If your hair is looking dull, lacklustre, or feels dry and coarse, we've asked the experts for their top-tier tips on how to get shiny hair.
There are so many reasons why hair refuses to shine, but it usually comes down to texture and condition. Hormonal changes that cause your scalp to lose natural oils can play a big part, while daily heat styling and pollution can leave hair parched and porous with lifted cuticles that make it tricky to get a glossy finish.
Some hair colours also make it trickier to achieve shine, in particular blonde and grey, which don't reflect light in the same way as darker tones. But, even if you're a highlighted blonde or transitioning to gray hair and find it hard to achieve gloss, there are things you can do.
10 tips to help you get shiny hair, no matter what your hair type
To find the answer to your dull hair woes, we asked two hair experts what they swear by, whether it's worth going DIY with at-home treatments like rice water for hair, and which products to stock up on to get that glossy, glassy hair look - here's what they said.
1. Get a squeaky clean scalp
If you’ve ever been told that washing your hair every day is a terrible idea, that may not be the whole story. Yes, thicker and curly hair types may want to space out their washes to preserve oils, but those with finer hair, in particular, can benefit from regular washing to keep their scalp clean for healthy, shiny hair.
Trichologist for Nioxin, Mark Blake says, “You can wash your hair as often as you want with a good quality shampoo. Remember scalp health is directly linked to hair heath so we need to keep our scalp scrupulously clean.”
A focus on scalp care has meant a surge in scalp scrubs and scalp serums on the beauty shelves, but don’t overdo it with products. The key to healthy, shiny hair is to balance the scalp rather than disrupt the skin barrier and cause things like dandruff or excessive oiliness. If you feel like your scalp could be causing the issue, regularly applying a balancing scalp serum should soon sort out any problems.
Great for all hair types, this scalp serum is all about rebalancing a problem scalp. Enriched with vitamin C and probiotics, this leave-in treatment feels lovely and refreshing on the scalp and works to address issues causing your hair to be dull and shine-free.
2. Try an apple cider vinegar rinse
We exfoliate our face to look more glowing, so why not our hair and scalp? Build-up from styling products can leave hair looking dull and limp. Regularly using hairsprays, smoothing creams, and even the best shampoo for fine hair can result in hair that’s coated in product, weighing it down and taking its natural shine away. The way to combat this is by making time for a monthly apple cider vinegar rinse. Whether it’s raw apple cider vinegar or with a dedicated product, an ACV rinse is sure to leave hair sparkling.
Trichologist Simone Thomas recommends combining ACV and lemon juice every so often to really get the hair clean. "This combo balances your hair’s pH level whilst excess oil is also controlled, and sebum production is equalized. All you need to do is squeeze the juice from one whole lemon and mix it with ¼ cup of Apple Cider Vinegar," she says. "Once mixed, apply this to your hair and scalp and wrap your hair in a hair towel and leave it on for twenty minutes. Then rinse with cold water."
This technique works due to the vinegar's naturally exfoliating properties. It’s rich in AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), which work to exfoliate the scalp and the hair shaft, removing any product buildup while keeping hair soft.
Rich in moisturizing fatty acids and exfoliating ACV, this rinse is perfect for days when your hair is feeling drab. Shampoo as normal, then apply from root to tip and leave on for a few minutes before washing out. Hello, glossy, mirror-like shine.
3. Try a bonding treatment
A magnified strand of hair looks a little bit like a snake. The ‘scales’ or cuticles of the hair should lie flat to each other, but when your hair is frazzled or damaged, it’s typically because the scales have been disrupted and the proteins that form your hair have been affected.
However, bonding treatments are here to save the day. All bonding treatments are a little different - and it's worth investigating at-home keratin treatments too - but a common ingredient between the technologies is amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and a key ingredient in getting shiny hair. Working to nourish and strengthen the hair from the inside out.
This cult favorite hair treatment is loved by hair stylists the world over. Most scalps only need a treatment every week to every other week - apply to damp hair from root to tip, then leave it for a minimum of ten minutes before rinsing out. "I love Olaplex!" says expert stylist and founder of Samantha Cusick London salons, Samantha Cusick. "Use in wet hair to maximize that shine."
4. Limit heat styling
“The main thing we are doing to our hair that is stopping it from looking good is heat styling,” says Antony Rawlings, Salon Director at Rawlings and Rawlings. “Improper heat styling is the number one cause of damage.” And where there is damage, there’s dullness.
