Melissa Tried It: As someone who barely remembers her natural hair color, I'm especially interested in products that help keep my now long, treated hair looking lively and healthy. I also have porous hair with weird wavy coarse strands, and if left on its own, it can easily look dry and dull. This serum, applied prior to blow drying (more concentrated at the ends), absolutely boosts shine without weighing my hair down. It does reduce some of the hairs-pinging-out-of-control occurrence, but not completely. For someone with slightly more fine hair, it would likely be quite effective in that respect.$26, salons (locate one near you here).

Description of ingredients: "Fortify and smooth highly sensitized, chemically-treated hair, and intensify natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy. This repairing treatment silkens and delivers smoothing oils of camellia, sesame and organic shea butter for multi-layer balancing and conditions hair with an organic botanical of geranium."

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "...a natural shine enhancing serum for dull, coarse or brittle hair. Smooths, protects, and adds luster to even the most unruly hair. Contains rice bran oil to improve the condition and manageability of hair. Place 3-4 drops in the palm of your hand and rub hands together. Distribute evenly on damp or dry hair. Style as usual."

Melissa Says: To be perfectly honest, it was hard to focus objectively about the shine power of this product at first because I was distracted by the scent. It really isn't too pleasant. However, I did notice it faded a while after application. It's very...herbal. I have nothing against herbal scents, of course, as long as they're pleasant. This one wasn't something I'd want to smell like all day, that's for sure.

Shine-wise, I wasn't incredibly impressed. I've certainly used some serums that are more effective, and I felt like it would have certainly taken more than 3-4 drops to make a the difference I was looking for. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to handle that much more of the scent at once.

Retail Price: $16.00 / 1.7 oz (go to abbahaircare.com to find a salon near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Where do you want your hair to go? Atmosphere transports your hair to its ideal climate, changing its Relative Humidity to behave like it's in the arctic. Beyond styling, Atmosphere surrounds hair in a new form of control and texturizing possibility. Go where it takes you. Transports your hair to an arctic climate. Hair becomes sleek, smooth with icy high shine."

Alissa's Opinion: I'm not exactly sure how I would describe this product. It dispenses like a mousse, looks like a gel and behaves like a styling cream. The formula feels quite gooey when applying and the stickiness doesn't completely disappear after blow drying. I found it easier than usual to get my hair stick straight, but my round brush almost got stuck a few times. The shine factor was definitely pumped up after using this, and my sleek style lasted all day. The biggest downside was the smell, which was very much like a bathroom cleaner and unfortunately long lasting.

Retail Price: $26.00 (at select salons and distributors - go here to find one near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say:
(about Blow-In Control)

• For Medium / Coarse hair
• Use before blow-drying hair
• Flexible control serum helps protect against blow dry heat
• Disciplines and tames volume and turns on shine
• Follow with Iron-in Control Protective Dry Mist to heat-seal design

(about Iron-In Control)

• For Medium / Coarse
  
• Use before ironing hair
  
• Mists on ultra-dry
  
• Smoothes for a faster iron glide as it instills contol, shine and static-free finish

Melissa Says:
(about Blow-In Control) As I'm growing my hair back out from an above-the-shoulder length, I'm reminded how much my hair tends to "puff" out more as the layers grow more into one length. I also have lots of little wiry strands that like to stand up and wave, which of course doesn't produce a very finished look. I thought this serum helped tame those somewhat, and did reduce the "puff" a bit which resulted in more of a second-day look (and all of us with thick/slightly coarse hair know our locks looks best the day after washing and blow drying, right?). I should also note, though, that there's a very delicate balance between controlled and weighed-down, so make sure to start with less product and add more slowly, concentrating on ends. If my hair were any less thick, this may have felt too heavy for me.

(about Iron-In Control) I'm always glad to have a heat-protection product to reach for when using any styling tools, and this one did add the slight control and shine to help produce a clean and smooth result quickly with the straightening iron. It also, like the Blow-In Volume serum, added some "heft" to my hair slightly. I might still opt to add a bit of shine mist or a serum afterward, but this overall did a decent job.

