How To Get Shiny Hair

Woman with long shiny hair wearing a shiny top — Photo: Semachkovsky/Shutterstock

Everyone wants shiny hair; it is so pretty. Not everyone knows how to get it, though. Who would have known that vitamin E gives your hair an extra boost in its appearance, making it appear shiny to the human eye?

Some foods that contain vitamin E are green vegetables and nuts. So, go ahead and feel good about munching on these foods when you get the chance. Along with the right diet, hair also needs two essential fatty acids (EFAs). These are omega-3 and omega-6. The human body needs outside sources, as it does not initially produce essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are found abundantly in cold-water fish and dark green vegetables.

I am a partial vegetarian and do not eat any types of meat, except for fish. I like eating tuna fish packed in water, which has as much omega-3 as tuna packed in oil, and it is healthy too. Protein in tuna is also good for your hair, as it is made of protein. If you do not get enough, your hair could become dry and brittle. It is not difficult to incorporate essential fatty acids or protein into your diet, and it is worth the effort. Drinking eight glasses of water a day can keep the hair moist from within and help prevent it from becoming dull in appearance. Dry and brittle hair is not desirable, but shiny hair is the goal.

People do not even know why dull hair gets that way and they do not like it like that. Dull hair does get that way because of buildup of products. It is not that shampoos stop doing their job after some time. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week will get rid of buildup. First, shampoo your locks in warm water. Then, rinsing your hair in cold water after you are done shampooing and conditioning will make it shinier. Cold water forces the cuticle in your hair to close.

Whenever the cuticle in hair is closed, it lies flat, so it reflects the light and looks shiny. A healthy cuticle is more than just a protective layer. Much of the shine that makes healthy hair so attractive is due to the cuticle. Intact cuticle cells are smooth and glossy, reflecting light from their surfaces.

Different types of hair, whether curly or straight, are just that different. Some people are lucky and were born with naturally straight hair, and they are the ones who have shiny hair already. Tresses' texture can look great as long as it is in good condition. The condition of hair can be improved by not using heat styling tools. I have one blow dryer and a straightening iron, but I only use them on special occasions.

Long and shiny brown hair — Photo: Getty Images via canva

Most of the time, I wear my hair curly and do not blow dry or straighten it to keep it in good shape. However, curly hair usually has a porous surface. It does not reflect as much light as straight hair, so I use Frizz-Ease shine serum. It is gentle on my hair, giving the curls a smooth and soft effect rather than a crunchy effect that strong hold gel would give.

Curly-haired people may need to use more of the products that claim to add shine in order to get their hair to appear glossy, without weighing down their curls. Those with straight hair should go easy on the styling products that add shine, as too much product can be too heavy for the hair and make it look oily. Nobody wants their hair to look oily.

Shine products may be used on either dry or damp hair. Towel-dry your hair before blow-drying it straight to prevent frizz and create smooth, glossy hair. Use on dry hair to add extra shine to any style. I have long, curly hair and use liquid shine products because they work best on long locks. You can distribute them through the hair with your hands, paying close attention to dry, problem spots such as the ends or the hairline. Shine products are a neat type of hair styling aid, because they greatly alter the appearance of glossiness in your locks. Any type of hair can look healthy.

Shiny hair indicates good health. The last time I went to the beauty salon, the hairstylist told me that my hair looked healthier than the other customers she had seen recently. She said their hair had been bleached and fried repeatedly. I suppose I don't dye my hair as much as other ladies do. I know poor hair health can be the cause of dull hair, so don't over-dye your hair. A break is always needed. If you choose to dye your hair, go ahead and use L'Oreal Feria brand of hair dye. L'Oreal Feria has light reflectors which help give your freshly colored hair a shiny look or shimmering effect. I used L'Oreal Feria before, and it looked natural, because it did not make the hair color look dull like so many other hair dyes do.

Some hair dyes deplete hair of moisture and do not do anything to maintain shine or add shine to locks. Therefore, look for phrases on the hair dye box, such as "adds shine" or "gives a shimmering effect". Those types of hair dyes that claim to make hair shiny throughout the color change process should do a good job. The results will be worth the extra time taken to carefully read the box of hair color before purchasing.

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