Best for medium, thick or coarse hair that frizzes or looks dull, especially in humid weather. Paul Mitchell places Gloss Drops as the final shine step for medium to coarse hair types, and suggests very thick, coarse hair can also use it on damp hair as a blowout primer.

Fine or easily weighed-down hair can still use it, but only a single drop on the ends. It is a retail styling product that needs no professional skill to use.

Gloss Drops sits at the very end of a smoothing routine, where most products have already done their job. Its concentrated silicones lay down a thin, humidity-resistant film over dry hair that flattens raised cuticles, so light reflects off the strand and flyaways settle. Because it is so concentrated, one bottle gives many applications, and on thick or coarse hair the same drops can go on damp hair first to make a sleek blowout easier.

Rub 1 to 3 drops between your palms, then smooth over dry hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends. It is very concentrated, so start with one drop and add more only if needed.

For very thick or coarse hair, a few drops can also be applied to damp hair as a blowout primer before drying.

Stylist tip from Paul Mitchell: add a few drops to your usual styling product for extra shine.

Pros

• A few drops cover a whole head, so a bottle lasts
• Silicones seal the surface for strong shine and humidity resistance
• Doubles as a blowout primer on very thick or coarse hair
• Works as a quick fix on dry hair between washes

Cons

• Too much leaves hair looking greasy, especially fine hair
• Silicone film can build up; a clarifying wash now and then helps
• Gives shine and frizz control, not hold