Your hair is at its most vulnerable when wet, and scrubbing it dry with a towel, blasting it with a hairdryer, and using straighteners or curlers zaps the natural moisture. So, try to keep your heat styling to a minimum. 180c will work on most hair types, with thicker hair only needing slightly higher on occasion.
You may even want to try a heatless curls hack - wrap damp hair around a pair of old (but clean!) tights before you go to bed, and you'll wake up with soft curls. The nylon in tights is really gentle on hair and actually gives great shine without damage.
Our expert Samantha also suggests we, "Give up towel drying your hair after washing, as this rough rubbing of the hair can cause serious damage and make hair look dull. Instead, grab an old t-shirt and gently squeeze the excess water before styling."
5. Swap to a silk pillowcase
“Switching to one of the best silk pillowcases is probably one of the most under-utilized tricks for hair,” says Simone. “Making this switch will not only give you the best hair ever, but it is also better for your skin!”
Unlike cotton pillowcases, silk pillowcases don’t absorb moisture from your hair or rough it up, and are far less likely to cause split ends. Silk accessories like scrunchies are designed to save your hair from needless damage and enhance its natural beauty.
Relax and recline into your lovely silk pillowcase and rest assured that your hair isn’t going to end up dull and dry come morning. The Mulberry silk material of this pillowcase is a must for frizzy, dull hair that’s longing for shine.
6. Snip off split ends
When your hair gets too long, the shaft of the hair can split from the bottom up. This results in hair that looks messy, dry, and dull. While there's no magic cure if you're wondering how to fix and prevent split ends, a regular cut every 6-12 weeks will keep hair smooth and healthy.
"Make sure you have regular haircuts to get rid of any split ends," says Samantha. "Making sure split ends are kept at bay is a great way of stopping hair looking frizzy and dull. It sounds simple, but it’s amazing how many of us are not in a regular habit of getting trims."
In the meantime, a split-end treatment can temporarily mask the problem. Though it's worth bearing in mind that no split-end serum will 'fix' split ends, as once they've split, they can't be repaired.
A lightweight oil that works little miracles. This split-end treatment will seal together broken strands of hair, leaving it glossy and mirror-like. A great option for those with coloured or natural hair.
7. Use a shine spray
The secret sauce for creating unbeatable shine? Somewhat predictably, it's a shine spray. "Colour WOW has an amazing product called Dream Coat, which is my go-to for creating mirror shine hair. Spritz it through your tresses after washing and blow dry in with a bristle brush for shine that lasts for days," says Samantha.
Not only is this Samantha's favorite product and go-to for how to get shiny hair, but A-List hairstylist Chris Appleton, who works with the likes of J.Lo and Kim Kardashian, is also a huge fan, calling it "foolproof" for eliminating frizz and inducing shine.
This product gained cult status after being seen sprayed across J Lo's fabulous mane at the US SuperBowl. It's lightweight, non-sticky, and can be used whenever to keep hair smooth and shiny, even when it rains.
8. Use a bristle brush
Bristle brushes are designed to give just the right amount of tension on the hair so you can effectively detangle and style, while spreading natural oils and flattening the cuticle. And flattened cuticles mean more shine.
Aside from heat styling, brushing your hair can be one of the most damage-inducing things you can do. But using a boar-bristle brush will minimise this damage and actually smooth the hair shaft.
All Mason Pearson brushes are handmade and crafted to last a lifetime. We love this boar and nylon mixed brush for its smoothing, shine-inducing capabilities.
9. Rinse in cold water
Dull hair can simply be a case of not rinsing out your shampoo and conditioner effectively. Although it seems like leaving conditioner in the hair would give more shine, it actually does the exact opposite. "Only apply conditioner to the lengths and ends of your hair," says Simone. "Once fully rinsed, give your hair a blast of cold water to seal the cuticle."
This blast of cold water gives hair a natural shine that no product can. Plus, if you're not a morning person, it might give you a little wake-up call!
10. Take a hair supplement
Beauty starts from the inside out, and if your hair is looking dull, you may be lacking vital nutrients that your hair needs to be shiny and healthy. Our bodies are great indicators of something going on inside, and our hair is no different.
To really see a change in the health of your hair, it's important to be consistent with a daily supplement. Taking one with ingredients like biotin will ensure that your hair gets everything it needs to thrive.
"Part of the Vitamin B complex, Biotin promotes the growth and repair of skin, hair, and nails," explains Simone. "Regular use of these high-strength supplements helps support healthy hair growth."
