Color WOW NZ: Which Product Suits Your Hair?
Quick answer: If you only buy one Color WOW product, make it Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml, the heat-activated anti-frizz spray the brand is best known for. Add Color Security Shampoo if your hair is coloured, Raise The Root if it's fine and flat, and Money Masque if it's dry.
Color WOW is a US haircare and styling brand built around one idea: products that keep colour looking bright and hair looking smooth, without leaving the kind of residue that dulls shine. The range at Zilion covers washing, treatments, styling sprays, finishing products and root cover-ups, plus the Curl WOW sub-range for curly and coily hair. This guide sorts the Color WOW products we stock by hair type and hair problem, so you can build a routine without buying things you don't need. With a humid New Zealand summer on the way, it's also a good time to sort out your frizz plan.
Why Color WOW?
Most of the range is designed around what Color WOW leaves out as much as what goes in. The Color Security Shampoo, for example, is made without silicones, conditioning agents, thickening agents or pearlizing agents, according to Color WOW, so it cleanses without leaving a film. Several products are free from sulfates, parabens or alcohol (per the brand), and many styling products add a layer of heat protection, which is handy if you blow-dry or straighten most days.
The other reason people like it is that the products are problem-specific. There's a clear answer for frizz (Dream Coat), flat roots (Raise The Root), slow blow-drys (Speed Dry), regrowth (Root Cover Up) and hard-water dullness (Dream Filter).
The honest trade-off: because the products are so specific, you may end up needing two or three to cover everything, and as a salon brand it isn't the cheapest option. Our advice is to start with the one product that fixes your biggest problem and add others only if you need them. As with any haircare, individual results vary.
In-depth look at the Color WOW range
The range is easiest to understand in five groups:
- Wash and condition: Color Security Shampoo (250ml and 75ml), Color Security Conditioner in Fine-Normal and Normal-Thick versions, and the Dream Filter Pre-Shampoo Spray for hard-water minerals.
- Treatments: Money Masque, Dreaming Treatment and the Dream Cocktail leave-in sprays (Carb for volume, Coconut for dry hair, Kale for repair), plus the Youth Juice Collagen Scalp Treatment.
- Smoothing and styling: Dream Coat Supernatural, Extra Strength Dream Coat, Dream Coat Curly, One Minute Transformation Cream, Speed Dry and Raise The Root.
- Finishing: Pop & Lock High Gloss Serum, Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray, Style on Steroids texture spray, Cult Favorite Hairspray, Texas Hold Em Hairspray and Insta-Wow Dry Shampoo.
- Root Cover Up: a mineral root powder in several shades, from Black and brown tones through to Blonde, Platinum and Red.
Many favourites also come in smaller sizes (50ml or 75ml), which are a low-risk way to try a product or to pack for summer travel.
Ingredient spotlight: what Color WOW puts in and leaves out
Color WOW doesn't publish full ingredient stories for every product in our data, so we'll stick to what the brand states:
- Sealicon complex: a colour-shielding complex in Color Security Conditioner that, according to Color WOW, gives a protective, high-gloss finish. The conditioner uses translucent conditioning agents that the brand says don't corrupt colour.
- Residue-free cleansing: Color Security Shampoo skips silicones, conditioning, thickening and pearlizing agents (per Color WOW), so nothing is left behind to dull colour.
- Heat-activated coating: Dream Coat Supernatural is activated by blow-dryer heat. Color WOW says it waterproofs hair against humidity and lasts through 3–4 shampoos.
- Shrink-wrap-style technology: used in Speed Dry to squeeze water out of the hair without dehydrating it, according to the brand.
- Mineral pigments: Root Cover Up is a mineral powder with blended pigments and reflective particles, which Color WOW says gives natural-looking dimension and is water-resistant from shampoo to shampoo.
- Root-locking technology: in Curl WOW Hooked Shampoo, designed to anchor strands and help reduce shedding and breakage, per Color WOW.
Always check the pack for the full, current ingredient list, especially if you have allergies or a sensitive scalp.
The best Color WOW products at Zilion: top picks
1. Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml: best all-rounder for frizz
A heat-activated anti-frizz spray that Color WOW says waterproofs hair against humidity, speeds up blow-drying and leaves a sleek, glass-like shine. It suits all hair types, including colour-treated, extension and keratin-treated hair, and lasts through 3–4 shampoos according to the brand.
