If you’ve ever paused a red‑carpet reel to zoom in on Zendaya’s hair, you know the look: impossibly sleek, reflective, and smooth from root to tip. The secret isn’t a 20‑step routine—it’s the right three products used with intention and good technique. Below, I’m breaking down the exact, stylist‑approved picks that reliably deliver mirror‑like shine, plus the simple steps to make them work on real, frizz‑prone hair.
Why Zendaya’s shine looks different
High-gloss hair is all about three things: sealing the cuticle, fighting humidity, and adding micro‑thin shine without weight. When the cuticle lies flat, it reflects light like glass. Humidity protection keeps the surface smooth so it doesn’t puff up an hour later. And a smart oil refines the finish without greasing it out. That’s the formula behind celebrity “glass hair” on carpets and photo calls—and yes, you can do it at home.
The 3 exact products for Zendaya-level gloss
- Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – This heat‑activated, humidity‑proofing mist creates a sheer, flexible shield that keeps hair sleek for up to 3–4 washes. It’s a cult favorite for good reason: it locks down frizz without stiffness or residue.
- GHD Platinum+ Styler – A smart flat iron that holds an optimal heat (up to 365°F) and adjusts to your hair’s thickness and speed, giving you a smooth, glassy finish in fewer passes—key for shine and health.
- Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil – A featherweight, silicone‑and‑oil blend that adds that last 10% of high‑shine polish while softening ends and taming flyaways—all without dulling movement.
While no one can guarantee the exact products behind every red‑carpet moment, this trio is beloved by pros and consistently recreates that Zendaya‑inspired reflective finish at home.
Step-by-step: your mirror-gloss routine
1) Start clean and smooth
Shampoo and condition with a smoothing or reparative formula to reduce surface roughness. Gently towel‑blot—don’t rough dry—as friction lifts the cuticle and invites frizz.
2) Saturate with Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Work in sections on damp hair. Spray generously until each section feels evenly coated—this product needs full saturation to form its humidity shield. Comb through to distribute.
3) Blow‑dry with tension
Use a nozzle and a round or paddle brush. Keep the dryer pointed downward to lay the cuticle flat. Aim for 100% dry; Dream Coat activates with heat and holds best when fully dried smooth.
4) Seal with the GHD Platinum+ Styler
Take 1‑inch sections and glide the flat iron slowly from root to tip. One or two deliberate passes beat five quick ones; fewer, smoother passes equal more shine and less damage. Mind your heat: fine hair typically needs less, coarse hair may need a bit more, but the Platinum+ auto‑regulates to protect your hair’s integrity.
5) Finish with Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Start with a pea‑sized drop. Emulsify between palms and lightly skim mids to ends, then use whatever’s left on the surface and flyaways. You’re looking for a glossy veil—not a greasy coat.
Pro tip: For flyaways around the part, mist a brush or clean spoolie with a touch of flexible hairspray and smooth in the direction of growth. If you’re heading into humidity, toss a travel oil in your bag for micro‑touchups.
Tailor it to your hair type
- Fine or easily weighed‑down hair: Keep oil to the ends only, and use the lightest possible amount. Dream Coat is your MVP because it adds gloss without weight.
- Medium to coarse hair: Work in smaller sections when blow‑drying to maximize tension. Add a second micro‑drop of oil after 30 minutes to revive the finish without buildup.
- Curly or coily hair: Stretch curls with a tension blow‑dry first, using a brush to guide. Flat iron in thin, deliberate sections for uniform sheen. You may love two Dream Coat passes: one light layer pre‑dry and a second mist before your final smoothing blow‑through.
- Color‑treated or fragile hair: Shine thrives on health. Space out heat days and use a weekly bond or mask treatment (think Augustinus Bader The Rich Conditioner or Dr. Barbara Sturm Repair Mask) to keep the cuticle tight and reflective.
Make it last: maintenance that protects your shine
- Sleep on silk: A silk pillowcase or scarf reduces friction, which preserves that sealed‑cuticle finish overnight.
- Hands off: Oils from your fingers transfer to hair and can separate the smooth surface, dulling reflection.
- Refresh smartly: If hair puffs on day two, lightly mist water, blow‑dry on low with a brush to re‑tension, and do one quick pass with the GHD Platinum+. Add the tiniest touch of Oribe oil to re‑polish.
Is it worth the splurge?
Short answer: yes—if you want reliable, photo‑ready shine in any weather. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray gives you multi‑day frizz defense (cost‑per‑use drops fast). The GHD Platinum+ Styler protects against heat overkill while delivering a smooth finish in fewer passes—less damage, more shine. And Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil is that chic, weightless finisher that reads “expensive” in photos and in person. Together, they’re an investment that replaces a drawer of mediocre shine aids.
Bonus: what to avoid if you want true gloss
- Heavy waxes or thick serums that sit on top of hair can look shiny indoors but read greasy in daylight and collapse volume.
- Skipping the nozzle on your dryer roughs up the cuticle and makes your flat iron work twice as hard.
- Too many passes with high heat dulls the surface. Think slow and precise, not hot and frantic.
Bottom line: Zendaya’s signature shine is less about luck and more about a smart trio and a few polished moves. If you want hair that reflects light and turns heads, Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, the GHD Platinum+ Styler, and Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil are the exact picks that deliver—on camera, at events, and in everyday life.
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
