How To
How to Get Shiny, Healthy Hair: 7 Science-Backed Tips
Shiny hair is often perceived as healthy hair. In fact, a recent Dyson study found that 36% of people worldwide consider hair shine to be the top indicator of overall hair health. However, achieving that glossy look can be challenging, and if you struggle to maintain your hair's natural shine, you’re not alone.
Many factors can strip your hair of its luster, but with the right approach, you can bring back that vibrant, shiny appearance. This guide explores the science behind hair shine and provides practical tips to help you restore and maintain that healthy glow. Read on to find out how to achieve shiny hair.
What is hair shine?
So what makes hair shiny? Hair shine is all about light reflection, which happens when your hair’s cuticle is smooth and healthy. Let's break down the science of hair shine and how your hair’s structure contributes to its glossy appearance.
Natural Oils + Moisture
Your scalp produces sebum, which coats the hair shaft to create a smooth, light-reflecting surface. This natural oil, along with adequate moisture, plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy cuticle layer.
Smooth Cuticle, Shiny Hair
The cuticle is the outermost layer of your hair, made up of overlapping cells that protect the inner layers. When hair is well-moisturized, the cuticles lie flat and smooth, creating a reflective surface that enhances shine. On the other hand, when hair is dry, the cuticles can lift and separate, scattering light and reducing shine. Keeping your hair properly hydrated ensures the cuticle remains smooth and reflective.
Here's a look at the difference between shiny, healthy cuticles and dull, damaged cuticles:
Why does hair lose shine? Top causes
Numerous factors can cause hair to lose its shine, including environmental damage, lifestyle choices, and biological changes. Here’s how these elements impact your hair:
Environmental Damage
Exposure to UV rays and pollution can significantly affect hair health. UV rays break down the hair’s protein structure, leading to dryness and roughness, while pollution particles can settle on the hair, making it look dull and lifeless.
Lifestyle Impacts
Diet and stress can also play a role in maintaining hair shine. Poor nutrition deprives hair of essential vitamins and minerals, while stress can disrupt the body’s natural oil production, both of which can potentially lead to lackluster hair.
Biological Factors
As we age, the scalp produces fewer natural oils, reducing the hair’s natural shine. Hormonal changes can also affect oil production, making hair appear dull and dry.
A Note About Silicones
Many consumers turn to gloss products that rely on silicones (often ingredients ending in –cone, –conol, –silane, or –siloxane) to get shinier hair. While silicones are used for their coating properties, they can actually have the opposite effect. These molecules can attract dirt, leading to buildup and increased dullness over time. The buildup makes hair look limp and lifeless, prompting more frequent washing, which strips the hair of natural oils and results in further damage. This creates a cycle where the hair becomes increasingly dull and damaged despite efforts to make it shinier.
How to restore + maintain hair shine
Achieving healthy, shiny hair involves a combination of moisturizing shampoos, conditioners, natural remedies, and our scientifically formulated products. Use these tips for optimal results:
1. Use Moisturizing Shampoos + Conditioners
These are essential for maintaining moisture and protecting the hair cuticle. Look for products specifically designed to hydrate and nourish your hair without weighing it down, such as Living Proof’s Perfect hair Day™ shampoo and conditioner.
2. Avoid Products with Silicones
Silicones can cause buildup, strip natural oils, and lead to dull, dry hair, so choosing silicone-free products is essential for maintaining shine.
3. Use Overnight Masks
Deeply hydrate and repair hair while you sleep. Overnight masks provide intensive conditioning, helping to smooth the cuticle and enhance shine.
4. Prioritize Sun Protection
Use products with UV protective ingredients or wear hats to safeguard hair from sun damage. UV rays can degrade hair quality, so protecting your hair from the sun is crucial for maintaining its shine.
5. Brush Your Hair Out
Use a boar bristle brush to distribute natural oils from the scalp down the hair shaft. This helps to coat each strand with natural oil, enhancing shine.
6. Avoid Product Buildup
Clarify hair occasionally with a gentle clarifying shampoo to remove residues. This prevents the buildup that can make hair look dull and lifeless.
7. Use Living Proof High Shine Gloss
Our silicone-free High Shine Gloss features innovative Light Enhancing Technology, designed to achieve unparalleled shine by smoothing the hair surface and boosting light reflection. Here’s how it works:
- We incorporate a high gloss emollient, which smooths the hair surface, enhancing light reflection.
- We also use optical brightener haircare technology to convert non-visible UV light into visible light and increase hair brilliance.
Unlike traditional gloss treatments that rely on silicones to coat the hair, our formula smooths the hair's surface and creates more visible light by leveraging our Light Enhancing Technology.
Daily + weekly haircare routines
Trying to determine how to get shiny hair overnight? To keep your hair looking its best, you'll need to follow a consistent haircare regimen. Here are some daily, weekly, and monthly practices to help you achieve and maintain healthy, glossy hair:
Daily Shiny Hair Routine
Start your day with a gentle shampoo and conditioner to maintain moisture and protect the hair cuticle. Incorporate a leave-in conditioner or serum for extra hydration and protection throughout the day. Sleep on a silk pillowcase or wear a bonnet at night to reduce friction and improve smoothness.
