Paul Mitchell • Straight Works • Styling Products

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dardarthvader on 2/19/2013 12:22:00 AM more reviews by dardarthvader

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

I am on the verge of tears, and it's not because my menstrual cycle is heavier than most days, but because this is the first product that I have used on my very curly, spirally, unruly hair (3B hairtype for a better visual) that works miracles to achieve a soft, wavy hairstyle.

I have used about a million other products for my curly hair to give it more of a relaxed wave, from Garnier Fructis's Surf Hair paste, L'oreal springing curls mousse, Organix Coconut Oil mousse (I liked this product too but it was so lightweight that I had to use a few other products), Garnier Fructis Beach Wave Spray, DevaCurl spray- you name it. This product was reccomended to me by a hair stylist and costed me about $8 for the 3.4 oz tube.

MY METHOD: In the shower, I wash my hair with only conditioner and really massaged it in to rid of the dirt. Left it in for 10 minutes or however long you can stand, then washed it out with cold water but left a little bit of the conditioner in; just enough to my hair moisturized but not sticky. Towel dried gently. While my hair was still damp, I used FX moroccan moisture argan oil (you can use any oil) all over, then let it dry for about 5-10 minutes. Then, I worked a dime size amount of Straight Works to each quarter-section of my hair, let it dry a bit, and used my blow dryer for each section. Blow dry it until there's a little bit of moisture in your hair. Air dry the rest of the way, putting it in a braid if you'd like.

This is a great product if you want to reduce the amount of heat tools for your hair and embrace your natural curl without the frizz and hard work behind it. Definitely buying again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* CordulaM on 10/29/2012 5:13:00 PM more reviews by CordulaM

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I just tried this (at my mom's house, I don't have my own) but I think the name is misleading. It doesn't straighten your hair, it's just a serum that you can use TO straighten your hair. Similar to Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum. This is cheaper than SSS and a bit more like a gel, yet still serum-like. I have the SSS at home and while I don't use it often (I usually use Biosilk) I do use it when I need a bit more polishing. I feel both are thicker than Biosilk. It may or may not matter, but I don't heat dry my hair, so I'm assuming that like the other serums, it doesn't get sticky when you do heat treat it, but just noting that I'm not so I don't know. (I also would recommend a heat protection spray if you do.) I also just used a Deep Conditioner so it's hard to know what really does what. I put my hair up in a bun and it's nothing close to straight, just nice smooth curly-waves (which is how it like it :) ) So overall, I gave this a shot and it's nice. Might actually get my own some day :) I think I actually like it more than SSS...hmmmm!!

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TwirlyGirly1 on 4/9/2012 8:22:00 AM more reviews by TwirlyGirly1

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Had my slightly-longer-than-shoulder-length hair cut at Fantastic Sam's this weekend. My hair is fine and wavy, but I have a LOT of hair. I also use permanent color. I wash my hair once a week, and flatiron it after washing/drying and "touch up" flatiron daily.

The Fantastic Sam's stylist towel dried my hair and then took a dime-sized blob of this product, rubbed it between her palms, and then applied it to my hair. She then blow-dried my hair until dry (no brush!).

After my hair was dry, she flatironed it and my hair has never looked - or felt - so good! It was perfectly straight, soft, and silky - with NO waves.

I was so impressed I'm going to buy this product today. For those of you who don't like it, consider a couple of things before you give up on it completely. First, you may be using too much of the product. Second, are you using OTHER products (leave-in conditioners, mousse, etc) in conjuction with it? Try using a smaller amount of the product, and use it alone. You might get the results you're hoping for.

Although this product is expensive (for me - I usually use Garnier hair products), it will probably be cheaper for me to use this in the long run, because I can stop using the three leave-in products I was applying to my hair previously.

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*TOP REVIEWER* RayvnNA on 1/3/2012 1:15:00 AM more reviews by RayvnNA

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I got a bottle of this for free. It does okay, but not great. My hair is naturally thick, curly and pretty coarse. Without styling/product it gets very frizzy and remains rough. I often blow it out with a large round brush and it smooths out very easily. My hair seems to like silicone products. This was just a little too gel-like rather than creamy or more like a serum, which I prefer. Other reviewers have said it's a little too light and doesn't add any weight to the hair. I'm the same in that I need a little bit of weight to make my hair look silky and remain straight. So this was just okay and I probably will not repurchase. I gave it three stars because it does work fairly well and keeps my hair pretty smooth.

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*TOP REVIEWER* italiana800 on 11/30/2011 1:01:00 AM more reviews by italiana800

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This product is pretty much useless. It has a gel consistency, it's not a cream like most straightening products. I've used it a couple times, but never got good results. It's also way overpriced. I would never purchase this product. There are so many better products out there.

