I tried the hair treatment created for Audrey Hepburn and finally found the products that beat my frizz

As someone who has battled frizzy, dry hair for years, I'm always on the lookout for products that will finally tame my frizz.

I love having naturally curly hair, but for years it has felt like I’ve just got to accept that the price for that is having naturally frizzy hair too. It is frizzy all the time, pretty much, but it also has a habit of getting even frizzier the moment it rains or the humidity rises.

I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve got ready to go out, been really pleased with my outfit or my make-up and then looked in the mirror and realised that despite me diligently applying a serum or some other hair treatment to the precise instructions my hair is still frizzy. It really ruins my mood, if I’m honest.

So when I discovered that Philip Kingsley's famous Elasticizer was originally created for Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn to restore bounce and shine after weeks of styling on film sets, I was instantly intrigued.

The fact that the same treatment is still one of the brand's best sellers decades later, with celebrity fans including Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet and Zendaya, only made me even more curious. To complete the routine, I also decided to try the Frizz-Fighting Gloss Smoothing Serum, hoping the two products together would finally give me the smooth, glossy hair I'd been searching for.

Did they live up to the Hollywood-inspired hype? Here’s what I liked, what I didn’t like and if I would recommend.

What I like about these Philip Kingsley products

The standout product for me is actually the Frizz-Fighting Gloss Smoothing Serum. Quite simply, it's the first anti-frizz product I've ever used that genuinely does exactly what it promises.

Even on damp, humid days, my hair stays noticeably smoother, and the dreaded frizz that usually appears is dramatically reduced. I feel much more confident about my hair, and therefore my overall look, when I’ve used this.

I apply it after washing my hair and the results are fantastic. It makes my hair look glossy and healthy without ever feeling greasy or heavy. That's something I've struggled with before to, as many shine products seem to achieve gloss by coating the hair in oils that weigh it down. This feels completely different. It's lightweight and leaves my hair silky and smooth.

Another huge advantage is how little you actually need. One small amount is enough, so despite costing £26 for a 50ml tube, I can already tell it's going to last a long time. I've been using it for around two months and there's still plenty left. Other customers on the Philip Kingsley website report that one tube has lasted them six months or more, and while I can't quite verify that yet, based on how slowly mine is being used up, I'm optimistic it'll prove to be excellent value for money.

The Elasticizer has impressed me very much too, just in a different way. The very first time I used it I noticed a difference. My hair immediately felt softer, healthier and much easier to brush. It looked smoother and felt more hydrated too.

I also noticed that even during the recent humid weather, my hair has stayed looking much neater than it usually would too.

One thing I particularly love is that, despite being an intensive conditioning treatment, it never leaves my hair feeling heavy, lank or greasy either. The Elasticizer manages to deeply nourish my hair while still leaving it feeling light and bouncy.

The scent deserves a mention too. It smells absolutely beautiful and makes using it feel like a proper salon treatment at home.

At £22 for the 75ml size, I think it's another worthwhile investment. Hair is such a big part of how I feel about myself. If my hair isn't behaving, I don't feel my best, so spending a little more on products that genuinely improve it feels money well spent.

Used together, these two products have transformed how my hair looks and feels. Elasticizer restores moisture, softness and condition, while the Frizz-Fighting Gloss locks everything in place and keeps the frizz at bay. They've become my ideal combination.

What I don't like about these Philip Kingsley products

Truthfully, there isn't anything I dislike about either product as such, although I have learnt a few things while using them.

With the Frizz-Fighting Gloss, I personally get the best results when applying it to damp hair rather than dry hair. When I've occasionally applied it directly to dry hair using my fingers, I have accidentally concentrated too much product in one area which can leave that section feeling slightly sticky.

Applying it to damp hair allows me to brush it through much more evenly before styling, giving a much smoother finish. That said, this is very much down to my hair type. I rarely brush my hair when it's dry anyway because it disrupts my natural curl pattern and actually encourages more frizz. I'd simply recommend experimenting to find what works best for your own hair.

I also don't have any real negatives about Elasticizer itself either. The only thing to bear in mind is that it isn't a quick, five-minute treatment. To get the best from it, you need to leave it on for at least 20 minutes before shampooing, or even overnight if you have the time. That means you need to properly plan your hair wash nights ahead of time so you know you can factor this in.

Rather than seeing that as an inconvenience though, I've built it into my routine. I now use it every Sunday evening as part of my weekend beauty reset before a new week begins, and it fits perfectly into that ritual.

I'd also recommend starting with the 75ml size if you're new to the product. Once you've discovered that it (hopefully) works for your hair, it's worth upgrading to the huge 1,000ml size. At £107 it works out at around 9p per ml, compared with approximately 25p per ml for the smaller pot, making it much better value if you know you're going to keep using it.

My Verdict

It's easy to see why Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer has remained so popular since it was first created for Audrey Hepburn, and has also gained an even wider celebrity fanbase.

Both that and the Frizz-Fighting Gloss have earned a permanent place in my haircare routine because they solve two of my biggest hair frustrations. Elasticizer restores moisture, softness and manageability, while the Frizz-Fighting Gloss finally delivers on a promise that so many other products have failed to keep by actually controlling my frizz.

Neither product is the cheapest on the market, but considering how little you need, how well they perform and how much more confident they've made me feel about my hair, I believe they're worth every penny. Plus, they are also far from the most expensive too. They are an achievable and worthwhile treat.

• Please note that delivery charges may apply.