Having a lifeless and dull finish on your hair can make it feel impossible to achieve the mirror-like shine that we see in magazines and on Instagram.
However, by making some small changes to your hair care routine it is definitely possible to achieve a glossy finish. Read our guide to learn everything about bringing the lustre back to your hair by discovering the causes, the routine perfect for your hair type and the products to fight that dullness.
How do I boost the shine of my hair?
What causes dull hair?
Dull hair often lacks moisture, body and shine. To find the underlying cause you’ll need to evaluate your hair care routine. Some factors include using the incorrect hair care products, excessive heat styling and dehydration.
More extreme causes for your dull hair can also include lack of nutrients or underlying health conditions, i.e. vitamin deficiencies. If you or anyone else is experiencing this then consult your doctor immediately.
Looking after your hair type
Fine Hair
As fine hair is prone to oiliness, you’ll need care products that know the difference between shiny and greasy. The best way you can do this is by avoiding moisture heavy products, and instead opting for lightweight shampoos, conditioners and shine sprays. Be sure to distribute them evenly through your hair every other day to avoid stripping the natural oils that keep it shining.
Medium Hair
A daily shampooing is perfect for fighting that dullness in your hair. Why? It will help maintain its elasticity and shine. To give your haircare routine that extra boost of moisture, we recommend adding in a pre-shampoo treatment such as a spray or mask. Be sure to limit your application to once a week though to avoid your hair becoming greasy. If your hair is very brittle, you can consider putting in your chosen treatment twice a week.
Coarse Hair
Coarse hair types need more moisture in the hair as the oils don’t distribute to the ends like other hair types. If you want to give yours a mirror-like gloss, make sure you add a hair mask or hot oil treatment to your care routine. Depending on your hair’s dryness, you can perform your treatment up to twice a week.
Treating your hair texture
Straight
The easiest way to keep your straight hair shining is by sticking to a regular shampoo schedule. For this reason, we recommend shampooing every other day and include a deep conditioning oil or a lightweight spray once a week. These won’t just keep your hair looking glossy, but they’ll also restore the oils to keep your hair healthy. Read more
Wavy
What’s the solution to giving your dull waves that shimmery frizz-free finish? A consistent hair care routine filled with moisture. However, it’s important to find products that avoid weighing your hair down. For this reason, we recommend including clarifying shampoos, shine-enhancing serums and conditioners. Read more
Curly
Curly hair types are prone to dulling if dehydrated and dry. This means you’ll need to use care products filled with hydrating properties to give your hair a boost of moisture. These include oils (ideally silicone-free), moisturising shampoos and leave-in sprays. Make sure you also perform a deep conditioning every two weeks. Not only will this reduce further damage, but it will also increase the shine in your hair. Read more
Coiled
Coiled hair is extremely prone to dryness due to the angularity of the curls. To add that glossy sheen to your hair you’ll need a care routine filled with as much moisture and as little heat as possible. This includes a daily/bi-weekly deep conditioning, clarifying shampoos to remove product build-up, and lightweight oils to seal the moisture into your strands. The results? Defined curls filled with shine. Read more
Our top recommendations for adding shine to hair
Here are our top products for adding shine to hair. Find out more on how to boost the shine of your hair and how to look after your hair type and hair texture.
The Argan Secret Hair Oil is perfect for adding silky smooth shine to all hair types. Containing natural argan and hemp oils from the deserts of Marrakesh, you can give dull and tired hair the protection it needs against the damaging effects of blow-drying and heat styling. The results? Lightweight hair with extra gloss.
From Paul Mitchell, the Tea Tree Lavender Mint Conditioning Leave-In Spray will replenish the dullest strands for a silky smooth finish. Featuring a vegan and colour friendly blend of Vitamin E, strong mint and calming lavender, you get a real feast for the senses as the formula works its magic from within. The results? Tamed and revitalised hair with a mirror-like gloss.
Whether curly or straight, the Osmo Blinding Shine Conditioner will add a gloss to your hair unlike any other. Enriched with moringa oil and silk protein, this lightweight formula will nourish your hair from within whilst boosting its vibrancy. The results? When used alongside the rest of the Blinding Shine collection, you will get super soft hair with fantastic shine.