Best Hair Styling Serums of 2025
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Hair styling serums are a popular and effective way to tame frizz, add shine, and protect hair from heat damage. These lightweight products are designed to be applied to damp or dry hair and can be used on all hair types. They work by coating the hair shaft, providing a protective barrier that helps to seal in moisture and prevent breakage. Some serums also contain ingredients that help to strengthen and repair damaged hair. Whether you're looking to create a sleek, straight style or add some extra volume and texture, a hair styling serum can help you achieve the look you want while keeping your hair healthy and hydrated.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Hair Styling Serums
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum fights frizz with the power of Moroccan argan oil that penetrates dry and unmanageable hair, giving it lasting smoothness and shine. This serum is just one of many hair products that Garnier offers, including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and texturizing sprays. With over 100 years of experience in hair care, Garnier has blended naturally inspired ingredients into breakthrough formulas. It carries an array of products for all your hair and skincare needs.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
The Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is a hair styling serum that speeds up drying time, controls frizz, and is humidity resistant. This product is made in the United States and comes in a package that measures 6.38" L x 5.13" W x 8.25" H and weighs 5.21 lb. Its ingredients include Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Parfum (Fragrance), Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, and Citronellol.
Nexxus Ultralight Smooth Hair Serum
Nexxus Smooth Serum is a weightless hair treatment designed to combat frizz and protect hair from humidity. Formulated with Almond Protein and Jasmine Flower, this cream serum not only smooths frizz and tames flyaways but also provides heat protection for your hair. The serum forms an invisible shield around each strand, offering long-lasting frizz protection and keeping your hair smooth for up to 72 hours. When used as part of the Ultralight Smooth System, this serum can block out frizz in up to 98 percent humidity. With Nexxus, you can trust that our hair care experts have created a salon-quality product that delivers the best results.
Color Wow Pop + Lock Frizz Control + Glossing Serum
Color Wow Pop + Lock Frizz Control + Glossing Serum is a hair styling serum that combines two top technologies, oil and serum, to provide a sleek texture and epic shine. It moisturizes, repairs over-processed hair for better styling, seals split ends, prevents color fade, provides UV protection, and silkens and shines dull, dehydrated hair. The serum forms a crystal clear, high-gloss sheath to lock in lubricants and make color pop.
Olaplex No. 9 Nourishing Hair Serum
The Olaplex No. 9 Serum is designed to make your hair care routine easier and more effective. It helps to untangle your hair, making it easier to manage, while also preventing static, so you can say goodbye to flyaways. This serum controls frizz, leaving your hair smooth and polished. Additionally, it offers pollution protection for up to 48 hours, shielding your hair from environmental stressors. With heat protection up to 450°F, you can style your hair confidently without worrying about damage.
GK HAIR 100% Organic Argan Oil Hair Serum
GK HAIR 100% Organic Argan Oil Hair Serum is a weightless hair oil that transforms dull, dry hair into smooth and healthy-looking hair. It provides a protective layer around each hair strand, revitalizes hair follicles, and supports a healthy scalp. The serum is suitable for all hair types and can be used by both men and women. It tames frizzy, brittle hair from roots to ends, balances hair oil production, and protects hair from environmental factors. To use, apply on clean, dry or damp hair after washing with shampoo and conditioner, work the serum into your ends up to mid-hair length.
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Serum
The Garnier Fructis Frizz Tamer is designed to help you manage frizz and enhance shine effortlessly. With its unique formula, you can quickly smooth out flyaways and baby hairs while keeping your hair hydrated. It offers a lightweight application that provides up to 12 hours of sleek and shiny hair without any greasiness or flaking. This on-the-go serum is perfect for daily use, making it easy to maintain a polished look anytime you need it. Plus, it's inspired by nature, ensuring a gentle and cruelty-free experience.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum
This hair serum is specially formulated to tame frizz, leaving your hair silky and smooth. It can also protect your hair from heat and humidity while repairing dry and damaged hair. It is safe to use on natural, color-treated, or highlighted hair, and should be applied to soaking wet hair before styling to lock in moisture.
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Moisture Plump Hair Serum
L'Oreal Hyaluron Plump Hair Serum is a daily leave-in hair treatment that replenishes moisture and reshapes dry, dehydrated hair. With the Hyaluronic Care Complex, this serum provides up to 72 hours of hydration without weighing down your hair. The 2 percent Hyaluronic Care Complex ensures 2x hydration, making your hair look and feel full and bouncy. This serum is part of the Hyaluron Plump Hair Care system, which includes a shampoo, Wonder Water, and conditioner for a complete hydrating routine. Inspired by skincare, this serum is freshly scented with berries, cherry blossom, vanilla, and sandalwood. L'Oreal Hyaluron Plump Hair Serum is the perfect solution for those with dry and dehydrated hair, providing the ultimate hydration and revitalization.
