Hair prone to frizz or flyaways in the mid-lengths and ends, especially before blow-drying or flat-ironing. Because it's applied sparingly and only below the roots, it suits most hair types looking for smoothness and manageability rather than volume; it is not a root product. Consumer retail styling balm, straightforward enough for at-home use.

The value of this balm over a heavier oil or serum is that its conditioning oils are paired with a flexible-hold film, so it calms frizz and adds smoothness at the ends while still leaving hair with natural movement rather than a slicked-down finish, and it doubles as prep before a blow-dry or flat iron.

Apply 2 to 5 pumps into palms and work thoroughly through the mid-lengths and ends of towel-dried or damp hair. Blow-dry with a brush; for extra smoothness, finish with a flat iron.

• Pro: Jojoba and sweet almond oil give lightweight conditioning without a heavy, oil-slicked feel
• Pro: Polyquaternium-37/PVP film controls frizz with a flexible hold (level 2) rather than stiffness
• Pro: Doubles as a pre-heat-styling step, with Wella noting protection against heat and dehydration during blow-drying or ironing
• Con: Formulated only for mid-lengths and ends — it won't add root volume or control regrowth frizz at the scalp
• Con: Balm/oil-based texture means over-applying can leave finer hair looking weighed down or greasy
• Con: Contains fragrance, flagged as a common sensitizer for fragrance-sensitive users