Who it's for: anyone whose hair puffs up in humidity, and anyone who wants a smooth blow-dry that holds.
Honest note: it needs heat to work, so it's not the pick if you mostly air-dry. Curly hair that air-dries is better suited to Dream Coat Curly (see the table below).
Shop Dream Coat Supernatural Spray →
2. Color Security Shampoo 250ml: best for coloured hair
A colour-safe shampoo that cleanses hair and scalp without depositing ingredients that can dull colour. It's made without silicones, conditioning, thickening or pearlizing agents (per Color WOW), and the brand says it helps keep extensions secure.
Who it's for: colour-treated hair, extensions, and anyone whose hair feels coated or flat from heavier shampoos.
Honest note: because it has no conditioning agents, it can feel less "silky" in the shower than you're used to. Follow it with Color Security Conditioner. A 75ml size is also available.
3. Color Security Conditioner Fine-Normal 250ml: best light conditioner
Smooths, detangles, hydrates and softens colour-treated hair, with the brand's Sealicon complex for a glossy finish. It's made without dulling or darkening agents, pearlizing agents or parabens, according to Color WOW.
Who it's for: fine, thin or fragile hair that needs light moisture.
Thicker hair? Choose the Normal-Thick version instead.
Shop Color Security Conditioner Fine-Normal →
4. Money Masque 215ml: best weekly treatment for dry hair
A deeply hydrating masque that, according to Color WOW, binds to damaged keratin to help restore strength and elasticity, attracts and retains moisture and adds a layer of heat protection, without heavy buildup. It has a subtle beachy scent.
Who it's for: dry or damaged hair that needs a weekly treatment.
Honest note: it's designed for once a week or every third shampoo, not every wash. Leave it on 3–5 minutes, or up to 20 minutes for an intensive treatment. There's a 50ml size to try first.
5. One Minute Transformation Cream 120ml: best for quick frizz fixes
A smoothing cream for bumps, bends and bed head. Color WOW says it smooths frizz in a minute and brushes or blow-dries into a polished finish without waxy or greasy buildup, with added heat protection. It's described as vegan and cruelty-free.
Who it's for: dry, coarse, curly or frizzy hair, and anyone who wants to smooth second-day hair without re-washing.
Shop One Minute Transformation Cream →
6. Raise The Root Thicken and Lift Spray 150ml: best for fine, flat hair
An all-day root-lift spray that Color WOW says creates bounce at the roots without stiffness or stickiness, plus a layer of heat protection. Spray onto damp or dry roots and use blow-dryer heat for longer-lasting lift.
Who it's for: fine, flat or thin hair that collapses by lunchtime.
Honest note: it works at the root, so pair it with Dream Coat on the lengths if you also fight frizz. A 50ml size suits handbags and travel.
7. Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray 150ml: best for long, thick hair
Color WOW says this blow-dry spray is clinically proven to reduce blow-dry time by 30%, using shrink-wrap-style technology to squeeze out water without dehydrating hair. It also adds heat protection and is free from alcohol, parabens and sulphates (per the brand).
Who it's for: very long or very thick hair where drying takes forever.
Honest note: it's a drying aid rather than a frizz fix, so if humidity is your main issue, Dream Coat is the better first buy.
8. Pop & Lock High Gloss Serum 12ml: best finishing serum
An oil-and-serum hybrid that Color WOW says smooths frizz, seals split ends, helps prevent colour fade and gives UV and heat protection, with a non-greasy, ultra-light finish. A few drops through the mid-lengths and ends is all you need.
Who it's for: frizzy, dry or dull hair that needs shine.
Honest note: the 12ml bottle is small. It's ideal for trying the product or for travel, but heavy users will go through it quickly.
9. Dream Filter Pre-Shampoo Spray 200ml: best for hard water and blondes
A pre-shampoo spray that, according to Color WOW, removes colour-dulling minerals in about three minutes, leaving hair brighter, shinier and silkier. It's described as vegan and cruelty-free.
Who it's for: colour-treated hair and light shades (blonde, white, grey) that look dull or brassy from mineral build-up, especially if you live in a hard-water area.
Honest note: it's an extra step before you shampoo, so it's a periodic reset rather than something most people need every wash.
10. Root Cover Up: best for regrowth between colours
An instant, weightless mineral powder for touching up roots, regrowth and thin-looking areas. Color WOW says it adheres right away, needs no mixing and is water-resistant from shampoo to shampoo. Shades include Black, Medium Brown, Light Brown, Dark Blonde, Blonde, Platinum and Red.
