Curlsofny, you can use Curls Whipped Cream by itself if you are okay with having light-to-medium hold. If you need to add more hold to your hair you can apply gel over it. Curls sells a gel called Goddess Glaze that you can use it with or if you have a favorite gel, you can always use that too. I am a 3B with naturally dry, medium-to-coarse curls and I never use gel with Curls Whipped Cream. I like using Curls Whipped Cream when my hair needs heavy moisturization, like during the Winter time.