11 Best Hair Smoothing Creams

1. Garnier Hair Care Fructis Style Smooth Blow Dry Anti-Frizz Cream (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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A hair smoothing cream needs to provide thermal protection. The reason for this is that frizzy hair is a big problem for people with curly hair and people with curly hair tend to use hot tools a lot. Therefore, by providing thermal protection and smoothing qualities, a hair smoothing cream can prove to be multifunctional to users.

From this perspective, the Smooth Blow Dry Anti-Frizz Cream from Garnier Fructis Style is an incredible hair smoothing cream. It is not only very accomplished at countering frizzy and flyaway hair but also protecting the hair from temperatures as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

In fact, according to this company, using this hair smoothing cream with a hairdryer will leave the hair smooth, shiny, and frizz-free for up to 24 hours at a run.

These benefits are mainly delivered by two ingredients in this hair smoothing cream – silicones and argan oil. The silicones are the reason why this product can smooth and seal the cuticle layer of the hair shaft so well but argan oil is behind this product’s ability to provide each shaft with the moisture it needs to remain healthy. The argan oil, incidentally, is sustainably sourced from Morocco.

While this hair smoothing cream is pretty effective at what it claims to do, the fact that it is intended to be lightweight means that it cannot handle extreme situations such as very coarse hair or high humidity environments.

Like the entire Garnier Fructis series of products, this one’s smell is also fruity. It has a citrus smell that appeals to the majority of people. Also, the formula of this hair smoothing cream doesn’t contain any harmful synthetic ingredients such as parabens.

The fact that it is so effective is surprising especially since it is one of the cheapest hair smoothing creams in the market right now. The company even offers it in two differently sized packs. The single pack contains one 5.1-ounce tube while the double pack contains two. The double pack is naturally the cheaper option.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a lightweight hair smoothing cream with solid thermal protection on a budget and don’t mind fruity scents, get this from Garnier Fructis.

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2. L’Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Thermal Smoother Cream

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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The Blow Dry It Thermal Smoother Cream comes pretty close to the Garnier Fructis hair smoothing cream we’ve reviewed above. It is, in fact, a simpler version of the Garnier product because it doesn’t contain as many botanical ingredients.

Designed for dry hair specifically, this product, like most hair smoothing creams, relies heavily on silicones to deliver its results. However, the results are very consistent. It smooths the hair cuticle well, resulting in instant detangling and de-frizzing of hair without any tugging or pulling.

Simultaneously, it provides considerable thermal protection and reduces hair drying time significantly. Further, this hair smoothing cream is so effective that it delivers these results even if you only use very small quantities.

While it is good that a little of it goes a long way, it also means that if you use too much of it, you could end up ruining your look. In larger quantities, it can end up making hair look greasy. In fact, it is even possible that you see some residue in your hair. As it is, it builds up over time and if you use it regularly, we recommend clarifying your hair weekly.

In terms of its smell, this hair smoothing cream will appeal to the majority of users. It has a fairly clean and sweet smell of vanilla. Its scent is also fairly subtle and mild which means that people won’t find it too overbearing.

This hair smoothing cream is priced very competitively and will fit into the budgets of most people. You won’t even have to think twice about buying it. It is that cheap.

Who’s it for: If you want a traditional but simple but hair smoothing cream that is also long-lasting, get this one from L’Oreal Paris.

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3. CHI Straight Guard Smoothing Styling Cream

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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CHI is a brand that is celebrated amongst the traditionalists of the styling community because its products are designed specifically for only the serious stylists. Their hair styling products ignore all the latest fads and stick to what has worked best for the fashion community in the last few decades.

Take this Straight Guard Smoothing Styling Cream. It is unapologetically focused on its primary purpose – to bring unruly hair under control by eliminating frizz and presenting it in the best light possible. This typically means shiny and sleek looking hair that resists displacement and dust alike.

This hair smoothing cream can offer these benefits due to the fact that it features the company’s proprietary Ionic and Catatonic Hydration Interlink technology. Its formula even incorporates provitamin B5 and a series of naturally occurring minerals to strengthen the hair against breakage.

