Anyone who wants a dependable everyday gel with a medium hold: Biolage describes it as suitable for all hair textures, from fine to thick, and safe for colour-treated hair. It suits people who want frizz and flyaways smoothed down and some shape or root lift, but who dislike stiff, crunchy gels.

It is a professional salon brand product that is easy to use at home, and it works equally for short cuts, sleek styles and pulled-back looks. People who need maximum, all-day lock-down in high humidity may want a stronger hold level.

Gelée Styler is a true all-rounder: the same bottle smooths flyaways on a sleek style, adds body and root lift, and gives shape and shine to short or textured hair. Its medium hold and clear, non-crunchy finish make it a gel you can use every day without hair feeling stiff or coated, and because it re-activates with water, a style can be refreshed mid-day without reapplying. For anyone who prefers silicone-free, vegan styling products, it covers the basics in one bottle.

Biolage's directions:

• Apply to damp hair.
• Style as desired.
• To re-activate the gel later, lightly mist the hair with water.

What works well and what to keep in mind:

• Pro: medium hold that keeps a style in place while hair still moves, without crunch or visible residue.
• Pro: smooths frizz and flyaways and adds shine, so it doubles as a sleeking product for buns, ponytails and slick-backs.
• Pro: can be re-activated during the day with a mist of water instead of adding more product.
• Pro: vegan, cruelty-free and silicone-free formula in a large 500 ml bottle.
• Con: at hold level 2 it is not a maximum-hold gel; very sculpted or spiked styles, or very humid days, may need a firmer product.
• Con: the formula contains fragrance and several listed fragrance allergens (such as limonene, linalool and coumarin), which matters for sensitive scalps.