Fight frizz, protect from heat and give hair mirror-like shine with this clever new treatment
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ll have noticed one thing: everyone’s hair looks like it’s been dipped in glass. From Hailey Bieber’s liquid-shine buns to Dua Lipa’s ultra-sleek lengths, glossy hair has become the new currency of good health. But while A-listers have stylists and filters to hand, the rest of us are relying on clever haircare- and Swedish brand Maria Nila might just have bottled the trick.
Meet the new Gloss Coat, a heat-activated smoothing treatment promising up to four days of high-gloss, humidity-proof shine. Simply spritz it through damp hair before styling, and it transforms dull lengths into a sleek, light-reflective sheet that wouldn’t look out of place on a red carpet.
Unlike most shine sprays that leave a film or fade after a few hours, this one promises to have been formulated to actually improve the condition of your hair as it works. Amino acids help strengthen and smooth, provitamin B5 boosts hydration, and sunflower and pomegranate extracts protect your colour from fading- a must if you spent lots of time in the sun over the summer. It essentially uses skincare logic but for your hair: protect, polish and preserve.
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How does it work? Once heat hits, the formula seals the cuticle, locking in moisture and creating a mirror-like finish that resists frizz and humidity for days. The brand claims it gives “more shine than main market competitors”, and after a single use, it’s easy to believe. There’s also a built-in heat protectant, meaning you can skip a separate spray and streamline your routine.
In tests, nine out of ten users said their hair looked noticeably shinier with Maria Nila’s formula compared to their usual styling spray. The brand hasn’t said this, but we have to wonder if it’s being pitted against ColorWow’s Dream Coat, £27, which has thousands of rave reviews for its shine-boosting powers.
At £24.50 for 200ml, Gloss Coat is officially on our must-buy list for October. But if you’re on a budget and looking for a shine booster around the £10 mark, we also love L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic 8 Second Wonder Water, £11.99.