How to Make Your Hair Super Shiny and Healthy? Tips and Tricks
Most people desire shiny hair because it typically indicates healthy hair. Few people, however, have the time or training necessary to achieve and maintain consistently shiny, smooth, and soft-to-the-touch hair. So, how to make your hair super shiny and healthy?
You are supposed to wash your hair the right way, use a boar bristle brush, eat some omega-3 fatty acids, blast it with cold water, try a glossing hair treatment, get shiny hair while you sleep.
If you’re looking for some quick ways to achieve enviably shiny hair, we’ve gathered some simple DIY and simple retail solutions.
Table of Contents
Why Do Hair Become Dull?
The outer layer of each individual hair strand is made up of tiny shingles. The ends of those shingles stand up when the hair becomes dried out, as a result of heat styling or humid weather.
You must ensure that those shingles are shut if you want shiny hair. Once the hair cuticle has “opened” due to damage, it can lose the moisture that keeps it shiny.
How to Make Your Hair Super Shiny and Healthy?
Here are the details:
Wash Your Hair the Right Way.
First, be mindful of how often you’re washing your hair, as doing it too much can do more harm than good. Once you’re in the shower, be sure to give your hair a double shampoo. According to Rocco, the first shampoo is for clearing the hair and scalp of buildup, while the second functions more as a treatment. Additionally, he says you should give yourself a gentle scalp massage as the movement stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which brings new blood cells to the area and helps rejuvenate the hair’s roots.
Lastly, if you’ve heard that giving your hair a final rinse with cold water will leave it extra-shiny, ignore that: Studies show that the cold water rinse theory is a tall tale, so save yourself from arctic temperatures and maintain warm to lukewarm water instead.
Massage Your Scalp With Vitamin E.
We know that taking vitamins orally is good for our health, but applying them topically to our hair can also make it stronger, healthier, and shinier over time. The next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up a bottle of vitamin E capsules. At home, sever the ends of about a dozen capsules, squeeze the oil into a bowl, and then massage your skin with the (admittedly sticky) substance before shampooing. Diaz says that this vitamin nourishes and hydrates strands, and studies show that ingesting vitamin E can promote hair growth.
Use a Boar Bristle Brush.
“Boar bristle brushes seal the cuticle, enabling maximum shine by creating a completely two-dimensional surface for maximum light reflection,” says Diaz. A 100% wild boar hair brush (sourced ethically, of course) is required for the best results. By transferring natural oils from the roots to the ends of your hair, these hard, rough brushes will enhance your hair’s natural gloss and shine. Additionally, they support the growth of volume in fine hair, so bonus points!
Eat Some Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Yes, you can eat your way to shinier, stronger, and healthier hair. Studies prove that omega-3 fatty acids (found in foods such as eggs, salmon, and chia seeds) make your hair shine like whoa, so stock up next time you’re at the grocery store.
Blast It With Cold Water.
Okay, we have to admit that this next tip may be viewed as an urban hair myth depending on who you ask. However, experts do agree that a cold-water blast can help seal in shine and reduce extra frizz. We get a little more context from Davide Marinelli, owner of [Davide Hair Studio](https://www.davidehairstudio.com/). “The following time you wash your hands with soap and hot water, pay attention to how dry and chapped your hands feel. Check to see if your hands are still soft by giving them another wash and a cool water rinse. Its the same idea when washing hair,” he shares. “Shinier hair is the result of the cuticles being sealed by cool water, which keeps your hair shaft laying flat. Bonus: It keeps color in the hair longer, too,” Marinelli confirms.
Try a Glossing Hair Treatment
In-shower glossing treatments work similarly to hair masks, coating and glossing the hair over time. “Glosses seal the cuticle like a topcoat, creating a high-shine finish with tonal value,” says Get a clear one that works on all hair colors, or opt for one that will help enhance and give life to the color of your choice.
Get Shiny Hair While You Sleep.
