Salon professionals, first of all: it is the prep shampoo for amika's Pro Smooth Over frizz-fighting service and is sized and positioned for the backbar. Stylists can also use it outside the service as a deep-cleansing shampoo before other chemical or styling work.

It suits all hair types and textures. amika sells it through its professional channel, so the buyer is normally a stylist or salon rather than a home user.

A smoothing service can only work as well as the hair is clean. This shampoo was formulated as the matched prep step for Pro Smooth Over: clay and charcoal pull off buildup, so the treatment spray reaches the hair evenly instead of sitting on residue. Using amika's own primer also keeps the service inside the system amika tested, which is the combination the brand stands behind for its 6 to 7 week frizz results.

1. Massage through wet hair.
2. Rinse.
3. Repeat for thicker or coarser hair.
4. Towel dry to finish, then continue with the Pro Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment.

Outside the service, it can be used as a stand-alone deep-cleansing shampoo on all hair types.

Built to clarify, this shampoo removes product buildup well, which is exactly what a glyoxylic acid smoothing service needs to absorb evenly. amika designed it to pair with the Pro Smooth Over treatment and recommends using the two together for the best results, and the 1 L backbar bottle covers a lot of services.

The trade-offs are the flip side of that job: as a clarifying shampoo it is not meant to replace a client's regular conditioning shampoo, and after a Smooth Over service amika specifically advises clients to avoid clarifying or harsh products because they can shorten the result. It also contains menthol and fragrance, which some sensitive scalps notice.