Designed specifically for frizzy and curly hair, this hair smoothing cream also offers solid heat protection. The best part is that it offers these benefits without the use of harmful synthetic substances such as parabens or even silicones. Instead, it depends heavily on hydrolyzed silk and keratin, which are healthier than synthetic chemicals and compounds.

Despite not using silicones, it still possesses enough power to leave hair sticky and greasy when used in large quantities. Fortunately, the bottle comes with a very useful dispensing pump to prevent you from taking too much of the product in a single use. Even so, you should make sure to use a clarifying shampoo once a week because this product can build up in your hair over multiple uses.

Further, it has a creamy consistency and a neutral scent. The neutral scent makes it a great choice for men but it also means that many women think that it smells a bit too masculine. Its scent is often described as that of a man’s cologne.

In terms of pricing, this hair smoothing cream is one of the cheaper options in the market, which should make it financially viable for most potential users.

Who’s it for: If you want a neutral smelling hair smoothing cream or prefer traditional styling hair products, go for this one from CHI.

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4. John Frieda Frizz Ease Straight Fixation Styling Crème

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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The biggest problem with hair smoothing creams is that they can leave the hair greasy and sticky. The reason for this is that most hair smoothing creams are designed for very curly or coarse hair types. This means that they’re specifically formulated for extremely dry hair.

Therefore, when you try to use them on fine or even medium hair type, you end up with a lot of grease and stickiness. The only way to avoid this is to get a lightweight hair smoothing cream and the Frizz Ease Straight Fixation Styling Crème from John Frieda is the perfect example.

While the company says that this product was developed for frizzy hair, we can qualify this further for you. This hair smoothing cream is intended for people with normal to medium thickness hair type. While it still depends on silicones for its functions, their concentration isn’t as high as you’ll see in other similar products.

As a result, this hair smoothing cream is perfect for all hair types except very curly, thick, coarse, or coily. However, this doesn’t mean that you can slap it on your hair with wild abandon. You still need to watch how much you apply because in larger quantities this hair smoothing cream is still effective enough to leave your hair incredibly greasy.

When used in the right quantities, though, this product is perfect. It not only smooths the hair to take away frizz but also makes the hair silky for up to 24 hours. Moreover, it hydrates the hair from the inside because it contains sweet almond oil and milk proteins.

This hair smoothing cream is also good if you like to use hot tools because it will protect your hair from getting damaged. It offers this benefit owing to the company’s proprietary ThermaGuard Complex.

The scent of this hair smoothing cream is light and fresh. However, it is distinctly floral. The flower scent is a result of this product’s Tahitian gardenia flower extract content. The smell appeals to most people.

Other than silicones, this hair smoothing cream doesn’t contain any other harmful synthetic substances such as parabens. It is also very competitively priced and offers a good balance between quality and affordability.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a lightweight hair smoothing cream with solid heat protection capabilities, go for this one from John Frieda.

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5. GIOVANNI Straight Fast Straightening Elixir

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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It is very rare for styling products to feature many botanical ingredients. However, the Straight Fast Straightening Elixir from Giovanni is an exception to that rule. It contains multiple botanical extracts and oils which is why it can offer benefits over and above the basic functions of a hair smoothing cream.

Of these benefits, the two most important are moisturization and nourishment. These benefits come from ingredients such as vitamin E, provitamin B5, nettle extract, rosemary leaf extract, and bergamot fruit extract.

However, like all hair smoothing creams, this one also depends on silicones for its core functions. The silicones excel at coating every hair shaft to take away frizz and make the hair smooth and shiny. Silicones also afford some thermal protection.

Other than silicones, this product doesn’t contain any other chemicals or compounds such as parabens. In fact, this product’s formula is completely vegan and even rated to be cruelty-free.

While it is marketed as a cream, its consistency is more like a gel. The gel is crystal clear and lightweight, though. This means that the effectiveness of this product is limited to hair of normal to medium thickness. You can still use it on very thick, curly, or coarse hair but you’ll have to use it in large quantities. If you choose this path, be careful because there’s a chance that your hair will get greasy and sticky along with getting smooth and sleek.

