The best way to get you hair to hold curl is to use a lil hair spray on the strand before curling. If you are not a fan of hair spray you can always put a little mouse in your hair. However unless you want it to be crunchy I would stay away from gel. Another option would be to use hair lotion for blow drying and straightening. That is what I do and then I use a little bit of bio silk to add shine and control to my hair after I am done curling. Good Luck!!!