Many people get confused between conditioners and hair serums because they offer similar benefits. This is understandable because the differences between these two product types are nuanced and subtle. They provide similar results but from different approaches.
Conditioners penetrate deep into the hair shaft and moisturize it, resulting in softer, shinier, and healthier hair over time. Hair serums also make hair softer, shinier, and more manageable but they do this almost instantly. While a conditioner works from the inside out, hair serums operate on the surface. They coat individual hair shafts, which helps the hair in getting detangled, developing slip, and appearing healthier to the naked eye.
Therefore, while you shouldn’t replace your conditioner with hair serum, you should still consider using them to supplement conditioners. You should especially consider hair serums if your hair is very susceptible to environmental variations such as fluctuating humidity and temperatures. However, making your hair prettier isn’t the only thing that hair serums can do.
Over the years, hair serums have evolved and now offer a wide array of benefits. As a result, there are now many different types of hair serums available in the market. The downside of this is that people are now confused about which hair serum to choose, how to use it, and even what to expect from them. This is why we’ve created this comprehensive guide on hair serums.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| GIOVANNI 2Chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 2.75 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $2.32 |
| An amazingly effective budget hair serum that is so successful at its core purpose that it can compete with more expensive options available in the market, a vegan product. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Herstyler Hair Repair Serum |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 4 x 2 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $5.00 |
| A near-perfect hair serum that is not only excellent at smoothing, detangling, and de-frizzing dry hair but also balancing cost and benefits, has a clean floral smell and doesn’t contain parabens. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Moroccanoil Treatment |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 3.4 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $12.94 |
| A multipurpose, versatile product that performs all the basic functions expected from a hair serum but also adds to its functionality by strengthening the hair and making it healthier. |
| Check Amazon |
On this page, you’ll learn everything you need to know to be able to use hair serums ranging from what they can do, the right way of using them, and how to choose the right one. we’ll even review the best hair serums available in the market to make it easy for you to make the choice. Here’s a quick-click contents panel designed to help you navigate through this page.
- What Do Hair Serums Do?
- How to Use Hair Serums?
- How to Choose the Right Hair Serum?
- Top 10 Hair Serums Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Hair Serums: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Hair Serums: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Hair Serums: Detailed Reviews
What Do Hair Serums Do?
Traditionally, hair serums are expected to tackle frizz and flyaway hair while making the hair glossy. However, the capabilities of modern-day hair serums have changed considerably.
The basic formula of a hair serum remains the same i.e. a base of silicones with some ingredients designed to add shine. However, hair serums of today contain many more ingredients than just silicones and shining agents.
Hair serums of today are designed to help repair hair, hydrate dry hair, and even protect the hair from adverse external influences such as ultraviolet rays and heat. In fact, regardless of what your hair type is or what specific problem you’re trying to deal with, it is likely that there is a hair serum out there that can help you with it while de-frizzing your hair and making it shiny.
How to Use Hair Serums?
When it comes to using hair serums, the most important thing you need to remember is that you can’t apply a serum on dirty hair. Therefore, the first step to using a hair serum is to wash your hair the way you normally do. If you normally condition your hair too, then you can follow through with that step too.
Once your hair is clean, you can apply your hair serum. Hair serums can be applied in two scenarios depending on their formulation. You can apply them on damp hair i.e. towel-dried hair or you can apply them on fully dry hair. Whichever type you’ve chosen, you need to follow these instructions but you should know that most experts suggest applying serums on damp hair.
When it comes to applying hair serums, there are a couple of things worth keeping in mind. The first is that you should never apply too much hair serum. It will weigh your hair down and make it look very greasy. If you’re unsure about how much to apply, err on the side of caution now and increase the amount next time.
The second is that hair serums are never applied at the root level of your hair. Keep it away from your roots and you will neither weigh down your hair nor have to deal with massive scalp buildup later. Typically, a couple of pumps is more than enough with some people only needing a single pump per application.
The best way to apply a hair serum is to get some on your hand, rub it well, and then start applying at the roots. You can move up the hair shafts till the middle length or even a little higher. We strongly suggest that you never go beyond 75 percent of the length of your hair.
How to Choose the Right Hair Serum?
When choosing a hair serum, you need to consider two things.
