Color Wow Dream Coat vs Money Mist
Color Wow has quickly become the go-to brand for shiny, polished, salon-like hair. Their products are modern, formulated for all hair types, and fairly priced (typically around $30).
Two of their most shine-enhancing products, Dream Coat Supernatural Spray and Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner, are often compared to each other, but they aren’t actually designed to do the same thing.
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is a heat-activated anti-frizz treatment that creates that sleek, glassy finish the brand is known for, while Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner is a lightweight leave-in conditioner focused on hydration, detangling, and overall hair health.
While you can use both together, it’s not necessary and the key factors in deciding which is best for you are your hair routine and styling goal. Below, I break down their key differences, who each product works best for, before and after results of each, and when it makes sense to use them together.
color wow dream coat vs money mist review
color wow dream coat supernatural spray: quick review
The Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Shine Spray gives you that viral, 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 to put it succinctly: 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.
Priced at $30, you do need to fully coat your hair, but one bottle lasts quite a while so I think it’s one of the most cost-effective products on the market that actually delivers noticeable results.
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
color wow money mist leave-in conditioner: quick review
It takes a lot for a leave-in conditioner to impress me, but I was pleasantly surprised by Color Wow Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner. It’s super lightweight, yet nourishing enough that even my mom (who has thick, coarse, grey hair) notices a difference in her hair when she uses it. I love that you get both heat and UV protection, and it’s one of the rare leave-ins that makes your hair shiny, not just soft. Still, my hair is noticeably softer, doesn’t tangle throughout the day, and feels hydrated when I go to wash it later on.
If you have straight hair and struggle to find a leave-in that is hydrating but doesn’t make your curls fall flat, try Money Mist. It seems to enhance my curls rather than flatten them, which is crazy.
I will say that I have frizz-prone hair and Money Mist doesn’t fully cure that for me, but it does so much else that I’m not mad about it. I really think Money Mist is a multi-use product; it works as a detangler, heat protectant, and also adds enough shine that I can skip finishing oil, so for $30 you really can’t beat it.
pros
Lightweight formula that works for fine hair
Great for detangling
Makes your hair softer
One of the few leave-in conditioners that adds noticeable shine
Provides heat and UV protection
Reduces frizz without feeling greasy
Works on all hair types
cons
Does not provide intense moisture; may not be enough for coarse hair on its own
Results are more visual/ superficial than deeply reparative
Slightly expensive for a leave-in
color wow dream coat vs money mist results
color wow dream coat vs money mist: which is better?
When it comes to which product is better, there are two main factors here: how you like to style your hair, and if you’re willing to blow dry to get results.
Dream Coat is better if you want sleek, shiny hair, but you have to blow dry your hair with tension in order for it to work. It’s not ideal if you like low maintenance styling or air drying.
If you want to air dry your hair or prefer beach waves, curls, or enhancing your natural texture, Money Mist is the better product for you.
I like both products and use them interchangeably, but the main factor that makes me choose one over the other is the blow dry aspect, because it’s not something I typically do. That said, once you finish with Dream Coat, the results will last you 2-3 washes, whereas the results with Money Mist are gone after your first wash, so if you are someone who wants to style your hair once a week (give or take), Dream Coat is the better product for you.
price
Both products are priced at $30. You get 5oz of product with Money Mist versus 6.7oz with Dream Coat, so you may think Dream Coat is the better deal, but you have to factor in how much product you use.
Dream Coat requires you to actually coat all of your hair to work; you can’t miss a section or it will look different. You don’t need to use as much of Money Mist, and you can even “spot treat” dry sections like the ends without it messing up your look. So when you factor in that, they really are pretty equal as far as price goes. I also think both products are fairly priced, but I will say that I have yet to find a dupe for Dream Coat, but you can obviously find cheaper leave-in conditioners if you wanted to.
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. Money Mist is a true leave-in conditioner, though it’s texture is in the middle of milky and creamy, so it isn’t too heavy or lightweight.
As far as formula goes, 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. If your main concern is frizz, no formula comes close to Dream Coat.
Money Mist relies on baolized amino complex, an adaptive technology treats the surface and inner layers of hair as well as plant extracts that strengthen and fortify damaged hair. It’s a more nurturing formula compared to Dream Coat.
heat protection
Both products offer heat protection. Dream Coat is best for sleeker hair styles; you can style your hair any way (or let it air dry) with Money Mist.
finish and styling results
You get the shiniest hair of your life with Dream Coat; it’s almost unreal. Money Mist adds some shine, but it’s more subtle.
I recommend Money Mist if you prefer low-maintenance styling. It’s also better if you prefer beachy waves, curls, or embracing your natural texture. Dream Coat is the best option if you want super shiny, polished, Kardashian-like hair, though you have to blow dry your hair to get results.
frizz control comparison
Dream Coat is the best of the best when it comes to taming frizz; I have yet to find another product (Color Wow or otherwise) that compares. Even if you have the most unmanageable hair, they have an Extra Strength formula, so it really is a universal product for all hair types.
Money Mist is said to also tame frizz, but the results just don’t compare to Dream Coat. If your main priority is taming frizz, get Dream Coat.
application process
Money Mist is easier to use because it’s a straightforward leave-in conditioner; Dream Coat requires heat 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. If you are a low-maintenance girl who wants a quick, easy to use product, get Money Mist.
If you plan on using both, use Money Mist first on damp hair, then use Dream Coat. Blow dry your hair as directed, and then you can style your hair/ apply other styling products once your hair is dry.
color wow dream coat vs money mist FAQ
what’s the difference between dream coat and money mist?
Dream Coat is a styling treatment; Money Mist is a prep step. Dream Coat uses heat-activated polymers to seal the hair and block humidity, whereas Money Mist focuses on hydration, detangling, and improving manageability.
Get Dream Coat if you want sleek hair. Money Mist is better for curls and beach waves.
can you use dream coat and money mist together?
Yes, and it won’t weigh your hair down even if you have fine hair like me. Apply Money Mist first on damp hair to condition and detangle, then layer Dream Coat before blow drying for smooth, glass-like hair.
That said, while my hair can handle both, I never really use them together. I stick with Money Mist for my traditional waves, and save Dream Coat for special events because I don’t typically blow dry my hair.
do you need both?
Not necessarily. If you are a beach wave, undone hair lover through and through, just get Money Mist. If you want sleek, Kardashian-like hair, Dream Coat will give you those results.
If you alternate looks or want overall healthy-looking, styled hair, you can benefit from both.
which one is better for frizz?
Dream Coat, by far. It creates a humidity-resistant barrier that can last through multiple washes, whereas Money Mist only lightly smooths frizz.
which one is better for dry or damaged hair?
Money Mist. It provides hydration, softness, and strengthening benefits, making it better for daily hair health.
which one lasts longer?
Dream Coat, because it is designed to through last 2-4 shampoos.
which one is easier to use?
Money Mist is easier to use because it you can apply it just as you would any leave-in conditioner. Dream Coat requires heat and tension to work (ex: a blowout), so you can’t air dry and go. That said, I have a full Dream Coat troubleshooting guide full of tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow for gorgeous results.
is money mist a dupe for dream coat?
No, because they do completely different things. Money Mist won’t give you that signature “glass hair” effect, and Dream Coat won’t replace your leave-in conditioner.