Retail Price: $13.95-15.95 (at professional salons only - go here to find one near you)

DeLush Rating:
(about Blow-In Control)
(about Iron-In Control)

What They Say: "A non-petroleum based pomade made from unique avocado lipids that provide control to tame frizz, add styling detail and achieve sleek, shiny results. Provides soft control and extreme shine on wet or dry hair. ...Contains avocado to create hold without buildup. Mica crystals offer heat protection and shine. ...100% vegan. Sulfate-free. 100% free of synthetic dyes. Cruelty-free.

Application: To smooth and control medium to coarse textured hair with shine and softness, emulsify a small amount between palms, work through hair and blow dry.

To sculpt (mold), add texture, separation and shine to all hair types, emulsify a small amount between palms and work amount between palms and work through dry hair."

Melissa Says: It's always nice when you know that the product you're using came from a company making strong efforts to be cruelty-free and close to nature. It's an added bonus when the product creates results you love. That's the case with this pomade, at least when I use it on my hair before blow drying.

I was very impressed with the difference it made in the smoothness and texture of my hair, without making it feel greasy. I was very careful about concentrating the product on the ends after thoroughly warming the small amount in my hands first, and then lightly smoothing the remainder on my palms up the rest of the surface of the strands. This also created a good amount of shine.

On dry hair, I thought this significantly reduced flyaways and added great shine, but when the hair is dry you have to be extra careful to use a tiny amount so it doesn't accumulate in some areas and weigh your hair down (if it's longer). My husband tested this out on dry hair as well, and thought it had a finished look and flexible light hold for short hair, but said he'd prefer something with a bit more holding power and texturization.

Retail Price: $16.00, 2.65oz (at fine salons - go here to locate one near you)

DeLush Rating:

What it is:
An ultra-lightweight glossing mist infused with pure olive oil that provides long-lasting brilliant shine to finished styles.

What it is formulated to do:
-Provides long-lasting brilliant shine instantly without weighing hair down.
-Smoothes frizz and controls fly-aways for a sleek, polished appearance.
-Prevents moisture loss during the day.

Jen's Experience: Ever since I discovered the wondrous goodness of Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream, I have been on a mission to try all of the Glossing line. Sadly, none have measured up to such perfection, but this one does do what it promises. It's got a clean, cucumber scent, and it leaves my hair amazingly shiny with a few spritzes. Using too much weighs down my hair and makes it look a little greasy, but the correct amount is a great final step to a blowout. Those who are a fan of shine, this is worth checking out. I purchased the sample size from Sephora, which is large enough for several months of use.

Retail Price: $22.50 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "...a lightweight, no-hold spray that preserves the longevity of color-treated hair while also draping it with shimmering shine and controlling frizz and flyaways. Featuring a blend of botanical ingredients including Wheat Germ, Soybean and Citrus oils, the formula helps to detangle, strengthen and soften hair - while enhancing the radiance of any hair color. Simply spritz on dry hair and prepare to dazzle with brilliantly lustrous locks.

• Lightweight no-hold mist that preserves the longevity of colored hair
• UV filters help shield color from fading
• Protects against free radical damage
• Adds shimmering shine
• Controls frizz and flyaways
• Provides heat protection while styling "

Melissa Says: As someone who hasn't had color-free hair for many years now, I am interested in anything that can provide protection from fading. Obviously, the UV filters would help prevent some damage due to those nasty rays, and adding that extra layer is a way to protect your investment a little bit. I have red tones in my hair right now, which are the hardest to keep looking fresh (when they're artificial!), and I do think this has made a difference for me in this area as far as extending the fresh look of my shade a bit longer.

It's true what they say about it being lightweight - I get really hesitant with shine sprays or formulas when applying because I'm so afraid of that greasy look that comes right after the initial shine. However, I actually found myself applying it a second time fhe first few times I used it before I got used to approximating how much I could spray onto my hair. The results were a nice shine, absolutely zero slick or greasy feel (this was the most surprising!) and slightly less frizz.

