Applied Too Much Hair Gel? Here's How to Fix It Fast

So, you saw Kim Kardashian wear a snatched high ponytail and you thought you'd try it out for yourself — with the help of a little, no, a lot of hair gel. But to your dismay, the pony didn't work, and now you have no other choice but to take it out. There's only one problem: your hair is a crunchy, sticky mess.

Washing your hair and starting over from scratch may seem like the only viable solution when you've used too much product, however, there's another way. We turned to celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena who let us in on how to get all of the excess gel or hairspray — or maybe both — out of your tresses sans shampoo.

Keep scrolling for our step-by-step tutorial on fixing product-saturated strands.

1. Spray Hair With Water

First, take a spray bottle filled with water and spritz it all over the areas where you've overdone it with product. The water will actually help to break down the product by diluting it.

2. Loosen Up the Gel With a Brush

Next, use a soft boar bristle brush, like the pro-favorite Mason Pearson or Briogeo's Vegan Boar Bristle Brush, to loosen up the gel. Brushes typically work best if you have straight hair or are looking for a straight style. However, if your hair has more texture, consider using your fingers instead. Mana says to work quickly because once the hair dries it will get hard again. Also, start at the ends and make your way up to the roots to avoid breakage, he adds.

3. Comb Out the Remaining Gel

Follow up with a wide-tooth comb, like The Comb No. 002 by Crown Affair, to evenly distribute the remaining product throughout hair. A wide-tooth comb is also helpful in detangling — curly hair especially — while being gentle on the scalp.

4. Blow Dry in Small Sections

Use your blow dryer on a low setting to give your style a smooth finish. You can also opt for a curling iron if you want to throw in some texture. Alternatively, if you have curls, you can blow dry with a diffuser to enhance and define your natural texture. Bonus: The heat from the dryer will continue to break down the product that's weighing down your hair.

5. Finish With a Vent Brush

Use a vent brush, such as T3 Dry Vent Brush, when hair is completely blown out. This will help to create movement at the root for that photo-worthy finish.