The first is your hair type. Lightweight hair serums will be a better choice for people with light, thinning, and fine hair types. If heavier hair serums are used on these hair types, the hair will likely get weighed down and very greasy. Similarly, thicker, curlier hair types will require stronger, heavier hair serums otherwise the serum will be unable to counter frizz and flyaway hairs.
The second is the composition of the hair serum in relation to any specific hair problem you may be trying to deal with. Hair serums contain different types of ingredients that are capable of handling different types of hair problems. Consider the following examples.
- Serums designed to repair hair and remove split ends will contain proteins such as keratin, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, etc.
- Serums that can protect your hair from the environment will contain oils such as coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, lavender oil, etc.
- Serums with the ability to hydrate hair will also contain oils like coconut oil and argan oil along with others such as sweet almond oil and shea butter.
- Serums that can slow down hair loss will contain anti-dihydrotestosterone (anti-DHT) agents and will be presented as treatments.
- Serums that offer nutrients will have nourishing ingredients such as provitamin B5, vitamin E, biotin, aloe vera oil, or even some more obscure ingredients.
While choosing your hair serum, you can find out the main benefits of the ingredients they contain to decide if the serum will help your specific hair problem or not.
Top 10 Hair Serums Comparison Table
| Product Name | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum | 5.1 ounces | $0.97 per ounce | Check Price |
| Biosilk Silk Therapy Original Cure | 12 ounces | $1.64 per ounce | Check Price |
| GIOVANNI 2Chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum | 2.75 ounces | $2.32 per ounce | Check Price |
| John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Serum | 1.69 ounces | $3.45 per ounce | Check Price |
| Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum | 5.1 ounces | $4.31 per ounce | Check Price |
| Herstyler Hair Repair Serum | 4 x 2 ounces | $5.00 per ounce | Check Price |
| Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Oil-In-Serum | 4.2 ounces | $6.90 per ounce | Check Price |
| Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss | 2 x 2.26 ounces | $8.50 per ounce | Check Price |
| Moroccanoil Treatment | 3.4 ounces | $12.94 per ounce | Check Price |
| Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Serum | 4.2 ounces | $33.33 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 4 Budget Hair Serums: Detailed Reviews
1. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Garnier Fructis is a well-known budget brand that has been around for more than a century. Their Sleek & Shine series of hair care products are particularly successful.
As the name suggests, the entire sleek and shine range is focused on resolving frizz and flyaway hairs. The range comprises multiple types of hair care products but is best defined by its hair serum. Called the Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum, like the other members of the range, this product is built on the hydrating and smoothing properties of Moroccan argan oil.
This hair serum is so effective that if it is used in large quantities it can end up making the hair very greasy. However, it is only effective so long as the severity of the frizz problem is not very high. While the company says that it can deliver results in 97 percent humidity, most users say that this is not true.
The formula for the hair serum, in fact, is fairly clean and without harmful substances such as parabens. However, it does contain silicones. Between the silicones and the argan oil, the serum manages frizz quite well. The results, though, aren’t long-lasting as in humid conditions the hair returns to being frizzy in a few hours.
The formula also incorporates active fruit protein drawn from apricots. The apricot extract in this hair serum is responsible for its scent too. The smell of this hair serum is fresh and clean with a hint of sweetness that should appeal to most people.
This hair serum comes with a pump too, which makes it easy to apply. A pump or two is usually more than enough to deal with most frizz-related problems, especially if you’re applying it to damp hair. Of course, you can apply it to dry hair as well.
The hair serum is incredibly pocket-friendly too and can be counted as one of the cheapest options in the market right now.
Who’s it for: If you don’t live in very humid climates and don’t have severe frizz problems, get this hair serum from Garnier Fructis.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5.1 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, argan kernel oil, and apricot kernel oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for dry and frizzy hair |
| Makes hair smooth and shiny |
| Has a fresh and clean apricot smell |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a pump |
| An incredibly cheap hair serum |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can only handle light to moderate frizz |
| Can leave hair too greasy if used in large quantities |
| Results are not long-lasting |
2. Biosilk Silk Therapy Original Cure
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
In terms of effectiveness, it is unlikely that you’ll find a hair serum that can outdo this one from Biosilk. It is an incredibly effective hair serum that can handle all types of dryness or frizz-related hair problems, irrespective of the hair type.
