Smooth hair may be the final destination but the journey there looks very different depending on your hair type.
Different hair has different needs, so it's important to choose a hair smoothing product that's specifically formulated for your style. For example, if you have dry or damaged hair, you may want to choose a product that's designed to nourish and hydrate your hair with a stronger array of ingredients than someone with greasy hair who's looking to tame frizz.
If you have thick hair, you've also got more to play with when it comes to thicker formulations that may weigh down thinner hair.
Look for products that are formulated with natural ingredients that are renowned for their smoothing and nourishing benefits. Pay special attention to ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and keratin, which can help to strengthen and protect your hair from the inside out.
Another key ingredient to look out for is silk amino acids, which are derived from silk and are known to help strengthen the hair and form a protective barrier.
It's also worth keeping in mind where and when you'll be using your hair smoothing products.
With products available in creams, serums, oils, sprays and shampoo form, you should keep in mind whether you're looking for something to add on as a final quick step in your haircare routine or whether you want something longer and more moisturising that requires a little extra styling help.
And, if you're often in a hot country or somewhere with warm weather, choose a product that can protect your hair from humidity and heat damage.
We've rounded up all of the best hair smoothing products to shop below
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Neal & Wolf Silk Smoothing Blow-dry Balm
Neal & Wolf’s Silk Smoothing Blow-dry Balm will have you repeatedly running your fingers through your hair, unable to believe just how seriously smooth it is - trust us.
Its key ingredients work together to smooth, protect and strengthen the hair, and includes Silk Protein, a natural protein that helps to repair the hair; Argan Oil, which is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that nourish and moisturise the hair; and Keratin, which leaves your hair feeling strong and oh-so healthy.
Buy now £15.45, Amazon
L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil
L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil is an all-rounder in the world of hair-smoothing products. It’s a hair oil that offers a variety of benefits for different hair types: it helps nourish and hydrate dry hair, leaving it soft and shiny. It also helps to smooth and tame frizzy hair, giving it a more manageable texture. If that wasn’t enough, it also helps to strengthen and protect hair from damage caused by heat styling tools.
Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment to provide extra nourishment to the hair or apply before drying to utilise its smoothing benefits. The oil is lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving no greasiness or build-up behind.
Buy now £17.70, Sephora
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
If you haven’t seen Color Wow on TikTok, you’ve almost definitely seen it on various online retailers. This miracle product is a top choice for almost instant styling and impressive results. The brand’s Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is easy to use: simply spray it on damp hair before styling.
This heat-activated product acts as an anti-humidity spray and is designed for all hair types including wavy, curly, dry, colour-treated - and extensions too. The hair mist acts as an invisible waterproof cloak over the hair, seeking to repel moisture and minimise the look of flyaways.
Heat-activated polymer technology delivers a compressing effect as you blow-dry or straighten, while resisting weighing down hair or leaving a greasy residue.
Buy now £27.00, lookfantastic
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Olaplex is an essential if your goals include smoother hair and this premium brand will forever be one of the most famous for championing its unique product ahead of the game.
Infused with the brand’s pioneering bond-repair technology, this oil can be used on wet or dry hair to create a sleek, glossy finish. Its one of a kind formula helps to protect against styling damage and the look of split ends, while protecting the hair against the effects of UV exposure. Expect a satin-like shine from this best-selling hair oil.
Buy now £28.00, lookfantastic
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum speeds up the drying process so you get silky-smooth results in less time - perfect for those looking to style in a rush or anyone who doesn’t want to spend hours with a pair of straighteners in hand.
The Super Skinny complex penetrates deep into the hair, ensuring smoothness from the inside out. While it does contain silicone (a popular ingredient in hair smoothing products), it does so in a way that smooths the hair sufficiently without any excess build up.
Buy now £21.95, Amazon
Palmer's Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack
We don’t just eat our protein these days: we also slather it onto our heads too. Say hello to Palmer’s Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack: one of the most budget-friendly hair smoothing products that smells delicious at the same time.
This moisture-intensive treatment helps to strengthen and repair weak, fragile or damaged hair. If you spend a lot of time with bleach on your head or in the sunshine, this is the sort of product that will bring your tired locks back to life with all of the moisture necessary.
Buy now £2.99, Superdrug
Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer
Spray Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer on your hair and comb through, and you’ll almost start to see results immediately.
This is a hair product that makes good use of its ingredients to offer impressive results. It works to reduce frizz and improve the overall appearance of your hair by creating a barrier which helps to smooth each hair’s cuticle and prevent humidity from penetrating the hair shaft.
Buy now £25.00, Living Proof
John Frieda Frizz Ease Brazilian Sleek Frizz Immunity Shampoo
John Frieda’s Frizz Ease Brazilian Sleek Frizz Immunity Shampoo might just be one of the most popular hair smoothing products around: the formula works wonders before you’ve even stepped out the shower. Bonus points for its healthy price tag, which will rarely set you back more than £7.
Infused with keratin drops and the brand’s own Frizz Immunity Complex, this shampoo gently cleanses and fights frizz at its source, while helping to gradually build hair’s immunity against frizz with each use.
Sure, you could follow with further smoothing products but with this beauty secret in your arsenal, you might just find that you don’t need to.
Buy now £6.99, Boots
Garnier Ultimate Blends Smoothing Hair Food Coconut Shampoo For Frizzy Hair
The first thing you’ll notice about Garnier’s Ultimate Blends Smoothing Hair Food Coconut Shampoo For Frizzy Hair is just how delicious it smells. The entire range, with its fruit-scented appeal, should definitely make an appearance in your bathroom cabinet.
But, if you had to choose just one product from the brand to start with, make it this one. Its light foam gently cleanses and nourishes dry hair, with no weighing down when you’re styling. Its gorgeous scent comes from its blend of Coconut and Macadamia.
Buy now £3.00, Boots
Bed Head By TIGI After Party Smoothing Cream for Shiny Frizz Free Hair
Another impressive hair smoothing product with a great scent to match, Bed Head By TIGI’s After Party Smoothing Cream for Shiny Frizz Free Hair is a styling essential if you’ve tried hair smoothing shampoos with not much luck. This powerful product is the ultimate anti frizz hair product for silky, smooth, shiny, healthy-looking hair: not only designed with, but used by salon professionals. Great on any hair type, especially frizzy hair, dull hair and coarse hair, it’s easy to use, even without the need for heat or styling.
Buy now £12.00, Boots
Verdict
Neal & Wolf’s Silk Smoothing Blow-dry Balm really does make your hair feel as smooth as silk. A little goes a long way, so you’ll find this bottle most definitely earns its keep, with soft, smooth locks each and every time it’s applied.
