Stylist Review: Wella SmoothFiller

I’ll be honest — I haven’t seen much (if anything) on socials about Wella SmoothFiller yet. No client before-and-afters, no stylist reviews, not even the usual launch buzz. So I thought, why not be the one to test it properly and share some honest first impressions?

Not all smoothing treatments are created equal. Some leave your hair flat, some leave it sticky, and some leave the salon looking like a scene from Gorillas in the Mist. You know the ones — the fumes are so strong you’re half expecting David Attenborough to start narrating.

That’s why I was curious to try Wella SmoothFiller — their new demi-permanent smoothing treatment meaning the treatment is long-lasting but not permanent. It penetrates deeper than a temporary product (like a conditioning mask) but doesn’t permanently change the hair’s structure the way relaxers or straightening systems do. It promises to smooth, fill, and restructure the hair with less fuss and more comfort.

My Stylist Review

The Application

Straight away, the cream texture stood out. It spread through the hair easily, and Wella even supplied straighteers a spatula and brush in the package we ordered. For me, the spatula felt awkward — I much preferred just using the brush, but that’s purely personal preference.

The product is applied just away from the scalp and develops for just 20 minutes. After the development the hair is emulsified and rinsed, the it’s on to the thermal activation.

The Service in Action

The process is simple:

1. Preparation: Shampoo only, no conditioner. Pre-dry to around 80%.

2. Application & Development: Apply SmoothFiller evenly, leave for 20 minutes, emulsify, then rinse.

3. Thermal Activation: Blow-dry until 100% dry, then straighten in small sections to activate the treatment.

The blow-dry itself felt nice and light — the hair didn’t feel clogged or built up with product, which made it easy to work through when blowdrying. I could see the shine appearing instantly. And unlike some systems, there weren’t plumes of smoke filling the salon and creating that infamous Gorillas in the Mist scene. Huge win.

The straighteners Wella supplied heated up quick and was great for setting the right temperature, but were a bit harder for me to get used to (I’ll admit I’m a creature of habit and prefer my own tools). That said, once I got into a rhythm, they did the job effectively.

The Results

The before-and-after difference was immediate:

Frizz: controlled and tamed, even after the first wash.

Shine: visible straight away and only improved after finishing.

Texture: the hair was smoother, softer and under control.

Styling: blow-dry time was reduced, and the finish held its shape more easily.

Feel: while the hair didn’t feel overly “conditioned” like a heavy mask treatment might make it feel, it did feel soft, manageable, and very shiny.

My Verdict (First Impressions)

As a stylist, I’ve tested plenty of smoothing systems. Many of them work — but they’re unpleasant to apply, high-maintenance afterwards, or leave the hair looking unnaturally flat.

SmoothFiller feels different. The cream base made application easy, the blow-dry was smooth and lightweight, the finish was sleek and shiny, and the whole service was comfortable from start to finish — taking about 1 hour 30 minutes on medium-thickness, long hair.

It’s designed to last up to three months and fade out naturally with no harsh regrowth line, so it’s clearly not a relaxing or straightening service — more of a smoothing and refining one.

The price for SmoothFiller would typically sit between £100 – £150, depending on hair density and length.

This is my first test run, so I’ll be monitoring how the results hold up over time and will update this blog at a later date. For now, first impressions are strong.

And with autumn and winter being peak frizz season — damp air, drizzle, central heating, scarves — SmoothFiller already feels like it could be a secret weapon for clients who want to keep their hair smooth, polished, and easy to manage all season long.

Best of all? You can actually see the results… not the mist.

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The Official Facts & Benefits

Here’s what Wella say about SmoothFiller:

Type: Demi-permanent smoothing service

Lasts: Up to 3 months with no visible regrowth line

Time: 20 minutes development + thermal activation

Formula: Minimalist, only 8 ingredients

Free from: Silicone, fragrance, harsh fumes

Results: Reduced frizz, smoother styling, restructured hair fibre

Aftercare: No restrictions — you can wash your hair straight after

Colour: Compatible with Color Touch; can be done in the same appointment or separately

Sizes available: 500 ml and 200 ml tubs

In short: anti-frizz, faster blow-dries, and smoother, shinier hair that still feels like your own.