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When it comes to multitasking hair products, few work harder than the best hair serums. The right formula can smooth frizz, add instant shine, shield against heat styling, and even help protect your strands from pollution—all while feeling light as air and easy to use every day. Unlike heavier hair oils that can sometimes weigh hair down, serums are made to lightly sink into the cuticle, protecting it while instantly adding a polished, glossy finish. And with all the advanced formulas out there now, there’s pretty much a serum for every hair concern you can think of: hydrating serums that won’t flatten curly hair, reparative blends that seal split ends, and frizz-fighters strong enough to stand up to humidity for fine hair.
Our Top Hair Serums
- Best Overall: IGK CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum, $32
- Best for Fine Hair: RŌZ Milk Hair Serum, $52
- Best for Curly Hair: Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum, $29
- Best for Heat Styling: Davines LOVE Smoothing Perfector, $33
- Best for Split Ends: Virtue The Perfect Ending Split End Serum, $42
- Best for Scalp: Kérastase Initialiste Advanced Scalp & Hair Serum, $64
- Best for Damage Repair: Oribe Power Drops Damage Repair Booster, $58
- Best Fragrance-Free: SEEN Magic Serum, $36
But with so many serums promising silky, shiny hair, it can be hard to know which ones are worth the hype. We tested and tapped expert insight to round up the best hair serums that make a noticeable difference, whether you’re looking to keep your blowout sleek, protect curls from frizz, or just give dull strands a little extra life.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What's the difference between serums and hair oils?
- Should you avoid silicones in hair serums?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: IGK CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum
IGK
CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the IGK CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: No tears here once you see how IGK's CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum instantly creates sleek, shiny strands. This lightweight oil-serum hybrid tames flyaways, locks in moisture, and adds high-gloss shine without weight. Pros also love it for its versatility: “It’s great for damp or dry hair. If you want to freshen up your blow-dry or your ends look dull after a couple of days, add this to dry hair and run the blow-dryer and round brush through your ends for instant shine,” says Kimberly Gueldner, a stylist based in New York City. Packed with coconut and safflower seed oils, it keeps frizz under control for up to 72 hours, while prickly pear cactus extract enhances dimension and amps up shine, especially on color-treated hair.
Han before applying the IGK CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum
Sarah Han
Han after applying the IGK CryBaby Smoothing & Finishing Serum
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“A hair serum is non-negotiable for my color-damaged, frizz-prone hair. I'm usually hesitant about oil-forward formulas for my fine hair but this one is surprisingly lightweight and doesn't leave a greasy film. I'm also quite moderate with how much I apply—just two pumps to mostly dried hair. After I've fully blow-dried, my hair feels super silky, easier to comb through, and less frizzy. I also think my pink looks a bit brighter than straight out of the shower, which is all I can wish for.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: coconut oil, prickly pear cactus extract, safflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Fine Hair: RŌZ Milk Hair Serum
RŌZ
Milk Hair Serum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Revolve
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the RŌZ Milk Hair Serum
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: While RŌZ Milk Hair Serum doesn’t have dairy (the “milk” refers to its silky, featherlight texture), it’s still packed with good-for-you ingredients like glycerin, panthenol, and a blend of plant oils and extracts like blueberry, grape, and rosemary. “It’s a three-in-one product that softens, detangles, and helps with frizz,” says Lauren Paglionico, a hair colorist based in New York City. “It’s great for all hair types, but I particularly love how it separates and defines waves and curls without them looking crunchy.” Created by stylist Mara Roszak (the genius behind Emma Stone, Olivia Wilde, and Zoe Saldana’s shiny strands), this serum is all about bringing those salon-level results into your everyday routine.
Pai before applying the RŌZ Milk Hair Serum
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the RŌZ Milk Hair Serum
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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"My 2B-ish waves tend to be fine and prone to frizz, so I'm always on the hunt for formulas that can both deliver enough moisture and create definition without adding weight. I just scrunch this in before I air-dry and poof, my hair retains texture and lift, but feels noticeably softer and smoother." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, red algae extract, botani complex, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Curly Hair: Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum
Curlsmith
Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: If you have waves, curls, or coils, you’re probably already familiar with Curlsmith, but it’s worth the reminder of why the brand is such a go-to. Their Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum is a favorite among our curly-haired editors—it controls frizz while still letting all that natural bounce shine through. Packed with curl-friendly oils like almond, sunflower, and argan, plus watermelon seed extract and squalane, it locks in moisture and shine while keeping your pattern bouncy and soft. Unlike greasy styling products (a.k.a. a curl’s worst enemy), this one is also breathable, buildable, and silicone-free.
Hoffmann before applying the Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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"I'm generally pro-frizz, but I will admit that sometimes it gets a little out of hand. This serum is my go-to for second day hair—it's like a soothing tonic for the poofy, dry cocoon of hair I tend to wake up with. A little goes a long way if you have fine hair like I do. I use it to spot treat the areas that need a touch of shine." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, squalane, argan oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Heat Styling: Davines Love Smoothing Perfector
Davines
LOVE Smoothing Perfector
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Davines LOVE Smoothing Perfector
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: If blowouts, flat irons, or curling wands are part of your regular routine, Davines Love Smoothing Perfector is a must-have. This lightweight, leave-in cream protects hair from heat up to 450°F while keeping frizz and flyaways in check. Infused with Sicilian olive extract (rich in fatty acids and vitamins) and jojoba seed oil, it adds hydration and shine without ever feeling heavy. It also helps with detangling, making styling smoother from start to finish. Bonus: It leaves hair soft and sleek while adding humidity resistance, so the heat-styled look you worked hard for actually stays put.
