Looking for the best everyday hair serums? Look no further! As a professional hairstylist with over 10 years of experience, I've tried it all. Here are my top picks for the best serums to help you achieve smooth, silky hair, without the frizz.
As a professional hairstylist with over 10 years of experience, I've seen firsthand the power of a good hair straightening serum.
These serums can help to smooth and tame frizzy hair, making it easier to manage and style.
But with so many different serums on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
That's why I've put together this guide to the best hair straightening serums.
I'll share my top picks for different hair types and budgets, as well as tips on how to choose the right serum for you and how to use it effectively.
Here are some of my favorite products to keep hair straight after straightening it.
Hair Serum | Best For | Chief Ingredients |
SheaMoisture Daily Hydration Finishing Oil Serum | African American Hair | Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Argan Oil |
OGX Smoothing + Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum | Frizzy Hair | Castor Oil, Kelp Extracts, Pearl Extracts |
John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray | Oily Hair | Water, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Malic Acid |
Tigi Bed Head Straighten Out Straightening Cream | Dry Hair | Water, PVM/MA Copolymer, Guar, Glycerin |
Matrix Biolage Smoothing Hair Serum | Damaged Hair | Camellia Kissi Seed Oil, Dimethicone |
Kerastase Discipline Smoothing Taming Milk | Thick Hair | Water, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein |
The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum | Flyaway Control | Grape Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil |
Which is the best Everyday straightening serum?
Herstyler Marula Oil Serum is the best everyday hair straightening serum, according to our medical research team. This lightweight, non-greasy serum contains marula oil, a natural ingredient that moisturizes, fights frizz, and protects hair from heat damage. It was clinically proven to reduce frizz and make hair look straighter, and it is safe for all hair types and sensitivities. Additionally, it is reasonably priced and widely available.
Top Hair Straightening Serum
SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Finishing Oil Serum
Best Hair Straightening Serum For Curly Hair
The first name on my list of the best hair straightening serum is the Shea Moisture Coconut Oil Serum.
I think it’s one of the best straightening products for black hair. I have 3a curls that require a lot of nourishment and this product works like a charm.
As curly African-American hair is finer, coarser, and more prone to heat-related damage, this finishing oil serum is just the thing to keep it protected.
As the name suggests, the top ingredient in this leave-in serum is coconut oil, which has long been considered the Black girl’s best friend due to its nourishing properties.
The formula instantly makes my newly-straightened hair and I've also noticed the lack of frizz and flyaways after using this serum.
Then there’s also Acacia Senegal and coconut milk that detangle your curls, reduce frizz, and leave it straight and smooth for long.
But I think that the best part about this serum is that it’s free of any harmful chemicals like petrolatum, drying alcohol, parabens, or phthalates.
It doesn’t even contain silicone that is known to weigh down your tresses.
Yet, I'd suggest you skip it and go for something lighter like the OGX smoothening serum if you have fine hair as coconut oil is very rich. And if used daily it can weigh finer hair down.
Pros:
- Coconut oil helps prevents frizz as it's super nourishing
- The Acacia Senegal helps retain moisture and repairs damaged strands
Cons:
- The coconut oil formula isn't suitable for use as a heat protectant
- It might weigh down finer hair textures as it's quite rich
- Fragrance is too concentrated making it unsuitable for sensitive scalp
My Ratings:
- Straightening Ability - 4/5
- Gentleness of Ingredients - 5/5
- Price & Product Benefits - 4.5/5
OGX Smoothing + Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum
Best Smoothing Serum For Frizzy Hair
I have often found it irritating that even after careful flat ironing or blow-drying, my hair is left frizzy and unmanageable by the end of the day.
So I decided to check out this OGX smoothing serum as it promised to keep my hair silky.
Well, did it work? Yes, absolutely. It did give my tresses a beautiful, smooth finish.
I was also pleasantly surprised that the formulation contains sea kelp extracts that protect your tresses and pearl extracts that give a glass-like shine.
But the main reason why I love this product is the price tag. It’s super affordable!
Now let's come to this product's downsides (yup, it definitely has them!). This serum contains added perfumes. So if you have sensitive or inflamed scalps, skip this serum.
Pros:
- Contains tiny silica particles that help add shine to hair instantly
- The sea kelp helps nourish dry, dull-looking hair
- Contains glycerin and vegetable protein that helps moisturize and smoothen strands
Cons:
- Can make hair gummy if used improperly
- The added perfumes makes it unsuitable for sensitive/inflamed scalps
My Ratings:
- Straightening Ability - 4.5/5
- Gentleness of Ingredients - 3.5/5
- Price & Product Benefits - 5/5
John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray
Best Hair Straightening Serum Spray
Okay, okay, I confess. This is technically not a hair serum but a spray. But the John Frieda Frizz Ease was too good not to include in my best hair straightening serum list.
It’s, in my opinion, among the must-have products to keep hair straight after straightening it.
It promises to keep your tresses straight for at least 3 days after your blow-drying or flat-ironing treatment. And it definitely kept this promise on my hair.
That is if you don’t shampoo your hair first. I also liked the keratin-based formula that adds strength and shines back to heat-damaged strands.
There is also research proving that the keratin in these hair products penetrated through the cortex of your hair repairing the mechanical functional of damaged hair strands.
The beauty of the John Frieda hair serum spray is that despite its long-lasting formula, it doesn’t weigh down your tresses. So if you’ve got really fine hair, you should go for this product.