Amika Blockade Heat Defense Serum
The Amika Heat Defense Serum is a luxurious beauty product designed to protect your hair from heat damage. With a compact package measuring 13.2 inches in length, 9.9 inches in width, and 10.9 inches in height, it’s easy to store and handle. Weighing only 3.19 ounces, you can easily take it with you wherever you go, ensuring your hair stays protected on the move. This serum is made in China, reflecting a blend of quality and style that Amika is known for. Using this serum can help you maintain healthy, stylish hair while shielding it from damaging heat tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can hair serum be used for styling?
Yes, hair serum can be used for styling. It can be applied to both wet and dry hair, serving as a pre-styling treatment or a finishing product. Hair serum adds shine and can be used on wash days, in between washes, and on-the-go to enhance your hairstyle.
2. Do you put serum before or after styling?
Hair serums are typically applied before styling to provide protection against damage. The serum forms a protective coating on the hair, shielding it from pollutants, dust, photodamage, and heat damage caused by styling tools. Applying the serum before styling helps to maintain the hair's health and prevent damage.
3. Do you use serum before or after heat styling?
It is recommended to use hair serum before heat styling. Applying serum before heat styling helps to protect the hair from the high temperatures and minimize damage. You can also mix a few drops of serum into your heat protectant or use it alone before using heat styling tools.
4. What are the disadvantages of hair serum?
Using hair serums excessively or for a prolonged period may have negative side effects. Some hair serums contain chemicals like silicone, which can lead to hair loss and breakage. Additionally, certain serums may cause irritation, inflammation, redness, or itchiness on the scalp.
5. What are the pros and cons of hair serum?
Hair serums have several benefits, including locking in moisture, moisturizing the hair, and making it appear healthier, smoother, and less brittle. However, using too much serum can make the hair look oily and may contribute to hair fall. It's important to use hair serums in moderation to avoid these potential drawbacks.
During our hair styling serum research, we found 48 hair styling serum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 410,528 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hair styling serums list. We found that most customers choose hair styling serums with an average price of $13.35.
The hair styling serums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hair styling serums, including Garnier, Paul Mitchell, Nexxus, COLOR WOW, Olaplex. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.
Hair Styling Serums Comparison Table
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| Brand | Garnier | Paul Mitchell | Nexxus | COLOR WOW | Olaplex | GK HAIR | Garnier | John Frieda | L’Oréal Paris | Amika |
| Product Benefits | Frizz control, Humidity Protection, Shine, Smoothens | Vegan. Paraben Free. Gluten Free. | Moisturizing | Combines two most revolutionary hair care technologies of past 25 years (oil + serum) for improved texture & shine. | Satin shine without silicone. Paraben Free. | Nourishing and revitalizing hair growth serum with heat protection frizz control | Frizz Control | Frizz Control, Heat Protection, Humidity Resistance | Moisture Boost, Hydrating, Replumping, Reshaping | Shields hair from heat styling forming a protective barrier for a smooth finish with added softness and shine. |
| Hair Type | Frizzy, Dry | All Hair Types, ideal for Frizzy Hair | Normal | Frizzy, Dry, Dull, Kinky, Coily, Curly, Wavy, Straight | All | All | All | Frizzy, Dry, Damaged, Curly, Color Treated | Dry, Dehydrated | Normal |
| Material Type Free | Dye Free | Paraben Free. Gluten Free. | {'material_type_free.value': [{'value': 'Silicone Free'}, {'value': 'Sulfate free'}]} | Dairy Free | Silicone Free, Sulfate Free, Gluten Free, Paraben Free, Formaldehyde Free | Paraben Free | Silicone Free, Mineral Oil Free, Alcohol Free | Paraben Free, Aluminum Free, Sulfate Free, Alcohol Free | Paraben Free | Dairy Free |
| Scent | Natural | Vibrant, juicy scent with notes of apple, berries, and sweet florals | Unscented | Unscented | Unscented | Floral Blossom | Unscented | Unscented | Sandalwood, Cherry, Vanilla | Citrus |
| Liquid Volume | 5.1 Fluid Ounces | 5.1 Fluid Ounces | 3.9 Fluid Ounces | 0.61 Fluid Ounces | 90 Milliliters | 50 Milliliters | 0.86 Fluid Ounces | 1.69 Fluid Ounces | 130 Milliliters | 50 Milliliters |
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