The main reason for this is the fact that this hair serum combines silicones and hydrolyzed silk. These two ingredients coat the cuticle layer of the hair, smoothing them in the process and adding that rare luster. Since this coating seals the hair cuticle completely, it prevents the loss of moisture and proteins. As a result, this hair serum is even able to help the hair heal its split ends.
It is important to use very little of this hair serum in every application because a little of it can be very effective. People with very light, thinning, or fine hair will have to be especially careful about using this hair serum.
In fact, even people with other hair types need to be careful because this hair serum can also weigh down hair if used in larger quantities. Since the bottle doesn’t come with a pump, it can be very easy to take too much of the product out if you’re in a hurry or not paying attention.
While this hair serum’s ability to smooth, shine, and heal hair is incomparable, it comes at a cost. This is the fact that its formula also incorporates parabens. Parabens are proven to mimic the female hormone estrogen. Because of this, overexposure to parabens can result in hormonal imbalances.
Other than parabens, though, this hair serum’s formula is fairly clean. It doesn’t contain sulfates and is even free from gluten. This makes it suitable even for people suffering from celiac disease. In terms of scent, this product has a fairly subtle and light scent although there is a hint of sweetness to it.
Like many hair serums, this can be used on dry and damp hair. However, its performance is better if the hair is damp and clean.
This hair serum is quite cheap and will not affect most people’s pockets and budgets adversely.
Who’s it for: If you want the most effective hair serum in the budget section and don’t worry much about parabens in your hair, go for this one from Biosilk.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, hydrolyzed silk ethyl ester, provitamin B5, and parabens |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Makes hair smooth and shiny |
| Has a light and sweet smell |
| Little goes a long way |
| A fairly cheap hair serum |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains parabens |
| Can leave hair too greasy if used in large quantities |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
3. GIOVANNI 2Chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Hair serums are supposed to be based on silicones but that doesn’t mean that they cannot contain ingredients that boost hair and scalp health. The 2Chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum from Giovanni shows that it is very much possible and, in fact, can be very beneficial.
This hair serum contains a slew of botanical ingredients and the best part is that each of them is organic. The two central ingredients amongst all the organic botanical ingredients in this hair serum are coconut and blackberry.
Coconut is present in this hair serum’s formula in two different forms – coconut oil and coconut fruit extract. The smell of this hair serum is a result of its coconut content. It smells distinctly of coconut but there is a berry note to this scent due to the blackberries as well.
Other notable ingredients in this hair serum are argan kernel oil, macadamia seed extract, and shea butter extract. These ingredients along with the coconut-derived ingredients help this serum add moisture and provide nutrients to the hair.
However, the repairing aspect of this hair serum comes from other ingredients such as hydrolyzed keratin extract, vitamin E, and provitamin B5. The result of all these ingredients working together is repaired, smooth, and soft hair, free of problems such as frizz, flyaways, and split ends.
The coating provided by this hair serum’s silicone content also makes the hair shine and look vibrant. Other than silicones, which are essential in a hair serum, this product doesn’t contain any other harsh, harmful, or synthetic ingredients such as sulfates or parabens.
It is even Leaping Bunny Certified to be cruelty-free and a vegan product which means that it is neither tested on animals nor contains any animal-derived ingredients.
In case you think you won’t like this smell or your hair doesn’t need to be repaired, there are other hair serums under the Giovanni 2Chic banner that you can choose from. These are Ultra-Sleek, Ultra-Volume, Frizz Be Gone, Frizz Be Gone Polishing, Ultra-Moist, Ultra-Revive, and Hydrating Hemp.
There are even two different sizes that this product is available in. The smaller one can be used as a travel bottle and carries 1.8 ounces of the product while the bigger one can hold 2.75 ounces.
Naturally, the bigger bottle is more pocket-friendly than the smaller one but this hair serum, on the whole, is incredibly cheap. Therefore, even if you buy the bigger bottle, you wouldn’t be spending too much. Both the bottles come with dispensing pumps which makes them equally convenient to use.
