How to Get Shiny Hair
Working out how to get shiny hair can seem like an impossible task. If you’ve ever lusted after the lustrous locks of celebrities or found the promise of quick hair-shine-enhancing fixes lacking, let me reassure you, you can get shiny hair.
Discover my exclusive tips for how to get shiny hair.
Working with clients in my salon over the years, I’ve achieved shiny hair with even the driest hair types. Quick fixes are tempting and often give a temporary fix. However, they can leave hair feeling drier and more lacklustre.
I believe in building long-lasting shine for hair, and with the right approach, you can have healthy, shiny hair all the time.
Keep reading to discover your shine.
Restore and Shine Hair Masque, Deep Conditioner
Shiny Hair Treatment
Beauty Bible Winner of Best Hair Mask
My hair has never been so soft, silky and shiny and it smells absolutely gorgeous. I use the Restore and Shine Hair Masque once a week and the condition of my hair has significantly improved. I love these products!
Here’s what YOU NEED TO KNOW about Shiny Hair
OK, so here’s the first thing you need to know about shiny hair. Hair is shiny when the cuticle, the outer layer of hair, is smooth. Light bounces off the smooth surface of the hair, and that’s what leaves hair looking shiny.
The cuticle comprises lots of tiny scales, and when hair becomes dry, the scales lift. The lifting disrupts the smooth surface of the hair, and, that’s when hair can start to look dull and lose its shine.
Have you ever wondered what makes your hair dry? Well, there’s a long list. I’ve listed a few below. It’s by no means a complete list, and some of it you will already be aware of, but it’s always good to remind ourselves, right?
Causes of Dry hair: Reminder
I’ve been working with hair for over 35 years and, in my experience, restoring moisture to hair makes the biggest difference.
We’ve already discussed how the surface of the hair can be disrupted when hair becomes dry.
The list below isn’t definitive but it’s a useful reminder of the things that can make hair dry and leave it with a rough texture.
I’ll cover the causes of dry hair and then I’ll talk about what you can do to make your hair shiny.
Causes of Dry Hair
- Getting into hot water: Washing hair in hot water can leave it feeling dry.
- Heated styling: With heat, you can style and shape hair, but, it can also leave hair feeling a little parched.
- Sun, wind, rain all conspire to dehydrate hair.
- Nutritional deficiencies can have an impact on the quality of your hair and how well hydrated it is.
- You may love a splash about in the pool, but, chlorine and, of course, seawater can dry out your hair.
- Colour treatments work by opening the cuticle. The consequence? Yes, you guessed it! It can leave hair vulnerable to moisture loss and dryness.
- Over-brushing, over-styling and generally touching your hair too much can result in damage and dryness.
When you go through this list, you can start to see the level of the challenge.
I don’t want you to feel disheartened, though!
Adding moisture to the hair through a regular routine of deep conditioning reduces dryness and allows your hair to shine.
There’s plenty you can do to get shiny hair, and, with a few tweaks to your hair care routine you can get your shine on!
Discover my top tips for how to get shiny hair below.
Tweak your hair care routine to get your shine on! Add a deep conditioner to your routine for your shiniest hair.
Shiny Hair Tips: 8 Ways to Shine Hair
I’ve summarised my 8 tips for shiny hair below.
- Choose the right shampoo for you hair type
- Wash hair with warm, not hot water
- Treat your hair like a delicate fabric
- Look after you scalp
- Choose a moisture boosting conditioner
- Use moisturising styling products
- Deep Conditioning
- Touch your hair less
1. Get into the Right Lather
Choose a shampoo that’s right for your hair type. I know it sounds obvious, but with so many shampoos on the market, it’s not always easy to choose the right one. It’s vital to add the right amount of moisture to the hair. Too much moisture and fine hair can become overloaded, too little and dry hair will be parched. I keep it simple. Revive and Shine Shampoo is for all hair types, including fine and normal. Anyone with coarse, thick or naturally dry hair types should opt for extra moisture with Hydrate and Shine Shampoo.
2. Don’t get into Hot Water
3. Treat your Hair like a Delicate Fabric
If you think about your hair like your favourite silk scarf or cashmere sweater, it’s a good place to start. Chances are you wouldn’t put either in the washing machine or tumble dryer! Hair, like cashmere and silk, loves gentle handling.
A firm but gentle approach works best when washing and drying your hair.
