I’ve tested countless blow dryers over the years, but the biggest upgrade to my routine turned out to be a single bottle of blowout spray.

As someone who’s been professionally testing blow dryers for what feels like centuries, I’ve learned that great tools can only do so much. Technique matters, heat settings matter and the right brush makes a difference, but I recently realized one extra step has made an even bigger impact than I expected.

The sneaky addition? The COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, and it’s fully worth the extra few seconds it takes to apply.

I’d used it here and there in the past, but never consistently enough to appreciate everything it could do. After bringing it back into my routine and using it with every wash, it’s officially earned a permanent spot on my vanity. Considering it’s a beauty bestseller on Amazon with more than 100,000 rave reviews, I figured it deserved another chance. After several washes and blowouts, I can confidently say I understand why so many people keep buying it.

The spray is designed to fight frizz, repel humidity and leave hair with a glossy, glass-like finish. I mist it generously onto damp hair before blow-drying, making sure every section is coated. Once heat activates the formula, it creates a lightweight shield that helps smooth the hair cuticle without leaving behind any sticky residue or heavy buildup.

The first thing I noticed was how much faster my blow-dry felt. My usual routine can easily stretch well beyond 20 minutes, especially when I’m trying to smooth everything out with a round brush. With Dream Coat, I was able to cut my blow-dry time in half because my hair seemed to cooperate from the start. It dried more evenly, required fewer passes with the brush and didn’t puff up as I worked through each section.

The finish was even more impressive. My hair looked noticeably smoother and shinier, with far fewer flyaways than usual. Instead of reaching for a flat iron to polish everything afterward, I found myself skipping that step altogether because my blowout already looked sleek. Even after spending time outside in humid weather, my hair held onto that smoother finish much better than it normally does.

The formula also feels incredibly lightweight. Some smoothing products can make my hair feel coated or greasy by the second day, but this one leaves my hair soft and bouncy while still delivering plenty of shine. It enhances the results I get from my favorite blow dryers rather than masking them, which is exactly what I want from a styling product.

After years upon years of testing blow dryers, I didn’t expect a styling spray to become one of the most valuable products in my routine. I’d reached for it occasionally before, but now it’s the one product I refuse to skip because it consistently leaves my hair noticeably smoother, shinier and easier to style while cutting down the time I spend blow-drying. It’s safe to say the COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray earned a permanent spot in my routine for good.

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.