10 Steps to Get Your Shiniest Hair Ever Right Now

Main Image – Ohlamourstudio/Stocksy

Who doesn’t love a glossy, shiny mane? A head of healthy hair can make us look and feel better.

But between rain, humidity, and dry or damaged locks, sometimes it’s really difficult to get the shine we want. Don’t worry, we’ve been there – and we’ve got you covered.

The journey to shiny hair isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about healthier, more resilient tresses. In a world full of products, hacks, and TikTiok trends, it’s vital to sift through the videos and focus on proven methods for healthy hair – inside and out. 

That’s why we’ve spoken to the experts to get their take on exactly how to get naturally glossy hair.

Whether you’re a full-on beauty enthusiast or a time-strapped city gal, these *super* simple hacks are designed to fit seamlessly into your routine, delivering results that’ll have you swishing those locks everywhere.

Say goodbye to dull, lacklustre tresses and hello to your shiniest hair ever – no matter what your hair type and lifestyle is!

 

 

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10 ways to get shiny hair

Loads of things can cause dull, dry and brittle hair. Heat damage, touching your hair too much, not using the right products for your hair type, not washing product build-up out thoroughly, and not eating enough of the right nutrients, to name a few.

But how do you get strong, shiny hair? Well, we’ve put together these top tips to get a gloss that looks like glass!

 

1. Healthy scalp

Celebrity hairstylist Gina Rivera explains, “The healthier your scalp and hair is the shinier it will appear.” 

And Healthline agrees with this, saying, “Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.

One way to promote a healthy scalp (and give yourself some TLC) is to give yourself a scalp massage. “Massaging your scalp may help stimulate blood flow to encourage the production of natural oils and loosen buildup before it starts,” according to Healthline.

You can use the tips of your fingers to do this, a special scalp massager (I am a HUGE fan of these – so relaxing!), or a scalp scrub. From getting rid of pesky flakes to stimulating hair growth, the benefits of a scalp scrubbing or massaging ritual are powerful.

 

2. Ditch the sulphates 

Rivera agrees, saying, “It’s equally as important to use professional sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner that contain biotin, collagen, amino acids and all your B vitamins. I recommend Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine as a finishing product to help make the hair appear shiny.”

It’s now easier than ever to purchase shampoo and conditioner that doesn’t contain stripping ingredients and detergents. The National Library of Medicine says, “The modern advances in chemistry and technology have made it possible to replace the soap bases with complex formulations which contain cleansing agents, conditioning agents along with functional additives, preservative, aesthetic additives and sometimes even medically active ingredients.”

 

 

3. Wash with warm water

The NHS says, “Heat can cause a lot of damage to the hair. It can weaken it and has a drying effect, making it more prone to breakage.”

And this isn’t just when using drying methods, “Hot showers expose your hair to heat stress – reducing the water temperate can be helpful.” It can also wreak havoc on naturally frizzy hair, making it EVEN more unmanageable!

While it may feel more cleansing, using very hot water on your scalp and hair can do more harm than good. Using warm water is enough to get your shampoo lathered up and rinsed out thoroughly.

 

4. The right products

Celebrity hair consultant Becca Raziuddin says, “There are so many ways to get a great shine in the hair while styling. Number one best way is the styling products you choose to use.

“You will want to stay away from mattifying products and choose ones that help smooth the hair. For example: Dream Coat by Color Wow adds intense shine while styling and also protects the hair from heat.”

Serums are great for adding shine temporarily, making your hair easier to manage and brush through – meaning fewer snags, too!

 

5. Hair masks

Using a moisturising or clarifying mask may work WONDERS on your hair if you have a dry scalp or product build-up. 

Healthline says that the difference between your regular conditioner and a hair mask “is that the ingredients are usually more concentrated, and the mask is left on your hair for longer — anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours.

“Many types of hair masks can be made at home from ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, like bananas, honey, or even egg yolk. Or, if you don’t want to fuss with making one yourself, there are many types of pre-made hair masks you can buy at the store,” it adds.

There are TONS of types of hair masks, from deep conditioning to deep cleansing, depending on your needs. Healthline says the benefits of hair masks include “shinier, softer hair; added moisture; reduced hair breakage and damage; less frizz; a healthier scalp; stronger hair” and “less environmental and product damage.”

Sounds good to us!

 

6. The right tools

Celebrity hair consultant Becca Raziuddin says, “You can also add shine with the tools you decide to use while styling. If you are doing a blowout, boar bristle tends to give the hair extreme smoothness and shine.”

Healthline also advises them. “Boar bristle has been used in hairbrushes for ages for its gentle touch on hair, as opposed to plastic or nylon bristles, which can tug and cause breakage,” it says.

