Styling Cream NZ | Hair Creams for Men & Women | Zilion NZ
Hair Styling Cream in New Zealand
Styling cream is the most forgiving product in the bathroom cabinet. It gives shape and soft control without the stiffness of gel or the weight of wax, and it can be reworked through the day with your fingers. Depending on the formula, a cream can define curls, tame frizz, add body to fine hair, smooth a blow-dry or give a short men's cut a natural matte or classic shine finish.
Zilion is an official NZ stockist of every brand in this collection, from barbershop names such as Layrite, Vines Vintage, Suavecito, Slick Gorilla, American Crew and D:fi to salon brands including Joico, Osmo, REF Stockholm Sweden, Ouidad, Milk Shake and Olaplex. There are more than 110 creams to choose from.
About Styling Creams
Styling creams are emulsions of water, oils and conditioning or hold-giving ingredients. Compared with a paste or clay, they are softer and easier to spread, with light to medium hold. Compared with a serum, they give more shape and control. That makes them ideal for natural-looking styles that move.
The finish is the main thing that separates them. Matte creams such as Layrite Natural Matte Cream absorb light for a dry, natural look. Shine creams such as Layrite Supershine and brilliantines give a polished, classic finish. Curl creams add moisture and definition, smoothing creams fight frizz, and thickening creams add body to fine hair.
Styling Creams by Finish and Purpose
Matte creams for men. Natural, low-shine control for short and medium cuts: Layrite Natural Matte Cream, Vines Vintage Matt Pomade, Fatboy Styling Cream and Juuce Barber Art Shaping Cream. See more in Men's Hair Styling.
Shine and classic creams. A healthy shine for side parts, quiffs and slick-backs: Layrite Supershine Cream, Suavecito Hair Cream, American Crew Grooming Cream and Traditional Barbers Cream Brilliantine. For more shine and hold, see Hair Pomade.
Curl creams. Moisture and definition for waves, curls and coils: Joico Curls Like Us, Ouidad Curl Shaper, Slick Gorilla Curl Cream, Redken Hydrating Curl Cream and REF Curl Cream. Browse Curl Defining Styling Products.
Smoothing and anti-frizz creams. Calm frizz and flyaways: Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother, Eleven Australia Frizz Control Shaping Cream, Natural Look Smooth Operator and Fanola Wanna Straight.
Volume and thickening creams. Body for fine hair: Osmo Extreme Volume Thickening Creme, Milk Shake Bodifying Cream and Joico Zero Heat for Fine Hair.
Blow-dry creams. Smooth or shape while you dry: Joico Dream Blowout, Joico YouthLock Collagen Blowout Creme and L'Oreal Professionnel Tecni.Art Blowdry Cream.
Fibre and moulding creams. More hold and separation for texture: REF Stockholm Sweden Fibre Cream, D:fi D:Struct and Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream.
Brands in This Category
These are the brands with the most styling creams at Zilion. Each link opens the brand's full range:
- Layrite
- D:fi
- Joico
- Osmo
- REF Stockholm Sweden
- L3VEL3
- Vines Vintage
- Slick Gorilla
- American Crew
- Ouidad
- Natural Look
- Milk Shake
Top 10 Styling Creams
- Joico Curls Like Us Hydrate Define Curl Creme Styler 200ml: hydrates, defines and smooths curls while reducing frizz.
- Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream 168ml: light, soft hold for fine to medium curls, blocking humidity and frizz.
- Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother 100ml: a concentrated leave-in smoothing cream that Olaplex says controls frizz for up to 72 hours.
- Osmo Extreme Volume Thickening Creme 150ml: lifts roots and adds body to fine, flat hair without stiffness.
- Joico Zero Heat Styling Creme for Fine Hair 150ml: an air-dry crème that defines natural texture and tames frizz without blow-drying.
- American Crew Grooming Cream 85g: a conditioning cream with aloe vera that sleeks hair back or softens waves.
- D:fi D:Struct Pliable Molding Cream 75g: medium hold and low shine for short hair, worked through barely damp or dry hair.
- REF Stockholm Sweden Fibre Cream 85ml: a vegan fibre cream for texture, definition and flexible hold.
- Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream 85g: mesh-like fibres for flexible hold and a clean, matte finish.
- Milk Shake Braid Cream 100ml: smooths flyaways and keeps braids, twists and detailed styles neat for longer.
Best Sellers at Zilion
- Vines Vintage Matt Pomade 125ml ($20.46)
- Layrite Natural Matte Cream 120g ($43.99)
- Layrite Supershine Cream 120g ($43.99)
- Eleven Australia Frizz Control Shaping Cream 150ml ($40.50)
- Layrite Natural Matte Cream 297g ($83.00)
- Killer Groom Butter 150g ($30.00)
- Slick Gorilla Curl Cream 100ml ($36.99)
- Juuce Barber Art Shaping Cream 80g ($30.00)
- Layrite Natural Matte Cream 42g ($24.99)
- Suavecito Hair Cream 237ml ($30.99)
Benefits of Styling Cream
- Natural, touchable hold. Creams shape hair without leaving it crunchy or stiff.