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primadonna33 on 11/14/2011 3:31:00 PM more reviews by primadonna33

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

This is the worst product I've used on my fine, wavy hair! I wouldn't give it a second chance. I've never had such flat hair! My hair doesn't even feel good to the touch. I can't wait to wash it out!

The best product for me was Graham Webb Stick Straight. Since it was discontinued I've never found anything that works as well for my hair. Still searching!

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minkalover on 10/2/2011 5:22:00 AM more reviews by minkalover

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Oh, how I love Straight Works. This product is amazing! I have wavy hair and this gel tames it like no other straightener I have tried, both drugstore and high end. One tube lasts a long time, and it doesn't leave hair feeling sticky, tacky, or dry. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 lippies is because it's a bit expensive and the packaging isn't so great. The tube is shell thin and too delicate. My last tube of it broke in half and I had to put the product in a plastic spray bottle that I had laying around the house. I will definitely repurchase Straight Works and would recommend it to anyone who has unruly hair.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kathy123 on 9/16/2011 10:38:00 AM more reviews by Kathy123

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

My hair is pretty rebellious. It does the reverse of what I want it to do. Usually, styling my hair takes hours and gets me really tired and fed up. I use this on my damp hair and sometimes I add some Garnier straightening balm to it. I comb my hair and then blow dry it till it is completely dry. Then with a big curling iron, I go over small sections and make sure that the ends are curled. I do not care for pin straight hair. This does the job very well. In fact, by using this, my hair stays frizz free and smooth and straight and presentable until the next time that I wash it. I wash my hair twice a week. Although you should not use a lot of this product, for those who have a lot of hair, more product should be used.

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cdriz on 8/1/2011 9:48:00 PM more reviews by cdriz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I have been using this product for years and I LOVE it. I have long, course,dry, wavy hair and this is the only product I have come across that I feel is thick enough to protect my ends and keep them from drying out. I usually put a small amount in while my hair is damp before I blow dry and straighten it. When I am finished, my hair is smooth and my ends are silky. I don't feel that this product weighs my hair down or makes it sticky. I have tried dozens of high-end hair products and none compare to this.

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McRubel on 5/26/2011 1:04:00 PM more reviews by McRubel

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I love this hair gel! For reference, I have very thick, course, wavy, hard-to-straighten hair. It really has a mind of its own. I have tried quite a few straightening gels out there only to find that they did nothing more than make my hair smell pretty. It seems like most will help treat frizz or add smoothness but the wave is still there! This actually helps straighten my hair. I apply about a nickel sized amount on my wet/damp hair and blow dry. I still need to flat iron but the waves straighten much more easily. Plus my hair STAYS straight as the day wears on. I must warn you, this product is very heavy and can cause major buildup so using a clarifying shampoo occasionally would definitely help. Also, because of the heaviness of the product, I would recommend this to people with thick or course hair. I am only speculating, but it may be too heavy for those with thin or fine hair.

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rawbanana on 3/20/2011 11:36:00 AM more reviews by rawbanana

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I first started using this product several years ago, but not very frequently. Now I use it on a regular basis when I straighten my very difficult-to-manage hair. Every now and then I'll try something else but I always come back to Straight Works. It makes my hair feel very soft and helps tame it like nothing else I've tried.

When I use it, I don't need more than a nickel-sized amount and it rubs easily into my towel-dried damp hair. Then I blow-dry my hair in sections and after that it is significantly straighter but I still need to follow up with my CHI straightener and the results are great. I only wash/style my hair every couple of days and it remains soft and easy to maintain between washes.

One tube lasts me a long time, so the price isn't too bad. I'm willing to spend about $18 every few months for the quality.

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Icantbetamed on 1/9/2011 7:33:00 PM more reviews by Icantbetamed

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

If I could use one word to summarize this product it would be AMAZING! I have tried so many straightening products from other High End Companies (Chi, Redken, John Frieda, Moroccan Oil) and this one is by far the best of them all! To use it I Use about a dime/nickel sized amount apply it to my hair and comb through when damp then take one pump of the super skinny serum and apply it, then again comb through to ensure even distribution. Then I blow dry with a CHI ceramic round brush and I am left with Smooth, Straight/ish, Conditioned, Silky Hair. Oh, let me jus say my hair is really wavy and it curl and flips at then ends, it is thick but not extremely thick its more twoards medium than thick. And when I say Straight/ish hair I mean that there is just the SLIGHTEST wave at the ends. I still flat iron my hair anyway. After I flat iron my hair it is SO soft. I can not say enough about this product. Its a gel like substance that is completley lightweight. My only real gripe is the price I paid $17.50 for a 6.8oz tube. It will take me forever to use the tube so I guess its not a complete waste but still...The one thing I dont like about this product is when you rub it between your palms its really rough and not slippery, but that isn't a problem after I apply it to the hair. I would 100% reccomend this to you if you want smooth, straight, conditioned, silky hair :)

