Stunning Revelation: White Girls Get Their Hair Relaxed, Too

It seems that most high-end hair products, shampoos and conditioners on the market are aimed toward white women. For black girls with coarse, unruly hair, the product options are minimal. However, there does seem to be one area of follicle beauty where caucasians lose out: products that heal relaxed hair.

For black women, relaxer-related products are pretty much the only thing that's widely available. But for white women who receive traditional, Japanese or Brazilian relaxing treatments—and there are more of them than one would imagine—options are minimal. Relaxing products aimed at "women of color" tend to weigh down and greasify white hair, while traditional frizz-reducers aren't powerful enough and don't protect the hair shaft as much as necessary.

Enter Haime Munoz. The New York City-based stylist has created the EasyStraight styling system, which is aimed toward women who get their hair relaxed to battle frizz more than reduce coarseness. Munoz does an advanced version of the treatment in his salon, but for those far away from Manhattan, his at-home products work well, too. We really like EasyStraight Flat Iron Finish, $10, and EasyStraight Perfect Balance Shampoo, $8, available on Walgreens.com. Both make hair smoother and less frizzy without greasing it up.

Caveat Emptor: If you've read negative reviews of Munoz's products online, here's why: no matter what your race or ethnicity, anyone who receives a chemical relaxer should not dye or highlight their hair. Too many chemical treatments can cause already-fragile hair to break off, or even fall out.

Here are some other products that work well for relaxed, white hair—all tried and trusted by the author:

John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra-Strength Wind-Down Relaxing Cream, $7, Johnfrieda.com. We've been using this stuff for years because it works, making your hair softer, flatter and generally more manageable. Just make sure not to use too much, or greasiness sets in.

Terax Crema, $20, Teraxhaircare.com. This conditioner isn't specifically made for relaxed hair, but it's ideal because it really detangles and softens the follicles. (Anyone who has had a chemical treatment done on his or her hair knows that knottiness is a huge, sometimes painful, issue.)

Kérastase Masque Oléo-Relax, $58, Kerastase.com. Kérastase product's might be pricey, but that's because they work. This daily treatment leaves hair ultra-smooth and frizz-free.

Kérastase Sérum Oléo-Relax, $34, Kerastase.com. This leave-in treatment controls volume, protects against frizz and gives hair a glossy finish.

—Jessica Arthur