Hair Styling Cream – Why You Should Use One

Hair is kind of a big deal. It goes through so much from when we wake up to the time we rest our heads on a breathable pillowcase. Between trips to the salon, there’s daily styling, combing, washing, sweating, and the list goes on! How’s someone supposed to keep their hair looking great without causing unnecessary damage? One way to maintain healthy hair and gorgeous style is by utilizing a hair styling cream. Just the name itself sounds like you’re in for some nourishment and hold. But what can they really do? Keep reading, and you’ll wonder what took you so long to add this product to your routine.

What is Hair Styling Cream?

As the name implies, a hair styling cream is a creamy, emollient formulation used for, well, styling hair. Okay, okay, that was too easy. But to put it simply, think of them as hair gel’s more moisturizing and protective cousin. You can get a defined style and light-to-medium hold while also preventing hair from drying out from heat styling or environmental exposure.

How does that happen? With a combination of water and oils, the hair shaft gets hydrated from the inside and has moisture locked in on the outside.

Remember that water is the ultimate ingredient our skin and hair need to stay hydrated, and oil provides a protective barrier to prevent drying. Add in ingredients that offer the holding capability of a light hair gel, and the best hair styling creams offer the following benefits to all types of hair:

• Hydration and Moisture – Get plumped hair strands and sealed moisture.
• Heat Protection – Heat styling is optional, but rest assured that your hair will be protected from the blow dryer.
• Tamed frizz – Healthy, hydrated hair equals more tress control.
• Soft, defined style – From curly to straight, the right cream will give your hair a natural finish with a touch of shine.
• Versatility – Need extra hold? Hair creams work as a protective base for stronger gels, mousses, pomades, and sprays.

Now it’s time to decide which hair styling cream to use. There are lots to choose from, but there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. Hair brands offer a more targeted experience depending on your hair type and needs, so here’s the breakdown of our favorites.

To Define Porous or Dry Curls – Some folks need more moisture than others, whether you have porous hair or if you tend to go too hard with heat styling. When you need a cream that will quench your hair’s thirst and define its natural curl pattern, Aquage Curl Defining Crème is a must-have.

This professional formula is made to nourish and protect curls with Aquage’s nutrient-rich marine extracts and is so easy to use. Just work the desired amount through your hands, apply it evenly through damp hair (comb through if you need to), and allow hair to air-dry or use a diffuser with a blow dryer for more definition.

To Add Texture and Volume – Surprise! Another bonus to using a hair styling cream is that they may add volumizing texture to allow for greater hair heights, like Joico’s JOIFULL Volumizing Styler. Made to boost fine hair, this gel-like cream is perfect for a full-bodied blowout. And it contains plant proteins and bamboo extract to support hair strength and improve elasticity.

Also, Joico is a leader in advancing hair science, and the Volumizing Styler comes with their SmartRelease^TM Technology that allows the styler to continuously nourish hair in between washes. And don’t worry, Joico never tests on animals in the name of research. Pretty cool!

For the Wash and Go Individual – Do you want beautiful hair but prefer keeping things simple? Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream is an excellent no-nonsense cream that can be used alone on towel-dried hair or in combination with other styling products. Living Proof’s unique Healthy Hair Molecule surrounds each strand of hair, making it an effective frizz tamer. Use this product especially if you like to let your hair air dry.

The All-Purpose Cream – Tend to be a bit indecisive because of FOMO? No worries, there’s a hair styling cream that covers all the bases to allow hair to get maximum hair-smoothing power. Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream provides all the protective, conditioning greatness without ingredients that cause undesirable buildup, as any quality styling cream should.

And let’s not forget what Moroccanoil is known for – incorporating rare, nutrient-rich argan oil into every product. Argan oil is loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants that keep hair healthy. So if you don’t know where to start, this is a good bet.

For Short Hairstyles – If you’re tired of having to choose between an unruly ‘do or stiff, over-coiffed hair, then you need Paul Mitchell’s Mitch Clean Cut Styling Cream. Work this hair styling cream throughout your mane, and get a soft, lightly-textured look that you can still run your fingers through later. This cream can be used on damp or dry hair for a medium-strength hold with just the right amount of natural-looking sheen. Never settle for the style you don’t want.

For Thick Curls, Long or Short – Let’s finish where we started by defining luscious, bouncy curls. Anyone with curls knows they may need more hold than other hair types. That’s where we turn to the curl pros with the Ouidad VitalCurl+ Define & Shine Styling Gel Cream.

This gel and cream hybrid contains a wealth of vitamins, fatty acids, plant extracts, and plant oils. Along with moisture, it gives your hair everything needed to get a well-defined hold, pliability, and, most importantly, healthy curls. What a perfect way to simplify your hair routine!

Is There Anything a Hair Styling Cream Can’t Do?

They’re conditioning, nourishing, protective, and defining, so it might sound a bit too good to be true. The one limitation of a hair styling cream is that they don’t tend to provide a strong hold. But if you’re looking for a locked-in style, styling creams are still great to combine with stronger hold products to protect hair from ingredients that cause dryness or affect chemical treatments.

Maybe some things can be too good and true. If you enjoyed learning about the best hair styling products, feel free to head over to our Beauty Resource Center, where you can read to your heart’s desire about hair, skincare, makeup, and more. We’re