How to Use Hair Styling Cream: Benefits & Results for Different Hair Types
KEY TAKEAWAYS
If you've ever wanted your hair to look styled (but still feel like your hair) a hair styling cream might just become your new go-to. But between the endless gels, pomades, mousse, masks, leave-in conditioners, and texturizing sprays available, what sets a hair styling cream apart? And what even is a hair styling cream? A hair styling cream is a lightweight, moisturizing styling product designed to add soft texture, smoothness, and flexible hold without making hair feel stiff, sticky, or crunchy. Think of it as the perfect middle ground between styling and hair care: it helps shape and define your look while keeping strands touchably soft. Unlike gel, a hair styling cream won't leave behind a crunchy cast. Unlike mousse, there's no airy foam involved. And unlike pomades or waxes, it delivers hold without weighing hair down or creating a rigid finish. Instead, a lightweight hair styling cream gives you movement, softness, and control, all in one step. The best styling cream for all hair types works with your hair, not against it. Whether your strands are straight, wavy, curly, coily, fine, thick, color-treated, or damaged, a flexible hold styling cream can help create smooth, sleek styles, add soft texture, tame flyaways, define curls, and control frizz while maintaining a natural-looking finish. Meet your new styling MVPβs: 3-In-Wonder Hair Styling Cream and 3-In-Wonder Hair Styling Cream Wand. This multi-use hair cream is made for all hair types and delivers lightweight, flexible hold for smooth styles, primes strands for silky blowouts with long-lasting frizz control*, and gives curls soft, defined shape without the crunch. The result? Hair that looks polished, feels soft, and moves naturally. Wondering more about 3-In-Wonder Hair Styling Cream? Weβve got all the answers below. *vs. control
Why Choose 3-In-Wonder Hair Styling Cream?
When it comes to everyday styling, versatility is everything. Our new hair styling cream is a multi-use hair cream that helps you create smooth blowouts, sleek styles, defined curls, and everything in between without needing multiple products.ο»ΏWhat makes this lightweight styling cream different?
- Helps smooth frizz and flyaways for a polished finish
- Works across straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair types
In other words: you get all of the benefits of a salon-quality styling cream at only $9, and with none of the stiffness, stickiness, or complicated routines to boot!
Why 3-In-Wonder Styling Cream Belongs in Your Routine:
When one product can do more while keeping your routine simple, that's a win. Here's why 3-In-Wonder Hair Styling Cream deserves a permanent spot on your shelf. Why choose between sleek styles, blowout prep, or curl definition when you can have all three? Our multi-use hair cream helps smooth strands, primes hair for silky blowouts with long-lasting frizz control*, and enhances natural curl patterns with soft, touchable definition.It's a True 3-in-1 Styling Multitasker
Whether you're going for slick and sleek, bouncy and voluminous, or defined and textured, this flexible hold styling cream adapts to your styling goals.
*vs. control
It Works for Every Hair Type
Finding a styling cream for all hair types can feel impossibleβbut that's exactly what we set out to create.
Straight hair can use it to smooth flyaways and add polish. Wavy hair gets soft definition and frizz control. Curly hair gets shape, bounce, and hold without the crunch. No matter your texture, the lightweight formula helps enhance your style without weighing hair down.
Lightweight Moisture Meets Flexible Hold
Some styling products leave hair stiff. Others feel greasy or heavy. We formulated ours to strike the perfect balance. The moisturizing formula helps keep strands feeling soft and silky while delivering flexible hold that keeps styles in place without sacrificing movement. The result? Hair that looks styled, but still feels like your hair.
No Crunch. No Stiffness. No Problem.
If you've been burned by crunchy gels or sticky styling products, consider this your upgrade.
Our flexible hold styling cream helps create smooth, defined styles while maintaining a soft, natural finish. Hair stays touchable, moveable, and effortlessly styled from morning to night.
The OMG Value Is Real
Luxury-inspired styling doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag.
