Color Wow Dream Coat vs Amika Frizz-Me-Not
If you're looking for a product that keeps frizz under control, two of the most popular options are Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray and Amika Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment. Both are heat-activated leave-in treatments designed to smooth the hair cuticle, fight humidity, and leave hair looking sleek and shiny.
They seem so similar (down to the price) that it can be hard to figure out which product is actually better for your hair type and style goals. As I like to do on my website, I went ahead and bought both and compared them side by side. Below, I share before and after results for each and break down exactly how they compare to each other in terms of frizz control, shine, softness, and longevity.
While they’re similar, through my tests and trials, I’ve learned that they’re just as different as they are similar. Keep reading for the pros and cons of each as well as which product I recommend for each hair type.
color wow dream coat vs amika frizz-me-not review
color wow dream coat supernatural spray: quick review
The Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray gives you glass-like sleek and shiny hair (think Cher or the Kardashians). It has an ultra-lightweight formula that adds tons of shine, heat protection, and actually tames frizz. It also offers protection from humidity via its proprietary anti-humidity complex.
I’ve shared a full-length review of Dream Coat, plus the Extra Strength formula, but for the sake of sharing here: what I love most about Dream Coat is that it actually works. Your hair is insanely shiny and soft, and it’s my must-have anytime I travel anywhere humid because it genuinely keeps your hair from getting frizzy and unruly.
The biggest downside is that Dream Coat is technique-dependent and can take a try or two to learn how to use it. It’s not one of those hair products where if you use it kind of well, you get some results; you have to execute each step correctly in order for it to work. The key is to blow dry with tension (like a blowout) in order to activate the formula, which gives your hair that sleek finish. I am such an air-dry girl; I hadn’t picked up a blow dryer in years until I got Dream Coat, but it’s worth the extra step. Plus, one blow dry will last you 2-3 washes, so while it’s more work up front, the results last longer.
pros
Offers legit humidity protection (acts like a water-repellent "raincoat”)
Long-lasting (multi-wash)
Creates a sleek, polished finish and you actually notice (and feel) the results
Truly a lightweight formula
Doesn’t build-up
Minimal fragrance; ideal if you are sensitive
Offers heat protection
Makes your hair way less frizzy
cons
Requires heat styling; you also have to make sure you’re adding tension for full results
Can feel flat on super-fine hair
Technique matters a lot; it’s a more high-maintenance product in that way
amika frizz-me-not hydrating anti-frizz treatment: quick review
Amika Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment is extremely similar to Dream Coat. You apply it the same way, and it provides shine and protection from humidity just as Dream Coat does. What sets Frizz-Me-Not apart is that it also provides nourishment and hydration. My hair was noticeably softer and felt more hydrated, but applying too much made my hair a little greasy/ weighed down. For that, I’d say Frizz-Me-Not is a little more finnicky to use if you have fine hair, but if you have medium to thick hair and you want to hydrate while taming frizz, you’ll really like it.
For more tips plus before and after results, check out my Amika Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment Review.
pros
Tames frizz dramatically; you will notice and feel the results
Provides protection from humidity (frizz control)
Adds shine
Makes hair softer
Long-lasting (multi-wash)
Doesn’t build-up
Hydrates hair and feels nourishing
Offers heat protection
Signature amber-vanilla Amika fragrance
cons
Requires heat styling; you also have to make sure you’re adding tension for full results
Can be a little too heavy for fine hair
Can be a little too lightweight for thick or ultra-frizzy hair
Technique matters a lot; it’s a more high-maintenance product in that way
Fragrance can be too strong for those who are sensitive
color wow dream coat vs amika frizz-me-not results
color wow dream coat vs amika frizz-me-not: which is better?
Both products are very, very similar. You get frizz control, sleek styles, shine, and long-term results with each (lasts through multiple washes). There are two main differentiators to look at if you trying to choose between the two formulas.
First, your hair type. If you have fine hair, Dream Coat is better. Frizz-Me-Not is a little more hydrating, so it can be too heavy if you use too much, and that line is very easy to cross if you aren’t careful. Both products require a more finessed application (heat plus tension), yet Dream Coat is easier for me to use on my fine hair. If you have thick or curly hair, Extra Strength Dream Coat is best; my mom has very thick, wiry grey hair and Extra Strength is her go-to.
We’ve both tested all three products extensively (Dream Coat, Frizz-Me-Not, Extra Strength Dream Coat), and I had a few friends test, too, and the consensus is that Frizz-Me-Not is like the middle-man between Dream Coat and Extra Strength. If you’ve tried both versions of Dream Coat and wished there was a middle ground, Frizz-Me-Not is it and I highly recommend it for medium hair types.
