Shine Spray That Gives Glossy Hair Without the Grease

Shine Spray That Gives Glossy Hair Without the Grease

A good shine spray finishes a style with a glossy, light coat that does not weigh hair down. These are the sprays, oils and in-shower glosses I would reach for, plus how much to use so shine looks healthy instead of wet.

Color Wow began in 2013, when Gail Federici, who had already co-founded John Frieda's hair care company, started a new brand at age 64 after a conversation with her sister about gray roots. She is known for building products around a single unmet problem, and the Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray fits that habit. The brand calls it a lightweight, flower-powered shine spray with a non-greasy drying formula, made with mullein and a shine-enhancing blend to give hair a reflective surface. It also lists heat protection and color care among its concerns. That is the first thing I would try if you want a shine spray that will not weigh down a blowout.

The rest of grid one is a nice range. amika Top Gloss is a lightweight, non-greasy finishing spray that fights frizz and flyaways. PATTERN Shine Spray from Tracee Ellis Ross is made for wavy, curly and coily hair, and protects curls against humidity. Kenra Professional Instant Lightweight Shine Spray gives weightless, instant shine. IGK Disco Disco is a clear gloss spray with UV protection and no greasy residue. Verb High Shine, Glossy Shine Spray adds heat protection up to 425 degrees, and Drybar Sparkling Soda Shine Mist is an ultrafine mist with vitamin C and UV protection. Pureology Smooth Gloss is a heat-activated mist for frizz-prone, color-treated hair.

Test: hold the can at arm's length and spray twice, not six times. Shine should look like light, not like wet hair.

Big numbers collage for Shine Spray: six products from Color Wow, amika, Pattern, Moroccanoil, Kenra Professional and OUAI, each set beside a large numeral
Shine Spray

Shine sprays and glossing mists

Oils and serums that add gloss

Sprays finish a style, but oils and serums do more of the work in the hair itself. Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil is the classic, an argan oil treatment that smooths frizz, detangles and increases shine, and the brand says by up to 118 percent. Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil Mist is the light dry-oil spray version with a hands-free application. Kerastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops is a high-gloss oil made for fine and medium hair, with up to four days of anti-frizz. K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is a weightless oil that strengthens and repairs damage while it improves shine.

L'Oreal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum Glass Shine Hair Serum is a leave-in for colored hair with UV protection and results that last up to 10 washes. UNOVE Silk Shine Hair Oil protects from heat and is meant to leave hair smooth without greasiness. dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil hydrates and smooths, and OUAI Lightweight Heat-Protecting Hair Oil offers heat protection up to 450 degrees.

Pairing tip: warm two drops between your palms, then run them over the ends only. Add a light spritz of shine spray on top if the roots need a lift.

What I would skip: a full-size oil on fine hair on day two. It goes flat quickly, so reach for a mist instead.

Glossing hair oils and serums

Glosses you use in the shower

Some shine happens in the shower, and it lasts longer than a spray. OUAI Hair Gloss In-Shower Shine Treatment uses hyaluronic acid and rice water, and you apply a pea-size amount from mid-lengths to ends and wait five minutes. Kerastase Chroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment is a rinse-out salon gloss for color-damaged hair, made with lactic acid to seal the hair surface. Living Proof Perfect hair Day High-Shine Gloss is a silicone-free in-shower gloss. dae Stargloss is a prewash glossing treatment, and JVN Revive Rapid Repair Bond Gloss is a shine and bond-repair mask you use in about 60 seconds.

Fable & Mane Shine Hydrating Hair Mask is chai scented and made for fine to medium hair, with black tea ferments for gloss. Kerastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Styling Cream is a silicone-free cream for medium to thick hair, meant to keep a blowout smooth for up to four days. amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Hair Treatment Mask is a 60-second mask for frizz.

How to use them: rotate one gloss a week in place of conditioner, then finish dry hair with a shine spray.

What I would skip: a gloss and a mask in the same wash. Pick one and rinse it well.

Gloss treatments and shine masks

Choosing your shine

Start with your hair type. Fine hair does best with a mist like Drybar or Kenra, curls like a formula made for them, and thick hair can handle an oil or a glaze cream. Then think about timing. A gloss in the shower is for the week, an oil is for the ends and a shine spray is the last thing you do before you leave the house. Use less than you think, and stop when your hair looks healthy, not wet. If you only add one thing, make it the one that fits how you actually style your hair.