- Restylable through the day. Run damp fingers through to reshape your look.
- Conditioning. Many creams contain oils and moisturisers, so they soften hair as they style.
- Frizz control. Smoothing and curl creams calm flyaways and humidity frizz.
- Easy to use. They spread evenly and rarely clump, which makes them ideal for beginners.
- Easy to wash out. Most rinse out with a normal shampoo, without the build-up of heavier waxes.
How to Choose a Styling Cream
Decide on the finish. Matte for a natural, dry look; satin or natural for everyday; shine for classic barbershop styles.
Choose your hold. Light hold suits soft, natural movement and curls. Medium hold suits short cuts and controlled styles. For firmer hold, look at Hair Paste, Clay or Hair Wax.
Match your hair type. Fine hair needs lightweight or thickening creams and only a small amount. Thick, coarse or curly hair can take richer creams and more product.
Think about your routine. If you air dry, choose an air-dry or curl cream. If you blow-dry, a blow-dry or smoothing cream works with the heat.
Size and value. Many favourites come in more than one size, such as Layrite Natural Matte Cream in 42g, 120g and 297g, and there are twin packs from Vines Vintage, Slick Gorilla, Suavecito and Layrite.
How to Use Styling Cream
Start with a small amount, about the size of a pea for short hair or a twenty-cent coin for longer hair. Rub it between your palms until it warms and spreads, then work it through from the back to the front so the front does not get too much. For short styles, apply to towel-dried or dry hair and shape with your fingers or a comb. For curls, apply to soaking-wet hair and scrunch, then air dry or diffuse. For smoothing, apply to damp lengths before blow-drying. Add more only if you need it.
Why Shop Styling Cream at Zilion
- Official NZ stockist. Every styling cream we sell is genuine stock from brands we are authorised to supply.
- Free shipping over $85. Orders under $85 ship for a flat $7.99 to metro and rural addresses.
- Afterpay and Zip. Spread the cost of a bigger order over interest-free instalments.
- Same-day dispatch. In-stock orders placed before 9am leave our warehouse the same business day.
- Twin packs. Save on favourites with styling doubles in Men's Twin Packs.
- Help when you need it. Email care@zilion.co.nz with your hair type and the look you want, and we will suggest a cream.
Delivery Across New Zealand
We deliver styling creams right across the country, to Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, and to rural addresses in every region. Metro orders usually arrive in 1 to 4 business days and rural orders in 3 to 7.
Styling Cream FAQs
What is hair styling cream?
Styling cream is a soft, spreadable product that gives light to medium hold and a natural finish. It shapes, smooths or defines hair without making it stiff.
What is the difference between styling cream and pomade?
Pomade usually has more hold and shine. Styling cream is softer, more natural-looking and easier to restyle during the day.
What is the difference between styling cream and paste?
Paste is firmer, with more hold and texture. Cream is lighter and smoother, for soft, natural styles.
What is the difference between styling cream and gel?
Gel dries with firm, often stiff hold and some shine. Cream gives softer, flexible control and can be reshaped.
Is styling cream good for men?
Yes. Matte and shine creams from Layrite, Vines Vintage, Suavecito, American Crew and Fatboy are popular for short and medium men's styles.
What is the best matte styling cream?
Layrite Natural Matte Cream is our best-selling matte cream. Vines Vintage Matt Pomade, Fatboy Styling Cream and Juuce Barber Art Shaping Cream are also popular.
What is the best shine styling cream?
Layrite Supershine Cream gives a classic shine with flexible hold. Suavecito Hair Cream and Traditional Barbers Cream Brilliantine are other options.
Which styling cream is best for curly hair?
Curl creams such as Joico Curls Like Us, Ouidad Curl Shaper, Slick Gorilla Curl Cream and Redken Hydrating Curl Cream add moisture and definition.
Which styling cream is best for frizz?
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother, Eleven Australia Frizz Control Shaping Cream and Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream are designed to control frizz.
Which styling cream is best for fine hair?
Lightweight or thickening creams such as Osmo Extreme Volume Thickening Creme and Joico Zero Heat for Fine Hair add body without weight.
Which styling cream is best for thick hair?
Thick hair can take richer creams. Joico Zero Heat for Thick Hair and smoothing creams such as Natural Look Smooth Operator suit it.
What is Olaplex No.6?
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother is a concentrated leave-in smoothing cream for all hair types. Olaplex says it reduces frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours and speeds up blow-drying.
What is Layrite Natural Matte Cream?
It is a matte styling cream from Layrite that gives a natural, low-shine finish. It comes in 42g, 120g and 297g sizes.
What is Killer Groom Butter?
Killer Groom Butter is a styling cream from Killer Groom and one of our best sellers in this collection.
What is the Slick Gorilla Curl Cream?
It is a curl-defining cream from Slick Gorilla, popular for men's curly and wavy styles. It is also available as a twin pack.
What is a curl cream?
A curl cream adds moisture, definition and light hold to curls and waves, helping them clump together and reducing frizz.