Think about incorporating a humidifier into your haircare routine; it can help add additional moisture to dry strands while you relax indoors. “When the weather is cooler and hair tends to get dry and frizzy, add a few drops of mint, jasmine, or lavender oil to your humidifier while you sleep. It not only smells amazing, but it gives your humidifier an extra boost to combat the dryness in the air,” says Marinelli.
Watch Your Diet.
A long-term dedication to a well-balanced diet and internal health are the foundations of healthy, shiny hair. Whether you take a multivitamin or consume them through your food (iron-rich foods include leafy greens, fish, beets, beans, and meat), “consider a diet full of vitamin A, vitamin C, silica, and omega-3 fatty acids to support shiny hair growth,” advises Dr. Belkin.
Stay Clear of Damaging Ingredients.
Your hair can easily become covered in styling products and other debris, which dulls its appearance and makes it appear less shiny. Our hair definitely needs a little extra assistance in the cleaning department due to the products we use, the oils we secrete, and the dirt we accumulate throughout the day, but be careful. Sulfates, according to Rocco, can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing it to look dull, especially if your hair has been chemically or color-treated.
Try a Clarifying Shampoo.
Your hair’s natural oils, which keep it strong and healthy, are frequently removed by over-shampooing.. But for times when you need to hit the refresh button (especially after a dry shampoo streak), a clarifying shampoo like Number 4 Lumiere dhiver Clarifying Shampoo rids hair of excess product buildup that blocks its shine (without harming your hair color). Those with curly or textured hair will appreciate Amikas Reset Pink Charcoal Scalp Cleansing Oil, an oil-to foam treatment, with a super-smart targeted nozzle tip designed to target the scalp.
Use An Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse.
Clarifying shampoos should be avoided because they strip hair of both the good and the bad, according to Rocco. Instead, Diaz recommends using an apple cider vinegar rinse to help balance the scalp’s natural pH level, causing hair to look shinier and healthier over time.
Skip Shimmering Sprays—opt for Oils Instead.
While applying a small amount of shimmering spray to your hair might seem like a quick and easy way to gloss them up, you might be doing more harm than good. Many hair sprays that claim to add shine to your mane contain mica, a mineral that will temporarily make you shimmer but can over time irritate the hair shaft and dull your natural gleam. Instead, Rocco recommends using products that contain ingredients like Argan oil, which will make your hair look shiny and improve its texture in the long run.
Styling Practices to Avoid
Here are some items and methods to avoid when trying to keep hair as shiny as possible:
Minimize Heat Styling.
Heat opens the hair’s outer, protective layer, making it more susceptible to harm as was already mentioned.
Of course, lots of people occasionally style their hair with heat. To minimize your impact, you might want to experiment with a lower heat setting.
Additionally, if you’re using a hair dryer, keep it at least 6 inches away from your head and avoid focusing on one area for an extended period of time.
According to a 2011 study, holding a hair dryer farther away and moving it continuously may actually be less damaging to your hair cuticle than either letting it air dry completely or using it in a small area.
Avoid Using Sulfates and Silicones.
These are the ingredients that produce a rich lather and a feeling of squeaky cleanness, but over time they can dry out your hair and cause buildup.
Try to Not Use Heavy Conditioners.
On thick, extremely dry hair, thick, creamy conditioners perform best.
A heavy conditioner can weigh down and deposit grease on fine hair.
Don’t Rinse With Hot Water.
Hot water can be compared to humidity. The likelihood of frizz increases when your hair is in warm water. When it’s time to rinse, try lowering the temperature as much as you can.
Summary: How to Make Your Hair Super Shiny and Healthyy
There are numerous activities or products you can purchase to add a healthy sheen to your hair if you want to increase its shine.
You are supposed to wash your hair the right way, use a boar bristle brush, eat some omega-3 fatty acids, blast it with cold water, try a glossing hair treatment, get shiny hair while you sleep…
Start with minor adjustments, such as switching shampoos or turning the heat on your hair dryer down a notch. A hairstylist can offer professional solutions if your hair is still feeling a little lifeless and dull.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. Thank you for reading.