This hair smoothing cream stands out amongst its competitors because it doesn’t have much of a scent. It isn’t exactly unscented because essential oils have been added to the formula but the scent is so light that it is almost negligible.

This hair smoothing cream is neither too expensive nor very cheap and is well within the value range.

Who’s it for: If you like your hair products with lots of botanical ingredients, try this one from Giovanni.

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6. Sebastian Potion 9

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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Sebastian is a very old brand that is highly regarded amongst stylists and seasoned fashionistas. The biggest proof of this is their classic Potion 9 hair smoothing cream because it has been a major part of the global fashion industry for a very long time.

The Potion 9 is good because it delivers a salon-quality finish, regardless of whether you use a hairdryer or not. In fact, this product not only defeats problems like tangles and frizz by smoothing the cuticle layer on each hair shaft but also by moisturizing it from the inside.

Further, if used in the right way, this product can even add texture and shine to the hair. To get the best results from this product, it needs to be applied on damp hair followed by a blowout. For quick results, it can be applied on dry hair too. If applied a third time, though, this product will add texture and control to the hair.

It offers all these benefits on the back of an elaborate formula featuring nearly ten botanical extracts. Unfortunately, the formula also includes some artificial ingredients such as silicones and parabens. While silicones are common in hair smoothing creams, parabens are not. As a result, we count this as a major flaw in this product.

Further, it is very important to carefully control how much of this product you apply to your hair. As it is, this product tends to build up in hair over multiple uses but if you start applying too much of it in each use, your hair will become stiff and immovable sooner.

The smell of this hair smoothing cream is very likable. It has a very mild citrus scent that most people compare to oranges. The scent also dissipates quickly, making this hair smoothing cream compatible with any other hair care product you may be using.

You can get this hair smoothing cream in two differently sized bottles, with the larger one being more economical. The smaller one will carry 5.1 ounces of the product while the larger one will hold 16.9 ounces.

Who’s it for: If you are not worried about synthetic ingredients in your hair and want a classic hair smoothing cream that delivers excellent results, get the Sebastian Potion 9.

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7. TIGI Bed Head After the Party Smoothing Cream (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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There are many reasons why the After the Party Smoothing Cream is so popular ranging from how it is marketed to how effective it is. However, the biggest reason for its popularity is its scent.

This hair smoothing cream has one of the most iconic scents in the industry. Its smell is light and clean with a note of fruity flavor to it. The scent is so perfect that a lot of people use this product only because they want the smell in their lives.

However, it isn’t just this product’s smell that has made it hugely successful. It is also how effective it is. In terms of its effectiveness, the most notable thing about this hair smoothing cream is that it works on virtually every hair type. It doesn’t matter if your hair is fine or curly, this product will be able to give you great results.

Further, this product doesn’t only smooth and straighten hair strands but it also makes them look vibrant and full of health. It does this on the back of silicones as is the case with all hair smoothing creams but approaches the problem from the opposite end.

While most hair smoothing creams are designed to be used on damp hair and can be used on dry hair in a fix, this one is the exact opposite. It is meant to be used on dry hair but can still deliver decent results when used on damp hair.

The fact that it can be used on dry hair and is so effective when used like this is why it is marketed as an “after the party” cream. The idea is that you use it on your hair after a hard night of partying to bring your tresses back to a model-like appearance.

Of course, you’ll still have to be careful about how much of this hair smoothing cream you put in your hair. If you put too much then your hair will become weighed down instead of being revitalized with new energy.

This hair smoothing creams formula is clean too. Other than silicones, it doesn’t contain any other artificial or synthetic chemicals or compounds such as parabens. Instead, it contains titanium dioxide and mica to protect the hair and provitamin B5 to strengthen it. This product is also rated to be cruelty-free.

This hair smoothing cream isn’t the cheapest out there but its price is also not high enough for it to be included in the premium market segment. It doesn’t even matter whether you buy a single bottle or a double bottle pack. The per-ounce price will remain the same. Incidentally, each bottle will contain about 3.4 ounces of the product.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a truly iconic hair smoothing cream that is super-famous for various reasons, get this After the Party Smoothing Cream from TIGI.

