i dont have thin hair, but not thick either.
i want to go for that fauxhawk look but not
too hard. just natural looking. i just want to
spike my hair up and look like i didn't use gel
at all. i've been using gel forever and it flakes.

I suggest using a fiber putty such as L'oreal Paris Studio Out of Bed Fiber Putty.

It'll hold the look you're aiming for.

Hope it helps!