A hair serum used to be the last thing you reached for when it came to addressing a bit of frizz. If your mane felt a little fried, a few drops rubbed through the ends would suffice for a quick fix. Now, they’ve become the whole conversation. Glass hair, the ’90s supermodel blowout, and “mirror shine” took over our feeds, and everyone decided they wanted shine and smoothness rather than volume. The fastest route to get there is a product you can carry comfortably in a small bag.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Serums for Fighting Frizz
And the shine isn’t just surface-level. Part of the appeal is how much a few drops can do. “Frizz is often a sign that the hair is looking for moisture, so a good serum can help smooth the cuticle, add slip and create a more polished surface without taking away the hair’s natural movement,” says celebrity hairstylist Gregory Russell. The right formula creates a smooth barrier, protecting and strengthening hair strands. Celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins likes what that barrier buys you on a bad-weather day. “A good serum helps smooth the cuticle, adds shine, and gives you a little extra protection against humidity,” he says.
Which serum does that best depends on your hair. A serum can now be water-based, oil-based, or somewhere in between, and that distinction matters more than the label on the front. “If you have finer hair and like to air dry, I’d shy away from serums that are primarily oil-based and instead opt for a water-based serum,” says celebrity hair artist Emaly Baum. “If you have thicker hair, oil or silicone ingredients might be the way to go.” For weather-related frizz, master hairdresser Sarah Lund opts for the controversial silicone. “Lightweight options can block humidity and add incredible shine,” she says.
Finally, if you’re newer to the hair serum game, a pro tip: application is where most of us go wrong. You’ll want to grab a dime-sized amount and add to damp hair on the mid-lengths and ends. “It’s important not to start at the roots to avoid heavy, greasy hair,” advises Baum. Russell, on the other hand, likes to build slowly. “I always start with less than I think I need—you can add more, but you can’t really take it away.”
Below, the serums worth the shelf space, from a drugstore staple to one you’ll love so much you’ll keep it on your nightstand.
