Hair Styling Cream

Styling creams are the middle ground between hold and care. They give you control without the stiffness of a gel or the weight of a wax. A good cream smooths the hair, adds moisture, and helps you shape a style while keeping it soft and touchable. This collection brings together professional styling creams for a range of hair types and finishes, from light volume builders to rich, smoothing formulas.

Cream, Gel or Wax

Each styling product does a different job. Knowing the difference helps you choose.

• Creams are moisturising and flexible. They smooth the cuticle, add light hold and keep hair soft, so they suit most hair types and styles.

• Gels give firm hold with a wet or glossy finish. They set stiff, so they work for slicked-back looks that need to stay put. See the wider hair gel range.

• Waxes give texture and matte hold. They are thicker than a cream and offer more control for short, piecey styles. See the wider hair wax range.

Creams sit in the middle. They are easier to apply than a wax and more forgiving than a gel, and many carry conditioning ingredients.

Matching a Cream to Your Hair and Cut

Styling cream suits men and women alike, the difference is the cut and the finish you are after. Matte creams and pastes tend to suit shorter, textured cuts, while curl and smoothing creams sit better on longer hair and defined curls. Here is how to match a cream to yours.

• Short, textured cuts. A matte cream or paste adds grip and definition without shine, for a natural, piecey look. The Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Mess Up Matte Paste shapes and separates without stiffness.

• Longer hair. A smoothing cream with light hold tames flyaways and keeps length sleek without weighing it down. The Natural Look Static Free Hi-Fi Revitalising Cream settles static and smooths.

• Curls and waves. A curl cream defines curls, cuts frizz and adds moisture without going stiff or crunchy. The 12 Reasons Curl Cream is built for curls and waves.

• Thick or coarse hair. A rich, moisturising cream smooths cuticles and adds manageability without drying hair out.

• Blonde or grey hair. A lightweight cream keeps buildup off, since blonde and grey show residue easily. The Natural Look Silver Screen Ice Blonde Smooth Ends adds shine and tones with blue and violet pigments.

Types of Styling Cream in the Range

Different creams deliver different results. Here is what you will find in this collection.

• Soft hold and volume. Lightweight creams add body and movement without weight, for a natural, touchable finish that suits fine or thin hair. The Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Upload Volume Bodifying Cream builds body while keeping hair soft.

• Curl creams. Built to define, hydrate and control curls, smoothing the cuticle and holding the shape while cutting frizz. The Limitless Curl Cream defines all curl types, from waves to coils.

• Matte creams and pastes. Texture and hold with a natural, shine-free finish, ideal for short, piecey styles. The Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Mighty Matte gives strong hold with a dry, matte finish.

• Smoothing and leave-in creams. Smooth the cuticle, tame flyaways and add shine; use on damp hair before drying or as a dry finish. The Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother smooths and controls frizz.

How To Use Creams With Other Styling Products?

• Start with a hair detangler to ease out knots and smooth the cuticle.

• Apply a heat protectant before blow-drying or using hot tools.

• Work the styling cream through damp hair, focusing where you want hold or control.

• To finish, pair it with a hair mousse for extra body or a hair finishing spray to lock the look, then a drop of oil or serum for shine.