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It leaves hair glossy, not greasy.
I’ve been fighting frizz my entire life. Experimenting with strand-smoothing products like they’re my eighth-grade science fair project has often led to dead ends. I’ve become increasingly skeptical of anything that promises smoothness, save for professional keratin treatments.
Naturally, when I learned of L’Oréal’s 8-Second Wonder Water hair treatment—a name that sounds like an overpromise in and of itself—I had little interest. It wasn’t until the hype from beauty industry friends, the internet, and more than 28,000 five-star Amazon reviewers became deafeningly loud that I finally gave it a go. And the hype? It’s absolutely warranted.
L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8-Second Wonder Water Hair Treatment
Buy on Amazon $12 $11
The L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8-Second Wonder Water is an ultra-lightweight, rinse-out in-shower hair treatment that smooths strands and adds mirror-like shine in literal seconds. Ideal for all hair types—including fine, wavy, and curly—it smooths errant flyaways and frizz, sans greasy, weighty residue. The formula is intended for bi- to tri-weekly use (which, conveniently, aligns with my shampooing schedule). Anecdotally, I’ve found it becomes increasingly effective with each use.
The liquid formula is indistinguishable from water except for its aroma (which one shopper calls the “best-smelling” product they’ve tried) and dispenses via a tapered nozzle. Helpfully, the bottle is marked in doses, similar to a measuring cup, as they’re labeled to indicate exactly how much product is necessary per use. As someone who has ultra-long hair extensions of medium-thickness, I use two “doses,” or 40 milliliters, per treatment.
Application is a breeze; simply massage the liquid into your hair, concentrating on the ends and other thirsty, dull areas. Interestingly, the product creates a warming sensation as it gets to work—which takes a mere eight seconds, as its name suggests. It rinses cleanly, sans greasy residue, making it a refreshing departure from the weighty hair oils and masks I’ve tried.
Incidentally, Wonder Water is devoid of silicones, which smooth spectacularly well, yet can cause buildup and heaviness. Instead, the formula relies on hair-repairing proteins and hydrating ingredients delivered via the brand’s unique technology that deposits shine in thin, weightless coats.
One shopper who has “medium-long, fine, frizzy hair” says that Wonder Water smooths their air-dried strands “better than using [their] hair dryer brush and a flat iron,” cutting their hair routine by “more than half.” Another reviewer says the formula makes hair “soft” and “incredibly easy to manage,” adding that the “lightweight” elixir “turns hair to silk.”
For a fast-acting frizz-fighter and glass-like shine in seconds, shop the L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8-Second Wonder Water at Amazon for $11. Shop more gloss-giving hair treatments, below:
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Wonder Water Treatment
Buy on Amazon $12 $9
L’ange Satin Néctar Nourishing Gloss
Buy on Amazon $24 $14
Moroccanoil High Shine Gloss
Buy on Amazon $8