You will note that we’ve not mentioned many flaws of this hair serum from Giovanni. That is because there aren’t many. In fact, if it wasn’t for one little flaw, we would call this hair serum perfect.
This is the fact that it cannot keep the frizz away when humidity is very high or the hair particularly coarse. It is designed for normal hair in normal environments instead of extremely coarse hair in extremely moist environments.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the best budget hair serum with lots of variants to choose from, get this one from Giovanni.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 2.75 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, coconut oil, argan kernel oil, macadamia seed extract, shea butter extract, hydrolyzed keratin extract, blackberry fruit extract, coconut fruit extract, vitamin E, provitamin B5, black currant fruit extract, sunflower seed extract, and acai fruit extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Makes hair soft, smooth, and shiny |
| All its botanical ingredients are organic |
| Has a light coconut smell with a hint of berries |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A vegan product |
| A cruelty-free rated hair serum |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in eight different variants |
| Available in two different sizes |
| A fairly cheap hair serum |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can’t handle severe frizz in high humidity environments |
4. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Serum
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
In the knowledge section of this guide, we explained that the traditional hair serum was primarily about removing frizz, making the hair look vibrant, and protecting it from damage. While most modern-day hair serums try to blend these qualities with other benefits such as restoration, hydration, and nourishment, there are still a few great hair serums that still adhere to the traditional definition of hair serums.
Of them all, the Frizz-Ease hair serum from John Frieda is the best, especially if you’re trying tostay within the budget market segment. This hair serum excels at detangling hair, removing frizz, softening it, and making it appear healthy. In fact, this hair serum is so effective that if you apply too much of it into your hair, you can end up with weighed down and greasy hair.
This hair serum is so effective because it depends on silicones heavily. The silicones not only smooth the hair and protect it from potential damage but also hold the style in place. The benefits of silicones are further augmented by the silk proteins that have been infused into this hair serum’s formula.
Since this hair serum doesn’t contain any botanical ingredients, its scent comes from artificial sources. Fortunately, the scent isn’t too strong or overwhelming. The smell is a blend of honey and flowers.
There are mainly two variants of this hair serum that John Frieda offers. The one we’re reviewing is the Original Serum which is sufficient for most people as it is designed for medium to thick hair types and normal environments. The other is the Extra Strength Serum which is designed for thick, coarse hair and high humidity locations.
Both bottles come with a pump, making them very easy to use and preventing wastage.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a strong hair serum with traditional qualities and benefits, you won’t find a better one than this product from John Frieda.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 1.69 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, mineral oil, and hydrolyzed silk |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for medium to thick hair types |
| Makes hair smooth and shiny |
| Has a floral smell with hints of honey |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in two different variants |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Formula mainly based on silicones |
| Can make some hair types very greasy |
Top 3 Value Hair Serums: Detailed Reviews
5. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
This is another hair serum that performs in the same that old-school hair serums used to. It counters frizzy hair and forces individual strands to settle down even in very humid conditions. Further, it makes the hair soft, shiny, and silky, improving its overall appearance.
However, it does this through an incredibly simple formula. Its formula, apart from a very small supporting cast, features silicones in the leading role. These silicones coat the hair shaft to deliver the required benefits. The best part is that a little of this serum goes a long way.
In fact, it delivers results even in the toughest conditions without weighing down the hair too much. At the same time, if you apply too much of this product to your hair in one application, you can still end up with very greasy and weighed down hair.
This is something you’ll have to be particularly careful about because the bottle this product comes in will not help you. While the bottle comes with a dispensing pump, the pump is more likely to be faulty than not.
Countless users report a substandard dispensing pump that refuses to work properly. If and when this happens to you, you’ll be tempted to take it off and dispense the product directly. This can result in you applying too much of this serum in your hair. Instead, we suggest transferring the serum to another spray pump bottle and going forward from there.
One area where this hair serum excels is when it comes to protecting hair from heat and environmental damage. In fact, the company calls this product a Blowout Primer in addition to a serum.
Blowout primers are used before using a hairdryer, a curling iron, or a flat iron because they’re heat protectants. Further, blowout primers dry very quickly, especially under heat. These are qualities that this serum possesses too. Therefore, if you like to style your frizzy hair often, you can use this serum to prevent frizzy hair and heat damage simultaneously.
