How To Make Hair Shiny [Hacks To Boost Your Hair’s Shine]

Is your hair lacking shine, and you’re looking for ways in which you can boost your hair’s natural shine?

If you’re looking for glass-like shine and healthy hair, I’m going to share some helpful tips on how to make hair shiny, from professional haircare treatments at your favorite hair salon to at-home hair remedies, keep on reading to find out how to boost your hair’s natural shine. 

Which Factors Influence How Shiny Our Hair Is?

There are many factors that can influence how shiny our hair is, and it’s not just down to hair color.

The biggest factor, is how healthy our hair is, and how smooth the hair’s cuticle is. When the hair’s cuticle is healthy and well-moisturized, it will reflect the light, to give you a shiny, glossy finish.

Your scalp naturally produces sebum, and this sebum can coat the strands of your hair, to give you a reflective surface that catches the light.

If your hair doesn’t have sebum, your hair can look dull, so ensure you hair is always moisturized, and not overly dry. 

Believe it or not, the environment can affect how shiny your hair is. Environmental factors like UV rays and pollution can damage your hair, which can cause dryness and hair damage, both of which will leave your hair dull and lacking shine.

Product build-up will leave your hair looking dull, so always use hair products that are designed for your specific hair type, so you’re not overloading your hair with product, and ensure you use a weekly clarifying shampoo, to remove any potential build-up. 

How To Make Hair Shiny

We all want shiny hair, and there are a few different things you can try to boost your hair’s shine levels.

Your haircare routine should focus on both cleansing (to remove product build-up and grime) and nourishment (to hydrate your hair and scalp).

Start by using a high-quality shampoo and conditioner tailored to your hair type (fine, coarse, coily, curly etc), which will give your hair the nourishment and ingredients it needs.

I swear by double shampooing, as it works to fully cleanse the hair and scalp, and follow up with an intensive hair mask at least once a week, to recoup any lost moisture, especially during the colder months, when central heating can play havoc on your hair (and skin).

If you use heat styling tools like myself, never forget to use heat protection sprays, as they’ll prevent damage but also keep your hair shiny and healthy too.

Don’t forget to get your hair regularly trimmed between every six to eight weeks, as removing the split ends will enhance your hair’s ability to reflect the light. 

Lastly, never neglect your scalp. Scalp massages with a scalp brush will boost the blood flow, to support shiny and healthy hair growth.

If you want to give your hair extra shine, you can use products like coconut oil or argan oil before bed to work their magic while you sleep, or use them before you wash your hair, as a pre-shampoo treatment. 

Another tip I have, is using a silk or satin pillowcase, as they’re a lot more gentle on your hair’s cuticle, and will prevent any lost moisture from the friction you’d get from a cotton pillowcase.

Home Remedies To Boost Your Hair’s Shine

Thanks to Pinterest and TikTok, there are endless home remedies we can try to boost the shine levels of our hair, without having to spend a fortune.

You can try making your own DIY homemade hair mask by mixing some mashed avocado and olive oil together, and the duo will deeply hydrate your hair, enhance shine and leave your hair looking and feeling a lot healthier.

Another Pinterest favorite is apple cider vinegar. Mix some ACV and water together, and use it as a hair rinse, to help close the hair’s cuticles, allowing light to reflect more effectively, and give you that squeaky clean feeling. 

You could also try mixing some honey and warm water together as a conditioning hair rinse, to lock in moisture and give you a shine boost.

Some people swear by using aloe vera gel to smooth the cuticles of your hair, and boost hydration, although, I personally find aloe vera to be a little too sticky, and I don’t like how it leaves my hair, even when I’ve rinsed it away.

Lastly, try using coconut oil as a weekly oil treatment. Add some coconut oil to a bowl, and put it in the microwave for 10 seconds to melt it, and add it to your hair pre-shower for a deliciously scented hot oil hair treatment.

If you have a hair bonnet, you could also apply the coconut oil before bed, and put on the hair bonnet so the oil doesn’t ruin your bedding, and you simply wash your hair the next morning. 

Best Types Of Hair Products For Glossy, Shiny Hair

If you’re looking for haircare products you can buy, rather than make yourself, there are a few different products and formulas you can try.

Achieving glossy, shiny hair often starts with the right products. To elevate your hair’s shine game, consider incorporating these essentials into your routine:

1. Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners: Look for haircare products that are specifically formulated for hydration, as they’ll help to maintain a moisture balance for your scalp, but also your hair too. 

2. Heat Protectant: Never forget to use heat protectant, even if you’re just using a hairdryer. Heat protectant products shield the hair from damage while nourishing and enhancing shine.

3. Shine Sprays: One of my favorite products for a shine boost is a shine spray. You typically spritz them over your finished hairstyle, for an amazing mirror-like shine, and they tend to help minimize frizz too, which is always a bonus. 

4: Leave-In Conditioners: Lastly, don’t forget about leave-in conditioners to add an extra layer of sheen and reduce frizz.