Have you tried Dep Curl Cream Gel? So for it's the only "gel" that I've had any luck with.
So far I have not found a regular non-creamy gel that works for me the way I want it to. But there are two on my list to try: Loreal Curl Vive spray gel (I saw Laurabeth33 posting about this in other threads) and Tizz No Frizz from Aussie. I'd also like to try
Curl Keeper and Batia and Aleeza but it's not in my budget right now.