That’s because when hair is wet, it’s most vulnerable to breakage and, for maximum shine, we need to keep the cuticle smooth and unbroken. Washing hair with a gentle shampoo in warm water is the best way of preventing breakage when it’s wet. When drying the hair, gently pat the water out of the hair with a towel. If you are gentle with your hair, any towel will do, but microfibre towels are a great option for soaking up the water, and they have a smooth surface which is gentler on the hair.
4. The Importance of the Scalp
- When we think about shiny hair, it’s easy to focus on the hair, but scalp health plays a vital role in hair shine. The reason for this is twofold. First up, the scalp’s job is to grow hair. The scalp is made up of lots of follicles. Those follicles need to be clean and free of dirt for healthy hair growth. Secondly, the scalp produces an oil called sebum. Sebum is responsible for adding moisture to the hair. However, if we overstimulate the scalp by scrubbing it too vigorously, it’s possible that the scalp will produce too much sebum and this becomes problematic.
Excess Sebum can leave hair Dull.
- The excess sebum can make hair oily at the roots, hampering shine. The oil attracts dirt from the atmosphere, leaving hair looking dull and clogging up the follicles. In turn, this can impact healthy hair growth. So the answer is to apply a firm but gentle massage technique when washing hair for maximum shine. Avoid scrubbing, no rubbing, just a gentle circular massage using fingertips to cleanse the scalp.
Get more information on how to improve scalp health in my blog on the subject. I share tips and ideas for getting you scalp in the best condition.
Take care of your scalp to support healthy hair growth
5. Be Conditioner Curious
- Here’s what I mean by being conditioner curious. You probably already know that if you want shiny hair you have to use a conditioner every time you wash your hair. Conditioner is essential after every wash. However, not all conditioners are made equal. We talked earlier in this piece about the importance of a smooth cuticle and how a smooth cuticle reflects light, resulting in shiny hair. We’ve also talked about how dry hair can look dull and lack shine. By adding moisture to the core of the hair, we can improve the overall health and texture of the hair. If the hair retains moisture at the core and the cuticle is smooth, it locks in that moisture and reflects light for that perfect shine. That is the job of your conditioner. However, the formulation of your conditioner is a factor in how well it does that job. So if your conditioner is not delivering, it’s time to get conditioner curious and take a look at the ingredients.
Hydrate and Shine Conditioner for Super Shiny, Silky Hair
I have used Ogario conditioner for some years now. It leaves my hair silky soft and smelling wonderful.
I have some favourite moisture-adding, cuticle-smoothing ingredients that I recommend you look out for in your conditioner and deep conditioner:
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Pro Vitamin B5
- Clinically proven to penetrate the cuticle to add moisture, provitamin 5 is the ultimate hair care ingredient. I love it so much I include it in my shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioning hair mask and styling products.
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Glycerin
- The perfect partner to pro vitamin B5, glycerin attracts moisture to your hair. Again, I use it in my shampoos, conditioners and hair mask; these products are expertly blended with pro vitamin b5 to give the perfect moisture balance to all hair types.
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Cetearyl Alcohol
- If you see this ingredient in your conditioner, you may be alarmed. Don’t be. This alcohol is anything but damaging for hair. You’ll see it in good quality skincare and with good reason. It’s a natural fat that moisturises and conditions the skin and hair. What that means for hair is that it conditions and smooths the cuticle. Remember, we want those cuticles to be as smooth as possible for maximum shine!
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Tocopherol
- Otherwise known as Vitamin E, tocopherol is another ingredient found in good quality skincare. It smooths, has deep conditioning properties and combats environmental damage.
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Avocado
- This nutritional powerhouse is not just good to eat. Packed with fatty acids, it conditions and smooths the cuticle; it contains oleic acid, which helps the hair retain moisture. Essential for shine and avocado is an excellent deep conditioner.
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6. Get Proactive with Moisture
Take a look at our video for adding volume to fine hair for some styling inspiration.
We are always going to do things that will be drying for hair. Life is for living, after all! So, for many of us, hair styling means using a hairdryer. Think about what you can do to counterbalance the drying effects of the heat. Choose Hair styling Products that add moisture to your hair. This is an effective way of counterbalancing the drying effects of heat. You can also turn down the heat on the hairdryer or try styling techniques that require minimal use of the hairdryer.
