12 Best Hair Straightening Serums to Hold the Hair for a Long Time

Written by Alvira Dsouza, Hair Expert
Updated on Mar 14, 2024
hair straightening serums
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

As per our years of expertise working with beauty products, it is safe to claim that hair serums are an integral part of our hair care routine undoubtedly! But not every product is equipped with the best ingredients that can tame the frizz, add shine, and smoothen the hair without weighing down the strands. But here are the best hair straightening serums that come with advanced formulations that can be the holy grail to keep the hair straight and smooth while bidding adieu to the rough and lifeless strands. While offering incredible moisturizing benefits, they also work excellently as a heat protection serum while maintaining the existing color of your hair, if any.

Our contributor Kate Ross, a Hair Specialist, shares, “Hair straightening serums work by coating the hair shaft, providing a protective layer against humidity and heat. This coating helps maintain the straightened style for an extended period, preventing frizz and preserving the sleekness.”

Keeping these in mind, we have rounded off the best ones available in the market, drawing from our experience. Trust us when we say that they are loaded with a formula that is free from paraben, phthalates, and other nasty chemicals. They are here to help you fetch compliments for your hair! Keep scrolling to unleash all the goodness. Happy shopping!

12 Best Hair Straightening Serums

Herstyler offers you a hair repair serum loaded with argan oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E that strengthens the shaft, and increases the shine while controlling the frizz at the same time for a smoother and straighter appearance. It not only reduces irritating flyaways but also loosens pesky knots and tangles while taming the hair altogether for a nourished look. Furthermore, the argan oil present in the product leaves the tresses shiny, soft, and conditioned for an elevated look.

Pros
  • Improves hair texture
  • Makes hair soft
  • Infuses shine
  • Tames unruly strands
  • Minimizes split ends
  • Non-greasy
Cons
  • Unsettling smell
  • Best for Coarse Hair

    JOHN FRIEDA Frizz Ease All-in-1 Extra Strength Serum

    JOHN FRIEDA Frizz Ease All-in-1 Extra Strength Serum
  • The Frizz Ease All-in-1 extra strength serum is specially formulated for thick coarse hair that is more prone to dryness. The multipurpose serum single-handedly works as a heat protectant and frizz controller while ensuring it resists humidity at the same time. With a refreshing scent of coconut, the cruelty-free product can be applied on wet or dry hair. But wait, that’s not it! The product, made of a vegan-friendly formula, is also safe for color-treated hair. How cool is that!

    Pros
    • Infuses shine
    • Protects from heat
    • Tames flyaways
    • Best for coarse hair
    • Cruelty-free
    • Vegan-friendly
    Cons
    • Packaging could be better
  • Best Paraben-free Formula

    PAUL MITCHELL Super Skinny Serum

    PAUL MITCHELL Super Skinny Serum
  • People with super frizzy hair should look no further, because Paul Mitchell has come up with its Super Skinny Serum that not only resists humidity and controls frizz but also speeds up drying time while conditioning the strands at the same time. It also ensures that the shafts look healthy and shiny irrespective of the weather conditions. The best part is that the product is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and paraben-free which ensures no nasty ingredients penetrate into your hair.

    Pros
    • Makes hair manageable
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Paraben-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Smoothens the strands
    Cons
    • Quite a heavy formula
  • Best to Defrizz Hair

    it's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin

    it's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin
  • Enriched with keratin, which is known to be the most potent component to ensure stronger, shinier, and healthier hair, the leave-in keratin serum infuses hydration into your hair while detangling and defrizzing your mane for luscious hair. It also adds shine and takes the upper hand at sealing the cuticle to give you that extra bounce and silky hair. Not only just that, but the serum is also known to give excellent protection against heat to protect hair's overall health.

    Pros
    • Provides hydration
    • Replaces lost protein
    • Makes hair manageable
    • Adds shine
    • Locks in nourishment
    Cons
    • Bad packaging
  • Best to Heal Split Ends

    VITAMINS Hair Serum Keratin Treatment

    VITAMINS Hair Serum Keratin Treatment
  • The keratin treatment hair serum works excellently on unruly strands while protecting your hair from heat as you run through a straightener over your curly or wavy hair. It also ensures the longevity of the straight hair without weighing down the strands in the long run. Infused with biotin collagen, castor oil, and coconut oil, the serum for frizzy hair moisturizes the hair and promises a sleek, smooth, and luxurious feel that will encourage you to touch the shaft more often.