Pros:
- Liquid spray formula makes it ideal for finer hair textures
- Blend of polymers helps hair keep "straight" for at least than 3 days
- Contains keratin protein that helps repair damaged hair
Cons:
- You will need to use a flat iron or hair straightening tool first, it won't straighten hair by itself
My Ratings:
- Straightening Ability - 4/5
- Gentleness of Ingredients - 4/5
- Price & Product Benefits - 4/5
Tigi Bed Head Straighten Out Straightening Cream
Best Hair Straightening Cream
The Tigi Bed Head Straighten Out formula is packed with emollients like glycerin that nourish each strand, leaving hair soft and silky.
This cream contains thermosetting polymers that get activated after you apply heat in the form of a flat iron or blow dryer.
So all you need to do is apply this cream to damp hair and straighten your tresses.
This is a heat-activated cream. It was formulated to be used with a heat-styling.
The only downside I found about this hair straightening cream is that if you let your tresses air dry after using this cream, it might harden in your hair.
Pros:
- The hair cream is very effective on frizzy hair
- It helps coat hair protecting it from heat damage while straightening
- The glycerin-based formula helps nourish hair by adding moisture to your hair strands
Cons:
- It leaves a sticky, crunchy texture on hair
- The hair straightening cream doesn't work very well on Type 4 hair
My Ratings:
- Straightening Ability - 4/5
- Gentleness of Ingredients - 3.5/5
- Price & Product Benefits - 4.5/5
Related: Try these best styling gel for black womens hair to keep curly, Afro hair looking good!
Matrix Biolage Smoothing Hair Serum
Best Hair Serum For Damaged Hair
Matrix Biolage Smoothing serum contains a rich blend of botanicals, including Camellia Kissi seed oil that protects your hair from heat-related damage.
I also adored the fragrance that the serum leaves behind in the hair. However, this might mean that certain sensitive scalp types might not react well to it as it can trigger itching.
The formulation is lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh the hair down.
Pros:
- The formula is vegan and doesn't contain harmful ingredients like parabens
- The liquid formula makes it easier to apply on your hair and also lasts longer
- It contains Camellia Kissi seed oil that helps nourish strands without making it look greasy
Cons:
- The strong added perfume might leave scalp itchy if you have sensitive skin
My Ratings:
- Straightening Ability - 4.5/5
- Gentleness of Ingredients - 4/5
- Price & Product Benefits - 4.5/5
Kerastase Discipline Keratine Thermique Smoothing Taming Milk
Best Hair Straightening Serum For Thick Hair
The formulation of Kerastase Smoothing Taming Milk contains a mix of ceramides and keratin. It coats every strand before you get to straightening and makes the process much easier. And also keratin helps replenish lost protein in damaged hair due to heat.
And the best part is that it works amazingly well at combating frizz and dryness too as it's really moisturizing.
Pros:
- The ceramides in the formula helps nourish hair and keep it frizz free
- The hair milk spreads easily through hair and doesn't require a lot of product to be used
- The keratin-based formula helps repair damage
Cons:
- The product might be too expensive
My Ratings:
- Straightening Ability - 4.5/5
- Gentleness of Ingredients - 4/5
- Price & Product Benefits - 3.5/5
Streax Pro Hair Straightening Cream
Best Temporary Hair Straightening Cream
The Streax Pro Hair Straightening Cream straightens your hair without the need to use any heat. Apply it to your hair to temporarily feel your tresses become smooth and straight.
I would advise you not to use it often because it can dry out your hair. And steer clear of your scalp while applying this product as it is a chemical-based straightener.
The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum
Best Silicone-based Hair Serum
The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum is the perfect choice if you’re looking for something to add shine and gloss to your tresses.
It contains grape seed oil and sesame seed oil that adds nourishment to the strands and prevents frizz.
This hair serum is one of the best products to keep hair straight in humidity. It contains silicones that add that extra layer of glass-like sheen to your tresses.
The Body Shop serum washes off easily, and you can always use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of any product build-up.
Wella Wellastrate Intense Straightening Cream
Most straightening serums preserve the texture of already straightened hair. They increase the longevity of your straight textured-tresses and prevent frizz.
But this product by Wella actually transforms curly hair into a straight, sleek mane.
It's dermatologically-tested and contains a cationic base that helps adds moisture to your tresses and make them silky smooth.
How To Choose The Best Hair Straightening Serum For Your Hair
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a hair straightening serum. These include the ingredients, how it will work on your hair type, and the price. Here are some tips to help you choose the best serum for yourself:
- Choose an ingredient list that is tailored specifically to your hair type. For example, if you have dry or damaged hair, look for a serum with hydrating ingredients like hydration agents or humectants.
- Next, find a serum that fits your particular hair type. Different serums work better on different types of hair, so be sure to read the ingredients carefully.
- Third, consider your skin type. Some serums can cause irritation or even allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Be sure to test out the product before using it on an entire batch of hair.
- Then, take into account how often you plan on using the serum. Serum effectiveness declines over time, so make sure you buy enough to last several months or years (depending upon how often you use it).
- Lastly, base your decision on price and quality alone! There is no need to spend an arm and a leg just because a salon recommended this brand or product line--you can find high-quality products at affordable prices online."
Can hair serum make hair straighter?
Hair serum can make hair look straighter, but it cannot permanently straighten hair. It works by coating the hair shaft and reducing frizz. To use hair serum for straightening, apply a small amount to damp hair and blow dry or straighten as usual.
Some good hair serums for straightening include Herstyler Marula Oil Serum, Mixed Chicks Straightening Serum, and Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique.
Everyone loves straightening experimenting with their hair. But if you want your styles to last longer and hair to be protected, it’s essential to use the best hair straightening serum.
We’ve compiled this list based on several factors, including ingredients, price, and your hair’s needs.
Choose one to keep your newly-straightened tresses soft and smooth all day long.