Most relevant to people with medium to thick hair that is coarse, unruly or frizzy and who regularly blow-dry and flat iron to get a smooth look. KMS says it works for all hair types, but the formula's emphasis on nourishing and taming coarse texture makes it most relevant to heavier hair.

It also suits anyone who wants a straight style to hold up in humidity for a few days between washes, and stylists building sleek blowouts in the salon. If you rarely use heat, you will get less out of it, since the shaping and gradual straightening claims depend on hot tools.

Coarse hair that frizzes the moment it meets humidity usually needs two products before the iron: something to protect and something to smooth. This creme covers both. It shields against heat up to 230°C/446°F while giving the hair enough slip and shaping to make a blow-dry and flat-iron pass easier, and KMS reports frizz and humidity control lasting up to 72 hours. Over time, used with a straightening iron, it is designed to make hair progressively straighter, so the effort of each styling session carries forward.

1. Apply to towel-dried hair.
2. Comb through to distribute evenly.
3. Blow dry.
4. Use hot tools, such as a flat iron, to create the style.

Heat protection is rated up to 230°C/446°F; keep your iron at or below that and at a setting suited to your hair.

Pros

• Combines heat protection (up to 230°C/446°F) with shaping in one step.
• Humidity resistance and frizz reduction for up to 72 hours, per KMS.
• Silicone-free according to KMS, for those who avoid silicones.
• Gradual straightening with regular flat-iron use.

Cons

• The straightening benefit depends on regular straightening-iron use; it will not straighten hair on its own.
• The cream texture is geared toward medium to thick hair; fine hair may find it heavier than a spray.
• Contains fragrance.