Lee before applying the Davines LOVE Smoothing Perfector
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Davines LOVE Smoothing Perfector
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“My hair is super prone to frizz—especially since I usually let it air-dry about 70% before heat styling—but this cream has been a game-changer. It leaves my hair noticeably softer and shinier, with a delicate, pretty scent that’s a nice perk. With the humidity lately being next-level, I love how much more polished and put-together my style looks.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: olive extract, vitamin E, jojoba seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
More hair serums we love:
Best for Split Ends: Virtue The Perfect Ending Split End Serum
Virtue
The Perfect Ending Split End Serum
Dermstore
Walmart
Why it's worth it: If your ends are looking a little rough between trims, Virtue’s The Perfect Ending Split End Serum is here to mimic that “just cut” look. This lightweight leave-in serum smooths and seals split ends on contact, while the brand’s signature alpha keratin 60ku protein repairs damage from the inside out. Nourishing oils (like marula, watermelon seed, and coconut) offset dryness and add shine while gardenia extract delivers antioxidant protection. It also shields against future breakage from heat styling, so your ends look silky and strong—almost like you just left the salon.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tocopherol, Tahitian gardenia flower extract, melon seed oil, alpha keratin 60ku
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Scalp: Kérastase Initialiste Advanced Scalp & Hair Serum
Kérastase
Initialiste Advanced Scalp & Hair Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Hair health really does start at the scalp, and that’s exactly where Kérastase Initialiste Advanced Scalp & Hair Serum goes to work. “A pro favorite, it uses plant-based stem cells and ceramides to strengthen at the root and boost shine for your strands,” says Chad Cook, a stylist based in Marina Del Rey, CA. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly without residue, making it easy to apply after towel-drying. With consistent use, this hair and scalp serum helps reduce hair breakage, improve density, and support stronger growth, making hair feel more resilient. “Over time, hair not only looks healthier, but many of my clients with finer textures tell me their hair even appears noticeably fuller,” says Cook.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, green tea extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Damage Repair: Oribe Power Drops Damage Repair Booster
Oribe
Power Drops Damage Repair Booster
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: The Oribe Power Drops Damage Repair Booster is all about giving damaged hair superpowers. “This serum is like a repair shot, with biotin and linoleic acid to instantly smooth while rebuilding weak, brittle strands,” says Cook. The ultra-light formula is designed to be mixed into your favorite conditioner, cream, or oil, allowing you to customize your routine with a targeted boost. It doesn’t just mend the look of damage; it also shields against heat and pollution with the help of vitamin-rich sea kelp, so hair stays healthy and stronger in the long run.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: linoleic acid, biotin, sea kelp extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Fragrance-Free: SEEN Magic Serum
SEEN
Magic Serum
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Great for sensitive skin and scalps, SEEN Magic Serum is a fragrance-free option recognized by the National Eczema Association. This lightweight, non-comedogenic serum smooths frizz, boosts shine, and shields against heat styling up to 450ºF—all without clogging pores or causing irritation. Featuring gentle (yet powerful) squalane and olive-derived extracts, it delivers weightless hydration that leaves hair silky, soft, and more manageable. And because it’s fragrance-free, it’s ideal for those who can’t handle strongly scented products, making it easy to fit into any hair-care routine.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hemisqualane, squalane, olive extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between serums and hair oils?
Hair serums and oils might look alike, but they’re not the same. “The biggest difference between a hair oil and serum is that oil sits on the cuticle, where serum is designed to penetrate it,” says Paglionico. Oils tend to feel heavier since they coat and condition the surface, making them great for nourishing dry or damaged strands.
Serums, on the other hand, usually have a very lightweight texture and work inside the cuticle to smooth, protect, and add shine without weighing hair down. In short, oils are more about deep conditioning, while serums are ideal for lightweight hair styling and protection.
Should you avoid silicones in hair serums?
Whether or not to avoid silicones in hair serums ultimately comes down to personal preference. “I don’t find silicones to be beneficial in hair products because they tend to build up on the hair, clogging the cuticle,” says Paglionico. “Buildup can cause hair to become dull and even lead to breakage.”
But not all experts agree. “In the right formulation, they can be beneficial since they create a breathable barrier that locks in moisture, adds instant smoothness and shine, and shields against heat and pollution,” says Cook. In short: if you’re prone to buildup or prefer a lighter feel, silicone-free may be best, but high-quality formulas can make silicones a major asset.
Meet the experts
- Chad Cook, a stylist and founder of Chad Cook Hair, based in Marina Del Rey, CA
- Kimberly Gueldner, a stylist and founder of Voel Hair, based in New York City
- Lauren Paglionico, a hair colorist and founder of Lrn Beauty, based in New York City
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hair serums to tackle frizz from dullness, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair experts—many of whom want shinier, healthier-looking hair. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