While not organic or even natural, this hair serum doesn’t contain any of the substances that are known to cause health problems such as parabens or sulfates. It is even suitable for people who are dealing with celiac disease or are have a very sensitive nose. This serum is gluten-free and has a very light, clean scent. Many users say that its scent reminds them of green apples.
This hair serum will also suit people who care about animals. It is not only rated to be cruelty-free but is actually a 100 percent vegan product.
While not the cheapest hair serum in the market, it is not very expensive either. Unlike most of its competitors in the same price segment, it is even available in three differently sized bottles.
The smallest one has a capacity of 0.85 ounces, the medium one contains 5.1 ounces, and the largest one can hold 8.5 ounces. You should choose the smallest one if you travel a lot, the biggest one if you want to save the most money, and the medium one if you want a balance of the two.
Who’s it for: If you have frizzy hair that you like to style with hot tools regularly, this hair serum from Paul Mitchell will be perfect for you.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5.1 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Makes hair soft, smooth, and shiny |
| Dries off very quickly |
| Has a light and clean apple smell |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A vegan product |
| A cruelty-free rated hair serum |
| Comes with a pump |
| Little goes a long way |
| Available in three different sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Formula mainly based on silicones |
| Can leave hair too greasy if used in large quantities |
| High likelihood of the provided pump failing |
6. Herstyler Hair Repair Serum (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
This hair serum from Herstyler is the most capable and versatile option in the mid-level price bracket mainly because it doesn’t have any real flaws. The only flaw it has is related to its scent, which means that it is subjective and interpretative.
This hair serum has a unique scent. It has a floral smell that comes off as very clean and fresh. While the majority of people like the way this hair serum smells, a few don’t. Since the sense of smell is subjective and the scent of this hair serum is very unique, this is understandable.
Whether you’ll like the smell of this hair serum or not will depend on if you like floral scents. Another variable worth considering is the strength of this hair serum’s scent. It is very strong, which is also something that many people don’t like. If you like subtle and mild scents, you may not appreciate this hair serum.
Barring minor issues with its smell, though, there isn’t anything wrong with this hair serum. It is a very effective hair care product that offers multiple benefits. The most important of these is that it smooths hair strands and takes away the problem of frizzy or flyaway hair.
The smoothness of the hair also helps counter tangles in the hair and makes it shiny. A simple wide-toothed comb can be used to detangle the hair after you’ve applied this hair serum. This hair serum also has the capability to deal with split ends and fraying of hair strands.
This benefit comes from two key ingredients – aloe vera and argan oil. Both these ingredients are known for their ability to nourish and hydrate dry hair. Since hair damage is often a result of excessive dryness, these ingredients help heal the hair by moisturizing it. The hair serum even contains vitamin E, which is scientifically proven to be crucial for hair health.
The formula of this hair serum is free of all synthetic or harmful substances too. It doesn’t contain any parabens, making it safe for children and sensitive people. It is also rated to be cruelty-free if you’re someone who cares about the plight of animals.
Another great quality of this hair serum is that Herstyler offers it in three differently sized packs. It can be purchased as a single bottle, a double-bottle pack, and a pack containing four bottles. Each bottle can hold two ounces of the hair serum and comes with a built-in dispensing pump.
Who’s it for: If you want the hair serum with the most benefits and don’t mind having your hair smell of flowers, get this product from Herstyler.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 4 x 2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, aloe vera leaf extract, vitamin E, and argan extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Most suitable for dry, damaged hair |
| Repairs hair, detangles it and makes it smooth and shiny |
| Deals with thermal challenges well |
| Has a clean floral smell |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A cruelty-free rated hair serum |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in three different packs |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Its scent may be a bit too strong |
7. Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Oil-In-Serum
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Redken is a very old and well-regarded salon chain that traces its roots to 1960. Their focus on salon-grade quality has allowed their products to become very popular. The Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Oil-In-Serum is what they offer in the hair serum category.
As the name of this product indicates, its primary function is to remove frizz from difficult to manage hair. It removes frizz and flyaway hair by smoothing the cuticle layer of every hair strand. It not only smooths the cuticle but also protects the hair from humidity and makes it shine.
