Hair cream used to mean something slick. A British hair cream launched in 1928 became so popular with men that its jingle, promising that a little dab would do you, outlived the look itself. Today hair cream means almost the opposite: a soft, light product that makes your own texture look better instead of slicking it into submission.

Most of us buy one for frizz. Frizz happens when dry, raised strands pull moisture out of the air and swell unevenly, which is why a humid day can undo a good blowout before you reach the car. A good cream coats the hair, smooths the surface and slows that moisture down, so hair stays where you put it.

Moroccanoil's Hydrating Styling Cream is the gentle, everyday one, with argan oil and anti-static ingredients that condition as they smooth. OUAI's Anti-Frizz cream adds long-lasting frizz control and heat protection, and Kérastase's Gloss Absolu is a silicone-free glaze that protects a blowout from humidity. Gisou's Honey Milk cream does five jobs, including heat protection up to 450 degrees and a glossy shine.

Dae's Cactus Fruit cream is a multitasker for sleek styles, shiny blowouts and soft natural curls, and JVN's Air Dry Cream gives a touchable hold for anyone who lets their hair dry on its own. Olaplex's No. 6 Bond Smoother is a leave-in with bond-building technology, the one to use if your hair is color treated or damaged. And Oribe's Gold Lust Night Cream is the indulgent one, a leave-in you put on before bed so hair wakes up soft and shiny.

Curly hair needs something different from a smoothing cream. The goal is not to flatten the curl but to group strands into defined ringlets or waves, then hold them softly while they dry, without crunch.

Fenty Beauty's Homecurl is a silicone-free gel-cream with wild mango butter, made for a one-step wash and go. Moroccanoil's Curl Defining Cream is argan-oil based and works on every curl type, and OUAI's Curl Styling Cream is silicone free and adds shine. Bumble and bumble's Curl Defining cream is richer, with UV protection and flexible hold, a good pick for thick, dry curls.

For lighter curls and waves, Verb's Lightweight Curl Defining Cream keeps things bouncy without weight. Mizani's True Textures Curl Enhancing cream is a gel-cream that defines waves and curls without crunch. Bounce Curl's Hydra-Lite is a weightless cream-gel that controls frizz for up to 72 hours. And adwoa beauty's Baomint cream detangles as it defines, rich and soft, for medium to thick hair.

Apply curl cream to soaking wet hair, not damp. Rake it through with your fingers, then scrunch upward, and try not to touch your hair again until it is completely dry. That last part is the hardest and the most important. Once it is dry, you can scrunch out any stiffness and the curls will stay soft. A diffuser on low heat speeds things up if you are in a hurry, as long as you keep it still and let the curls sit in the bowl.

On the days you skip the hair dryer, a leave-in conditioner does most of the work. It detangles, adds moisture and keeps frizz down while hair dries naturally, and many include heat protection for the days you do use tools.

Briogeo's Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk is a light spray that detangles and reduces frizz for up to 48 hours, easy to use on fine hair. Amika's Hydro Rush leave-in uses hyaluronic acid and squalane for serious moisture. Pureology's Color Fanatic is a leave-in and heat protectant up to 450 degrees that also helps preserve color.

For curls and coils, Pattern's Leave-In Conditioner seals in moisture and gives soft definition, and Mizani's 25 Miracle Milk moisturizes, detangles and protects against heat for every curl and coil pattern. Crown Affair's Leave-In Conditioner Cream is weightless but hydrating, good for dry, damaged or fine hair.

Oribe's Supershine Moisturizing Cream is a high-gloss leave-in for medium to thick hair, and Olaplex's No. 5 Leave-In moisturizes and seals split ends as it repairs.

Here is my air-dry routine. Squeeze out water with a T-shirt instead of a towel, spray or smooth in a leave-in, add a little cream to the ends, and leave it alone. Twist or braid it loosely if you want a wave, then take it out once it is fully dry. It takes five minutes, and on most days it looks better than a rushed blowout.

The biggest mistake with any styling cream is using too much, and it is an easy one to make, because a cream feels so light in your hand. Start with an amount about the size of a pea for fine hair or an almond for thick hair, warm it between your palms, and apply from the middle of your hair to the ends. The roots rarely need it.

Put it on damp or wet hair, where it spreads evenly, and use a touch more on dry ends. If your hair feels heavy or greasy by the afternoon, halve the amount next time. The right cream should make your hair look like yours on a very good day, soft to touch and moving when you turn your head. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together JVN Air Dry Cream Comes From a Stylist Who Sorted Hair by Concern and Guaranteed Good Hair Days.