HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HAIR STYLING PRODUCT FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE

This is where styling gets to be really fun. Once you know what creams, gels, mousses, sprays and oils are actually designed to do, picking the right product becomes easy as pie.

Format	What it does	Best for	We recommend
Cream	Smooths the hair cuticle, reduces frizz and adds softness.	Sleek styles, flyaways and everyday smoothing.	TRESemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream
Cream serum	Hydrates, detangles and boosts glossy shine.	Dull, dry or tangled hair.	TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Cream Serum
Gel	Creates definition, hold and humidity resistance.	Slick styles, defined curls and long-lasting hold.	TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Gel
Mousse	Adds body while keeping hair light and touchable.	Volume, bounce and soft movement.	TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Whipped Shaping Mousse
Volume spray	Lifts roots and creates fuller-looking hair.	Fine or flat hair needing extra body.	TRESemmé Volume Thickening Spray
Hairspray	Locks your finished style in place and helps control flyaways.	Setting curls, updos and polished everyday styles.	TRESemmé Extra Hold Unscented Hairspray
Bonding oil	Smooths flyaways while adding shine and manageability.	Finishing sleek styles and taming dry ends.	TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil
Root touch-up spray	Covers visible roots and gray regrowth in seconds.	Refreshing color between salon appointments.	TRESemmé Root Touch Up Sprays

By Styling Goal

Start with the result you want, then choose the product that gets you there. Once you match the right formula to your styling goal, getting great hair suddenly feels a whole lot easier.

For hold: If you want your style to stay put from your morning coffee to your evening plans, reach for a gel or hairspray. The best hair styling gel is the one that matches your look, whether that's flexible definition with TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Gel or an all-over finish with TRESemmé TRES TWO Extra Hold Hairspray.

For volume: Flat roots don't need heavy products, they need smart ones. Lightweight styling products like TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Whipped Shaping Mousse and TRESemmé Volume Thickening Spray create lift and body without making hair feel weighed down.

For smoothness: Frizz doesn't stand a chance when you smooth and seal the hair cuticle. TRESemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream hydrates and helps defend against frizz for up to 72 hours, while TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil adds a polished finish and glossy shine.

For definition: Defined curls should feel soft, not crunchy. TRESemmé Flawless Curls Gel Alcohol-Free Gel locks in shape and helps fight humidity, while TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse adds touchable bounce with hydration from coconut and avocado oils.

By Hair Type

Your hair type plays a big role in how styling products perform. Choose formulas that work with your natural texture and needs, and you'll spend less time in a kerfuffle with your hair and more time loving the finished result.

For fine or thin hair: The best styling mousse for fine hair lifts without leaving strands feeling heavy. Start with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Whipped Shaping Mousse for airy body, then add TRESemmé Volume Thickening Spray at the roots when you want even more fullness.

For wavy hair: The best hair styling products for wavy hair work with your natural texture instead of trying to change it. TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse helps enhance soft movement, while TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Cream Serum keeps waves hydrated, smooth and beautifully glossy.

For curly hair: Your curls deserve products that define and nourish at the same time. Layer TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse with TRESemmé Flawless Curls Gel Alcohol-Free Gel to lock in soft, touchable definition that stands up to humidity.

For thick or coarse hair: Richer textures are your friend when your hair needs extra control. TRESemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream helps keep frizz in check, while TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil seals in shine and smooths flyaways without feeling greasy.

For dry or damaged hair: The best hair styling products for dry hair add moisture before they add hold. TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Cream Serum hydrates and detangles with Lamellar Lamination Technology, then a few drops of TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil help seal the cuticle for a softer, healthier-looking finish.

For long hair: The best hair styling products for long hair protect the lengths that have seen the most heat styling and everyday wear. Finish with TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil for smooth, glossy ends, then lock everything in place with TRESemmé Extra Hold Unscented Hairspray for flexible, humidity-resistant hold.

For color-treated hair: Stretch the time between salon visits with a quick root refresh. TRESemmé Root Touch Up Spray for Black Hair and TRESemmé Root Touch Up Spray for Light Brown Hair dry in seconds to conceal regrowth and silver roots until your next shampoo, leaving a natural-looking, residue-free finish.

Here's one of our favorite salon secrets: it's not just what you use, it's when you use it. Layer your styling products in the right order and you'll get better results, longer-lasting styles and a finish that looks effortlessly polished.

The easiest styling sequence

1. Prep: If your hair needs extra hydration or detangling, apply TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Cream Serum to damp hair.
2. Build volume: Work a mousse through damp roots or mist TRESemmé Volume Thickening Spray where you want extra lift.
3. Smooth or define: Apply TRESemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream through mid-lengths and ends or use gel to define curls or create sleek styles.
4. Style: Blow-dry or air-dry, depending on the look you're creating.
5. Set: Mist hairspray over your finished style to help it last.
6. Finish: Warm a pea-sized amount of TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil between your palms and smooth over the lengths to tame flyaways and boost shine.

Wet, damp, or dry?
 

Product	Best applied to
Mousse	Damp hair
Cream	Damp or dry hair
Gel	Damp hair
Volume spray	Damp or dry hair
Cream serum	Damp hair
Hairspray	Dry, styled hair
Bonding oil	Damp or dry hair
Root touch-up spray	Dry hair

Most styling mishaps come down to technique, rather than your products TBH. A few simple adjustments to how much you use, when you apply it and how you layer it can make the difference between a style that falls flat and one that lasts all day.

Stiff or crunchy hair. If your hair feels crunchy, you've probably used more hold than you needed or applied too much gel at once. Start with a smaller amount on damp hair and build gradually. For curls, gently scrunch once your hair is completely dry to soften the finish while keeping the definition.

Sticky or weighed-down hair. More product doesn't always = better results. Fine hair can quickly lose its bounce if creams or oils are overapplied, so begin with the recommended amount and add only if your hair needs it. It's much easier to build than to undo.

Product build-up. Styling products work best on clean hair. If your hair starts feeling dull, heavy or difficult to style, wash thoroughly to remove any build-up before reaching for your styling products again. Fresh hair gives every formula the best chance to perform.

Discover the full TRESemmé styling range, from creams to mousses, gels and finishing sprays designed to give you salon-quality hold and finish at home.

What is the best hair styling product for everyday use?

The best everyday styling product depends on your hair type and the result you want. If you're looking for smoother, frizz-resistant hair, TRESemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream is a great daily option, while TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Whipped Shaping Mousse adds lightweight body and movement without weighing hair down.

What is the difference between hair gel and styling cream?

Hair gel is designed to create hold and definition, making it ideal for sleek styles or defined curls. Styling cream focuses on smoothness, softness and frizz control with a more flexible finish. For example, TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Gel provides lasting hold, while TRESemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream helps create a polished, yet soft look.

How do I keep my hair from looking stiff or sticky when styling?

Start with less product than you think you need and build gradually. Apply each formula to the recommended hair condition, such as damp hair for gels and mousses, and finish with a light mist of hairspray. Layering products correctly also helps you achieve hold and definition without stiffness or stickiness.

Which styling products offer the best combination of both hold and shine?

For styles that need both lasting hold and a glossy finish, combine products that complement each other. TRESemmé Extra Hold Unscented Hairspray helps lock in your style with flexible, humidity-resistant hold, while a pea-sized amount of TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil smooths flyaways and adds healthy-looking shine without making hair feel heavy.