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Side by side

Living Proof Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray vs Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

33% function match · 3 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 0%. Living Proof Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray and Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream share no ingredient among each other's most prominent — which does not stop them doing the same job.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray — protein-sensitive hair
  • No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream — protein-sensitive hair

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
Living Proof Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray — 3 oz container Living Proof

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray

  • Styler
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream — 2 oz container Living Proof

No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

  • Styler
  • Prestige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$34 7.5 oz · $4.53/oz
$46 8 oz · $5.75/oz
Value / price positioning
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 76% of the 97 hairsprays we’ve priced
Upper-mid price for a smoothing cream $$$$$ Prestige tier · costs more than 56% of the 56 smoothing creams we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Straight–Wavy A light volumising formula — the lift it adds matters most on straighter hair. Your hair
Curly–Coily A heavy formula: coarse, curlier strands carry it without flattening. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Hold (as stated)
Medium A medium hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
None The brand states no hold. Your hair
Slip / detangling Differs
Little Nothing here is built to reduce combing force. Your hair
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
Weight on hair Differs
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Rich Heavy butters and waxes in the first eight ingredients. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low Your hair
Low Your hair
Hold system Differs
Synthetic polymer Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems. Your hair
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Cast risk Differs
Likely Film formers without much softening them — expect a cast to scrunch out. Your hair
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Humidity resistance
Claimed The brand claims humidity resistance; the ingredient list cannot confirm it. Your hair
Claimed The brand claims humidity resistance; the ingredient list cannot confirm it. Your hair
Oil absorption Differs
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
Some Absorbents appear, low in the list. Your hair
Oils and butters Differs
None No oils or butters in the list. Your hair
Rich Butters near the top: a heavy, softening formula. Your hair
Fast-drying alcohol Differs
High in the list Fast-drying alcohol in the first three ingredients. Your hair
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Very dry or damaged hairit contains fast-drying alcohol
  • Anyone who dislikes a castthe film formers here can set firm
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Oily scalp or fine hairthat gets weighed down
  • Styles that must holdthe brand states a light hold at most
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Styleraerosol
Stylercream
Where to buy
Living Proof · Ulta
Brand website · Ulta · Sephora …
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Vegan
Vegan · label states
Vegan · label states
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
mediumThe current brand page explicitly states medium-level hold.
noneBrand product page states the cream does not provide hold, positioning it as a smoothing/conditioning treatment rather than a styling-hold product
Finish
shine
shine
Humidity claim
Yes
Yes
How often
as needed
every wash

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientLiving Proof Style Lab Flex HairsprayNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
Water
Neutral
#3Leading
#1Leading
Fragrance
Fragrance
#12Below the 1% line
#25Below the 1% line
Citronellol
Fragrance
#13Below the 1% line
#29Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#14Below the 1% line
#26Below the 1% line
Citral
Fragrance
#15Below the 1% line
#30Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray

No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

Full ingredient list — Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray (21)
Full ingredient list — No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream (30)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsLiving Proof Style Lab Flex HairsprayNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
Supported
1
3
Partly supported
0
0
Stated by brand
2
3
Potential conflict
2
0

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray

  • medium holdSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • flexible touchable controlPotential conflictExpect a cast you have to scrunch out.
  • brushable and reworkablePotential conflictExpect a cast you have to scrunch out.
  • heat protection up to 410 FStated by brandOnly lab testing can show this.
  • humidity resistanceStated by brandMay help, but not measurable here.

No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

  • Reduces frizz by 75%Stated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • Leaves hair 6x smoother after one useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • Smoothness and frizz control that lasts 96 hoursSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Heat protection up to 450°F/232°CStated by brandOnly lab testing can show this.
  • Blocks humidity to prevent frizzSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Silicone-freeSupportedNothing that needs a strong wash.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Both praised for a light feel and a clean rinse-out. Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream draws complaints about weight and hold.

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray

A five-year user says the hold remains invisible and non-stiff through the day.

Living Proof customer review by Lisa M.

A fine-haired customer says this is the first hairspray they have found that holds unruly hair without a heavy or sticky feel, and values its heat-protectant role.

Living Proof customer review by Maigyn.

One reviewer says it mostly holds curls but leaves their hair heavy, dirty-feeling, and sticky enough that they want to wash it out quickly.

Living Proof customer review by Lindsey F.

A customer reports a faulty nozzle that sends liquid out the back of the can rather than directing the spray normally.

Living Proof customer review by Hazel F.

No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

Leaves long, thick, naturally curly (straightened) hair smooth, shiny and frizz-free while staying lightweight and manageable

Ulta reviewer with long, thick, naturally curly hair (straightens it)

Gives straight hair a healthy, soft, frizz-free shine without weighing it down or leaving residue

Ulta reviewer with straight hair

Keeps curly hair smooth without a stiff feel and reduces knotting at the ends

Ulta reviewer with curly hair

Reformulated version feels like a lotion and leaves hair looking/feeling greasy, missing the hold of the prior formula

Ulta reviewer comparing to an earlier formula

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$4.53/oz vs $5.75/oz — Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream costs about 1.3× more per ounce than Living Proof Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray.

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray

Against 97 hairsprays with a computable unit price.

No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

Against 56 smoothing creams with a computable unit price.

Value readLiving Proof Style Lab Flex HairsprayNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
Label
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.
Upper-mid price for a smoothing creamSits in the middle of the range for smoothing creams per ounce.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray vs Style Lab Flex Hairspray - 7.5 ozLiving Proof · 100% function matchNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream vs No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream For Medium Hair - 8.0 ozLiving Proof · 100% function matchLiving Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray vs Style Lab Flex HairsprayLiving Proof · 100% function matchNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream vs Curlshow Chic Style Curl PuddingORS · 85% function matchLiving Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray vs L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Weather Control HairsprayL'Oréal Paris · 100% function matchNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream vs Defining Custard - 2.5 ozRizos Curls · 85% function matchLiving Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray vs Firm Hold Styling CreamAmerican Crew · 99% function matchNo Frizz Smooth Styling Cream vs Defining CustardRizos Curls · 85% function match

Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray · No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream · All hairsprays in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 4 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

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