Our Hair Styling Cream delivers quality results for just $9, while our Styling Cream Wand comes in at only $6. It's an affordable alternative to luxury styling cream that gives you the performance you want without the crazy price tag.
3 Ways to Slay with 3-In-Wonder Styling Cream
Wondering what you can use hair styling cream for? The better question might be: what can't it do? One of the biggest benefits of a multi-use hair cream is its versatility; it helps you create multiple styles with a single product, making it a must-have for every hair routine.
Flexible Hold for Sleek, Slick-Back Styles
Polished ponytails, slicked-back buns, smooth updos, and sleek everyday styles. Want your hair to stay put without looking overly styled? Our flexible hold styling cream smooths strands and controls flyaways while maintaining natural movement and a soft, touchable finish. Unlike traditional gels, it won't leave hair crunchy, sticky, or stiff.Best for:
How to use it:
- Use a dime size for short hair, a nickel size for medium hair, and a quarter size for long hair.
- Smooth evenly from roots to ends.
- Style as desired.
Pro Tip: Pair with our 3-In-Wonder Styling Cream Wand to tame flyaways, smooth baby hairs, and perfect every detail of your look.
Prime for a Silky Blowout
Blow-drying, heat styling, and achieving salon-worthy results at home. A great blowout starts before you pick up the brush. This lightweight hair styling cream helps create a smooth foundation for styling, making hair easier to manage while delivering moisture and helping control frizz* for a silky, polished finish.Best for:
How to use it:
- Focus on mid-lengths and ends.
- Blow-dry using a round brush for smoothness and volume.
- Finish with the Styling Cream Wand to smooth any remaining flyaways or frizz.
While every hair type can benefit from a priming step, this technique is especially helpful for thick, coarse, or frizz-prone hair looking for extra smoothness and shine.
*vs. control
Define and Enhance Curls
Soft, defined waves, curls, and coils with natural movement. Looking for curl definition without the crunch? 3-In-Wonder helps enhance your natural texture while delivering lightweight moisture and flexible hold. Curls stay soft, touchable, and definedβnot stiff or weighed down. Simply work the cream through damp hair, distributing evenly from roots to ends before air-drying or diffusing. The moisturizing formula helps smooth frizz while allowing your natural curl pattern to shine.Best for:
How to Use Styling Cream on Straight Hair
If you think hair styling cream is only for curls, think again. A lightweight hair styling cream like 3-In-Wonder can be a game-changer for straight hair, helping create smooth, polished styles while controlling frizz and flyaways without weighing strands down.For straight hair, styling cream works best for:
- Controlling flyaways and frizz
- Creating subtle bends and waves with heat tools
It really all just comes down to using the right amount! Because straight and fine hair types can become greasy or weighed down more easily, it's best to start small and build as needed.
How to use styling cream on straight hair:
Step 1: Start with a dime size of of product. Fine hair may need even less.
Step 2: Apply to damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. If your hair tends to get oily, avoid applying directly to the roots.
Step 3: Style as desired. Blow-dry for a sleek, silky finish or air-dry for a more natural, effortless look with soft movement.
Step 4: Once your style is complete, use the Styling Cream Wand to smooth flyaways, tame baby hairs, and perfect your finished look.
How to Use Styling Cream on Wavy Hair
Wavy hair is all about that sweet spot between definition and effortless movement. We love 3-In-Wonder on wavy strands because it helps enhance your natural wave pattern, tame frizz, and keep waves looking bouncy and full of lifeβnever stiff, crunchy, or weighed down.Best for:
How to use it:
- Apply a nickel amount to medium-length hair or 3β4 pumps to long hair.
- For more defined waves, scrunch into damp hair.
- For softer, smoother waves, rake through with your fingers.
- Air-dry for natural texture, diffuse for extra definition, or blow-dry for silky, polished waves.
- Finish with the 3-In-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand to smooth any frizzy pieces or flyaways.
