Abstract: Silicone gels are made by reacting an .tbd.Si--H containing polysiloxane with an alpha-olefin and an alpha, omega-diene. The reaction is conducted in the presence of a platinum catalyst and in the presence of a low molecular weight silicone oil. First, an .tbd.Si--H containing polysiloxane is grafted by long chain alkyl groups from the alpha-olefin onto the .tbd.Si--H containing polysiloxane, and then crosslinked with double bonds in the alpha, omega-diene, in the presence of the low molecular weight silicone oil. The formed silicone gel can then be crumbled into a silicone powder using mechanical force. When additional amounts of the low molecular weight silicone oil are added to the gel, and the silicone oil and the gel are subjected to shear force, a silicone paste can be formed.