Who it's for: coloured or greying hair that needs a few more weeks before the next colour appointment.
Honest note: it's a temporary cover, not a dye.
Which Color WOW product suits your hair?
| Your hair or need | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Frizzy in humidity (blow-dried) | Dream Coat Supernatural Spray |
| Thick, coarse or very frizzy | Extra Strength Dream Coat Spray |
| Wavy or curly, air-dried (types 2a–3b) | Dream Coat Curly Spray |
| Curly and coily (types 3a–4b) | Curl WOW Hooked Shampoo |
| Colour-treated | Color Security Shampoo + Conditioner |
| Fine, flat or thin | Raise The Root |
| Dry or damaged | Money Masque |
| Long or thick, slow to dry | Speed Dry |
| Dull blonde, grey or hard-water hair | Dream Filter |
| Visible regrowth | Root Cover Up in your shade |
If two rows describe you, start with the product for the problem that bothers you most, then add the second once you know how your hair reacts.
Routine guide: a smooth, glossy Color WOW blow-dry
- Reset if needed. Every so often, or when colour looks dull, spray Dream Filter on before you shampoo, following the directions on the pack.
- Wash and condition. Use Color Security Shampoo, then the Color Security Conditioner that matches your hair thickness. Swap the conditioner for Money Masque once a week or every third wash.
- Towel-dry and prep. Squeeze out excess water. Spray Raise The Root at the roots if you want lift, and Speed Dry through the lengths if your hair is long or thick.
- Smooth. Section damp (not wet) hair and spray Dream Coat Supernatural evenly through each section. Avoid layering other styling products on wet hair with Dream Coat.
- Blow-dry. Dry with tension using a brush to activate Dream Coat. Our guide to protecting hair from heat damage covers sensible temperatures.
- Finish. Smooth a few drops of Pop & Lock through the ends. On day two or three, use One Minute Transformation for flyaways and Root Cover Up for regrowth.
Key features to look for
- Heat activation: Dream Coat Supernatural needs a blow-dryer to work. If you air-dry, look at Dream Coat Curly or One Minute Transformation instead.
- Hair thickness options: Color Security Conditioner comes in Fine-Normal and Normal-Thick, so choose by how much moisture your hair can take without going flat.
- Built-in heat protection: Money Masque, One Minute Transformation, Raise The Root, Speed Dry and Pop & Lock all add a layer of heat protection according to Color WOW, but if you use hot tools daily, a dedicated heat protectant is still worth having.
- "Free from" lists: many products skip sulfates, parabens or alcohol (per the brand). Check each product page if this matters to you.
- Size: 50ml and 75ml sizes are a cheaper way to test a product, and handy for summer holidays.
Our strategy for choosing Color WOW products
Pick one problem, buy one product. For most people in New Zealand that's frizz, and Dream Coat Supernatural is the answer. If your hair is coloured, the next best spend is Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner, since you'll use them every time you wash. Fine hair should prioritise Raise The Root over heavier treatments, and dry hair should prioritise Money Masque. Leave finishing products like Pop & Lock until last: they're nice to have, not the foundation. For more ways to deal with summer humidity, see our guide to anti-frizz products for humid weather, and for regrowth options beyond Color WOW, read our root touch-up guide.
FAQs
What is Color WOW Dream Coat?
Dream Coat Supernatural is a heat-activated anti-frizz spray. You spray it through damp hair and blow-dry to activate it. Color WOW says it protects against humidity and lasts through 3–4 shampoos.
Can I use Dream Coat on curly hair?
Yes, if you blow-dry. If you prefer to air-dry or diffuse your curls, Dream Coat Curly Spray is designed for wavy and curly hair (types 2a to 3b) and doesn't rely on blow-dryer heat.
Is Color WOW good for coloured hair?
Much of the range is built for it. Color Security Shampoo is made without ingredients that Color WOW says can dull colour, and the Color Security Conditioner is made without oxidising conditioning agents that can turn colour brassy, according to the brand.
Does Root Cover Up wash out?
Yes. It's a temporary mineral powder, not a dye. Color WOW says it's water-resistant, so it stays put until your next shampoo.
Shop Color WOW at Zilion
See every product, including travel sizes, the Dream Cocktail treatments and the Curl WOW range, in our Color WOW collection, or browse more options in our heat protection collection.