    Pros
    • Protects hair from heat
    • Ensures longevity of straight hair
    • Tames frizz
    • Smoothens hair
    • Promises sleek hair
    • Heals split ends
    Cons
    • Overpowering smel
  • Best for Intense Moisturization

    BED HEAD Control Freak Hair Care and Straightener

    BED HEAD Control Freak Hair Care and Straightener
  • The hair serum stands true to its name and promises to manage your hair throughout the day while giving it a refreshed feeling! Furthermore, the talcum-free hair serum not only improves hair manageability but also provides unwavering frizz control. It contains a moisturizing hero, glycerine, which is known to penetrate deeply into the hair to moisturize the strands while the kiwi juice present in the serum improves the hair quality. What do you need more? Grab yours now!

    Pros
    • Non-greasy
    • Penetrates into the hair fiber
    • Adds shine
    • Moisturizes hair
    • Great for curly hair
    Cons
    • Overpowering smell
  • Best to Infuse Hydration

    GK HAIR GLOBAL Taming System Anti Frizz Serum

    GK HAIR GLOBAL Taming System Anti Frizz Serum
  • The GK global hair keratin organic serum is one of the best hair products for straightening that you need in your stash to have lust-worthy hair! The weightless serum takes the upper hand at making your lifeless hair smooth and damage-free while transforming from within for further growth. Furthermore, it works like magic on your dry and damaged hair to give you the ultimate shine that you have always yearned for! Not to miss, the nourishing formula will revitalize the strands and make them manageable.

    Pros
    • Nourishes hair
    • Strengthen hair strands
    • Protects the shaft
    • Infuses life into the hair
    • Controls frizz
    • Hydrates dry hair
    Cons
    • Missing ingredients
  • Best to Provide Glossy Tresses

    HERSTYLER Evolution Hair Serum

    HERSTYLER Evolution Hair Serum
  • With a tantalizing scent of argan oil, the hair serum claims to soften your strands while nourishing them at the same time thanks to the formula packed with aloe vera and vitamin E. It also repairs the hair from within and leaves your hair feeling hydrated and nourished at the same time. Not only that, if you deal with pesky knots, the serum is a great idea to unravel the stubborn tangles. Get this elixir today to bestow yourself with the glossy tresses that everyone talks about!

    Pros
    • Moisturizing formula
    • Tames unruly strands
    • Provides glossy tresses
    • Works on all textures
    • Fortified with essential nutrients
    Cons
    • Bad nozzle
  • Best for Unruly Hair

    TIGI BED HEAD Straighten Out Anti Frizz Serum

    TIGI BED HEAD Straighten Out Anti Frizz Serum
  • When you want to get smooth and moisturizing tresses without the feeling of a greasy mane, trust this holy grail from TIGI BED! The formulation is indeed one of a kind that provides you with a glossy and shiny shaft right after using it. It beautifully tames the hair while smoothing out the frizz and unruly hair to provide you with the smoothest mane that people dream of! Plus, it also ensures unwavering heat protection as you use the hair serum throughout before straightening. Cool, right?

    Pros
    • Makes hair manageable
    • Moisturizes the hair throughout
    • Smooth flyaways
    • Provides heat protection
    • Doesn’t weigh down the hair
    Cons
    • Smells strong
  • Editor’s Choice

    THE BODY SHOP Grapeseed Glossing Serum

    THE BODY SHOP Grapeseed Glossing Serum
  • The Body Shop grapeseed glossing serum is one raging product among beauty influencers for all good reasons! It is one of the best straightening products for curly hair that takes the upper hand at controlling the frizz. The unscented serum adds gloss without weighing down the hair. Packed with grapeseed extract and sesame seed oil, the product is an excellent option for dull and frizz-prone hair. Still thinking? Give this a try to know it’s worth!

    Pros
    • Paraben-free
    • Adds shine
    • Easily washes out
    • Unscented
    • Works for dull hair
    Cons
    • A stinky smell
  • MIXED CHICKS Straightening Serum

    MIXED CHICKS Straightening Serum
  • The best part about the straightening serum is that it takes the upper hand at cutting your drying in half! Plus, right after using the product, you can use a flat iron to straighten your hair without damaging the shaft, thanks to the formula that promises thermal protection. The unscented product is also humidity-resistant and claims to protect the strands from unwanted frizz for unwavering glossy and smooth tresses that you will adore.

    Pros
    • Eliminates flyaways
    • Creates sleek styles
    • Provides glossy tresses
    • Ensures thermal protection
    • Great for hair styling
    Cons
    • Not for 3A/3B hair
  • TerraFique Keratin Hair Serum

    TerraFique Keratin Hair Serum
  • The best part about the Terrafique serum is that it tames your frizzy mane without weighing the hair down, and the credit goes to its keratin-enriched formula packed with argan oil. It also contains olive oil that works as an excellent moisturizing element that will ensure the style remains manageable all day long. Additionally, it also acts as a heat-protectant serum that further makes your hair smooth like never before. Plus, it also makes your hair frizz-free while taming the unruly flyaways for a polished look.

