Dull, dry hair is never a good look. Yet, with the recent blast of arctic weather and winds outside, combined with cranked-up heating inside, it’s harder than ever to avoid.
Fortunately, we’ve found an insider hair genius to give us the scoop.
Follow the below six steps to treat yourself to the shiniest hair of your life.
1. Rinse in cold water
It’s tempting to languish in a hot shower on a cold day, but a little blitz of cool water can help keep your locks lustrous.
“One of the quickest and easiest ways to add extra shine is to rinse hair in cold water at the end of a hot shower,” says star hair stylist and K-Set founder Keiren Street.
“Warm water opens the hair cuticle making it appear dull, but by rinsing with cold water the cuticle is sealed, making it appear shinier and smoother.”
2. Change your towel
Towel-drying wet hair can lead to unwanted frizz, as it roughens up the hair cuticle from the moment you step out of the shower.
“Opt for a microfibre towel which will absorb excess water and help reduce frizz,” advises Keiren.
Also consider swapping your cotton pillowcases for silk – you’ll be amazed at how well they preserve your blow-dry.
3. Double shampoo
More shampoo equals more shine, especially if your hair tends to the oily side.
“Ensure you work the shampoo all the way down to the ends of your hair, and repeat twice to add shine,” guides Keiren.
4. Request A ‘Fairy Trim’
Blondes, in particular, can struggle to maintain shine. So, Keiren recommends regular trims to nix split ends, which can heighten the effect of dull, unhealthy hair.
But not just any kind of trim…
“Request a fairy trim from your stylist, as this will ensure only the split ends that have moved up the hair shaft are removed, rather than any length,” he says.
See also: hair dusting.
5. Check Your Scalp Health
This is one we definitely didn’t pick: the condition of your scalp can affect your hair’s natural shine.
“Dull, dry hair can actually be a result of an unhealthy scalp,” explains Keiren.
Improving your hair health may require a holistic approach, which means moisturising a dry scalp, clearing away dandruff, and ensure your hair has a healthy ‘bed’ from which to grow.
6. Use Heat Protectant
One of the main culprits when it comes to stealing your hair’s shine? Heat damage.
If you blow-dry, straighten, curl or tong your hair regularly, it’s vital you spritz first with a heat protectant spray to lock the moisture into your locks and prevent the damage that leads to dullness and dryness.
Products For Shiny Hair
A Non-Greasy, Nourishing Hair Oil
There’s often a fine line between shiny and oily, but we’ve narrowed it down to a couple of products for different budgets and needs.
The OGX Biotin & Collagen Volumising Weightless Oil Mist works on multiple fronts to create healthy-looking hair. Vitally, it contains Vitamin B7 biotin for those nutrients your hair loves.
Meanwhile, the Kerastase Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale contains marula, argan and camellia oils to target dull hair. It also helps combat the effects of humidity.
Finally, it’s a great product to use prior to any heat tools and styling products for better protection.
A Silk Pillowcase
As Keiren notes, a silk pillowcase can help preserve styled hair (including those curls!) and prevent flyaways and tangles for sleek hair.
We love the colour range offered by Slip (the navy colour is pictured above, $95 at The Iconic).
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