It does have a somewhat strong scent initially (not much more than many styling products) that you should note in case you are sensitive to smells. It disappears completely after a few minutes, though, and likely wouldn't bother most of you at all.

I wouldn't want you to mistake this for a smoothing formula, as that really isn't the main effect. The shine is the most notable result, of course, and is especially impressive when used on hair that is pulled back. It does help control some flyaways, but I would still rely on hairspray first for the most stubborn pieces, with this sprayed on top for finish.

Retail Price: $13.95 for 4.2 oz (in select salons - call 800.6.MATRIX or go here and enter your zip code to find a salon near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "A weightless, anti-frizz serum that smooths and adds brilliant shine to the hair. The best silicone-based product that appeals to both fine and thick coarse hair. Provides a silky soft, glossy finish for more youthful-looking hair."

Jen's Experience: I love making my hair look shiny, and I love Alterna products, so this seemed like a match made in heaven. I've used a lot of shine serums in the past, so luckily I was aware that a little of this sort of thing goes a long way. For this product especially, a single pump is plenty for my fine hair; any more and I look like I need to get back in the shower. Because it really makes my hair slick with the smallest amount, I've been a little wary of using it close to the scalp, but it's a great way to bring out my layers and keep frizziness to a minimum. I really love the way it makes my hair smell, clean and not perfume-y at all. Overall, this isn't my favorite shine serum, but now that I have mostly gotten a handle on how to apply it without looking too greasy, it does what it claims.

Retail Price: $26.00 (See 4Alterna.com to find a salon near you)

Rating:

What They Say: "The world of hair has become a dangerous place where damaging straightening irons, blow-dryers and other thermal tools have become a way of life. Fear no nore - Graham Webb's Heat Response Soft Finish Spray is a liberator in a spray bottle to help save your hair from those weapons of mass destruction. This solution not only protects 30% more from hot tools, but also gives hair electrifying shine and a soft smooth finish with long-lasting hold. Heat Response Soft Finish Spray is enriched with TRIPLE the amount of our patented Thermacore® Complex ingredient, which is found in all Graham Webb products, and turns hot tools into a beneficial conditioning treatment for hair. Here's how it works...

• Thermacore® Complex is a remarkable blend of three conditioning and moisturizing ingredients that become active with the application of heat over 98° from hot water, blow dryers and styling tools.
  
  • Panthenol - vitamin B5 derivative with tremendous moisturizing properties to help repair, thicken and strengthen damaged hair
    
  • Allantoin - Well known for its moisture content, water-binding capabilities and ability to to maintain softness
    
  • Myristyl Alcohol - Conditioning emollient derived from coconut, which served as the binding vehicle for the entire complex
  
  
• Once heated, the crystal breaks down into molecular particles small enough to penetrate the hair shaft working to repair and restore even the most damaged hair.

To Use: Shake well, distribute throughout damp hair and blow dry. If using with straightening or curling irons, most lightly on sections of dry hair immediately before wrapping or pressing.

Melissa Says: As with many Graham Webb products that I've been fortunate enough to test out, this is another that I'm going to keep in regular rotation. The formula separates into to layers when it sits, so it is important to remember to shake it well before applying.

Mostly, what I love about this product is that softens the coarse ends of my hair and adds shine overall. They describe an "electrifying shine", and while I don't know if I'd go to that extreme, I definitely saw a noticeable difference when using this before blowdrying or curling. I don't feel ANY residue or notice any added weight, so I believe this could even work well on thin or fine hair without creating a buildup that weighs it down.

I wouldn't say that this made my hair take to curl more or straighten differently, but the look does stay for hours and the result is very manageable and soft. When blowdrying, my hair stayed smooth with little to no frizz. I curl with a very large curing iron and liked the results, but I do somehow feel that if you want tighter curls the soft results just might loosen the resulting curl a bit, so that's something to keep in mind. Don't confuse this for a hairspray as you know them. This is a whole new breed of styling spray.

Retail Price: $19.95 (at salons and select distributors - go here to find a location near you or call 800.456.9322)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Benefits: An intense revitalizing mask for dull, toneless and tired hair. A higher concentration of active ingredients including vitamin E, soya and biotin offer moisture, vitality and incredible shine to the hair.

