Having naturally healthy, shiny hair is much easier said than done. Sure, after visiting a salon, you may be feeling proud of your gorgeous locks, but achieving the same results at home is much more difficult.
If you’ve been desperately trying to find ways to get shinier hair at home, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with far more bad hair days than we would like. Unfortunately, most people give up on trying to achieve beautiful, shiny hair at home, but with a little effort and the right approach, it’s perfectly doable.
Living with dry unhappy hair isn’t pleasant. So, if you’ve been struggling with your hair, here are 13 tips and good habits you can adopt to give you shiny, healthy hair that looks and feels amazing.
Brush Your Hair Regularly
A lot of people have heard that brushing your hair too much is bad for it. However, regular brushing helps to improve blood circulation, leading to shinier locks. Furthermore, it ensures that all the proper nutrients are delivered to the hair follicles. Just make sure you use the right type of brush for your particular hair type and avoid being overly vigorous with brushing hair when wet, as this can lead to breakage.
Choose An Oil Treatment
Oil treatments are beneficial for helping out dull, dry, rough hair. They help to lock in and maintain moisture, leading to soft, shiny hair. Put coconut or almond oil on your hair and scalp every two to three days. Make sure you use a circular motion to rub it onto your scalp. Leave the oil treatment on for at least 30 minutes, and then rinse it off.
Lay Off the Heat
You’re probably already aware of this, but heat is horrible for your hair. At all costs, avoid frequent heat styling, particularly without the use of a heat protectant. Hair can become extremely dry from frequently using a blow dryer, straightener, or curling iron, which strips away the natural shine. Fortunately, there are alternative options to heat styling, such as using leave-in curlers instead of a curling iron.
Make Use of a Hair Mask
Hair can be made to look incredible by using a hair mask on a weekly basis. It is possible to improve the shine of your hair by using a nourishing and softening mask. There are plenty of great hair masks available on the market, or if you want to go the all-natural route, you can make your own at home using ingredients such as coconut oil. Plus, applying a hair mask can be relaxing and make a great addition to your weekly self-care routine.
Rinse With Cold Water
You might cringe at the thought of having a cold shower, but cold water is said to constrict pores, which seals the hair cuticle, adds shine, and locks in moisture. Of course, you don’t have to suffer through an entirely cold shower; just make sure you rinse your shampoo and conditioner out with cold water at the very end.
Be Wary of Coloring Your Hair
There’s no doubt about it, coloring or bleaching your hair is a great way to have some fun. Unfortunately, it’s not the best thing for the health of your hair. Some ingredients can cause your hair to become dry, brittle, and coarse, particularly for those who are bleaching their hair to a lighter color. Ingredients in most hair dyes, such as ammonia, are very damaging. Avoid regularly bleaching or dying your hair to keep it healthy and shiny. If you do color your hair, make sure to use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner made for colored hair.
Try A Hair Gloss
Just as with many other treatments, a good hair gloss helps to seal in moisture and close the hair cuticles, leaving your locks softer, shinier, and frizz-free. Also, a hair gloss can work wonders for reducing brassy tones in blonde or bleached hair.
Ditch Old Fashioned Hair Sprays
Get rid of those awful old hair sprays that leave your locks feeling stiff and dry, and choose something that lets your hair flow naturally. You can still lock your hairstyle in place without ruining the sleek, shiny, healthy look you’re going for. These days, your hair can be held in place with a good hairspray that leaves it shiny without making it feel or look dull and sticky.
Don’t Shampoo Too Often
You might have heard this one before, but shampooing too often gets rid of the hair’s natural oils, which can leave your hair dehydrated and cause your scalp to produce excessive oil to compensate. This leads to dry, dull, brittle ends and roots that turn oily much faster than normal. By allowing natural oils to stay in the hair for a longer time, you can keep it hydrated and bolster that all-important shine. At most, shampoo your hair three times a week but twice is even better.
Opt For a Serum
In addition to enhancing hair shine, hair serums make your hair silky smooth and touchably soft. Argan oil is one option popular with a growing number of people, but there are many other serums on the market too. When applying, brush it through your hair and make sure you don’t overdo it.
Consume Omega-3
Consuming more foods with omega-3 fatty acids is one habit you can adopt to help your hair stay healthy and shiny in the long run. Foods like fish, nuts, and seeds contain omega-3s. Your hair will feel rejuvenated, glossy, and will benefit greatly from these polyunsaturated fatty acids.