This capability of this hair serum, like all hair serums, is a result of the fact that it contains silicones. However, it isn’t just the silicones that are responsible for these qualities. Another important ingredient in this hair serum is babassu oil which performs the same function as silicones. The only difference between the two is that babassu oil is natural while silicones are synthetic.
Other than these two ingredients, this hair serum contains soybean oil for added hydration and shine. The formula is completely free of harmful ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and sodium chloride.
It is worth noting, though, that this hair serum is designed only for low to moderate-level frizz. The fact that it cannot handle the kind of frizz that coarse-haired people face in coastal regions can be seen as a minor flaw.
The scent of this hair serum can also be seen as a flaw but only partially because the sense of smell, itself, is quite subjective. This hair serum’s smell is different from all other hair serums in the market. It has a heavy spicy smell. The smell of spices is not everyone’s cup of tea which is why it is a partial flaw. It is also very strong which is something that can put off many potential users.
You can get this hair serum in two sizes. The first is a one-ounce bottle that is intended for people who travel a lot while the other is bigger at 4.2 ounces. If you’re not sure whether you’ll like this hair serum, we suggest you for the smaller bottle. On the other hand, if you want to save money, get the big one because this hair serum is very much on the expensive end of things.
Who’s it for: If your frizz problem is only moderate in nature and you like how spices smell, get this hair spray from Redken.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 4.2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, soybean oil, and babassu palm seed oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Most suitable for dry hair |
| Makes hair soft, smooth, and shiny |
| Smells of spice |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in two different sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| May not be able to handle more than moderate frizz |
| Its scent may be a bit too strong |
| On the expensive side of things |
Top 3 Premium Hair Serums: Detailed Reviews
8. Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The Platinum Silkening Gloss hair serum has to be every true fashion enthusiast’s dream come true. It was developed to make the user’s hair look its best and it does fulfill its primary purpose with aplomb.
The basic mechanism that this hair serum follows is not different from all its competitors but it focuses primarily on adding gloss to the hair. However, there is one difference between this hair serum and its counterparts from other brands.
This one needs heat to achieve its full potential. Kenra Professional says that to achieve “optimum shine and condition” heat needs to be applied to the hair after the serum has been put on. This heat can be applied through any styling tool such as a hairdryer, a flat iron, and a curling iron.
The main purpose of this hair serum from Kenra Professional is to make the hair shine, and it does the job to such an extent that every hair strand looks like it was polished by hand. To achieve this goal, this hair serum uses silicones and hydrolyzed silk.
The hydrolyzed silk fills up any gaps in the cuticle layer of the hair while silicones coat the entire shaft. In the process, this hair serum also smooths the cuticle layer and nullifies frizz and flyaways. Since the coat extends to the tips of every hair strand, split ends also get taken care of. Further, the coat protects the hair from humidity, pollution, and even ultraviolet rays from the sun.
This is a very potent hair serum, which means that you can’t use too much of it at one go. If you do, you’ll end up making your hair look very greasy and oily. Fortunately, it comes with a built-in dispensing pump that will prevent you from taking too much of the serum at the same time.
The smell of this hair serum is famous amongst its users. This is because its scent is both unique and extremely likable. It smells of sweet strawberries. However, a few people may find this scent to be a bit too strong and overbearing. The formula of this hair serum is clean too. It doesn’t have any harsh substances such as parabens or sulfates. Further, the product, itself, is rated to be cruelty-free.
The biggest problem with this hair care product is its cost. It is one of the more expensive options in the market but the company does offer size options to potential buyers. You can get it in single or double packs. A single bottle will contain 2.26 ounces of the product.
Who’s it for: If you style your hair regularly and all you need from your hair serum is that it makes your hair shine like a star, get the Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 2 x 2.26 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones and hydrolyzed silk |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Makes hair soft, smooth, and very shiny |
| Has a sweet smell of strawberries |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A cruelty-free rated hair serum |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in two differently sized packs |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensively priced |
| Can leave hair too greasy if used in large quantities |
| Its scent may be a bit too strong |
9. Moroccanoil Treatment (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
While this product from Moroccanoil is marketed as a treatment, it is effectively a hair serum because it delivers similar results. The reason why the Moroccanoil Treatment is different from other hair serums in the market is that it does more than what hair serums are supposed to do.