Active Ingredients: Vitamins, Panthenol, Biotin, Soya, wheat proteins, Phospholipids, Trace Elements

Usage: After shampoing, apply on hair from roots to ends, massaging gently. Leave on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with water. Use once a week. Avoid eye contact."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: There's something familiar about the scent of this mask...something I think I remember from a type of cream in my home medicine cabinet when I was young. Not that it's bad, but I just can't place it. My husband says it smells like aloe lotion, but I'm not sure that's it. Anyway, if you can figure it out (if you use this), letting me know would certainly help ease my brain's frustration about it.

Oh, yes...moving on to how it worked. Mostly, after letting it soak into my hair for several minutes, I noticed a definite difference in the softness of my hair when I rinsed it out. Blowdrying seemed much easier as well, as my hair felt very smooth with no tangling. The end result was noticeably smoother hair to the touch as well as manageability. However, the shine factor, though a bit improved from prior to use, wasn't dramatic. I'd still use this product from time to time because it does improve hair health & appearance while adding some shine, but for more massive shine I'm still going to have to depend on other products like serums.

Retail Price: $3.25 for a single packet (at beautyexclusive.com) OR $18.00 for a box of 6 packets at bathandbodyworks.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say:
"• Luxurious styling creme that instantly moisturizes and seals split ends
• Softens, adds shine and controls frizz
• Shaping Polymers make dry hair easy to style
• Provides heat protection while styling
• Soft-to-medium hold"

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I have a new secret hair weapon. This is one of those products that I'm going to tell all of my friends about. The light formula doesn't weigh my hair down (at ALL), leaves my hair super-soft, and adds shine. My hair has a tendency to feel really coarse on the ends and frizz out, especially when I have multiple lenghts cut into it (as I do now). This smoothes my ends down and softens them better than anything I've tried.

User Tip: Apply this before blow-drying, making sure to distribute evenly with a comb.

Retail Price: app. $14.50 (at salons - find one near you here)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "(Formally Gloss) Inspired during photo shoots where it's essential to make hair shine without leaving it greasy and unworkable in the process, we challenged ourselves during the creation of Bb.Shine to make the ultimate lightweight, shine-enhancer for both on set and off."

Jen's Experience: I'm a bit of a shine junkie. I often judge hair products by how shiny they make my hair, and I'm a big fan of using products like Frederic Fekkai Technician Glaze to add a little shine at the end of my hair routine. Although this comes in an aerosol spray rather than a serum, it works pretty much the same way: it adds a layer of shine to your 'do.

Much like my other shine products, you've really got to watch how much you apply. A little bit and you've got shiny hair, any more and you need to get back in the shower. One thing that's different about this product is that, perhaps since it's an aerosol, perhaps it's just the formula, but it smells horrible and it's pretty suffocating. It smells like you're spraying spray paint in your hair. Go outside to use this one.

The main thing that really sets this product apart is that it really does create amazing shine, almost like your hair has been clear-coated. With my fine hair, the shine may be too much, making it appear a little greasy. However, I've never noticed it weighing down my style at all.

For those of you with thicker hair who are looking for incredible shine, this is an excellent choice, probably the best on the market. But if you've got thin or fine hair, you might want to try this product for yourself before you spend a lot of money on it.

Retail Price: $38.95 (Go to Bumbleandbumble.com for locations)

Rating:

What They Say: "Give your hair the spotlight all day and night with healthy long-lasting hold and shine. Graham Webb's Brit Style High Gloss Spray is a versatile product tahat can be used as a styling or finishing product to add durability and incredible polish. The spray also containes our exclusinve Thermacore Complex®, a patented, heat-activated conditioning agent that reverses the damaging effects of hot tool usage by turning on hot water, blow dryers and styling tools into a beneficial conditioning treatment.