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8. Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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As you may know already, Moroccan argan oil is one of the purest and healthiest oils there is when it comes to hair care. Therefore, products that contain this oil tend to be very beneficial for hair. Moroccanoil is a company that bases each of its hair care products on argan oil sourced directly from Morocco and their Hydrating Styling Cream is no different.

Even though the company doesn’t present this product as a hair smoothing cream, its formulation and functions mean that it is one. Moroccanoil says that this product is a leave-in styling cream but it counters frizz and flyaway hair like a smoothing cream.

Because it contains a large amount of Moroccan argan oil, it can protect the hair from heat damage too. Further, its Moroccan argan oil content also gives it very strong moisturizing properties.

The other major ingredient in this styling cream is silicones, which proves it further that this is a hair smoothing cream. The argan oil moisturizes the hair from the inside while the silicones seal the cuticle layer, preventing any moisture loss.

However, the combination of silicones and Moroccan argan oil means that this product is a bit too good at hydrating hair. If you don’t have dry hair, then this product may not be the best option for you. When used on very oily and even medium oily hair types, this product will leave the hair incredibly greasy and weighed down.

These are the only two notable ingredients in this product. It doesn’t contain parabens or even any animal-derived substances. As a result, it is safe for damaged or colored hair and a vegan product.

The smell of this hair smoothing cream is the same as all Moroccanoil hair products. It smells of argan oil which the company says is a mix of floral and spicy amber notes. While the smell appeals to most people, there are a few that find it a bit too unique or peculiar for their taste.

This is a significantly expensive hair smoothing cream but if you have dry hair it is more than worth it. This is particularly true if you buy the bigger bottle because it is cheaper on a per-ounce basis. The bigger bottle will contain 10.2 ounces of the product while the smaller one’s capacity will be only 2.53 ounces.

Who’s it for: If you want an exotic hair smoothing cream with an exotic scent along with some nourishment, get this one from Moroccanoil.

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9. Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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Silicones are the most reliable substances if you need hair strands to be coated and the cuticle layer to be smoothened. This is the main reason why the vast majority of hair smoothing creams contain silicones.

However, while it is the easiest and the most convenient method of making hair smoothing creams, it isn’t the only way. There are other ways of getting the same functions as the No frizz Nourishing Styling Cream from Living Proof proves.

It doesn’t contain any silicones or other artificial harmful ingredients usually found in hair care products such as parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. In fact, it doesn’t contain any of the usual ingredients, whether healthy or not.

This hair smoothing cream has a unique formula that features the company’s patented Healthy Hair Molecule. The company says that this molecule allows this product to deliver the same benefits to the hair that silicones do.

It is very successful too because it doesn’t only eliminate frizz and smooth every hair strand quite well but also moisturizes the hair excellently. The best part, though, is that it does all this without weighing down the hair. This is understandable because this product is lightweight and formulated for use on medium frizzy hair. This means that it cannot handle very curly or coarse hair.

At the same time, if you use a lot of this product in your hair, you can still end up with fairly greasy and weighed down hair. Moreover, even though this is a lightweight hair smoothing cream, it can still build up in the hair over time.

This Living Proof hair smoothing cream is also an excellent choice if you’re one of those people who are sensitive to scents or very particular about smells. This product’s scent is so light that it is almost negligible. The barely-noticeable scent that is there is very pleasant, fresh, and clean with distinct citrus notes.

Being a patented product with a unique formula, it isn’t all that surprising that this hair smoothing cream is so expensive. Luckily, it does come in multiple bottle sizes, giving you options on how you want to spend your money.

The smallest bottle contains two ounces of the product. It is the most expensive on a per-ounce basis but requires the least money upfront. The biggest bottle has a capacity of eight ounces and is the most affordable on a per-ounce basis but it requires you to spend the most upfront. The medium-sized bottle contains four ounces of the cream and is a good balance of the two.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a hair smoothing cream that doesn’t contain silicones, get this one from Living Proof.

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10. Bumble and Bumble Bb Straight Blow Dry Balm (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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Most hair care products have some flaws. In fact, it is very difficult to find hair care products that deliver the results people expect from them. In the hair smoothing cream space, the only product that comes anywhere close to the fabled perfection is the Bb Straight Blow Dry Balm from Bumble and Bumble.

