When light shines on your hair it should shine with a healthy radiance. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Fortunately, this is a problem that is easily fixed and you can have that shiny hair you deserve.
What causes shiny hair?
The outer layer of each hair shaft, the hair cuticle, is composed of several cells layered like shingles. When these cells lay nice and flat, light reflects off them efficiently and voila you’ve got shiny hair.
What causes dull hair?
When the cuticle is damaged by too much brushing, harsh chemicals, UV exposure etc. the cuticle cells don’t lay flat, but stand on end. When this happens, light can no longer reflect off them efficiently and you have dull hair. Dull hair can also be the result of chemical build up on the hair shaft from hair care products such as shampoos and rinses.
Poor health, stress and poor diet are other causes of dull hair. Even though the shaft of your hair is dead, the structure of your hair is created by very living cells in your scalp.
Long Term road to shiny hair
Diet, exercise, stress management, and good hair care practices are needed to have healthy, shiny hair. To learn how to care for your hair and keep it shining read Healthy Hair Tips by clicking here.
Once a month, deep condition your hair. This is a simple process. Simply mash 1 avocado with 1 tablespoon olive oil then add 1 teaspoon baking powder and mix well. Work mixture into hair and leave on for 15 or 20 minutes then shampoo. Your hair will love you for this.
Use the nozzle on your hair dryer and dry your hair with the nozzle pointing down the hair shaft. This flattens the cuticle for increased shine. When your hair is almost dry, set your dryer to “cool” to finish. This seals the cuticle.
Flat irons aren’t particularly good for your hair, but I know some of you use them anyway. If you do, make sure you’re using one made of ceramic since these will not fry your hair.
If your hair is wavy or curly, attach a diffuser to your hair dryer and use warm heat and low setting. You can scrunch your curls or waves without frying your hair. When almost dry, turn your dryer on cool to seal the cuticle.
Quick fixes for dull hair
Shiny hair rinses
When I was a teenager and really stupid, I used to periodically wash my hair with dish washing detergent. Why? My hair absolutely glowed. I loved the effect. What I should have done instead was rinse my hair with vinegar instead. That would have stripped the chemical residue from my hair gently.
A vinegar rinse once a week will rid your hair of dulling buildup and tighten the cuticle. This allows light to effectively reflect off your hair and give you that shiny hair a goddess deserves. Simply add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 cup of water and rinse hair.
I prefer the vinegar rinse, but you might try a beer rinse. After shampooing, pour a bottle of beer through your hair and rinse with cold water. This will give you shine and body.
Another option is to use a lemon rinse by adding the juice of 1 lemon to 1 cup of water and rinsing through hair. Be warned that lemon may tend to lighten hair color. If that gives you pause, stick with the vinegar or beer.
Use shine enhancing shampoos.
There are a number of shine enhancing shampoos on the market and some are very expensive. One moderately priced and highly rated product that works for most users is Matrix Sleek Look Smoothing Shampoo.
I personally prefer a gentle shampoo that I make myself followed by a vinegar rinse. It’s inexpensive, effective and I know what I’m putting on my skin.
Use shine enhancing conditioners
Like the shampoos, there are a number of rinses that are designed to make your hair shiny. Frederic Fekkai Glossing Conditioner is one of the best reviewed. When I’m in one of my less Puratinistic modes I use Pantene Pro V Ice Shine Brillo Glacial and have had good luck with it.
Use oils, serums sprays and pomades for extra shiny hair and no frizzies
If you have thick or course hair, oils and serums usually work best. If your hair is thin, sprays and pomades will probably be sufficient. These are applied to dry hair.
The key to using these products is to apply them at least 1 or 2 inches from your scalp. Otherwise you may find they weigh your hair down too much.
There, now you’re all set to have the beautiful shiny hair you deserve. Be sure tell us which products you use and like or dislike. Also, share your super shiny hair recipes.
Now go have fun and relax.
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