Best Hair Styling Serums of 2026
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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
ORS Olive Oil Heat Protection Hair Serum with Coconut Oil
The ORS Olive Oil Hair Serum combines the nourishing benefits of coconut oil and olive oil essence to give your hair a natural shine and deep hydration. This serum helps you achieve silky, smooth hair, making it easier to manage and style. You can use your heat tools as usual without worrying about damage, as the serum protects your hair from heat exposure. Additionally, it keeps your hair looking glossy and moisturized throughout the day, enhancing your overall hair health and appearance.
Dove Intensive Repair Hair Serum
Dove Repair Serum is designed to rejuvenate your hair and protect it from damage. With each use, it creates a protective barrier that lasts for up to 72 hours, ensuring your hair stays shiny and healthy. Infused with Amino Serum, this serum enhances gloss for 48 hours and smooths your hair for 72 hours, making it easier to manage. The unique Bio-Protein Care technology replenishes your hair with essential proteins, strengthening it with every application. For best results, apply this serum to damp or dry hair and consider using the Intensive Repair Hair Mask weekly for extra care.
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.
It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum 3 oz
The It's a 10 Styling Serum helps you achieve shiny hair that looks healthy and vibrant, making your hair stand out with a natural glow. Its lightweight formula ensures you won't feel any heaviness or greasiness, so your hair stays fresh and comfortable all day. If you struggle with frizz, this serum smooths down flyaways, giving you a sleek and polished look. It also improves your hair's smoothness, making it easier to manage and style. This serum is a simple way to enhance your hair’s appearance and texture without any hassle.
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.
TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Cream Serum
The TRESemmé Gloss Cream Serum is designed to hydrate and smooth your hair while giving it a stunning shine that lasts up to 72 hours. Thanks to its advanced Lamellar Lamination technology, it helps create a sleek, glossy finish that looks professionally styled. You can use this versatile serum in three different ways: as a leave-in treatment, a rinse-off conditioner, or a pre-shampoo treatment, making it easy to fit into your hair care routine. Plus, it’s free from harmful ingredients like parabens, mineral oil, and DMDM hydantoin, and is cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it every day.
Marc Anthony Grow Long Scalp & Hair Serum
The Marc Anthony Grow Long Serum is designed to help you strengthen your hair from the roots, supporting longer and healthier strands. This serum focuses on reducing breakage, so your hair can grow stronger without snapping. It contains a blend of caffeine and ginseng, which work together to keep your hair moisturized and protected. Rosemary oil is included to improve scalp health and reinforce hair follicles. You can apply it easily on damp or dry hair by massaging it into your scalp, then comb and style as usual. It works well for all hair types and is most effective when used with the full Grow Long collection.
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.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
Paul Mitchell Serum is designed to help you achieve smooth, frizz-free hair while significantly reducing drying time. This blowout primer prepares your hair for styling, allowing you to enjoy silky results in less time. Its humidity-resistant formula features lightweight silicones that not only condition your hair but also seal the cuticle, keeping your locks looking great in any weather. If you struggle with frizzy hair, this product is perfect for you, as it effectively combats frizz and leaves you with a polished finish.
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.
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 324,008 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 $14.51.
The hair styling serums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hair styling serums, including ORS, Dove, Olaplex, It's a 10 Haircare, Garnier. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 574 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 | ORS | Dove | Olaplex | It's a 10 Haircare | Garnier | TRESemmé | Marc Anthony | Nexxus | Paul Mitchell | L'Oreal Paris |
| Scent | Coconut | Fragranced | - | - | Natural | Fragranced | Rosemary | Unscented | Vibrant, juicy scent with notes of apple, berries, and sweet florals | Cherry, Sandalwood, Vanilla |
| Product Benefits | Heat Protection | Repairing | - | - | Frizz control, Humidity Protection, Shine, Smoothens | Detangling, High Gloss, Hydrating, Nourishing, Shine | - | Moisturizing | Color Safe. Vegan. Paraben Free. Made Without Gluten. | Moisture Boost, Hydrating, Replumping, Reshaping |
| Hair Type | All | Damaged | - | - | Frizzy, Dry | All | - | Normal | Frizzy | Dry, Dehydrated |
| Material Type Free | Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, Sulphate Free | Paraben Free | - | - | Dye Free | Paraben Free | - | 'material_type_free.value': [{'value': 'Silicone Free'}, {'value': 'Sulfate free'}]} | Paraben Free. Made without Gluten. | Paraben Free |
| Liquid Volume | 177 Milliliters | 3.3 Fluid Ounces | - | - | 5.1 Fluid Ounces | 5.7 Fluid Ounces | - | 3.9 Fluid Ounces | 0.85 Fluid Ounces | 130 Milliliters |
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