'Shiny hair is instantly seen as heatlhy hair, and you'll achieve both polis and down-to-dusk hold with the High Gloss Spray,' says Jarrod Harms, senior manager of education and training, Graham Webb International. 'Plus, the medium to firm hold is perfect for any hair type ranging from fine to coarse and heavy. That means anyone can take their hair to the extreme with hot rollers or flat irons and come out with luxe locks that don't reflect the recent tool torture.'

Styling Tips: Mist High Gloss Spray into damp hair and blow dry for a completely touchable style with long hold. For a finished look, lightly spray onto hair before using a flat iron, curling iron, or even hot rollers for extra support and protection."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: My first impression after I used this and blowdried was "It almost looks like I got highlights!" There was definite shine, and it looked great. And using it before applying the straightening iron made me equally happy. I would say the only thing to keep in mind is that it can feel a bit tacky after sprayed, which will go away when you blowdry, but remember that you don't need a LOT to go a long way. Be conservative and work from there. Otherwise you could end up with slightly weighed-down locks. If used correctly though, you can get fabulous shine results from this product.

Retail Price: $12.95 (available exclusively through premiere salons and distributors around the world; for locations call 800-456-WEBB or visit grahamwebb.com.)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "For irresistibly shiny, healthy-looking hair, this polishing gloss finishes off any style instantly. Adds brilliance with just a drop - and it's free of mineral oil, fragrance, and preservatives. Gloss is 100 percent vegan."

Jen's Experience: This weekend in the DeLush newsletter (subscribe here), we listed some tips for making your hair extra shiny. Well, one of the ways you can add shine to your hair is by adding a glossing product as the last step in your beauty routine. For a long time, I've used Frederic Fekkai's Technician Glaze, but just recently I've switched to Jonathan's Finishing Shine Polishing Gloss.

Like the Fekkai product, the Jonathan gloss does make my hair shiny and healthy - as long as I don't use too much. My hair is kind of long, and one drop is enough for me. Two drops is way, way too greasy. If your hair is above shoulder length, even one drop may be too much. Here's a tip: rub your hands together to disperse the gloss and then rub it on the underside of your hair before moving to the crown of your hair. That way, you're working with a much smaller amount on the visible part of your hair.

It's nice that it doesn't have any fragrance added; it doesn't compete with my perfume, for one, and for another, things with fragrance also tend to be somewhat drying.

All in all, this is a solid product for those who like a little extra shine. And while $26 may seem like a lot of money, just remember: at one drop per use, it will last a very long time.

Retail Price: $26.00 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "For smooth grooming:  a rich mix of vitamins, herbs and tea tree oil - tames tangles, refreshes your head, feeds your hair and soothes your scalp."

Jen's Experience:  When was buying my Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray a while back, I read the back of the bottle and it suggested using Tonic before applying the Thickening Spray.  Now, Bumble and Bumble products aren't cheap, but I wanted to have the full effect of the Thickening, so I purchased both.  The Tonic product is supposed to make your hair healthier, which is always good for my dry, chemically-treated hair.  And it tingles when you put it on, and in my book, that's always a good thing (thus my lip plumper addiction).  And the results?  Well, it works, but not as well as it could.  You have to use A LOT of this before it starts working.  Or at least before it starts tingling, and according to the directions, you are supposed to wait until you feel the tingle before you comb it through your hair.  It really will make your hair healthier looking, and in fact, makes a bigger difference in the appearance of my hair than the Thickening Spray.  However, if you're in the market for something to make you hair look markedly healthier and shinier, I would recommend Frederic Fekkai's Glossing Cream over the Tonic.

Retail Price: $14.99 (Drugstore.com)

Rating:

From the Sephora website: "A leave in conditioner to give shine and manageability to hair. Imparts lasting shine and protects hair with UVA and UVB sunscreens. Absorbs quickly and without greasiness. Protects your locks from blow dryer heat."

Jen's Experience:  So, the bottle says, "Style and shine with pure olive oil" and "Rub a small amount between palms.  Distribute through hair before or after blow-drying to add managability and shine."  I had no idea until just now that it was a leave in conditioner, or that it would protect my hair from the sun and heat from my blow dryer.  Learn something new every day.