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pearljampj on 3/21/2010 7:32:00 PM more reviews by pearljampj

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is the only gel that says lightweight that actually is. I have super spiral/curly hair, which can get frizzies and tangles easily; it's always a mess to straighten, much less to keep it straight. This gel does just that without making my hair stiff or difficult to brush, reduces my drying time, adds a lot of shine and even adds a tiny bit of volume. I do use a silkening creme or a topcoat (fekkai) after the gel on the ends of my hair as it is longer, to get some extra softness. I can sleep on my hair after using this and my hair is still straight in the morning and not as oily. This product is a keeper.

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AthenaNike on 1/10/2010 1:08:00 AM more reviews by AthenaNike

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I love this. My hair naturally has a bit of wave to it, but not everywhere and not enough to call it "wavy." So anyway, I use this on *WET* or *damp* hair and then blow dry. Sometimes I flatiron. Regardless of whether or not I flatiron, my hair always turns out smooth, straight, soft, and really just beautiful. If I flat iron, it becomes so silky and so straight that it's hard to hold it up in a bun or other up-do. This is my HG for South Louisiana's humidity.
The packaging, however, sucks. On both of my tubes, the hinges on the cap broke...so the cap is loose now. Also, the crimped seam at the other end broke open after just one or two squeezes on a brand-new tube.
The product smells like vinyl, but the smell doesn't last and it's not sticky or heavy. I have hair to my bra clasps and use about a dime- or penny-sized glob to just my ends.

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manis85 on 11/16/2009 7:38:00 AM more reviews by manis85

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I thought this was a terrible product. When using this with my Babyliss flat iron, I felt that it was incredibly sticky and really didn't work at all. I actually just stopped using this and used only a heat protectant spray and I got better results only using the heat protectant than I did using the protectant and the straightening gel together.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tennis4life on 8/30/2009 5:16:00 PM more reviews by tennis4life

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love this product, and was scared to use it at first because of my loathing of the Super Skinny Serum (nasty stuff if you ask me). My hairdresser used this on me and it wasn't sticky and helped to smooth my hair. Of course I had to buy it then, and when I used it at home, I got the same results as in the salon. It is very lightweight and won't weigh down your hair. It also smells good. It is a little more pricy than drugstore brands, but I haven't found a drugstore smoothing gel that I like so I will continue to use up and maybe repurchase.

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moodpuppet on 6/30/2009 11:46:00 AM more reviews by moodpuppet

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This is my new HG straightening product. Its very lightweight, leaves my hair feeling soft and silky and super straight. Can be heavy and really greasy if you use too much though. Not really sure how I feel about the smell. I love Paul Mitchell because they have great products and they don't test on animals.

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Oregonian on 12/31/2008 4:24:00 PM more reviews by Oregonian

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

This is a holy grail straightening gel for me. Be sure you don't use too much. My sister tried mine while visiting and loved it, also. She now uses it regularly and she looks great.
It is a bit pricy, but it lasts a long time if you only use a dab, like I do.

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*TOP REVIEWER* layzeex on 8/27/2008 8:16:00 PM more reviews by layzeex

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I have wavy/curly hair, and I usually use a straightening iron to tame my waves. I just found this laying on the shelves and decided to give it a go. I put a quarter-sized amount, rubbed it onto both of the palms of my hands, and worked it into my damp, towl-dried hair. I blow dried my hair like normal and surprisingly, it came out really straight! I was about to invest in a tourmaline/ceramic (sedu or solia) straightener, but I don't think I will need to anymore. This is my new HG hair product. It leaves my hair feeling soft and very smooth (i have bleached white hair), from root to end.


If you want SILKY straight hair, then I would think that you'd still need a straightening iron, but I like this because it still leaves body to my hair and doesn't make it look too limp- all while leaving it fairly straight.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tshinn on 7/30/2008 3:47:00 PM more reviews by tshinn

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

If I could give this 2.5 lippies, I would. I really like this product because even though it does make my super fine, curly hair very soft, it also makes it too fluffy and there is not weight to it. In fact, I think it makes my hair feel limp and flat. I even thought I was going bald because my hair seemed so limp. But alas, it was this Straight Works. Maybe this works well in conjunction with heat, but since I air dry my hair, it just seems to be an average at best product. I am going back to my beloved Super Sculpt Glaze.

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