Shine On

The first time I heard about shine serum was when a stylist applied it after a cut. My hair looked so glossy that I assumed the serum was made of pure, concentrated magic—I insisted on going to the store immediately and buying some for myself.

The next day, I poured a quarter of the bottle into my hands, wiped them clumsily over the top of my head, and wondered why my hair didn’t look nearly as good as when the stylist did it.

Luckily, I’ve grown a little more savvy over the years, and in case you’re as new to shine as I was, here’s a tip: All you need are a few drops. In fact, more than two or three can be serious overkill, leaving your locks greasy and heavy-looking.

As an added bonus, this means that the bottle goes a long way—always a nice bonus! Products come in a wide range of prices; here are two of my faves, which also fight frizz!

Citré Shine® Shine Miracle™ Highly Laminating Anti-Frizz Serum was actually the first kind I ever tried, and once I figured it out, it really did the trick. With prices ranging from $3.99 (2-oz.) $5.99 (4-oz.), it’s totally affordable. Find it as drug, mass and food stores nationwide.



By locking in moisture, ENJOY Shine and Smooth keeps hair hydrated while blocking humidity, which causes frizz. It leaves hair incredibly soft and glossy, and it’s also good for your skin! You can get 4-oz. bottle for $17.95 or 10-oz. for $34.95, both at professional salons.

-- Mackenzie Walton