The second key differentiator is hydration. Dream Coat adds tons of shine and makes your hair feel lightweight and sleek, whereas Amika Frizz-Me-Not adds shine and tames frizz while also adding hydration. It’s a lightweight formula, but it feels nourishing like a leave-in conditioner and does make your hair feel more hydrated. If your hair is extremely dry or brittle and you are worried that your ends might look a little dead after the blow-dry process, get Frizz-Me-Not. Use it sparingly if you have fine hair, but it will give your hair the hydration boost it needs.
If that sounds a little contradictory to what I said above, here’s the run-down: most people with fine hair will prefer Dream Coat. It’s easier to use and allows you a little more grace if you use too much. That said, if your hair is dry, just Dream Coat will make your hair shiny and frizz-free, but your hair might not look as sleek or polished if it is especially dry. In that instance, Frizz-Me-Not is going to give you a balance between frizz control and hydration; you just want to be careful and use less product.
price
Both products are priced at $30 for 6.7oz of product, so they’re complete equals in terms of the price you pay and price per ounce.
What is worth mentioning is that you do need to coat all of your hair for either product to work. I think you need a little more of Dream Coat than Frizz-Me-Not, so it may be a little more expensive in the long run. You also get nourishment and hydration from Frizz-Me-Not, whereas Dream Coat is just about shine and frizz control.
ingredients and formula
Dream Coat is an ultra-fine, weightless mist; you can’t tell there is anything in your hair even after the blow-dry process. Frizz-Me-Not is also lightweight, but there’s a little more hydration to it, so it does feel slightly heavier on your hair.
Breaking down the ingredients, Dream Coat utilizes heat-activated polymer technology to give your hair a major shine boost. The proprietary anti-humidity complex forms a shield around each strand that, when activated with heat, creates a lightweight, water-resistant shield. This shield smooths the cuticle, blocks humidity, and locks in a sleek, shiny finish.
Frizz-Me-Not contains a hydrasoft smoothing complex plus sea buckthorn to reduce frizz while improving softness and shine. It also has Amika’s unique extended humidity shield, which creates a silky shield on hair to block out humidity.
Comparing the two, Dream Coat is all about adding shine and reducing frizz for 2+ washes, even in the most humid of climates. Frizz-Me-Not also adds shine and reduces frizz, but its formula is a little more nourishing. Head to head, Frizz-Me-Not a slightly weaker formula when you are strictly comparing frizz-fighting capabilities.
scent and fragrance
Dream Coat is practically unscented; Frizz-Me-Not has Amika’s signature amber-vanilla scent. It may be strong for some, but I personally like it (and I’m very sensitive to fragrance).
heat protection
Both products offer heat protection.
finish and styling results
Both products give you sleek, shiny hair with frizz control. The main difference here really comes down to your hair type. Dream Coat is best for fine hair, whereas Frizz-Me-Not works slightly better for medium hair types. If you have thick or curly hair, you can use Frizz-Me-Not or the Extra Strength version of Dream Coat.
frizz control comparison
This is the biggest selling point of both products. If I had to pick, I’d say that Dream Coat does a slightly better job of controlling frizz. That’s because you get a little more hydration and nourishment with Frizz-Me-Not; Dream Coat is purely focused on giving you sleek hair.
If your main priority is taming frizz, get Dream Coat.
application process
Both Dream Coat and Frizz-Me-Not require heat activation plus tension to work, and you have to do both in order to get results, or it’ll feel like it didn’t do anything for your hair (no skipping steps).
This is the main downside (and biggest hurdle) to both products. If you want to air dry your hair, you won’t like either.
color wow dream coat vs amika frizz-me-not FAQ
is color wow dream coat better than amika frizz-me-not?
It depends on your hair type. Dream Coat is best for fine hair; Extra Strength Dream Coat is best for medium to thick or curly hair. If your hair is medium or in-between both sides, Frizz-Me-Not is the happy medium between the two.
which is better for fine hair?
As someone with fine hair, I think Dream Coat is better. If your hair is fine to medium, you can use either.
do both products require heat to work?
Yes. Both are heat-activated treatments so you will need to blow-dry your hair with tension to get the full results.
which product lasts longer?
Both last at least a few washes. In my experience, Dream Coat lasts longer by a day or two.
can you use color wow dream coat and amika frizz-me-not together?
No. They do the same thing, so layering both will make your hair greasy or weighed down.
which one is better for dry or damaged hair?
Neither heals damage. If I had to pick, Frizz-Me-Not is more hydrating for dry hair.
which one is easier to use?
They’re both equally easy to use as the instructions are essentially identical. Both require heat and tension to work (ex: a blowout), so you can’t air dry and go.
is frizz-me-not a dupe for dream coat?
Yes, because they do the same things. However, they are the same price (overall and per ounce), so one isn’t a cheaper dupe for the other.