Johnny B. King Mode Styling Gel

Looking for a hair gel that shapes without a hard cast? Johnny B. King Mode Styling Gel is rated hold 6/10 and shine 8/10, built for medium to thick hair. The alcohol-free, no-flake formulae has an intensely thick texture and a purple tint the brand calls non-staining, so styling stays glossy rather than matte.

How much hold and shine does King Mode deliver?

King Mode sits at hold 6/10, which puts it in the medium range, and shine 8/10, which reads as a glossy rather than matte finish. For Canadian shoppers weighing gel options, that pairing is the headline: enough grip to shape a slicked-back style, a puff or a defined wash-and-go, with more shine than firmness. The formulae is described as intensely thick, so a little spreads a long way through the hair. The brand also positions this as its classic Mode gel with a new fragrance and a non-staining purple tint, and it calls King Mode its best-selling product. Because the hold rating is medium, it suits anyone who wants definition and control without the extra-firm set of a maximum-hold gel.

What hair types suit this styling gel?

The brand describes King Mode as perfect for medium to thick hair. The alcohol-free formulae is said to create the appearance of thicker hair, which is the kind of appearance claim the brand makes about the look of styled hair rather than about the hair itself. If you have fine hair and prefer a lighter gel, the intensely thick texture is worth noting before you buy; if you have medium, thick, wavy, curly or coily hair, the hold and shine ratings are the two numbers to compare against other gels in your routine.

Is King Mode alcohol-free, and what is in it?

Yes, it is alcohol-free. Water (Aqua, Eau) is listed first, followed by Sorbitol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Fragrance (Parfum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, D&C Violet 2 and Red 33. The purple tint comes from those two colourants, and the brand states the tint is non-staining. The ingredient list is the place to check when you are comparing this gel with others on your shelf.

Texture, tint and fragrance of this styling gel

The texture is intensely thick, which is how the brand describes the formulae, and it carries a new fragrance compared with the classic Mode gel. The purple tint is described as non-staining, so it should not leave colour behind on the hair. Reviewers tend to talk about how a thick gel spreads through the hair and how much shine it leaves, so texture and finish are the two things to watch as you work it in.

King Mode styling gel at a glance

AttributeDetailProduct typeStyling gelHold6/10Shine8/10Hair typeMedium to thick hairTextureIntensely thickFormulaAlcohol-free; no-flakeTintPurple, described as non-stainingFragranceNew fragrance versus classic ModeIngredientsWater (Aqua, Eau), Sorbitol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Fragrance (Parfum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, D&C Violet 2, Red 33

Where does a medium-hold gel fit in a styling routine?

At hold 6/10, King Mode is a medium-hold gel rather than a maximum-hold one. The brand calls it Johnny B's best-selling product, and the combination of hold 6/10 with shine 8/10 shows where it fits: enough control to shape a style, with more shine than grip. That balance is why it is often reached for on medium to thick hair, where a lighter gel can disappear but an extra-firm one can feel heavy.

What hair types is this styling gel suitable for?

The brand describes it as perfect for medium to thick hair, and the alcohol-free formulae is said to create the appearance of thicker hair.

What is the hold level of this styling gel?

It is rated hold 6/10, a medium hold, with shine rated 8/10.

Does this styling gel leave flakes or a crunchy cast?

The brand describes King Mode as a no-flake formulae. The listing does not specify crunch level, so check the product label if that matters to you.

How do I apply this styling gel for a wash-and-go?

The listing does not specify directions for use. The brand notes only that the formulae is intensely thick and no-flake, so follow the guidance on the product label.

Work it into your usual styling step, whether that is a slicked-back style, a puff or a wash-and-go, and let the shine rating tell you what the finish will look like.