I use Fantasia IC brown gel. Gives me great hold and doesn't dry all crunchy. Clear gel flakes in my hair. Gels like Jam and Elasta QP Glaze just melts and ends up a glop of grease sitting in my hair. Yuck.
What I did discover, just yesterday from a youtube video, was Murphy's Superior Hair Pomade. I would have been skeptical had I not seen the video. I think the video is called Natural Hair: Hicks vs Murphey's Superior.
Anyway...I put that pomade in my hair and my hair slicked right down, no scarf needed, didn't have to wait for it to mold/dry, and it lasted all day...definitely a new staple for me.
Even with my new discovery, I'LL NEVER GIVE UP MY BROWN GEL! Doesn't cause breakage; what causes breakage is people raking through it once it's dry. Gel is used to mold. I use gel when my style will be the same for a while, i.e. when I wear ponytails.