Shiny hair secrets, from the experts

Everyday exposure to things like showers, pollution, and hair styling products can decrease your hair's health and make it look less shiny than you'd like.

The most important thing for shiny hair is that the hair cuticle is closed and smooth so it can reflect the light. Well-moisturised, healthy hair is naturally shinier—and applying hot hair oils is the fastest way to boost hydration levels and improve existing damage.

Here are three more ways to boost shine:

1. Blast your hair with cold water after washing: an icy cold rinse in the shower shuts all the cuticles down, making them lay flat so your strands will shine.

2. Try a leave in conditioner: a lightweight leave-in conditioner can help moisturise and smooth the hair cuticles.

3. Avoid harmful ingredients: check labels on shampoo, conditioner and styling products and avoid anything with paragons, which can strip the hair of moisture.

Is your hair shinier when you rinse it in cold water? And other common hair questions

We’re always getting asked how to get shiny hair and other haircare tricks so we here we answer some of your most common hair questions….

Is hair shinier when you rinse it in cold water?

Hydrating products like hair masks and deep conditioners are best for shiny hair, but there’s no harm in a lukewarm rinse. This closes down the cuticles, the outer protection of the hair, making hair appear smoother and look shinier.

Which is better for hair - oil or serum?

Depending on what your hair needs, oils penetrate your hair, giving it nourishment while serums are more cosmetic and are for taming and smoothing your hair. This can get confusing as some brands call them serums ‘oil’, like like Olaplex No7. These are dry oils and for soothing your hair.

What’s one thing I can do for healthy hair?

We all have different needs so the best thing to do is talk to your stylist about the correct product for your hair. This will save you money on products that aren’t right for your hair.

How to get shiny hair in five easy steps

Hands up if you want to learn how to get shiny hair. Everyday exposure to hair styling products, especially heat tools like hairdryers, curlers and straighteners, can really play havoc with our hair.

Throw in pollution, heating and sun damage and it’s no wonder it can be hard to keep hair healthy and shiny.

But don’t worry as there are plenty of ways to get shiny hair and we’re hear to tell you all about five of them.

Avoid sulfates

Hair can easily get bogged down with styling products that can make it less shiny than normal. Sulfates in shampoos and conditioners can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it looking dull, especially if you have dyed or chemically treated hair so opt for products without these.

Try an apple cider vinegar rinse

Steer clear of clarifying shampoos that can strip hair of everything, both the bad and the good, and instead try an apple cider vinegar rinse. We like Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, which can help balance the scalp's natural pH level, and leave hair looking shinier and healthier over time.

Massage your scalp with vitamin E

We all know how good vitamins are for us, but applying them topically to hair can also help make it stronger, healthier and shinier. Here’s a great trick: buy a bottle of vitamin E capsules, snip off the ends of about six capsules and squeeze the oil into a bowl. Next give yourself a pre-shampoo massage with the oil, which will nourish and hydrate hair strands. Then use your regular shampoo to wash it out.

Use a bristle brush

Bristle brushes seal the cuticle, making sure you lock in maximum shine by creating a completely two-dimensional surface for the light to reflect off. These stiff brushes will also draw natural oils from your roots to the ends of your hair, giving you a natural gloss and shine.

Have regular trims

Regular haircuts are a great way to keep hair looking healthy and shiny. You can book an appointment online or give us a call on 01865 553725.

How can I get shiny hair? Five products to get that glossy look

Dry hair heroes to give you that va-va-voom again

Healthy hair should stretch up to 30% of its length before snapping. But if your hair is heat-damaged and dry, it will break under tension. But with these clever hair products that we recommend, you can add moisture and shine to strengthen and restore…

How to make every day a good hair day

We all know the feeling… our hair won’t behave and, pathetic as it seems, we can’t help feeling that it’s ruined the rest of the day.

But help is at hand.

Just follow our four tips and you’ll never have another bad hair day again. We promise!

Use protection

The easiest way to ensure that you have a good hair day is to use a heat protectant spray after you wash your hair, and before you use any styling tools like straighteners, curlers or hairdryers. Not only will this protect your hair from any heat damage, but it will also create the perfect base for you to create the perfect look.

Shiny happy hair

We all know that shiny hair equals healthy hair - just look at Meghan Markle! So if you want to make every day a Good Hair Day, simply invest in a good hair mask and make it a regular ritual to deeply condition your locks.

Add volume

Gentle backcombing (think a little tussle rather than full on 80s style) can help your hair look full of life. To do this, start at the roots and tease the hair over your brush and then give it a blast with your favourite hairspray.

Fake it

Even when you’re having an off day you can still bring it back with some handy handbag essentials like dry shampoo and hair serum.