I Want My Hair to Look Like I Have Weekly Salon Visits—This Product Has Convinced People I Do
Great for adding softness and shine to the hair, our beauty editor has rounded up the best hair serums, tried and tested on her thick, wavy hair.
I've been on quite the journey with my hair over the years, so let me take you back to the beginning. When I was younger, I had incredibly thick, naturally curly hair that I found difficult to manage. I was desperate for sleek, straight lengths, so I ended up using my hair straighteners almost every day. Not only that, but I decided that my dark brunette roots weren't for me, so ended up bleaching my hair bright blonde when I was about 16. As you can imagine, my hair became pretty damaged, and I found myself Googling "how to stop hair breakage" on a weekly basis.
After reluctantly giving the bleach (and the heat styling) a break, and incorporating some of the best shampoos, conditioners and hair masks into my routine, my hair has slowly made its way back to life. While I've been focusing on my hair health, I've come to love my thicker, natural hair texture, and these days I tend to alternate between styling my hair and letting it air dry. But no matter whether I'm wearing my hair straight and sleek or curly and voluminous, there is always one product I turn to in the mornings to help finish off my look. Yep, I'm talking about one of the best hair serums.
I feel like hair serums aren't spoken about enough, but they can make a huge difference to how your hair looks and feels. In fact, hairstylists swear by these serums and always use them as the finishing touch when working with clients. Below, I've rounded up some of my favourite hair serums of all time, and I've also spoken to hairstylist to the stars, Jay Birmingham, to find out more about what makes these products so good. You are welcome...
The Best Hair Serums, Tried & Tested
- Best Post-Styling Hair Serum: ghd Dramatic Ending Smooth and Finish Serum (£18.95)
- Best Overnight Hair Serum: Kérastase Nutritive 8h Magic Night Serum (£47)
- Best Hair Serum for Damaged Hair: Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum (£62)
- Best Hair Serum for Thick Hair: John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum (£8.29)
- Best Affordable Hair Serum: L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Hair Serum (£12.99)
1. ghd Dramatic Ending Smooth and Finish Serum
Pros
- Can be used on damp or dry hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- Lightweight
- Adds beautiful shine
Cons
- Small amount of product for the price
Why it's the best: GHD knows what it's doing when it comes to hair products, and this serum is no exception. Designed to be applied as the last step in your routine (although you can also use it on damp hair before blow drying) it's suitable for all hair types and helps to smooth hair, define curls, add shine and tame flyaways.
My review: I love using this serum on those mornings when my hair is feeling a little all over the place. It helps to lock in my style and adds salon-worthy shine. It's very lightweight so doesn't feel greasy or weigh my hair down either, which is a huge plus.
2. Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum
Pros
- Smells incredible
- Can be used as an overnight treatment
- Hydrates hair and boosts shine
Cons
- Very expensive
Why it's the best: If you want a little bit of luxury, you can't go wrong with Oribe. Not only is this serum beautiful to look at, but it contains the brand's signature complex of ingredients to strengthen the hair, add moisture and increase elasticity. It can be used on both dry and damp hair, and can also be used as an overnight treatment, too.
My review: I love this serum and tend to use it as an overnight treatment when my ends are feeling dry. It smells absolutely incredible and makes my hair feel so soft and smooth. One thing I will say is that a little goes a long way, so be careful not to apply too much as this can sometimes weigh the hair down.
3. John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for thick hair
- Adds shine
Cons
- Can feel a little greasy
Why it's the best: Not only is this serum super affordable, but it really works. It comes in an extra-strength formula that has been designed with thick and coarse hair in mind, and works to tame flyaways, protect from heat and add shine. With argan, coconut and moringa oil, it can be used on damp or dry hair for a hit of hydration.
My review: I actually had someone at work ask me how I got my hair to look so smooth and shiny after using a few pumps of this serum. Yep, I really love this stuff, especially as the formula has been designed with thick hair in mind. It can feel a little greasy at times, but I make sure to use a small amount in order to avoid this.
4. Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Features the brand's iconic patented bond-building technology
Cons
- Doesn't add a huge amount of shine
Why it's the best: This hair serum is pretty revolutionary. Suitable for all hair types, it is infused with the brand's iconic patented bond-building technology and protects against both pollution and heat (up to 232°C), so is ideal for dry or damaged ends. Oh, and it also helps to add a glossy shine. Simply apply to damp hair and style as normal.
My review: I love using this on hair wash days when I want to wear my hair natural. It really helps to reduce frizz and flyaways, and my hair always feels softer and healthier.
5. L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Hair Serum
Pros
- Comes in a spray bottle which is easy to use
- More affordable
- Hydrates dry ends
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Might not work as well on very damaged hair
Why it's the best: You can always rely on L'Oreal Paris for affordable products that deliver on results. As the name suggests, this serum is super hydrating, and the formula is infused with hyaluronic acid to add bounce and shine to your ends. I like to think of it as skincare for your hair. It is suitable for all hair textures and can be used on wet or dry hair whenever you need a boost.
My review: This is one of those products that I recommend to everyone. It comes in a spray format so is super quick and easy to use, it smells like a luxury hairdresser's salon and gives your hair a nice boost in between washes.
6. Dyson Chitosan Post-Style Serum
Pros
- Easy pump dispenser
- Smells nice
- Lightweight
- Adds beautiful shine
Cons
- Quite expensive
Why it's the best: New from Dyson, the Chitosan serum is a post-styling product designed to lock in your style and hydrate your ends. It can be used on dry hair to provide long-lasting hold and a smooth, shiny finish. The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid and amino acids to moisturise and reduce the appearance of damage, so it really is a one-stop shop for those busy mornings.
