You’ve seen the videos. Someone takes a blow-dryer to a soaking wet head of hair, and suddenly, it looks like a sheet of silk. It’s the "glass hair" trend, and more often than not, Color Wow’s Dream Coat is the star of the show. But here’s the thing: I’ve seen so many people buy these bottles, spray them haphazardly, and then complain that they "didn't do anything." Honestly, it’s usually because they’re treating these formulas like a standard leave-in conditioner. They aren't.
WOW products—especially the heavy hitters developed by Dr. Joe Cincotta—are essentially chemistry experiments for your vanity. If you don't trigger the reaction correctly, you're just putting expensive water in your hair.
The mistake everyone makes with Dream Coat
If you want to know how to use WOW hair products effectively, you have to start with the flagship. Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is a humidity-blocking powerhouse, but it is heat-activated. If you spray this on and let your hair air-dry while you're running errands, you have wasted your money. Period.
The polymer in the bottle, Polysilicone-29, needs tension and heat to "cross-link." This creates that hydrophobic (water-rejecting) seal. You need to saturate the hair. I mean really saturate it. Most people are too stingy because the bottle is pricey. You want your hair to be damp with the product, not just lightly misted. Then, you need a round brush. You have to pull the hair taut while blow-drying on a high-heat setting. Without that mechanical tension from the brush, the seal won't lay flat. It’ll just be fuzzy.
Also, don't mix it. This is a big one. If you put an oil or a heavy cream on before the Dream Coat, you’re basically building a wall on top of a shaky foundation. The Dream Coat needs to be the first thing hitting your hair fibers after the towel.
Getting the wash right first
Color Wow’s philosophy is actually pretty radical compared to most salon brands. They argue that most shampoos leave "stuff" behind—silicones, conditioning agents, pearlesizing agents—that dull the hair and clog the follicle.
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Their Color Security Shampoo is purposefully "basic." It doesn't have those film-formers. When you're learning how to use WOW hair products, you should ideally start with this blank slate. If you use a heavy, "moisturizing" drugstore shampoo and then try to layer specialized treatments on top, they won't penetrate properly. Your hair might feel weighed down or even slightly greasy because of the buildup conflict.
Why your Money Mask isn't working
Chris Appleton is the stylist behind Kim Kardashian and JLo, and his "Money Mask" is a fan favorite for a reason. But if you’re using it like a 60-second conditioner in a rush, you’re missing out.
This mask is unique because it’s a Mediterranean-sourced blend of blue sea kale and sea kelp. It’s surprisingly lightweight. It doesn't use the heavy oils that traditional masks use to "fake" a healthy feel.
- Shampoo thoroughly.
- Squeeze every possible drop of water out of your hair. If it's dripping wet, the mask just slides off.
- Apply a generous amount from mid-lengths to ends.
- Leave it for at least five minutes. Ten is better.
- Rinse with cool water.
The cool water helps "shut" the cuticle, locking in those marine botanicals. It’s the difference between hair that looks okay and hair that looks expensive.
Raising the root (without the crunch)
The Raise the Root Thicken + Lift Spray is another cult classic. Most volumizers use resins that feel like hairspray—sticky and brittle. WOW uses "clear" elastomers that stay flexible.
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The trick here? You have to apply it to damp hair directly at the scalp. I see people spraying it all over their ends. Don't do that. It’s a root lift. Flip your head upside down, spray the roots, and then—again—apply heat. Heat is the universal "on" switch for almost everything in this line. If you’re a fan of the 90s blowout look, this is your best friend, but you’ve gotta use a concentrated nozzle on your dryer to really direct that air upward at the base of the hair.
Dealing with the "Extra Strength" version
If you have extremely curly, coily, or dehydrated hair, the standard Dream Coat might feel too light. That’s why they released the Extra Strength version. This one is specifically for hair that has been chemically compromised or is naturally very porous.
The application is the same—saturation and tension—but you’ll notice the finish is much more "glassy" and weighted. It’s meant to mimic the effects of a keratin treatment without the formaldehyde or the three-month commitment. It lasts through three to four shampoos, so you don't need to use it every single time you wash. That’s a mistake people make often. Over-using it can actually lead to a weird, plastic-like texture because you’re layering polymers on top of polymers. Give your hair a break between applications.
The "Pop & Lock" secret
Pop & Lock is a hybrid product—half oil, half serum. It’s one of the few things in the line that works brilliantly on dry hair.
If you’ve finished your blowout and you see those little "flyaway" hairs near the part, don't reach for hairspray. Hairspray contains alcohol which kills shine. Instead, take a tiny pea-sized drop of Pop & Lock, rub it between your palms until they feel warm, and then lightly glaze the surface of your hair. It adds a UV filter and makes the color look vibrant. It’s basically a top-coat for your head.
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Troubleshooting common issues
If your hair feels "stiff" after using these products, you used too much or didn't dry it completely. Humidity-blocking polymers need to be 100% dry to feel soft. Even 5% dampness will leave the hair feeling tacky.
If your hair feels "dry," you might need more moisture underneath the styling products. While Dream Coat is the star, it's a sealant, not a moisturizer. Using the Color Security Conditioner (the "Fine to Normal" or "Normal to Thick" versions) is vital to balance the pH before you go in with the styling steps.
One final note on the Root Cover Up powder. It’s a mineral powder, not a spray. People try to "swipe" it on like a paintbrush. Don't. You need to use the small end of the brush to "press" the powder into the hair. The powder is formulated to stick to the hair fiber but not the scalp, so a pressing motion ensures it stays put through sweat or rain.
Next steps for your routine:
- Start with a clean base using a residue-free shampoo to ensure no silicones block the treatments.
- Always apply Dream Coat to soaking wet, towel-dried hair as the very first styling step.
- Use a blow-dryer with a concentrator nozzle and a round brush to provide the necessary tension for the "glass" finish.
- Re-apply Dream Coat only every 3-4 washes to prevent product buildup.