How to Use Styling Cream on Curly Hair
Curly and coily hair loves moisture, and that's where our styling cream shines. It helps define curls, encourages clumping, reduces frizz, and delivers soft, flexible hold without weighing your texture down.Best for:
How to use it:
- Apply a quarter size to medium curls or 2 quarters for long, thick, or coily hair.
- Use on soaking wet hair for maximum definition or damp hair for a softer finish.
- Section hair and rake product through evenly.
- Smooth with the praying hands method, then scrunch upward to encourage curl formation.
- Air-dry, diffuse, or sit under a hooded dryer.
Pro Tip: Use our Styling Cream Wand to refresh curls, smooth edges, and tame frizz between wash days.
Meet 3-In-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand: Your On-the-Go Hair Touch-Up Hero
Need a quick flyaway fix? Weβve got you. Our new 3-In-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand. is a sleek, mess-free way to smooth, shape, and perfect your style anytime, anywhere. Featuring the same flexible-hold styling cream formula as our full-size styling cream, this innovative hair styling wand comes with a built-in applicator for effortless precision styling. Simply swipe it where you need it and go!
Why you'll love it:
- Built-in wand applicator for precise styling
- Same lightweight, flexible-hold formula as the Styling Cream
- Perfect for flyaways, baby hairs, edges, and touch-ups
- Ultra-portable for your purse, gym bag, desk, or carry-on
- Easy, mess-free application
- Applies white and dries clear
- Keeps styles smooth without stiffness or crunch
3 Ways to Use 3-In-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand
Small but mighty, our flyaway taming wand. is the ultimate styling sidekick. Here are three ways to wield major hair power with our brand new wand: Target: Surface frizz, flyaways, and baby hairs Simply swipe the wand over any unruly areas to instantly smooth and polish your style. It's the perfect fix for frizz, post-workout touch-ups, or second-day hair that needs a little extra love. Best for: Humid weather, gym bags, and next-day refreshes.#1: Smooth Frizz
#2: Slick Flyaways
Target: Edges, hairline, and crown area
For a sleek, polished finish, brush the wand directly along your hairline, part, or any areas with flyaways. The lightweight formula helps keep everything in place without stiffness or buildup.
Best for: Sleek buns, polished ponytails, and slick-back styles.
#3: On-the-Go Touch-ups
Target: Any area that needs a quick refresh
Keep it in your purse, desk drawer, gym bag, or carry-on for styling emergencies. Just swipe where needed to smooth, tame, and refresh your look in seconds.
Best for: Busy schedules, travel days, and extending styles between wash days.
Styling Cream Mistakes to Avoid
A few small tweaks can make all the difference between a good hair day and a great hair day. Here are some common styling cream mistakes to avoid, plus their fixes to get you to great hair day status. When it comes to styling cream, more isn't always more. Try this instead:Mistake #1: Using Too Much Product
Mistake #2: Forgetting to Distribute Evenly
Applying styling cream to just one area can leave some sections overloaded while others miss out on the benefits.
Try this instead:
- Section hair if needed.
- Rake the product through with your fingers.
- Make sure each section gets even coverage.
Mistake #3: Applying Too Close to the Roots
If your hair is fine or tends to get oily, applying too much product near the scalp can weigh things down.
Try this instead:
- Focus the cream on mid-lengths and ends.
- Keep product about 2β3 inches away from the scalp.
- Use the Styling Cream Wand when you need precise control around the roots, hairline, or flyaways.
Shop e.l.f. Haircare to Get Started!
Ready for softer, smoother, more effortlessly styled hair? Build your dream routine with our brand new e.l.f. hair lineup and let your hair have its main-character moment.
- Finish with Hair Toss Gloss for next-level shine that catches the light from every angle.
- Mix and match the entire e.l.f. HAIR family because the best hair routine is the one that works for you.
Whether you're team sleek, team curls, or somewhere in between, weβve got everything you need for your best hair days yet!