This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t do the basics though. It is an accomplished hair serum that smooths hair cuticles, removes frizz, deals with split ends, and makes the hair vibrant. Additionally, it detangles the hair, softens it, and makes it more manageable.
It protects hair from adverse environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays, humidity, and pollution as well. Further, like the best hair serums in the market, it even speeds up drying time and keeps heat damage at bay. However, on top of all these benefits, this hair serum also nourishes and hydrates the hair also.
In effect, this is a multifunctional hair serum that not only makes the hair look healthier on the outside but also makes it healthy on the inside. It can offer so many different and crucial benefits because it relies heavily on argan oil, sourced straight from Morocco.
The company, in fact, says that it has a proprietary formula that not only utilizes Moroccan argan oil but also linseed extract drawn from flaxseeds. The purpose of the linseed extract is to contribute alpha-linolenic acid, which is scientifically proven to boost hair health.
At the same time, this doesn’t mean that the formula is all-natural. This hair serum contains silicones which combine well with the Moroccan argan oil. Between these two ingredients, this hair serum becomes so effective that you only need a little bit per application.
This is important because otherwise, this product would become unsustainable financially. It is an exorbitant product. In fact, it is expensive enough that you’ll feel the need to be very careful when using it. This is good too because the bottle doesn’t come with a dispensing pump, and if you’re not careful you can end up wasting this hair serum while trying to get it out.
It doesn’t even matter which bottle you choose, neither of them will come with a dispensing pump. The two available options are one that contains 0.85 ounces of the product and the other with a capacity of 3.4 ounces. You can also try to get more bang from your buck by choosing the value pack. The value pack contains a big bottle and a Moroccanoil body soap.
The smell of this hair serum is typical of all Moroccanoil hair care products. It is a mixed scent of flowers and spicy amber. It also has sweet notes to it. While the vast majority of people like the scent, a few may not.
Who’s it for: If you want your hair serum to be about more than just appearance and have money to spend, get the game-changing Moroccanoil Treatment hair serum.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 3.4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, argan kernel oil, and linseed seed extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Detangles hair and makes it soft, smooth, and shiny |
| Has a spicy amber smell with floral notes |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Little goes a long way |
| Available in two different sizes and a combo pack |
| The Cons |
|---|
| An extremely expensive product |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| A few people may not like its scent |
10. Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Serum
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
If you regularly consider buying hair care products from a brand like Kerastase, then it is a given that you have an eye for high-quality things in life. Choosing or even considering Kerastase also means that you’re not financially restricted because their products are some of the most expensive in the world.
Take the Nutritive Oleo-Relax Serum that we’re reviewing here. It is expensive enough to burn a hole in most people’s pockets but every cent will be worth it because this hair serum is excellence personified.
It is designed to not only help against frizz, fraying, and flyaways but also nourish and strengthen the hair shaft along the way. In the process, this hair serum makes the hair smooth, silky, soft, lustrous, and strong. Further, the benefits this hair serum provides are also durable and long-lasting without making the hair greasy or grimy in any way.
Designed specifically for dry and difficult to handle hair, this hair serum contains palm oil and sal tree seed butter. The base, as is the case with all hair serums, is comprised of silicones of various types.
In terms of scent, this product is typical of all Kerastase products. It has a very light and subtle floral scent that appeals to most people who come across it. At the same time, scents being subjective, some people still don’t like its smell. If you’re generally not appreciative of floral smells, then we suggest staying away from this one.
If it wasn’t for its cost, this hair serum would be perfect in every way. As it is, its unbelievably high list price makes most people ask if it is worth the investment. Once purchased, though, the Nutritive Oleo-Relax Serum will stay with you for a long time because you only need a little of it to enjoy its benefits.
Another good quality of this product is that the bottle it comes in has a built-in pump that makes dispensing the hair serum very easy.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for opulence and luxury on top of excellence from your hair serum, the best you can get would be from Kerastase.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 4.2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, palm oil, and sal tree seed butter |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Detangles hair and makes it soft, smooth, and shiny |
| Has a light floral smell |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Little goes a long way |
| Comes with a pump |
| The Cons |
|---|
| An extremely expensive product |
| Its scent might be too strong for some people |
