That feeling when your friends compliment your shiny and glossy hair is beyond words. Isn’t it? But do you find it hard to maintain that shine and smoothness of your tresses? We understand, it certainly can’t be achieved in a day.
Even the gloss and shine that your favorite celebrity sports on her Instagram, takes a solid hair care regimen to achieve. So if you’re looking to sport shiny hair permanently, look no further. Here’s your mini guide.
Highlights:
1. What Is Shiny Hair?
When the hair cuticle [1] lays flat, your hair strands repel water. This property of hair is called low porosity [2]. When light shines on this kind of hair, it is easily reflected. The result being, shiny hair.
2. How To Get Shiny Hair?
A. Hair Oils
Oils provide moisture to the hair and prevent it from getting dry, damaged and brittle. Apply coconut oil [3], olive oil or castor oil overnight and wash off the next day. Your hair will thank you later.
You can also try the hot oil treatment like heating coconut oil and mixing with curry leaves. Apply this mixture on your hair, let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse with a mild shampoo. You can spray argan oil on your hair to tame those flyaways and have shiny hair.
B. Hair Masks
1. Eggs
Eggs are abundant in protein [4], no matter how much you hate the smell. The yolk part of the egg helps in adding moisture to your hair, while the proteins strengthen it. Egg mask is something that our beauty editors swear by. So how do you do it?
- Beat one or two eggs in a bowl depending on your hair length.
- Wet your hair and apply the egg. Use a wide-tooth comb to spread out the egg evenly all over your hair.
- Rinse with your regular shampoo after 15 minutes.
2. Avocado
Love avocado as a fruit? You'll love it more when you see its benefits for hair. The fats in avocado not only nourish your hair, but also add shine.
- Mash one avocado to make a fine paste.
- Wet your hair and spread this paste all over your hair and scalp.
- Shampoo after 15 minutes.
3. Honey
Honey is a humectant, meaning it can attract moisture from the air and provide it to the hair.
- Mix 3-4 tablespoons of honey with equal amounts of water.
- Wet your hair and apply this mixture on it.
- Rinse with a gentle shampoo after 15 minutes.
C. Rinse With Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar acts like an instant conditioner and shine booster. It not only balances your hair’s pH [5] level, but also leaves your hair soft. Plus it is antibacterial and combats dandruff. Here's how to use it.
- After shampooing your hair, pour a mixture of 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 tablespoon water on your head.
- Comb your hair and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water. (skip conditioner)
D. Glycerin
Glycerin [6] is a common ingredient in many beauty products. It is thick in consistency, clear and is odor-free. Applying glycerin to dry hair can help retain moisture and reflect shine. Look for glycerin conditioners, make a glycerin hair mask or use it as a spray.
E. Hair Serum
Invest is a serum that is formulated to add shine to your hair. Serums are made of silicones and other ingredients that defrizz hair, make them shiny and protect them from heat.
Word of caution:
Consider a serum without alcohol and save serums only for special occasions. Using a serum every single day can have a damaging effect on your hair.
F. Vitamins & Supplements
Hair care experts recommend a combination of vitamin E [7], biotin and iron for shiny hair. The philosophy lies in the fact that these vitamins supply ample amounts of hydrating nutrients to the hair follicles. They replenish lost moisture, prevent breakage and give shiny hair.
3. Top Tips For Shiny Hair
A. Use conditioner before shampoo
You can use hair mask or hair primer if you want to achieve shiny hair. It prepares your hair strands for shampoo and adds a double dose of hydration. Mask, Conditioner, shampoo and conditioner! Yay, you know the drill now!
B. Get regular trims
Have you been experiencing dry and lacklustre hair due to split ends? Ask your stylist to trim off the ends or simply use a comb and scissors to get rid of split ends.
4. What to Avoid To Get Shiny Hair?
A. Chemical Hair Coloring
It goes without saying that hair colors damage your hair overtime, but now is the time to flaunt those magenta, burgundy, blue and green locks. Right? Choose demi-permanent hair color. Wondering what it means? Allow us to explain. Demi-permanent hair colors are ammonia free meaning they reach under the cuticle, but do not penetrate further.
B. Heat Styling
Heat styling can mess with your hair's cuticle, making your hair dry and frizzy. It is difficult to cut down on heat styling tools like flat iron, curler and blow dryer completely. But how about giving your hair rest once or twice a week by air drying your hair and styling it naturally?
C. Protect From Sun, Cold And Pollution
Sun damages your hair in ways that you can't imagine. Protect your hair with a cap, hat or stole while you step outdoors. Similarly extreme cold or humid conditions can cause damage to hair and sap the shine.
Wrapping Up
You may apply all the goodness to your hair. But if you are not eating right, consider your hair gone for a toss. Eating healthy and staying hydrated is the key to shiny hair. Include eggs, poultry, fish, green leafy vegetables, nuts and legumes in your diet.
For hydration, drink at least 3 litres of water everyday, water-rich fruits like melons, berries, apples and drink herbal teas. Whether you have curly hair, wavy hair or straight hair, you can always add shine to them using all the above tips.
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201279/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6126094/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158629/
6. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20275/glycerin-topical/details
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