Made for people with wavy, curly, or coily hair who want added shine and frizz control without the heaviness silicone-based serums can leave behind over time. It works across the curl spectrum, but application amount matters: medium-to-coarse curls can use a full pump, while fine or medium-texture waves and curls should start with half a pump and concentrate it on the mid-lengths and ends to avoid weighing hair down. It isn't intended for straight-hair styling.

The case for High Shine over a silicone shine serum comes down to what happens over repeated washes: silicones coat the hair shaft and can build up, eventually requiring a clarifying shampoo to remove, while this oil blend rinses out more easily and doesn't leave that residue behind. It's meant for the last step of a curl routine — sealing in shine and taming stray frizz — rather than replacing a leave-in conditioner or styling cream.

Warm one pump between your palms (less for fine or medium-texture curls — start with about half a pump). Smooth or scrunch it through your curls, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends, which tend to be driest. Use it on dry, already-styled curls as a finishing step to seal in shine, or work it through wet curls before styling for an extra layer of moisture. A little goes a long way, so add more only if needed.

Pros:

• Silicone-free, so it adds shine without the buildup a silicone serum can leave over repeated washes
• Works on both wet and dry curls, making it flexible as either a pre-styling step or a finishing touch
• Oil blend is lightweight enough for fine-to-medium curls when used sparingly
• Pump dispenses small, controlled amounts, so one bottle covers a full head many times over

Cons:

• Fine or medium-texture waves and curls can look greasy or weighed down if more than about half a pump is used
• It's a finishing/moisture product, not a styling product — it won't add hold or curl definition the way a gel or cream does
• Contains several synthetic fragrance-related compounds (citral, geraniol, limonene, linalool) that can be sensitizing for people with fragrance sensitivities