If you want shiny hair but don’t love the feel of a traditional oil or serum, today’s post for you. The Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray is an ultra-fine spray that gives your hair instant, light-reflective shine without greasiness or added weight, it’s meant to make your hair glow while still feeling soft and touchable.

That said, it’s a true style finisher, not a treatment, so it won’t repair your hair or add deep hydration, so is it really worth the money?

Below, I share before and after results, how to use it, what hair types it works best for, and if it’s better than traditional hair oils and serums when it comes to adding shine and making your hair glow.

color wow extra mist-ical shine spray review

color wow extra mist-ical shine spray before and after

The Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray made my hair noticeably shinier and softer. The scent is strong, but didn’t bother me surprisingly (I am super sensitive to fragrance and prone to migraines).

I have fine, straight hair that struggles to hold a curl, so most finishing products make my curls fall flat. If you apply too much of the Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray it might make your hair feel greasy, but it didn’t weigh my curls down and gave them a healthy, salon-like shine.

Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray is ideal if you hate the greasy feeling of a serum or oil, or just don’t need that extra hydration on styling days. It’s also perfect if you have a special event or want your hair to pop in photos; this made my hair look like I got it done at a salon, and all it took was a quick spray, so it’s easy to use and fast, too.

If you prefer low maintenance routines and a hair gloss or serum is too much work, you may really love Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray. A little goes a long way, so one bottle will last you a while. And while it’s in an aerosol container, this was not drying in the slightest. It also contains a heat protectant, so if you need to go back and touch-up your hair later on, you don’t have to worry about damage. In fact, the heat will also enhance the shine even more, which is nice.

It isn’t meant to tackle frizz, but I did find that my hair looked a little more tame without sacrificing volume. But again, if you use too much it’ll give your hair a slightly greasy look and feel.

Overall, Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray makes your hair shinier and brighter without weighing it down, drying it out, or causing tangles. Safe for all hair types and fine-hair-friendly, it’s not a necessary product in regards to hair health, but absolutely delivers on its promises of added shine and a glossy finish.

how to use color wow extra mist-ical shine spray

It’s best to use Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray at the end of your haircare routine, after you finish styling.

Apply a light mist all over for quick, intense gloss.
For a richer luminosity and more intense shine, quickly use your blow-dryer to apply a little heat. This will add more shine.
- If you straightened your hair, you can also go back over with a flat iron to “melt” the shine into your hair.

key ingredients

Color Wow is known for shine-enhancing formulas, and this is especially true for their Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray. Key ingredients include:

Mullein - a light-producing flower that makes hair look radiant
Shine-Enhancing Blend - gives hair a reflective surface without greasiness
Phytantriol/Panthenyl Ethyl Ether Blend - adds moisture and strengthens

pros

Makes you hair noticeably shinier
Lightweight mist
Nozzle disperses product evenly and doesn’t get clogged
Works on straight or curled hair
Doesn’t dry your hair out
Ideal for special events or photos
Creates a smooth, polished look
Doesn’t flatten your hair or undo volume

cons

Temporary, superficial results that are gone when you wash your hair next; no long-term benefits
Doesn’t hydrate or repair
Can make your hair look/ feel greasy if you overapply, especially on fine hair
Does not combat frizz
Shine may be subtle on dark hair unless you add the second-heat step
Strong scent that can be overpowering

is color wow extra mist-ical shine spray worth it?

It depends, to be honest. I will be the first to tell you that the Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray is not a necessary product by any means; it’s a style topper, rather than a treatment, so the results you get are superficial rather than long-lasting.

At $29, it’s also pricey for doing a very specific thing, and it’s not the type of product you can manipulate or use in a few different ways. Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray makes your hair look glossy, shiny, and gives you a salon-like finish. It’s lightweight, and ideal if you have fine or straight hair that tends to get weighed down by oils or serums. My straight hair already struggles to hold a curl, and I like that Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray makes my hair shiny but doesn’t flatten my curls. You’ll also benefit from it if you straighten your hair and want a polishing, last step.

That said, this doesn’t have much hold to it, so it won’t replace your hairspray if you need your style to last a long time. It can also make your hair greasy if you apply too much; a little goes a long way!

I don’t think that I’ll repurchase it in the future because I need the added repair benefits you get from a hair oil, but if you just need Kardashian-like shine, you will probably love it.

who it works best for

You will get the best results from Color Wow’s Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray if you:

Want instant shine without heaviness or a greasy residue
Have fine to medium hair and find that oils or serums are too heavy or thick
Want a polished finish but don’t necessarily need something with extra-hold
Want salon-level gloss

who it might not work for

Because it is a styling product rather than a treatment, Mist-ical Shine Spray doesn’t meet every hair need. You may prefer something else if you:

Have very dry or damaged hair that needs moisture or repair
Have curly/coily hair types and prefer cream-based styling products
Need long-lasting frizz control
Prefer minimal routines (this is an extra step, not essential)
Already use oils/serums that give make your hair shiny

If you want a hair product that also addresses frizz, you may prefer Color Wow’s Dream Coat. See how it compares to the shine spray in my post, Dream Coat vs Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray.

color wow extra mist-ical shine spray FAQ

does extra mist-ical shine spray provide heat protection?

Yes, it does, though you get the best results when you apply it after you finish styling your hair.

can you use it without heat?

Yes. You only need to use heat if you want extra shine, but you get plenty of glossy results without having to add heat.

does it damage hair?

No, but it also doesn’t repair hair. It adds shine, but isn’t a treatment.

is it better than a serum or oil?

It depends. This is a styling finisher, so if your goal is purely to have shiny hair, then this will give you that shiny finish without your hair feeling greasy or heavy. If you want the hydration and repairing benefits you typically get from a serum or oil, though, then you won’t like Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray.

Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray is a styling product, not a haircare essential.

how does extra mist-ical shine spray compare to dream coat?

I have a full post that compares Color Wow Dream Coat to Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray, but for a quick recap here:

Dream Coat is a pre-styling product that tames frizz, protects against humidity, and makes your hair sleek and shiny. It lasts through 2-3 washes, but requires heat (blow dry) to activate.
Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray is a post-styling finishing product that adds superficial shine. It lasts until you next wash your hair.