10 ways to get glossy and shiny hair

Who doesn’t want glossy, shiny hair? If you’re anything like me, you surely feel nothing but envy when looking at all the gorgeous women on Instagram with perfect, healthy, shiny locks. So let’s take a look at our ten tips on getting that silky smoothness we’re all craving!

Choose your products carefully if you want shiny hair

First, you will need to choose the right kinds of products for your specific hair type and hair goals. Don’t just go with the one that smells the nicest or has the best packaging. Take some time to identify your hair’s needs, and then buy the best shampoo, volumizer, and conditioner that you can.

You can also try a brand like Shampora, which does all the tailoring for you. You just have to tell them what you want out of your hair care products.

Treat your scalp to get shiny hair

Healthy, shiny hair starts with scalp health. If it’s dry and flaky, your hair won’t be able to grow long and shiny.

You can use a scalp scrub to get rid of the dry patches, followed by a scalp oil that will also nourish your hair. Coconut oil works well too.

If you have dandruff, make sure to throw in the occasional wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo. Once or twice a week should cut it, and when you get rid of it, you can keep using said shampoo every other week for maintenance.

Don’t use hot water

Don’t wash your hair in water that is too hot. Lukewarm water will be fine, while rinsing your hair in cold water after the mask and conditioner will help close the follicles and allow your hair to retain all the goodness you just put into it.

Washing your hair in hot water can make it dry and cause it to break more easily, so lower the shower temperatures.

Mask at least once a week

To make your hair healthier and shinier, use a hair mask at least once a week. Make sure it matches the needs of your hair, of course.

Also, make sure to actually follow the directions the packaging gives you. Some masks do really work in as little as 5-10 minutes, and you don’t need to leave them on for hours.

Use a volumizer if you’re worried about losing plumpness after the hair mask. Most masks will not weigh your hair down, but you may find there is less volume due to the smoothness.

Use an oil once/twice a week

Alongside the mask, you can also add an oil treatment once or twice a week. It will work especially well on dull and rough hair that has dry patches. The oil will help retain moisture and make your hair extra soft.

You can use coconut or almond oil, or you can buy hair oil at your local drugstore. There are, of course, plenty of high-end products you can try out too.

Leave the oil on for at least 45 minutes, but you can even let it soak your hair overnight. Concentrate it on the ends of your hair, and try to completely avoid your scalp if you have oily hair.

Brush your hair twice a day

Brushing your hair will also help you make it healthier and shinier, as the brushing improves blood flow and helps the nutrients reach all of your hair follicles.

Use a quality brush, and don’t tug on your hair. Start at the ends, get rid of all the knots, and only then start to brush it all the way through. Don’t pull too hard, especially when your hair is wet, as you can cause a lot of inadvertent damage.

Also, make sure to dab your hair with a towel gently. Don’t tug and pull, and make sure the towel is soft and clean.

Clean your brush regularly: once a week if you use a lot of product in your hair, and once every two-three weeks if your hair is usually product-free.

Consider a supplement

Eating better can also significantly improve your hair health, as can taking a hair-specific supplement that will help it grow. You can consult your pharmacist or hairdresser before you choose one, and make sure it does not interact with any other medication you might be taking.

You can also consider taking prebiotics or probiotics to improve gut health. Making sure your gut is healthy will, in turn, improve every single function of your body and make your hair healthier in the process too.

Sleep on silk if you want to wake up with shiny hair

Instead of sleeping on cotton, try getting a silk pillowcase for your hair. It will prevent breakage and help your hair retain more moisture, so it will stay shinier and smoother. It’s good for your skin too!

Restrict the use of tight hairstyles

Aim not to wear your hair in a tight ponytail or knot more than once a week. While these styles are very trendy and you can make them look amazing, they can still damage your hair, especially if you use a very tight band.

Let your hair loose as often as you can so it won’t get damaged as much.

Use top-quality tools

Exposing your hair to too much heat can damage it over time, especially if you color your hair regularly. While we’re not advocating air drying your hair every time (especially if you have naturally frizzy or curly hair that needs some heat to be tamed), we’re advising you to get a really good quality straightener or curler.

Really good hair tools are no longer as expensive as they used to be. You don’t really need the Dyson, and you can get away with a good GHD product that will protect your hair while ironing or curling it.

Wrapping Up

With a bit of patience and effort, you can get glossy, shiny hair, even if it’s not in the best shape at the moment. The better quality products you choose and the more you consciously take care of your hair, the healthier it will be.

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Guest post by Sarah Kaminski