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Curls look gorgeous no doubt, but they do have a mood of their own. On a good hair day, they’ll make you stand out from the crowd, on most days, you rather just tie it up into a messy pony, cover it up with a scarf or leave it like that. Straight hair, on the contrary, is easier to manage and can be styled in various ways. While permanent hair straightening can damage your hair in the long run, it’s better to invest in a flat iron, hairdryer and a straightening cream. That way, whenever you get bored of your poker-straight hair, you can always come back to your natural curls whenever you feel like it.
So why use hair straightening creams in the first place? ‘Coz they contain power ingredients like keratin and silicone that help to smoothen and straighten hair without causing damage. Ladies who are struggling to beat the frizz, tame their flyaways and improve their hair’s texture should invest in a straightening cream. Before we forget, you must know that when it comes to using straightening creams, a little goes a long way. Too much of product can weigh your hair down and make it sticky and greasy, and honestly, ain’t nobody got time for that!
Best straightening cream products for hair
Think of a straightening cream to be some sort of a guardian to weak, dull hair. It will protect it from the heat caused by styling tools, and make your hair smooth, straight and oh-so-manageable. Here is the list of some of the best straightening cream for hair :
1. L’oreal Professionnel Oleoshape Hair Straightening Cream & Neutraliser For Extra Resistant Hair
You can get two products for the price of one. One is a hair straightening cream and the other is a neutraliser. First, apply the straightening cream on the entire hair evenly and let the product sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse your hair with warm water and use a tee or soft towel to dry your hair. Use a flat iron to straighten your hair and once you’re over this straight hairstyle don’t just simply wash it off with a shampoo and conditioner, use the neutraliser. Leave the product on for 20 minutes. While you wait, gently comb your hair at the same time. The neutraliser helps to repair your hair from heat damage caused by the hair straightener and prevents hair breakage.
Pros: affordable and makes hair soft, silky and straight.
Cons: Difficult to find in stores
Also Read: Complete Guide To Hair Smoothening At Home
2. Wella Professionals Straightening Cream And Neutralizer Hair Cream
If you have curly hair and you’re new to using hair straightening creams in general, this one is a good product to start out with. Like the L’oreal product, this straightening cream also comes with a neutralizer. Keep in mind that the results are mild and may last for a week max. First-time users should remember to apply straightening cream only on the hair and never on the scalp as it could lead to allergic reactions.
Pros: affordable, bright orange packaging and great product for curly-haired girls.
Cons: results are mild and do not last for long.
3. Redken Sheer Straight 06 Straightening Gel
It has a balmy, gel-like texture that does a fine job at straightening hair. The product does not weigh hair down and provides the locks with a glossy sheen. Unlike most hair cream for straightening, this one won’t leave your hair damaged, dull and lifeless. On the contrary, it will make your locks smooth and strong.
Pros: smoothens hair and makes locks look healthier
Cons: can be difficult to find in local stores and supermarkets
4. Matrix Opti. Straight Resistant Straightening Cream
One of the most pocket-friendly straightening creams in the market today is this one from Matrix. The product has an anti-breakage system in place and while it straightens your hair, it also offers deep conditioning to your hair as well. Unlike most hair straightening creams this one does not give off a strong scent of ammonia, on the contrary, it makes your hair smell like a fresh bouquet of flowers.
Pros: conditions hair and leaves a pleasant scent.
Cons: you will have to buy a neutraliser separately as the product does not come along with the straightening cream.
5. Kiehl’s Heat-Protective Silk-Straightening Cream
One reason to love this product is that it’s infused with sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and soybeans. This product is designed especially for women who have thick, curly and frizzy hair. You’ll need to apply the product to damp hair and later use a blowdryer to straighten the hair out
Pros: free from parabens and tames flyaways
Cons: Expensive for daily use
6. Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin Replenisher
This product is amazing because it does not require you to use a flat iron. It straightens hair naturally and if you were to still use a flat iron, it would protect your hair from heat damage because it contains keratin protein. Also, a great product to use in between keratin treatments.
Pros: Works brilliantly well in humid climates and makes hair smooth and straight
Cons: Not affordable for the masses.
7. Bed Head Humidity-Defying Straightening Cream
When it comes to using this product, a little goes a long way. It’s a mild straightening cream and does not make your hair completely straight. It’s perfect for women who dislike poker-straight hair and prefer to take the natural route. It stays on for 48 hours and makes hair look shiny and healthy.
Pros: attractive packaging and is hydrating for the hair
Cons: product can feel oily and sticky for some
8. Healing Smooth Smoother Straightening Balm Unisex by L’anza
Customers who have purchased this straightening cream before are all praise for it. They’ve also stayed loyal to it and repurchased the product after they finished using theirs. It’s perfect for taming frizzy hair and making hair feel smooth and glossy. Once applying the product to damp hair, do not immediately use a flat iron to straighten hair, allow it to air-dry first.