Styling Mist for Volume
Add volume and light hold without compromise on movement. The Super-fine mist gives a light application for an even spread. Contains Argan Oil for hair repair and Keratin.
I just love this product! After suffering a lifetime of fine, flat hair I have at last found something that totally does what is says on the bottle!
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7. Regular Deep Conditioning
Hair, just like our skin, craves regular moisture. Putting a deep conditioner at the heart of your hair care routine is one of the best ways of ensuring your hair shines brightly.
It has the same job as a conditioner, but it’s more intense. Hence the name, deep conditioner. Above, I talked about getting proactive with moisture and, quite frankly, because of modern lifestyles and the amount of stuff we put our hair through, it’s vital to give hair a deep conditioning treatment once a week, every week.
Deep conditioning is your best weapon in combatting dry hair and, of course, adding hair shine.
8. Touch your Hair Less
Take some time out to think about how often you touch your hair during the day.
Probably, more than you think.
There are the absent-minded hair twirlers, the hair putter-uppers and then take it down again (sometimes several times a day) the over-brushers and the styling perfectionists who don’t know when to stop to mention but a few.
When you think about it, it’s surprising how many times we touch our hair.
Touching our hair puts dirt in the hair. Dirt leaves hair looking dull. When we over-brush our hair or spend too much time styling it, it can lift the cuticle and, again, without a smooth cuticle, there is no shine.
You get the picture, touching our hair less frequently can help reduce dirt, damaged hair and keep the hair looking shiny.
Touching your hair less will help to reduce dirt and dull hair.
Try my Shiny Hair Tips for One Month
Try my 8 steps for how to get shiny hair for one month and you’ll see the difference in your hair.
I believe that with a good routine and by following the steps above everyone can improve the condition and texture of the hair to maximise hair shine.
Keep reading to find answers to frequently asked questions about how to get shiny hair.
Shiny Hair Frequently Asked Questions
- What does shiny hair indicate?
- Why is my hair not shiny?
- What ingredients make hair shiny?
- How can I get healthy, shiny, silky hair?
- How can I make my hair shiny overnight?
- How do I make my blonde hair shiny?
- How do you make bleached hair shiny?
- Is shiny hair genetic?
- My hair has lost its shine, what can I do?
- How can I get shiny hair naturally?
What does shiny hair indicate?
Shiny hair is an indication that your hair is retaining moisture
and that there is little breakage. When we talk about hair being in good condition, that’s what we mean. Because there is little or no breakage, the protective layers of the cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) are laying flat. That gives the hair a flat surface. The light bounces off this flat surface, and your hair looks shiny. The flat cuticle also gives your hair that slippery feel that we associate with healthy hair.
Shiny hair indicates that hair is in good condition.
Why is my hair not shiny?
There can be any number of reasons. When your hair is not shiny, it’s an indication that it’s dry and needs additional moisture. We talked earlier in this article about the causes of dry hair, and, I’ve listed a number of those. However, one significant factor that I haven’t mentioned yet, is that hair can be naturally dry. If your hair has any kind of curl, or if your hair is thick or coarse, chances are it’s prone to becoming dry. That doesn’t mean that you can’t do something about it.
I talk a lot about the importance of routine in haircare. Follow my 8 Ways to Shine Hair and turn dull hair into shiny hair.
Some hair types can be more prone to becoming dry.
What ingredients make hair shiny?
Pro Vitamin B5 and Glycerin are a match made in shiny hair heaven.
I talked about some of my other favourite shiny hair ingredients earlier in this article.
But if I had to pick two, I would always choose these first.
It’s a powerful partnership; pro vitamin b5 gets moisture right to the core of the hair, and glycerin attracts moisture to the hair.
That means your hair can absorb and retain moisture.
Restore and Shine Hair Masque contains both of these ingredients and it’s the best deep conditioner I’ve worked with in all my years in the industry.
Hair Conditioning Treatment, Restore and Shine Hair Masque has a beautiful creamy texture. Concentrated and lightweight, use it to brighten dull hair and leave hair fuller.
How can I get healthy, shiny, silky hair?
Follow my 8 Ways to Shine Hair to give your hair the best foundation.
Silky, shiny hair can be achieved with a routine of deep conditioning.
Discover how you can you can get the most from your deep conditioning hair mask in my blog, Deep Conditioning Hair Mask – Essential Hair Care.
How can I make my hair shiny overnight?