What is a blow-dry cream?
A blow-dry cream is applied to damp hair before drying to smooth, add shape or protect from heat. Joico Dream Blowout is an example.
What is a fibre cream?
A fibre cream contains fibrous ingredients that give texture and separation with flexible hold. REF Stockholm Sweden Fibre Cream and Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream are examples.
What is braid cream?
Braid cream, such as Milk Shake Braid Cream, smooths flyaways and keeps braids, twists and detailed styles neat for longer.
Can I use styling cream on wet hair?
Yes. Many creams work on damp or towel-dried hair, especially curl and smoothing creams. Matte men's creams often work best on dry or barely damp hair.
How much styling cream should I use?
Start with a pea-sized amount for short hair and a little more for longer or thicker hair. You can always add more.
Will styling cream make my hair greasy?
Too much can. Use a small amount, keep it away from the roots if your hair is fine, and choose a matte or lightweight formula.
Can I use styling cream every day?
Yes. Most styling creams are gentle enough for daily use and wash out with a normal shampoo.
Can I mix styling cream with other products?
Yes. Many people layer a cream with a little paste for extra hold, or with a serum for extra shine.
Does styling cream protect hair from heat?
Some do. Joico Dream Blowout Thermal Protection Creme is designed with heat protection. Otherwise, use a separate heat protectant.
Is styling cream good for short hair?
Yes. Matte and shine creams give short cuts shape and texture without a heavy or wet look.
Is styling cream good for long hair?
Yes. Smoothing, curl and blow-dry creams are made for medium and long hair.
Can I use styling cream on a beard?
Some people use a light cream to tame a beard, but beard balms and oils are designed for beard hair and skin. See our Beard Care collection.
What hold do styling creams give?
Most give light to medium hold. For strong hold, look at clays, pastes, pomades and waxes.
Is styling cream water soluble?
Most styling creams wash out easily with shampoo and water. Check each product page if you need a water-based formula.
Can styling cream help with flyaways?
Yes. Smooth a tiny amount over the surface of the hair with your palms to calm flyaways.
Is there a vegan styling cream?
REF Stockholm Sweden describes its Fibre Cream as vegan and cruelty-free, and Paul Mitchell describes Tea Tree Shaping Cream as vegan. Check each product page for details.
Which styling creams come in twin packs?
Twin packs include Vines Vintage Texturising Cream and Matt Pomade, Slick Gorilla Curl Cream and Cream Styler, Suavecito Hair Cream, Layrite Supershine and Traditional Barbers Cream Brilliantine.
Do you sell travel sizes of styling cream?
Yes. Options include Layrite Natural Matte Cream 42g, Layrite Supershine Cream 42g, Osmo Shaper Maker Traveller 25ml and DesignMe Hold Me Styling Cream 10ml.
What is DesignMe Hold Me Styling Cream?
It is a styling cream from DesignMe sold in 10ml, 90ml and 230ml sizes, so you can try it before buying the full size.
Can women use men's styling creams?
Yes. Matte creams from barbershop brands work well on short women's cuts and pixie styles.
How do I wash out styling cream?
Most creams rinse out with one or two shampoos. A weekly clarifying shampoo removes any build-up.
Why does my cream leave white residue?
You may be using too much or not warming it enough. Rub it between your palms until it is clear and smooth before applying.
Which styling creams are best sellers?
Vines Vintage Matt Pomade, Layrite Natural Matte Cream, Layrite Supershine Cream, Eleven Australia Frizz Control Shaping Cream and Killer Groom Butter are among our best sellers.
Can I use styling cream after a keratin treatment?
Yes. A light smoothing cream helps keep hair sleek. Check the aftercare advice from your hairdresser first.
Is Zilion an official stockist of these styling brands?
Yes. Zilion is an official NZ stockist of every brand in this collection, from Layrite and Vines Vintage to Joico, Olaplex and Ouidad.
Are the styling creams you sell genuine?
Yes. As an official stockist we only sell genuine products.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free on NZ orders over $85. Orders under $85 cost a flat $7.99 to metro and rural addresses.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock orders placed before 9am are dispatched the same business day. Metro deliveries take 1 to 4 business days and rural deliveries 3 to 7.
Can I pay with Afterpay or Zip?
Yes. Afterpay and Zip are both available at checkout.
Can I return a product I have opened?
No. For hygiene reasons, opened or used products cannot be returned unless they are faulty.
What is your returns policy for unopened items?
Unopened, unused items in original packaging can be returned within 30 days for a change of mind. Return postage and a restocking fee of $10 or 10% (whichever is less) apply.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Email care@zilion.co.nz within 5 days of delivery with your order number and photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund.
Do you deliver to PO Boxes or overseas?
No. Our couriers do not deliver cosmetics to PO Boxes, and we ship within New Zealand only.
Who can I ask for help choosing a styling cream?
Email care@zilion.co.nz with your hair type, length and the finish you want, and our team will suggest a cream.
Explore every product in Hair Styling Products, add lift with Texture & Volume Styling Products, or shop Men's Hair Styling.