What I Want Now: Super-Shiny Hair
Posted by: Nina Carbone
Filed in:
style
5:40PM, Wednesday October 28th 2009
OK, here it is: I am dying, dy-ing for super shiny hair. Maybe it’s because the weather’s turning cold and depressing and it’s only October, maybe it’s because I’m not feeling all that purdy these days, or perhaps it’s because I just came across this photo of Courteney Cox and can’t stop obsessing over her freaking super-glossy hair. (Um, not to mention Charlize Theron’s hair these days—yeah, perfection.) I don’t know. But what I do know is I want. I need. How do I get? Let’s see…
First off, I’m going to need a good, healthy hair cut. Nothing sabotages shine more than split ends. Following that, I’m going to update my highlights and get rid of my roots—as Charlize also proves, when your hair has subtle color variation, the different hues really pick up the light. Now, it’s off to the drugstore for some John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze—I have heard such good things about it, you throw it on a few times a week after your shampoo and conditioner for about three minutes. I think I’m also going to re-start taking my vitamins—I’m sort of an on-the-wagon, off-the-wagon taker of a multi-vitamin—but since vitamins help with hair growth, bring ‘em on! And my last move, though I’m still a little foggy on if it will actually work, is to mix half of my regular amount of shampoo with an equal amount of baking soda (the sodium bicarbonate removes dulling residue) and lather up in the shower. Sort of a homemade hair mask. What about you guys, you have any other tricks for super-shiny hair? Bring ‘em on!
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Wytch
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 04:43 pm: [report]
The vinegar and cold water rinse is pretty classic but your hair ends up smelling like salad dressing.
fireflyeyes
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 04:51 pm: [report]
Try adding a few drops of essential oil to the rinse. Shiny hair and no salad smell (I like tangerine oil or ylang ylang)
tigerstripe
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 04:51 pm: [report]
I read somewhere that it rinsing with cold water when you wash makes it shiny. I only tried it once and was too cold to pay attention to whether it turned out shiny or not.
Laurel
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 05:27 pm: [report]
That John Freida stuff (and all hair products containing silicone) will make your hair shiny at first. This is because silicone coats the hair, giving it a nice glossy finish. It also prevents moisture from getting into your hair shaft—keeping it frizz free. It also keeps out the moisture your hair needs to stay healthy and conditioned, which is why after a few months using silicone-rich products your hair will be dull due to silicone build-up and lack of proper moisturizing.
Try some silicone free hair products! Personally, I love Lush: http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair
dirtyboots
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 07:19 pm: [report]
Moroccanoil, just a tiny bit smoothed through once your hair is dry, you’ll be blinding people with your shiny locks.
Hypatia
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 08:01 pm: [report]
I second the Moroccan Oil, it’s amazing even for my crazy white-girl-afro.
Karol
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 08:36 pm: [report]
Running hair under cold water after conditioning works better than any product I’ve ever found.
JaclynKennedy
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 09:36 pm: [report]
I use Fredrik Fekkai glossing spray. It smells a little weird (not really bad or anything just weird). And then when my hair gets really bad I mix olive oil in with a deep conditioning treatment and blow dry my hair most of the way with it still on my hair. Oh… it will make a big nasty mess. And you will have the worlds greasiest hair. But then throw it up in a shower cap and sleep with it on there. The heat will have opened the cuticles on your hair and it will suck up the mixture. Then just shower as usual in the morning and wash it all out. It is so soft and so shiny.
christinax4
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:05 pm: [report]
bio-silk spray by Farouk…A-MA-ZING
secretstevie
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:49 pm: [report]
uh this is definitely the cheapest and most fool proof way to super duper shiny hair: i wash my hair at night (and always condition of course) and let it air dry. then in the morning i take the straightener to it. courtney cox now wishes she had my hair.
i’m not even kidding actually, i’ve had people come up to me on the street wanting to touch it, which is totally weird. but just eliminate the blow dryer (which not only dries out the hair, but fluffs up all those flyaways and frizz) and you will have the shiniest hair on the block.
if you want extra credit, put some shine serum (like biosilk or john freida) in while its still wet.
enjoy.
Nina Carbone
wrote on October 29 2009 @ 05:58 am: [report]
@Laurel: OH WOW. I had zero idea the silicone heavy products could eventually lead to dullness—must must try me some Lush. I’ll report back!
Visolela
wrote on October 29 2009 @ 10:16 am: [report]
- all good tips and there is of course the factor as to how straight/frizzy etc your hair is to begin with. I have found having the salon do a hydrating treatment, while pricey always makes my hair super soft, gorgeous and shiny without being weighed down by product.
Also - have your water tested. Water heavy in minerals is a big no-no for bright shiny hair (boohoo for me) which is when the acid rinse (vinegar) helps. It helps cut the build up. I use lemon juice instead of vinegar - just be super careful because if you are going in the sun it can bleach/burn.
Laurel
wrote on October 30 2009 @ 10:01 am: [report]
I hope it works for you, Nina! My favorite for shinyness is Big shampoo (it’s a little pricey though, so if you want something cheaper the Seanik puck is great too!) and Veganese conditioner (this is good for normal/oily hair though, so if yours is dryer of course you’ll want something more moisturizing).
I don’t think a little silicone here and there hurts the hair, but SO MANY shampoos and conditioners are filled with them when they really don’t need to be.
Meg
wrote on November 1 2009 @ 09:51 am: [report]
All these tips are great for shiny hair. I must try that hydrating treatment.
I would add that with using a great shampoo & conditioner (silicone free if possible), blow drying and washing as little as possible, and finding really great shine gloss or serum products (Biosilk is amazing and Garnier Fructis has a serum that is just as good), the only thing I would add is examining the diet.
Most women are in a low-fat dieting mindset and that can contribute to dry, limp, lifeless hair and skin. We need fats (especially women) to function at our best. Did you know that most of the human brain is fatty tissue? If you always buy low-fat or fat-free, you aren’t necessarily eating healthy. Eating adequate healthy fats found in olive oil, avocadoes, red salmon, seeds and nuts (and even bacon and full fat organic dairy products) can really lead to stronger, shinier hair (Along with a healthy diet, sleep, exercise and a good multivitamin).
And fat doesn’t contribute to belly fat. Most people don’t realize that it’s carbs and sugar that lead to obesity.
Some people think that quick fixes work like getting highlights or a simple one-step shine treatment. They can be helpful, but for lasting results I think a holistic approach to any health or beauty issue is the best way to ensure optimal health and beauty now and down the road.
So doing as many things you can to help one specific issue can not only improve the problem area but benefit your entire body, mind and soul.
Laurel
wrote on November 1 2009 @ 11:13 am: [report]
@Meg, Great comment!