It’s also a good idea to avoid excessive heat styling products like straighteners and curling irons. But if you do use them, make sure to use a heat protector spray.

 

7. Hair oils

Board-certified dermatologist Jodi LoGerfo says that “hair oils can make hair shiny. Hair oils have been used all over the world in many different cultures almost since the beginning of time. They are usually easily accessible and are inexpensive.

“A wide variety of oils have been used and newer ones are coming every day. The primary function of most hair oils is to act like an emollient, softening, moisturizing and smoothing the hair, however, each oil has unique characteristics.

“However, the scientific backing for many of the claims of hair oils needs further study.”

You can also use oils that you can find at home on your scalp and hair. The NHS says that “oil (for example olive oil, coconut oil) is a good way of treating dry, flaky or scaly scalp conditions” that can lead to dull, dry hair. Simply massage a small amount of oil onto your scalp and then wrap your hair in a towel. Leave on overnight or for a few hours before washing out to reveal a calmer, moisturised scalp.

 

 

8. Sleep on a silk pillowcase

Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is not only good for your skin, but The Sleep Foundation says that “these benefits extend to your hair as well. Hair that is chemically treated or susceptible to breakage is less likely to split or break if it’s well-moisturized.”

The “smooth texture helps reduce tangles, frizziness, and breakages in hair.”

“This can make them a good investment for hot sleepers, as well as those who have sensitive skin or frizzy hair. The fabric’s softness and its ability to minimize moisture buildup may also be worth the higher price point,” it adds.

 

9. Regular hair cuts

It’s a well-known fact that regular haircuts promote healthy hair with fewer split ends – but can they make your hair shinier?

Now, how often you get your hair cut depends on your hair type. L’Oreal Paris says, “While there is no set rule as to how often you should cut your hair, there is a generic time frame that hairstylists and salon professionals recommend. General guidelines for cutting hair suggest that you should get a cut every six to eight weeks, however, this timeframe isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal.”

This will depend on how damaged your hair is, how quickly it grows, whether you dye your hair or not, and whether you are maintaining a hairstyle.

Cleveland Clinic says that “scheduling a haircut can feel counterproductive when you want your hair to get longer. But regular trims keep hair from breaking and getting even shorter. 

“Split ends run up the hair fiber like a rip in your stockings. You need to clip those off,” it adds.

This will result in shinier, healthier locks!

 

10. Eat hair-healthy foods

Rivera says that healthy, shiny hair “starts with a good internal vitamin regimen and a good diet with all the proper nutrients.”

And we couldn’t agree more! 

The NHS says to “keep a balanced diet by eating a variety of foods to supply the healthy fats, carbs, protein, vitamins and minerals your body needs every day. Your hair, skin and nails will thank you.”

This includes “healthy fats, Omega 3, plant-based fats from avocados, protein such as chicken and turkey, fish such as salmon and tuna, iron from lean red meat” and “leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Vitamin A, Vitamin E” and “Vitamin D”.

 

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The takeaway

I think it’s safe to say, we have to use sort of a ‘tag team’ of products, foods, lifestyle habits and treatments to maintain a strong and healthy mane.

It’s essential to make sure your body is getting the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to have healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as keeping on top of cleansing the hair and scalp and getting regular cuts.

Although a silk pillowcase isn’t *essential*, it’s a great way to avoid tangles and frizz – as well as being soft on the skin and (apparently reducing wrinkles. Bonus.)

Take a look at the packaging of your products and avoid harsh detergents, silicones and sulphates to keep your hair strong and healthy. And don’t be afraid to use deep conditioning masks for your strands and scalp!

Shiny hair – here we come! 

 

Meet the experts

Celebrity hair consultant Becca Raziuddin is a multi-state licensed cosmetologist and stylist and currently Director of Artist Education at Blo Blow Dry Bar, the world’s largest blowdry bar chain with more than 140 locations across the US and Canada. She’s regularly featured in the likes of Byrdie and Oprah Daily and works with some of the world’s biggest designers on their New York Fashion Week shows

 

Celebrity hairstylist Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry.

She has since been featured in Fashion & Style, Modern Salon, the Huffington Post, Glamour, Today.com, O Magazine, and she has over 500,000 social media followers who she regularly shares her pro tips with.

 

Dr Jodi LoGerfo is a board-certified dermatologist, tending to faces of the likes of Amy Schumer, and is considered an authority on hair loss. Her years of research and clinical work with patients with various types of alopecia enable her to diagnose the various patterns of hair loss, identify the causes and offer the latest treatment options.