Well, even though I didn't know everything about this product when I bought it, I have really enjoyed using it, alone or in combination with my other hair care products.  I use a pea-size amount every day before I blow dry, and I've noticed that it makes my hair much more glossy (must be the olive oil), less frizzy, and my style hold much longer.  I've also noticed that it lessens the negative effects of some of my harsher hair products as well.  Amazingly, my fine hair does not get weighed down at all, but only if I use it when my hair is still wet.  Although it says you can apply it to your hair after you blow dry, I have found that it does not have the same positive effect on my hair.  Instead, I look pretty greasy.

I love for my hair to smell good, and this has a clean and pleasant fragrance that is not overbearing and doesn't linger.  Overall, I am very happy with this product, and I think it's a great way to keep your hair looking healthy every day.

Retail Price: $18.50/4 oz (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "Illuminate and protect hair color with this weekly high gloss rinse that intensifies color vibrancy while maximizing shine and luminosity.

Translucent formula wraps each hair strand in a protective gloss for unprecedented vibrancy. Cationic conditioning detects hair's neediest areas to deposit shine where hair needs it most. Speed selective processing delivers results in as little as five minutes. Heat and additional time may be used for heightened shine results. Substantive shine solves clients' challenge of maintaining glossiness of hair color from service to service. Halo's exclusive Illuminating Color ProtectionTM technology seals in hair color to prolong its vibrancy and reflects light to reveal a luminous, radiant glow."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: The promise of high shine like I've never seen before really got me hooked into getting this product. I'm a firm believer in the importance of hair health on your overall look (who isn't?) and anything I can get my hands on to make my hair softer, healthier, and yes - shinier - is completely worth the try. I could hardly wait to try this one, and I have to say - based on the promises, I had extremely high expectations. I even wrapped the rinse in a towel for about 8 minutes per their suggestion for increasing the results.

My only real worry when using this was that it would weigh my hair down. I guess I equated its promises of shine with the possibility of a "slick and greasy" feeling. I'm glad to say that there was no residue at all, and there was NO greasy feeling.

As far as shine goes, I did notice more shine than normal, but not to the degree that I was hoping for...any of the three times I've used it so far. But- my hair texture is a bit coarse to begin with. Perhaps if I'd used a straightening iron to smooth it out the shine would have been much more evident. I mean, I can't expect one product to give me red-carpet shine without a little work! It still imparted a bit more shine than if one were to use an intense conditioning treatment. In my opinion, the product would still be a good one to try if your main concern is shine; however I wouldn't recommend substituting it for products that also improve hair health. Also, consider using the entire line if you really want to try to maximize your shine results.

Retail Price: $19.98 (in salons and Beauty Brands stores)

DeLush Rating:

From the Sephora website: "A must-have for color-treated hair, this color-protecting glaze locks in color while adding vibrant shine to all types of color-treated hair. The perfect finishing touch to enhance any hair color and leave it smooth and full of shine, this triple-color protection complex helps protect hair from UV rays and color from fading, while it helps hair look radiant and lustrous."

Jen's Experience:  I am always looking for something to make my hair look extra glossy and healthy, so when I saw the description in the Sephora catalogue, I had to give it a try.  I put this on my hair almost every day as my last styling step, and I think it gives a nice finishing touch and definitely makes my hair shinier, although it doesn't really make or break my 'do or anything.  It smells fantastic, and that alone is a nice finishing touch.  The bottle is on the small side, but you only will use 2-3 drops a day.  I have barely made a dent in my bottle in the month or two I've used it.   So this is one product I plan to be using for a while, and it definitely makes me want to put more Frédéric Fekkai products on my list!

Retail Price: $20 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: Kick-up the shine and flatten the frizz.

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This product works pretty well by adding a bit of shine without a lot of weight. Just go easy on the application!

User Tips: Squeeze a dime-to-nickel-sized drop into your palm (depending on how much hair you have) and rub the product between your hands to warm it up. Apply lightly to mid-to-ends first. Only use the little bit left on your hand afterward to smooth down any frizz on the hairline, otherwise you risk grease-head.

DeLush Rating: