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How to get shiny hair

Dull, dry hair can ruin a great look by appearing lifeless and damaged. While some of hair’s luster comes from each person’s natural color and texture, there are a lot of habits that can positively or negatively affect how shiny it is. Check out these easy tips to help you get shiny hair that’s soft and shimmery. 

1. Use shampoo and conditioner formulated to add gloss, shine, and softness

Shampoo and conditioner are the foundation of any hair care routine, so to make hair shiny you’ll want to look for products formulated for this purpose. Look for a shampoo and conditioner with nourishing ingredients that add moisture and shine. Avoid products that contain damaging parabens and sulfates, which are chemicals that can dry out your hair and are associated with health issues. Instead, look for a shampoo and conditioner made from ingredients you recognize, with an emphasis on a a variety of oils which will help hydrate hair to add shine and softness.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, check out our Glossy Shampoo and Glossy Conditioner which are made from key ingredients you know and love like peach oil, rosehip oil, and squalane. Together, these ingredients nourish strands by adding moisture and shine, then seal to help protect against future damage. These products are great for thick to coarse, dry, damaged, and low porosity hair types or anyone looking to add extra shine.

2. Shower with cold water

Hot water feels great, but the heat dries out your skin and hair which can lead to dull strands that are also more prone to breakage. To add shine for your hair, try showering with cold water.. Showering with cold water will help seal the hair’s cuticle to help lock in moisture from the shampoo and conditioner you use, which strengthens strands and improves their health. In addition to boosting shine, using cold water also helps retain hair color. You don’t have to fully commit to showering with cold water right away. Start your next shower by using cold water for the first minute before turning up the temperature, then for your next shower see if you can stay in the cold water a little longer and keep going until you adjust. 

3. Exfoliate your scalp regularly

Your scalp health has a big impact on hair health, and build-up from dead skin and products can reduce the shine of your hair. When your scalp is covered with debris, hair follicles get clogged which prevents oils from passing through that are important for adding shine. Clogged follicles also reduce the effectiveness of products because they’re unable to penetrate deep to reach the hair’s root. To address the issue, make sure to exfoliate your scalp regularly. Our Ghost Exfoliating Scalp Nectar™ can help remove build up for a clean, refreshed scalp that promotes healthier hair.

4. Avoid hot tools

Heat dries out hair and reduces it’s shininess. In addition to leaning off of hot water, you should also try to minimize your use of hot tools because they add an extreme amount of heat. For an immediate impact that’s easy, opt to air dry instead of blow drying after showering. To go a step above, try and limit your use of curling irons and straighteners as much as possible. When you do need to use hot tools, use our Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection before styling for an extra boost of moisture and shine.

5. Stay hydrated

If you aren’t staying hydrated, your hair won’t get the moisture it needs to maintain its shine. Products will help add moisture, but you should still try to drink plenty of water to give your body the hydration it needs to function properly.

6. Get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids help nourish hair follicles to make hair healthier, stronger, and shinier. While you can get these naturally by eating foods like eggs, salmon, and chia seeds — the amount you get may not be enough to noticeably impact your hair. Instead, consider taking a supplement like fish oil, or look for hair products packed with omega oils so they’re absorbed directly by the follicles.

7. Use a silk pillowcase

Swapping your pillowcase can help you promote shiny hair while you sleep. Fabrics like cotton are extremely absorbent and will pull moisture from your hair when you rest. Additionally, cotton pillowcases cause friction that causes breakage in your hair. Fix the issue by switching to a silk pillowcase that will help your hair and is more comfortable to use.