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Don’t you just love fresh-out-of-the-salon hair? I do. I’m a heck lot vainer when I step out of the salon. Any reflection I see, the hair goes flick flick. Shameless, I know.

Other than the amazing hair-blowing skills salon people have in creating that gorgeous, sleek hair, it is the shine serum they use after blow-drying that gives the hair that healthy glow. It keeps the hair sleek and frizz-free without weighing it down. I went on a search for such a serum.

Description:

A weightless shine serum that protects and polishes the hair while nourishing and moisturizing. Protects against further damage.
Prevents split ends and frizziness. Gives separation to curly hair.
Hair is left glossy and healthy. Hair is left feeling renewed with improved manageability. Adds vibrancy, shine and definition.
Recommended for:
Cuticle reconstruction and additional shine on all hair types.
Dull, coarse & curly hair. Long hair.
Coconut papaya fragrance.
Use: Apply one to three drops in palm and emulsify. Distribute through damp hair to aid in blow drying or styling. For intense shine, distribute through dry hair. Reduces frizz and increases smoothness.

Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin PG_Propyl Methylsilanediol, Thiotic Acid, Psodium Guajava Fruit Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Glycolipids, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Fragrance/Parfum

This was introduced to me by the hair stylist-cum-sales assistant at Price Attack. I told her I was looking for a serum to be used on dried hair after blow-drying, not damp. I also wanted something light; not incredibly watery that it would be useless on my hair, but tacky enough to produce a lovely sheen on my hair without weighing it down.

She suggested a few brands of shine serums in similar price range, but highly recommended Joico’s K-Pak Protect and Shine Serum.

I compared this serum with other brands of serum in the store. By holding the bottle horizontally, and gently rocked it left and right, I noticed that it was pretty light, compared to the rest which were thick and tacky. I was sold.

After blow-drying and straightening my hair with a flat iron, I squeezed a dollop of serum onto one palm. Rubbing the palms together to spread the serum evenly on both hands (never squeeze serum directly from the bottle right to the hair; you’d end up using too much on one side, and not enough on the other), I flattened my palms on my hair, concentrating at the ends.

A dollop

Spread that dollop evenly on both palms

The result was healthy-looking, shiny and sleek hair. Yes! 😀

I really like how light this serum is. Yes, it is a tad sticky at first, but after applying it on the hair, the hair does not feel sticky at all. Smells great too.

I’d highly recommend this shine serum to anyone with dry and coarse hair, who’s looking for something to give the hair a bit of shine and sleekness without the weight.

I bought it at around AU$25-28 (can’t recall the exact price) at Price Attack for 50ml/1.7oz. You can also get this at hair-specialty stores like Hairhouse Warehouse. I don’t think you can get this at pharmacies like Priceline though (I will check and report back).

What I like about it: Gave me sleek and shiny hair without weighing it down. Light, and smells good.

What I did not like about it: Nothing

What about you? Do you use any shine serum on your hair when it’s dry? Or just leave-in conditioner when it’s damp?