Think Your Hair is Doomed to Be Crispier Than a Haystack? Not with These Tips!
What
woman wouldn't like to have shinier hair? Shiny hair is a sign of
beauty, femininity and health. It is also really hard to get if you're
not blessed with naturally sleek locks. If you've ever wondered how to
get shiny hair without dumping half your paycheck off at the salon,
don't fret. Here are seven inexpensive tips and tricks to getting the
soft, shiny hair you deserve. Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #1: Skip the Suds
Skipping shampoo can actually make your hair shinier. Shampoo strips the oils from your hair, which cleans your scalp but also dries out your hair. Skipping shampoo will let natural oils build up and make your hair glossier. However, if you cut shampoo out of your bathing regimen altogether, your hair will probably get excessively greasy. Try skipping shampoo every other shower for a healthy balance. When you do shampoo, try to focus mostly on the roots (where oil gathers) and avoid shampooing the ends, which do not really need to be shampooed because they do not get greasy.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #2: Deep Condition Having healthy, conditioned hair is the best way to make your hair shine naturally. Hair that is dry usually appears dull and lifeless. As hair dries out, it also develops split ends and breaks off. Use a thick, heavy conditioner to get your hair healthier, softer and shinier. When conditioning hair, leave the conditioner to sit in your hair for several minutes to make sure it soaks in.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #3: Turn the Tap to Cold I love a warm, steamy shower as much as the next gal, but for hair with optimum shine, it is best to turn the tap on cold for the last thirty seconds. Rinsing hair with cold water at the end of your shower will ensure the hair follicles close, making hair sleek and shiny.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #4: Use Leave-in Conditioner After the shower, once you've toweled off your hair, it's time for yet another conditioner. Use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable and improve health over time.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #5: Use Hot Tools Using a hot flat iron to straighten your hair will maximize the shine. Straight hair looks the shiniest because the hair is smooth and polished. If you prefer your hair curly, using a curling iron to style your hair will also increase shine. Heat smooths the hair, whether you are straightening or curling.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #5: Protect from Heat! I know, I just said to use hot tools to get shine. But you also must protect hair from that heat with a heat-protecting serum. Over time, excessive heat causes hair to become dry and damaged, unless protected. Any drug store should carry a decent heat protecting serum, which will not only keep hair healthy, but will also make hair easier to style and will add lasting shine throughout the day.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #6: Choose the Right Color Have you ever noticed that shampoo commercials often feature women with luxurious dark hair? Blonds may have more fun, but dark hair often looks shinier than light hair because when the light shines on it, there is more contrast between the hair and the shine. Adding subtle highlights will also make your hair look shinier because it will make certain strips seem to shine more than others. Whatever you do, don't lighten hair too much. Hair is lightened by stripping strands of their natural color, often leaving them dry and straw-like. We've all seen the women with platinum blond hair that's scratchy and straw-like. Unless you have naturally pale locks, opt for a darker shade to increase shine.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #7: Trim Frequently Frequent haircuts will keep your hair soft and smooth. There's nothing like split ends to make a nice hair-do a hair-don't. Split ends make hair look unhealthy, and eventually will cause hair to break off. Keep your hair happy and healthy by trimming off dead ends frequently, and your hair will shine on forever.
Skipping shampoo can actually make your hair shinier. Shampoo strips the oils from your hair, which cleans your scalp but also dries out your hair. Skipping shampoo will let natural oils build up and make your hair glossier. However, if you cut shampoo out of your bathing regimen altogether, your hair will probably get excessively greasy. Try skipping shampoo every other shower for a healthy balance. When you do shampoo, try to focus mostly on the roots (where oil gathers) and avoid shampooing the ends, which do not really need to be shampooed because they do not get greasy.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #2: Deep Condition Having healthy, conditioned hair is the best way to make your hair shine naturally. Hair that is dry usually appears dull and lifeless. As hair dries out, it also develops split ends and breaks off. Use a thick, heavy conditioner to get your hair healthier, softer and shinier. When conditioning hair, leave the conditioner to sit in your hair for several minutes to make sure it soaks in.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #3: Turn the Tap to Cold I love a warm, steamy shower as much as the next gal, but for hair with optimum shine, it is best to turn the tap on cold for the last thirty seconds. Rinsing hair with cold water at the end of your shower will ensure the hair follicles close, making hair sleek and shiny.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #4: Use Leave-in Conditioner After the shower, once you've toweled off your hair, it's time for yet another conditioner. Use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable and improve health over time.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #5: Use Hot Tools Using a hot flat iron to straighten your hair will maximize the shine. Straight hair looks the shiniest because the hair is smooth and polished. If you prefer your hair curly, using a curling iron to style your hair will also increase shine. Heat smooths the hair, whether you are straightening or curling.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #5: Protect from Heat! I know, I just said to use hot tools to get shine. But you also must protect hair from that heat with a heat-protecting serum. Over time, excessive heat causes hair to become dry and damaged, unless protected. Any drug store should carry a decent heat protecting serum, which will not only keep hair healthy, but will also make hair easier to style and will add lasting shine throughout the day.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #6: Choose the Right Color Have you ever noticed that shampoo commercials often feature women with luxurious dark hair? Blonds may have more fun, but dark hair often looks shinier than light hair because when the light shines on it, there is more contrast between the hair and the shine. Adding subtle highlights will also make your hair look shinier because it will make certain strips seem to shine more than others. Whatever you do, don't lighten hair too much. Hair is lightened by stripping strands of their natural color, often leaving them dry and straw-like. We've all seen the women with platinum blond hair that's scratchy and straw-like. Unless you have naturally pale locks, opt for a darker shade to increase shine.
Soft, Shiny Hair Tip #7: Trim Frequently Frequent haircuts will keep your hair soft and smooth. There's nothing like split ends to make a nice hair-do a hair-don't. Split ends make hair look unhealthy, and eventually will cause hair to break off. Keep your hair happy and healthy by trimming off dead ends frequently, and your hair will shine on forever.