Quick fixes may promise a lot, but, in my experience, they rarely deliver long-term benefits.
I recommend taking your time, building a great hair care routine that incorporates regular conditioning and using a deep conditioner.
I’ve been doing Pilates for several years; it’s taught me that patience and perseverance are the most important things to build strength in the body.
I think it’s the same for hair.
Build a great hair care routine with our best deep conditioner, Restore and Shine Hair Masque.
How do I make my blonde hair shiny?
If your blonde hair is colour-treated, it will be more porous. When you use chemical treatments on the hair, it opens the cuticle, leaving hair more vulnerable to the environment. That means it absorbs dirt from the atmosphere which can leave blonde hair looking dull.
Previously, we discussed the need to seal the cuticle. That is where deep conditioners come in. They don’t just add moisture to the hair. They also smooth the cuticle to lock in moisture. When the cuticle is sealed, it’s less prone to absorbing dust and dirt from the atmosphere.
Regular deep conditioning will help maintain the hair and improve shine.
Blonde hair can be shiny hair with the right hair conditioning treatment.
How do you make bleached hair shiny?
Bleached hair is more of a challenge for hair shine, but it is possible to make bleached hair shiny. I’ve written extensively on how to care for bleached hair. How do you make Bleached Hair Shiny? I recommend you read my blog, How to Take Care of Bleached Hair and Fix Damage. You’ll discover expert tips and advice on how to make bleached hair shiny.
Is Shiny Hair Genetic?
It can be. Some people are just born with it. However, there are a couple of things I’d like to add.
First up, just because you are born with it doesn’t mean you’ll always be able to maintain shiny hair. I’ve mentioned all the factors that conspire to leave hair dry; the sun, central heating, heated styling etc. The list goes on. Even if shiny hair comes naturally to you, these external factors can leave hair dry. When your hair is dry, the cuticle can lift. Hair loses moisture, and, with it goes the shine.
The answer, of course, is to look after what you’ve got. Maintain your hair with a deep conditioner; this is the antidote to all the environmental factors that leave hair dry and dull.
Just because you aren’t born with it, shiny hair is still within your grasp. Follow the steps I’ve outlined above to kick off your shiny-hair journey.
Shiny hair can be genetic but environment has an impact too.
My hair has lost its shine, what can I do?
When I get this question, it can be related to an event. Maybe a home-colour-treatment or hair that has been over-bleached. Sometimes it can be a gradual thing; hair that’s been losing moisture over time.
Either way, I like to ask three questions to understand how to recover the hair shine.
1. How often do you wash your hair?
The scalp produces an oil called sebum. Sebum is good for the hair and has a role to play in hair and scalp health. Having said that, in between washes the sebum can build up and, as a result, it can attract dirt. Particles from the atmosphere attach to the cuticle and can leave it looking dull. That’s why a regular routine of cleansing is so important. A regular routine of cleansing is vital for shiny hair.
2. How often do you condition and deep condition your hair?
We’ve talked at length about the importance of conditioning and deep conditioning for shiny hair. I don’t plan to go through that again. However, I would like to say that treating your hair like your skin is a great place to start. They are the same proteins, and both require moisture to look and feel their best. Treat your hair like your skin. Add regular moisture with a deep conditioning hair mask.
3. How do you style your hair?
Styling is one of the riskiest times for hair damage. That’s the time when we touch our hair the most; we use heat, we brush, we comb. All of these things can cause the cuticle to lift.
Remember we need to the cuticle to be flat for optimum shine, so it’s vital to assess what we are doing to our hair at this point. Once you’ve done that, you can think about damage limitation.
Small things can make a big difference.
For example, turn your hairdryer to a cooler setting.
Alternatively, you can think about less damaging ways of styling your hair. If you want some inspiration for different styling techniques, go to my blog on velcro rollers. They are a fabulous way of reducing the amount of heat you apply to your hair.
Of course, there are other factors, and we’ve discussed most of those above.
However, I think these three questions are a good starting point.
Use them to identify opportunities to adjust your hair care routine for maximum shine.
Styling Mist for Glossy Finish. Smoothes the cuticle, seals split ends, adds moisture and helps dry hair to retain moisture.
Really pleased with this product, especially during lockdown when I’m swimming in the sea and therefore washing my hair every day. Our tap water is very soft so I don’t use conditioner as it makes my hair too soft. Spraying this product on damp hair makes it easier to comb.
