When it comes to hair, my bar is pretty low. I don't partake in complicated styling. No fun colours. No trends. I just want manageable, smooth strands. @hair gods, is that too much to ask for?

I've got notoriously knotty locks (the kind that’s literally broken a hairbrush before), so managing my hair has been a constant, daily, monotonous struggle... until now?

A colleague recently told me my hair looked smooth and glassy (two words you would never usually correlate with my difficult hair type). That was the moment I knew I was onto something good. The something-good in question? Wella Professionals new Ultimate Smooth range.

Industry heavyweights, Wella Professionals have garnered favour with their efficacious, hair health-first formulas and spirited 'you know a Wella girl by the way she moves her hair' ethos. Chic and iconic.

Their Ultimate Repair range is particularly popular, capturing the hearts of beauty enthusiasts and many AB staffers alike (read here and here for proof). Whilst this formula wasn't quite right for my hair type (though I love the Overnight Serum!), the new Ultimate Smooth is a bit of me!

Speaking to dull, dry, and frizz-prone strands (like mine!), it imparts hair with smoothness (for days), and gives locks that coveted sleek, glassy finish. You know the type.

After trying every frizz-fighting product under the sun, the Ultimate Smooth collection has restored my faith in my own mane and changed the way I personally 'move my hair' - Wella style.

Here’s my breakdown of each product - from shampoo to styling - and why they’ve earned a permanent spot in my bathroom lineup.

The first thing that stood out about this shampoo was the texture - it's rich, creamy and the lather?!?! A dream! The formula foams up (quite notably) and felt both soft and gentle on the scalp.

I went in with a double-cleanse to remove excess product build-up (aka half a can of dry shampoo) and was impressed with just how clean my strands felt without that squeaky-clean scalp tightness.

Each pump treats you to velvety notes of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood too. Lush!

Beyond the sensorial - the formula contains an impressive Metal Purifier technology to detox your hair from the quietly-accumulating metal particles. They're pesky and caused by environmental aggressors like hard water, pollution and metal-heavy products. Prolonged exposure can contribute to hair woes like dullness and frizz.

The formula is also dosed with a patented technology, as is the entire Ultimate Smooth range, that harnesses antioxidants like Squalane and fatty-acids like Omega-9. (More on those impressive ingredients below).

Designed to smooth, strengthen and protect while it cleanses - the shampoo played perfect prelude to a silky smooth routine.

It's also worth noting, the shampoo cleansed so well that I was able to get an extra day between washes. A gamechanger and now the only measure of success I'm interested in.

What: Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Conditioner 200ml

My perpetually dehydrated, dry strands absolutely lapped this formula up. Another standout texture - it's silky, with a creaminess that almost melts into strands. You can feel the moisture injection and reparative barrier working, in real time.

My only caveat is that my hair “ate up” quite a bit of the product - though understandable given my hair’s length and extreme dryness. Importantly, there was no heavy coating or buildup (that you'd typically expect from overdoing it on the conditioner front).

Again, Wella’s patented technology shines here, with key players like Squalene and Omega-9. Omega-9 is a bio-identical lipid that penetrates deep into the hair cuticle, creating a protective shield that helps reduce cuticle lifting, frizz, and breakage.

The detangling effect was immediate. Unironic flex, but my hairbrush glided through with ease, which re: my knotty hair type, felt nothing short of a miracle.

I also noticed my frizz was much less aggressive and there was an improvement to texture - less brittle?! My hair felt light and fluffy. Beholding a glossy sheen, my hair was primed for styling.

What: Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Mask 150ml

This product has upped the buttery-smooth ante.

Teeming with squalene, (yes, the antioxidant you typically find in skincare), it brilliantly hydrates and 'plumps up' hair fibers from the inside out. The ingredient is also useful for shielding against harmful environmental aggressors like pollution, toxins and chemicals.

It's great for adding a dose of intense care once or twice a week (I sit in the latter camp), and nourishes strands for long-term hair health.

Apply to damp strands, post-shampoo, land let sit for five to ten minutes before rinsing. I rinsed it out with cold water to further close the hair cuticle and get the most out of those frizz-fighting benefits. And the results were, indeed, frizz-free.

After using this mask, as opposed to *just* the conditioner - my strands possessed a plush, silkiness that was next-level. It made for quick, smooth blow-drying, effortless slip and the deep nourishment my parched strands had been yearning for.

What: Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Oil 100ml

Now this is the where the next-level magic happens... I'm dubbing it glass hair in a bottle. Seriously.

Don't be deceived by the lightweight texture, she is equal parts rich and luxe. Because of that said richness, a little goes a long way. Using 2-3 drops on damp strands, which I opted to blowdry in, left my strands feely silky without being overly oily or greasy.

This leave-in serum harnesses the same Squalene and Omega-9 duo in a concentrated delivery to nourish strands in just 30 seconds. Impressive.

The formula's also boasts those desirable styling claims like 96 hours frizz control, UV & Heat protection and humidity-proof taming. It immediately softened some flyaways and unruly kinks (why does hair do that?) for me. I also took note around the 2.5 day mark, that my hair still looked smooth (it typically wouldn't) and remained relatively frizz-free still. I'm eager to try this one out against peak Aussie Summer condition but for now, consider me impressed.

Final spruik; I also adored the glassy finish. The range bestows that coveted mirror-like shine that catches the light with movement and is the beaming embodiment of gorgeous, healthy strands. 10/10 no notes - I can't wait to keep using this range.