    Pros
    • Provides moisturization
    • Makes hair smooth
    • Keeps the hair look glossy
    • Protects from heat
    • Tames unruly hair
    Cons
    • Makes the hair a bit oily

    Now that you have checked out the best products, take a look at how you can pick the one according to your requirements—

    How to Choose the Best Hair Straightening Serum?

    Here are the parameters to consider—

    a) Ingredients- Make sure your hair straightening serum is infused with keratin as it is the ultimate food for your mane to ensure straight strands. If the serum contains silicone, it means it is a smoothening agent that will also eventually make the hair shiny. On the other hand, ingredients like avocado oil, argan oil, and coconut oils are known to provide your hair with the much-needed moisturization that your hair has been looking for.

    b) Haircare Requirements - Before you pick the product, be clear with your requirements. If you want something to use as a heat protector, pick a formula that provides thermal protection. If you want something that will hold the hair for long, pick a formula that helps you to maintain the style. Similarly, a formula that adds shine and tames frizz will be a lifesaver for dull and dry hair.

    c) Longevity- If you have curly or wavy hair, and want a sleek and smooth mane, you need to check the longevity of the product or how much the product can hold the style. And that’s where balanced consistency plays a major role. A well-balanced formula, not too thick, not too thin, is excellent for maintaining the hairstyle for the longest possible time.

    Now that you have checked how to pick the products, take a look at how you can use the product effectively—

    How to Use the Best Hair Straightening Serums?

    Here’s how you can—

    a) First thing first — start with clean hair and shampoo the strands thoroughly to ensure nothing is left on the shaft.

    b) Next, take up your conditioner and apply it thoroughly over the shaft so that it remains moisturized throughout even after cleansing.

    c) At this point, you can skip the conditioner and take a hair masque as well and leave it for about half an hour to ensure intense hydration.

    d) After washing off thoroughly, take your microfiber towel, squeeze the excess water from your hair, wrap it around your hair, and leave it for a few minutes to soak the excess water.

    e) Now, you can take your serum and apply it thoroughly over the strands, and keep it as a leave-in product.

    f) Or, you can blow dry your hair followed by straightening to lock the moisture and ensure frizz-free sleek hair all day long.

    g) Lastly, don’t forget to apply a few drops of serums along the length to lock everything in!

    Ta-da! You have now all the recommendations for the best hair-straightening serums that have some rave reviews online. As per our expertise, we have curated the list and come up with a buying guide for your convenience, and we hope we are able to recommend something for everyone! If you want to infuse shine, HerStyler Hair Repair Serum could be your ultimate buddy. However, if you want to defrizz your hair, it's a 10 miracle leave-in plus KERATIN serum can be your ideal deal. On the other hand, Vitamins Hair Serum Keratin Treatment is an excellent product to treat split ends. Want all? Then, what are you waiting for? Grab!

    Contributor: Kate Ross, Hair and Beauty Specialist - Irresistible Me

    FAQ's

    Does serum make hair straight?
    If your hair serum contains ingredients like keratin, avocado oil, argan oil, and essential vitamins, the formula is more likely to keep the hair straight for a long time.
    Which product is best for hair straightening?
    A hair straightening serum followed by the use of a hair straightener is what you need to keep the hair straight.
    What's the best serum for frizzy hair?
    10 miracle leave-in plus KERATIN serum can be your holy grail to defrizz the hair.
    What do you put in your hair before straightening?
    You can use a hair straightening serum right before the hair straightening. It also works as a heat protectant, to say the least.
    Can hair straightening serums permanently straighten hair?
    No, a hair straightening serum can never permanently straighten your hair. It can only keep the hair straight for a day.
    Can I use a hair straightening serum on color-treated hair?
    Of course, if your hair straightening serum contains color-protection technology, you can any day go ahead with that.
    How often should I use a hair straightening serum?
    You can use the hair-straightening serum every day! Or, right after you freshly wash your hair, or right before you straighten your hair.
    Can I use a hair straightening serum without using heat styling tools?
    Yes, you can very much use a hair-straightening serum alone! But if you have wavy or curly hair, it won’t do much.
    Can a hair straightening serum make my hair look greasy?
    If the formula is not well-balanced, i.e., too thick, the straightening serum can make the hair greasy!

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Our in-house hair care expert, Alvira D'Souza, wants everything in place when it comes to hair! Thus, hair straightening serums have a big place in her life and in her beauty stash! Being a haircare enthusiast, she loves exploring several options and doesn’t mind spending her time and energy as she curates the best products for our readers. For this article, Alvira went through numerous online products and relied mostly on reviews to round off a few products on the list. For the rest of the products, she relied on her own experience with the products and took into consideration parameters like formulation, ingredients, and texture to finally give a verdict to the article.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health and Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Alvira Dsouza
    Hair Expert

    With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More