a "set" look
Feel: Light gel texture, no crunch, no stiffness once dry.
No Nasties Kids Hair Paste
Our Hair Paste has a medium-weight, soft pomade-like texture that offers a bit more hold and control than the gel. It's brilliant for setting curls (especially on damp or almost-dry hair), smoothing down frizzy sections, and slicking back styles like buns, ponytails, or neat short haircuts. Unlike traditional waxes and pomades, it's non-greasy, non-oily, and washes out easily — so there's no sticky residue left behind at bath time.
Best for:
- Setting curls on damp or almost-dry hair
- Smoothing frizzy or unruly hair
- Styling and defining short haircuts
- Slicking back hair into buns, ponytails, or tidy "school-ready" looks
Feel: Medium-weight, soft pomade texture — non-greasy and easy to wash out.
Hair Gel vs. Hair Paste: Side-by-Side
| Hair Gel | Hair Paste | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Light | Medium |
| Hold | Medium (no crunch) | Medium (soft pomade feel) |
| Best for curls | Wet styling / Curly Girl Method | Damp to almost-dry curls |
| Best for | Flyaways, short styles, light hold | Smoothing frizz, slicking back, short styles |
| Finish | Light gel feel | Soft pomade feel |
| Washes out easily | Yes | Yes, non-greasy |
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely — many No Nasties families use gel and paste together depending on the style or the day. For curly hair, our detangling spray applied to damp hair followed by hair gel worked gently through with the palms is a great combo for definition and bounce. On refresh days, a spritz of water followed by our alcohol-free hair spray can bring curls back to life. For an "almost dry" set, a small amount of hair paste helps lock curls into place with a little extra hold and nourishment.
For shorter styles, it really comes down to finish: gel will give you a touch more hold with a lighter feel, while paste adds a little more weight and slick — ideal for keeping fringes, flyaways, and cowlicks in check.
Finish It Off With Hair Spray
Whichever you choose, either style can be locked in and finished off with our Hair Spray. It provides a medium-strength hold without a hard, crunchy finish, making it perfect for setting your child's final style in place, refreshing curls between washes, or keeping everything neat through a full day of play — no matter which product you started with.
Why Choose No Nasties Kids Hair Gel & Paste?
Both products are part of our multi-award-winning No Nasties Kids haircare range, made right here in Australia in an ISO and GMP certified facility. They're:
- Plant-based and vegan
- Free from SLS, SLES, EDTA and parabens
- Gluten free, sulphate free, and cruelty free
- Curly Girl Method approved
- Safety tested and registered under CPSR regulations in the UK and EU
Both formulas also feature nourishing native extracts like Kangaroo Paw Flower to support healthy hair, and Banana (Plantain) Fruit Extract to promote hair growth — because good styling shouldn't come at the cost of your child's hair health.
The Bottom Line
If your child needs light hold, curl definition on wet hair, or a natural, crunch-free finish — reach for the Hair Gel. If you're after more control, frizz-smoothing power, or a slicked-back finish for short styles or tied-up looks — the Hair Paste is your go-to.
Whichever you choose, you can feel good knowing it's formulated without the nasties — just safe, effective styling for your little one's hair.
Shop the full No Nasties Kids Hair Styling range today.
