Yes, use gel. Unless you're bald. Not styling mousse or brill cream. Gel.
And use the lightest gel that works on your hair. I use a 2/5. Don't use anything that leaves your hair feeling even the slightest bit crunchy. You'll have to experiment if you've never used product before.
Every time you use gel a slight residual will remain, even after you shower, making your hair progressively easier to style.
When you see a guy and think "man, he has great hair" its almost a 100% certainty that guy uses gel.
If you're spending less than $10 on a tube of gel you're probably buying crap.