Pros: Product is lightweight and is easy to use
Cons: For the effects to last longer, you need to use styling tools.
9. Streax Pro Hair Straightener Cream Intense
Not all hair straightening creams are expensive. This one here fits well in budget and helps to protect and strengthen your damaged locks. It’s a unisex product that can be used by both, men and women. Keep in mind that this product is mild and is not effective for women who have thick, curly ringlets.
Pros: affordable
Cons: not effective for curly-haired women
10. Giovanni Hair Straightening Elixir
Made from a lightweight crystal gel-like formulation, this product is fantastic for women who want to take a break from their curly hair. In just one application, it relaxes waves and makes hair soft and easy to manage. Plus, it’s packed with natural botanical ingredients that help nourish hair while straightening it at the same time.
Pros: Adds shine and makes hair super soft
Cons: It does contain silicone
11. L’Oreal Studio Line Hot and Smooth Hot and Sleek Cream
Packed with silk microfibres, this hair straightening cream for women will keep your hair straight for a good 50 hours. Not to mention that it has a cool thermo feature that makes hair silky, shiny and smooth, while of course, protecting it from the heat.
Pros: affordable and great for frizzy hair
Cons: hair is prone to feeling greasy and sticky after a few days.
12. Glatt Schwarzkopf Hair Straightener Cream
Do not judge the product by its dull packaging, it’s far greater than that! Thanks to its keratin-rich formula, your hair is protected from heat damage caused by styling tools. It makes your hair poker straight and gives it a sheen at the end of it too.
Pros: easy and effective
Cons: dull packaging
13. Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream
Infused with silk protein and Vitamin E, this good hair straightening cream keeps the frizz away and makes hair super easy to manage and style. All you need is one pump and you’re good to go! Perfect for straightening your hair for an important function or presentation.
Pros: Takes care of the frizz and tames flyaways
Cons: Not available in local markets
How To Use Hair Straightening Cream?
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Just to be on the safer side, always do a patch test before applying hair straightening cream all over your hair. That way, you’ll know if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in the cream for straightening and will save yourself from suffering from a skin rash or itchy scalp. Here are few steps on how to use hair straightening cream at home:
Step 1: When hair is clean and damp, apply a dollop of straightening cream.
Step 2: Start from root to tip.
Step 3: Run your fingers through your hair or use a wide-tooth comb to spread the product evenly.
Step 4: Do a middle parting and later, further divide hair into smaller sections
Step 5: Secure the tinier sections with bobby pins
Step 6: Reach for your blow dryer or flat iron and slowly style your hair from section to section.
Yes, you’ve now achieved salon-like hair at home and also saved a lot of money! You see, the moment when the heat reaches the hair that’s coated with straightening cream, the product gets activated and then begins to tame flyaways and reduce frizziness. They’re a great option if you like temporary hair straightening and don’t want to shell out those big bucks on fancy hair treatments.
FAQs
How often to wash hair post straightening?
Avoid washing your hair often. If you want the effects of straightening to last longer, use a good dry shampoo instead.
Why should you use hair straightening creams?
They help to smoothen rough hair and provide your hair with protection when exposed to hot hair styling tools.
Does straightening cream damage your hair?
It won’t damage your hair unless you go overboard with it. Hair straightening creams do contain chemicals in them that weigh hair down and cause it to become greasy and oily if left unwashed for days.
How long does hair straightening cream last?
It all depends on the quality of the product and the duration that’s mentioned in the text on the packaging. It can range from anywhere to 24-78 hours and even a few weeks depending on climatic conditions, the texture of your hair and the heat styling products you own.
Is it safe to use hair straightening cream daily?
You’ll have to do a patch test to find out. You could be allergic to some of the ingredients in the product. If your skin begins to turn red and your scalp becomes itchy, wash the product from your hair off immediately.
Honestly, it all boils down to whether hair straightening creams are worth the bucks or not. It honestly depends. If you love your hair’s natural texture and accept it for what it is then you don’t need to use hair straightening creams. You can then focus on investing in hair care products like shampoos, conditioners, serums that target specific hair concerns like dandruff, oiliness and frizziness.
However, if you’re keen on straightening your hair, but not wanting to permanently stick with it then your best bet would invest in a good hair straightening cream. It’s a great product for someone who can’t part away with her hair straightener or blow dryer. Plus, it smoothes hair, makes it easier to manage and adds a healthy shine to it too. How healthy are they for your skin though? Not going to lie, they do contain chemicals, but compared to sprays and gels, your hair is safer and better off with straightening creams. Also, before purchasing hair straightening products, don’t just buy because of its pretty packaging. Read and watch reviews. If you’ve never tried a product from a new brand, always invest in smaller quantities, don’t go for buying bigger tubes as they can go to waste if the product doesn’t work for you.
Images: Shutterstock
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Also Read: Hair Smoothening Cream