Color Wow’s dream coat supernatural spray has long been the gold standard for anti-frizz hair products. Celebrated as the key to sleek strands, one of its iconic silver bottles is reportedly sold every five seconds. It has also earned high praise at IndyBest, where our review awarded it five stars. So when a competitor emerges, I pay close attention. We previously compared Tresemmé lamellar shine ultra gloss spray against Color Wow’s dream coat, giving the £5 spray a glowing review. Now, Garnier’s diamond sleek spray is being hailed as a budget alternative after beauty creator @bambidoesbeauty went viral for testing them side by side.
Garnier Diamond Sleek Shine-Coat Smoothing Spray
Part of its keratin sleek range, the Garnier diamond sleek smoothing spray promises a “diamond-like shine” by coating hair with its 8 per cent keratin smoothing complex and argan oil formula. This is designed to reduce frizz even in high humidity – claims that closely mirror those of Color Wow, despite the latter costing a little over twice as much per millilitre. But how does it perform in real-life testing? After a month of using both sprays, here is my verdict on the Garnier diamond sleek smoothing spray.
Product Details
Size: 150ml. Price per 100ml: £6.67. Why we love it: Smooths flyaways and frizz, delivers shine, affordable. Take note: Makes hair slightly heavier than Color Wow's dream coat.
Launched earlier this year, the Garnier diamond sleek smoothing spray is designed to boost shine, tackle frizz, and protect hair from heat up to 230°C, reducing steps in your hair routine. Packaged in a slim shiny 150ml bottle, the product is heat activated, meaning the formula requires blow-dryer heat to activate its smoothing power – so apply it onto towel-dried hair. To evenly coat your strands, it works best by sectioning off damp hair, applying a generous few spritzes, combing through, then applying tension with a brush and heat. If you have a hot brush, that makes for easy styling.
As soon as my hair began to dry, I noticed the smoothing qualities – there was none of the frizz that often springs up after using heat. The end result: my locks were sleek and shiny, with flyaways and frizz tamed. Most importantly, it looked the same as when I used Color Wow’s spray – I was impressed. The effect lasted well until my next hair wash, withstanding sweaty gym sessions and office air conditioning.
There were subtle differences between the two sprays in how my hair felt. As I have thick hair, I gravitate towards products that make it feel lightweight and bouncy. Compared to the Garnier spray, Color Wow’s product achieved this more successfully. Analysing the ingredient lists of both, the reason becomes clear. Key ingredient polysilicone-29, commonly used for shine, detangling, and de-frizzing, appears much higher up in Color Wow’s dream coat. Garnier’s formula, with argan oil and proteins, is conditioner-first, which can soften locks but also feel slightly heavier. However, the difference is minimal, and those with damaged hair may appreciate the repairing nature of the Garnier formula.
Price: £10 from Boots.com.
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Size: 200ml. Price per 100ml: £14.50. Why we love it: Makes hair sleek and frizz-free, fragrance-free, offers heat protectant. Take note: Expensive.
The product loved by beauty editors and J Lo alike, Color Wow dream coat supernatural spray is a core part of many haircare routines. The formula shoots out in strong spritzes from the iconic full silver bottle and, like the Garnier spray, requires heat and tension for results. For peace of mind and step-reduction, it offers two kinds of heat protectant. Applying it to towel-dried hair, it smooths over my locks easily and, unlike the Garnier spray, it is fragrance free, which I prefer. As I added heat with my round hot brush, the smoothing results became visible, and once dry, my hair was left sleek and fly-away free. For best results, section off hair and apply liberally.
The formula uses heat-activated polymers that coat the strands, providing a humidity-proof and water-resistant barrier. In practice, I experienced zero frizz despite gym sessions and office humidity. The polymers left my thick hair feeling lightweight, even as natural oils crept in. When I used the Garnier spray, it felt heavier as hair wash day approached. For anyone with fine or thin hair, the difference is likely more noticeable. Forking out almost £30 on a 200ml bottle is steep, but the results are excellent. For those with fine hair, this may give better results than the Garnier spray.
Price: £29 from Amazon.co.uk.
Is the Garnier Diamond Sleek Smoothing Spray Worth It?
Overall, the Garnier diamond sleek smoothing spray is an impressive budget alternative that delivers glossy, frizz-free results remarkably close to those of Color Wow’s cult dream coat. While Color Wow still has the edge for a lighter, bouncier finish, Garnier’s conditioner-rich formula offers softness, shine, and heat protection in one affordable step. At around half the price per 100ml, Garnier’s diamond sleek spray is a compelling option for anyone wanting salon-style sleekness without the premium price tag.
How I Tested
As I pitted the two sprays against each other, I considered the following:
- Application: I tested how easy the spray was to apply onto damp hair, including how evenly it distributed through the lengths and whether it required a large amount of product to coat my hair.
- Frizz control: I paid attention to how effectively the spray reduced flyaways and frizz immediately after styling, as well as how well the sleek finish held up in humid conditions.
- Shine and finish: I evaluated the final appearance of my hair, looking at how glossy, sleek and polished it appeared compared to my usual styling products.
- Feel of the hair: I assessed the texture of my hair after use, noting whether it felt lightweight and bouncy or softer and slightly coated due to the conditioning ingredients.
- Value for money: I compared the performance and finish between the two sprays, taking into account the price difference and cost per ml.
Why You Can Trust IndyBest Reviews
Alice Reynolds is a writer at IndyBest who covers a range of shopping and reviews from beauty and fashion to food and drink. When it comes to hair care, she has previously tested K18’s hair mask and consulted hair experts on how to heal damaged hair and the best treatments for dry hair. This Shark tool is my fast track to a salon-worthy bouncy blow dry.