My review: This product is easily one of the coolest serums I've used. It comes in this unique pump format that makes it easy to dispense into your hands, it's very lightweight and it smells really fresh. Although I'm yet to notice a huge difference when it comes to holding my style, my hair always looks so shiny and healthy when I use this.
7. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Bond Repair Leave-in Serum
Pros
- Works well on damaged hair
- Easy to use
- Adds subtle shine
Cons
- Could be a little heavy for very fine hair
Why it's the best: Another great option from L’Oréal Paris, but for very different reasons. This leave-in serum is ideal for damaged hair as it works to strengthen, minimise the appearance of split ends and protect against heat damage. It can be used on wet or dry hair and is suitable for all hair types, so it's easy to slot into your routine if you're on a hair health journey like me.
My review: My hair always looks (and feels) quite dry after styling with heat, but this serum helps to minimise the appearance of damage and also adds subtle shine. It has a lightweight texture so I can use a lot without weighing my ends down, and it sinks in in seconds so never feels greasy.
8. Kérastase Nutritive 8h Magic Night Serum
Why it's the best: This clever serum has been designed to be used overnight on both damp or dry hair. All you have to do is apply it through the lengths and ends, and there's no need to rinse it out in the morning. It features five essential vitamins to nourish and hydrate your hair, and also helps to protect from dryness while you sleep.
My review: I toss and turn a lot in the night, so tend to wake up with a lot of flyaways. However, pairing this overnight serum with my silk pillowcase ensures that I wake up with silky soft ends. It is more of an investment, but I really do notice a difference when using.
Pros
- Can be used overnight
- Protects hair while sleeping
Cons
- Quite expensive
9. John Frieda Frizz Ease All-in-1 Lightweight Serum
Why it's the best: If you love the John Frieda hair serums but find that they weigh your hair down, then you might want to give this lightweight version a go. Designed with fine hair in mind, it still adds that smooth, shiny finish without any heaviness or greasiness.
My review: Although this particular serum doesn't work as well on my thick hair, my friends with finer hair types love it. It's super affordable and absorbs much quicker, so it won't leave your ends feeling heavy at all.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
- Won't work as well on thick hair types
10. Imbue Curl Energising Hydrating Serum
Why it's the best: If there's one hair type that can benefit from incorporating a serum into its routine, it's curly and coily hair. Often, these hair types lack moisture, and so, adding a formula that helps lock hydration into strands will lead to curls that look more defined, with added bounce and shine. Imbue's serum offers exactly that, packed with hydrating oils, it works to nourish the hair without weighing it down.
Editor review: "This is, hands down, the curly-hair styling product I recommend most often. Though it's rich in oils (coconut, grapeseed and avocado, if you're wondering), this hair serum strikes that God-tier balance of being super hydrating but not at all heavy—meaning even those with finer strands and lower porosity levels can layer it on without fear of greasy residue. It also really works to improve definition; I apply it to wet hair, followed by a little gel, before diffusing, then I'm good to go. Plus, that price tag means I've lost count of how many times I've repurchased it." – Lucy Abbersteen, freelance beauty editor and copywriter
Pros
- Packed with hydrating oils
- No greasy residue
- Affordable
Cons
- May be too heavy for some hair types
11. Wella Proffesionals Ultimate Smooth Miracle Hair Oil Serum
Why it's the best: Bridging the gap between a hair oil and a serum, Wella's formula offers the best of both worlds in one easy-to-use product. It's infused with a blend of squalane to hydrate and omega-3 oils, which not only smooth strands but also create a barrier on the surface of the hair, locking in moisture and protecting it from unwanted frizz.
Editor review: "As a beauty editor with wavy/curly hair that's often prone to frizz, I like a serum that works hard and helps to leave my strands looking sleek and smooth. This serum-oil hybrid is the answer. It feels lighter than a traditional hair oil yet still leaves my hair looking smooth and silky. I like to apply to damp hair to seal in moisture before following with my styling products." — Jazzria Harris, Freelance Fashion & Beauty Editor
Pros
- Combines serum technology with a hydrating hair oil
Cons
- Oil-formula may not suit all hair types
What Does a Hair Serum Do?
As you probably noticed from the above round-up, there are hundreds of hair serums on the market, and each of them has its own individual uses, such as strengthening hair or locking in your style. However, the majority of serums work to smooth the hair and add shine.
"A hair serum, if it is a good one, is undoubtedly one of my must-have products for creating any hairstyle," says Birmingham. "It is amazing for smoothing and sealing, moisture retention, adding shine to your hair, minimising tangling, enhancing the manageability for hair styling and repairing split ends. If you bleach your hair or use a lot of heat tools, I love [using] a serum to protect, control frizz and add shine."
Can a Hair Serum Work for All Hair Types?
One thing I was curious to know is whether hair serums can work for all hair types. As it turns out, they can. "Hair serums can absolutely work for all hair types," says Birmingham. "Some will be better for specific hair types or textures, but in general, there are so many benefits for all hair types."
If you have dry or damaged hair, Birmingham says that serums can provide lots of hydration and nourishment. Equally, if you have oily hair, a serum can help counterbalance excess oil. Serums work great on straight hair types, but are also great for curly hair types, as they can provide a protective layer to control flyaways and define your natural texture.
How to Use a Hair Serum
As mentioned above, there are so many serums on the market, and these products can be used in lots of different ways. Some serums are designed to be applied at night as a leave-in treatment, while others are designed to be applied as the final step in your styling routine. You can also use some serums on damp hair to help lock in moisture before drying.
"To use a hair serum, I would start with freshly washed and brushed hair and get two pumps of my favourite Jay B’s Split Seal Serum," says Birmingham. "Rub it into your hands first to distribute evenly, then begin by working the product from the ends up through to the mid strands and finishing at the top. Always try to avoid direct application to the scalp. Once distributed evenly, you can then style exactly as desired."