In fact, if you only consider effectiveness, this hair smoothing cream is going to rate five on five. The only reason we haven’t given it that rating is its cost. It is one of the most expensive hair smoothing creams available in the market right now.

When it comes to effectiveness, this hair smoothing cream is nothing short of superb. It delivers exceptional results day in day out, irrespective of where you live and what your hair type is. This is something that none of its competing products can even come close to claiming.

This hair smoothing cream smooths the cuticle layer of most hair types which results in problems like tangles, frizz, and flyaway hair being eliminated. Further, the cream can be used as a heat protectant since it prevents damage caused by high temperatures of hot tools.

Bumble and Bumble say that this hair smoothing cream is for coarse, curly, and frizzy hair but we think that it will suit most hair types. It will even be a good choice for people with colored or chemically treated hair.

The formula of this product features silicones heavily as is the case with all hair smoothing creams. Apart from silicones, though, it doesn’t contain any artificial or synthetic chemicals and compounds such as parabens.

The formula instead depends on vitamins and minerals to boost hair health. For instance, it contains provitamin B5, malachite, sapphire powder, pearl powder, and tourmaline. The minerals in particular are known for preventing heat damage. This product is also rated to be cruelty-free which is something that will appeal to people who are conscious about animal rights.

Further, this hair smoothing cream excels when it comes to its scent. It smells very neutral and can neither be seen as masculine or feminine. Instead, its smell is fairly basic and very mild. As a result, the smell of this hair smoothing cream will not clash with the scent of any other hair care product that maybe favoring right now.

Who’s it for: If you want the best hair smoothing cream in the market and have the money to get it, try this Bumble and Bumble product.

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11. Olaplex No 6 Bond Smoother

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Olaplex is a name that has almost become synonymous with hair repair. All the products from this company feature their patented formula. The formula is exclusively designed to repair hair bonds that can get broken due to general wear and tear, overexposure to heat, or even excessive processing.This hair smoothing cream from Olaplex is no different.

While it is a hair smoothing cream, it is formulated in a way that it can heal damaged hair bonds while smoothing the cuticle layer of the hair.TheNo 6 Bond Smoother features the company’s proprietary ingredient Bis-Amino Diglycol Dimaleate.

It is this ingredient that repairs the hair while dealing with related problems like frizz, dryness, flyaway hair, and even dullness.The ingredient works at a molecular level to hydrate dry hair, smooth the cuticle layer, eliminate frizz, and soften the hair. In the process, it is also able to make the hair shine and reduce the amount of time it takes to dry it with a hairdryer after a wash.

While this proprietary ingredient is the highlight of its formula, this hair smoothing cream also contains silicones. These silicones coat the hair and keep it safe from adverse external influences while preventing moisture loss.The two work so well together that the results of this hair smoothing cream are visible for up to 72 hours.

However, these two ingredients also make this a very potent product. This means two things. The first is that if you use too much of this product then you may find your hair getting too greasy and weighed down. The second is that this product will accumulate in your hair over time resulting in the kind of buildup that will need to be cleared with a clarifying shampoo.

Apart from these two ingredients, there are multiple other medicated chemicals, compounds, and botanicals in this product. However, none of them are harmful such as sulfates or parabens. It is also important to note that none of the ingredients are animal-based, which is something that will appeal to animal lovers.

The smell of this hair smoothing cream is another aspect that makes it extremely attractive. It has a very mild and gentle scent with subtle sweet notes. The company says that it smells of grapefruits. This isn’t completely evident when you smell the product but the scent, nonetheless, is very appealing.

The biggest flaw of this product is the fact that it is exorbitantly priced. At the same time, this is understandable because it has a unique formula with patented ingredients. Products with patented ingredients or formula usually tend to be expensive because they’re unique.

There is one saving grace, though. You need to use only a little bit of this to get the desired results. This means that even though this product comes in a small 3.3-ounce bottle, the bottle lasts a really long time.

Who’s it for: If your hair is excessively dry, fraying, or damaged and you need it repaired in addition to smoothed, then get the Olaplex No 6 Bond Smoother.

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