How can I get shiny hair naturally?
It’s a great question, and it’s one, I’m always happy to answer.
When I’m asked this it’s an indication that whoever is posing the question understands that quick fixes are not the answer.
The answer is to add moisture to hair through a good routine of weekly deep conditioning.
I opt for natural ingredients to do the job in my deep conditioner, Restore and Shine Hair Masque.
Pro Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, Glycerin; they are all plant-derived and, in my experience, give the best results.
Want natural shine? Use plant-based products.
About the Author
Norris Ogario is founder and Creative Director of Ogario London. Developed in his London salon, the Ogario London haircare products reflect his belief that hydration is the key to fixing most hair problems. You can style hydrated hair with ease. Plus, hydration leaves hair shiny and healthy. Norris has over 35 years of hair know-how. With expertise in all hair types; from dry hair to fine or grey hair, from frizzy to damaged or bleached hair, curly hair and afro hair, Norris offers his expert advice.
Recommended Reading
Over the years, I’ve talked to and helped a lot of customers with dry hair concerns. Additionally, I write about all aspects of healthy hair, from how to stop frizzy hair to getting rid of split ends and I share salon tips and techniques for looking after all hair types.
I’ve suggested some further reading below. Plus you’ll find more expert hair tips on my Healthy Hair Blog.
The way we style and care for our hair is not the only factor determining hair health and shine. Good nutrition is vital.
Discover how you can improve your healthy hair diet on my blog, Healthy Hair: Choose the Best Foods for Hair Growth.
Bleached Hair
If you have bleached hair and want to regain your shine, read my blog, How to take care of Bleached Hair. Plus, get more expert hair tips in my case study on elasticity in bleached hair.
Dry Hair
For further reading on dry hair, Salon Know How: How to Moisturise Dry Hair is a must-read.
Leave in Conditioner
Have you tried styling your hair with leave in conditioner? It’s a great option for adding moisture to hair, prior to heated styling. Because, it gives hair the best foundation for styling, without compromising the health of your hair.
Stop Frizzy Hair
Frizzy hair is often associated with curly hair, but the truth is any hair type can become frizzy. So if you’ve ever battled with a halo of frizz, or you find yourself wondering why your hair never looks glossy or shiny go to my ultimate guide for stopping frizz.
Long Hair Style
If you are on the lookout for style ideas for long hair, it’s time to give some thought to the ponytail. As hairstyles go, it doesn’t get any easier than the ponytail. Get creative with a ponytail and it can take you from relaxed Sunday brunch to the beach or to nighttime chic.
Bouncy Blow Dry
Creating a Bouncy Blow Dry for long hair does take a little time and can be tricky if you aren’t used to using brushes.
However, doing some upfront prep and breaking the process into small, easy steps will give you the best results.
Healthy Hair
With a little bit of know how, I believe it’s within everyone’s grasp to get healthy hair. I’ve spent years working with clients in the salon and there are two concerns that come up time and time again; how to get healthy hair and how to promote hair growth.
Grey Hair
Wondering how to look after your grey hair? Whether you’ve spotted your first grey, you want to ditch the dye, or you want to rock silver strands embracing grey hair is now a thing.
Once you’ve decided to embrace your grey, it’s simply a question of how to look after grey hair. Get my expert tips on grey hair.
About Us
Ogario London is a salon developed, natural hair care range. We are passionate about our products, and, delivering the best results is at the heart of what we do. Do you have questions about our products? Or, would you like advice on the best products for your hair type? Maybe have another question about how to look after your hair? If you do, please get in touch at info@ogariolondon.com.
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Beauty Bible Recommends
Restore and Shine Hair Masque was awarded best hair mask in the Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible Awards. As an independent hair care brand, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the industry’s biggest haircare brands. Because I spend time ensuring that our products deliver the best results, I couldn’t be happier to get this review and win this prestigious award.
Here’s what Josephine Fairley and Sarah Stacey had to say,
“Beauty Bible fell in love with this mask when we discovered it at a Cosmetic Executive Women product demo evening. The brand comes from a London hair salon, and the mask is a huge boon for hair – packed with avocado, olive oil, aloe vera, nettle and horsetail, together with sage (which is rich in vitamins A, C and E). Just a sniff of this rich, unctuous creamy mask perks you up. Use for gleaming shiny, healthy hair.”