Weekly Shiny Hair Routine
Include deep conditioning treatments once a week to nourish and repair your hair. These treatments restore moisture, reduce damage, and keep hair shiny and healthy.
Monthly Shiny Hair Routine
Trim split ends in order to prevent dullness, reduce breakage, and keep hair looking fresh, while promoting healthy growth.
Living Proof’s High Shine Routine in 3 Steps
For optimal results, integrate Living Proof’s high shine routine into your haircare regimen:
- PhD Shampoo: This shampoo removes dirt, sweat, oil, pollution, and product buildup. Its luxe lather gently cleanses without stripping or over-drying your strands, adding 68% more shine and leaving hair three times stronger after just one wash.
- PhD Conditioner: Pair the shampoo with our conditioner for even more benefits. This conditioner strengthens and detangles strands, reduces frizz, flyaways, and static charge, and adds 68% more shine. It also helps to prevent the formation of new split ends and reduces the damaging effects of thermal and environmental aggressors.
- High Shine Gloss: Achieving salon-grade shine, smoothness, and manageability at home has never been easier. After washing and conditioning your hair, apply the gloss and leave it in for just five minutes before rinsing. Style your hair as you normally would—no heat is needed to activate the shine. This gloss not only provides immediate shine but also has lasting power, maintaining its effect through three washes and is suitable for all hair types.
7 common haircare mistakes to avoid for shiny hair
Achieving shiny hair isn’t just about what you do; it’s also about what you don't do. Here, we highlight seven common mistakes that can damage your hair and reduce its shine, along with tips on how to avoid them.
1. Overwashing
How often should you wash your hair to keep it shiny? Washing your hair too often can strip it of natural oils, leading to dryness and dullness. Aim to wash your hair two to three times a week, depending on your hair type and lifestyle, to maintain its natural shine.
2. Excessive Heat Styling
Frequent use of heat styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can cause significant damage to your hair cuticles, resulting in a loss of shine. Use heat styling tools sparingly and apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimize damage.
3. Using Products With Harsh Ingredients
Certain hair products contain harsh ingredients like sulfates and silicones that can be detrimental to your hair’s health. Opt for sulfate-free and silicone-free products to keep your hair healthy and shiny.
4. Using a Conditioner That’s Too Heavy
Using a conditioner that is too heavy for your hair type can weigh it down and make it look greasy rather than shiny. Choose a conditioner suitable for your hair type — lightweight for fine hair and more moisturizing for thicker hair.
5. Using Too Much Product on Your Scalp
Applying too much product directly to your scalp can lead to buildup and make your hair look dull and lifeless. Focus on applying products from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair to avoid this issue.
6. Touching Your Hair Too Frequently
Constantly touching and playing with your hair can transfer oils and dirt from your hands to your hair, making it look greasy and dull. Try to keep your hands off your hair as much as possible to maintain its shine.
7. Excessive Sun Exposure
Prolonged exposure to the sun can damage your hair, making it dry and brittle. Use hair products with UV filters or wear a hat when you’re out in the sun to protect your hair from UV damage.
Shine On with Living Proof
Attaining the shiny hair of your dreams is all about using the right products and routines. Our High Shine Gloss, PhD shampoo, and PhD conditioner are scientifically formulated to enhance your hair’s natural shine, leaving it healthy and vibrant. These products work together to cleanse, nourish, and protect your hair, providing lasting shine without the buildup.
Ready to find the perfect products for your hair? We recommend taking our quick and easy haircare quiz to get personalized recommendations tailored to your needs.
Frequently asked questions
What makes hair shiny?
Healthy hair reflects light, which is why smooth, well-moisturized hair appears shiny. Natural oils, a smooth cuticle layer, and proper hydration all contribute to a glossy look.
Why is my hair shiny?
Shiny hair typically indicates that your hair is healthy, well-moisturized, and has a smooth cuticle layer that reflects light.
Why does hair lose shine?
Hair can lose its shine due to factors like environmental damage, heat styling, harsh chemicals, and a lack of proper moisture and nutrition. Over time, these factors can cause the hair cuticle to become rough and less reflective.
How can I make my hair shiny?
Use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, avoid excessive heat styling, protect your hair from sun damage, and incorporate deep conditioning treatments and leave-in conditioners.
How often should you wash your hair to keep it shiny without over-drying?
Aim to wash your hair two to three times a week to maintain its natural oils and avoid over-drying.
What is a good product for shiny hair?
Our High Shine Gloss, PhD Shampoo, and PhD Conditioner are all excellent products for achieving and maintaining shiny hair.
Which foods can contribute to shinier hair, and how do they work?
Foods rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, nuts, and leafy greens, can support hair health. While diet alone won’t make hair shinier, it can provide essential nutrients that promote overall hair vitality.
What are the best types of brushes and combs to use for maintaining a glossy finish, and why?
Boar bristle brushes are ideal for distributing natural oils from the scalp down the hair shaft, enhancing shine. Wide-tooth combs are great for detangling without causing breakage, which helps maintain a smooth, glossy finish.
