Ways to Make Your Hair Shinier

Have you ever sat back and really wondered why, even though your use the same conditioner as that person on T.V. your hair just doesn’t seem to shine like theirs. I can tell you why but first off let me point out that they have perfect lighting for that picture and you have imperfect lighting in your bathroom.

The shine of your hair is determined by the outer layer called the cuticle. If kind of looks like fish scales or shingles on a house, one layer overlapping the other. When the cuticle is laid down and tight it reflects light off of your hair, when it is lifted and open the light is absorbed. It is as simple as that. So what do you do if you have dull hair and you want it shiny? Here are some tips you can use.

1. Colder Rinse Water

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   Just like any other thing, when heat it applied it swells and when cold is applied it shrinks. Try running cold water over your hair before you get out of the shower to shrink and lay that cuticle back down. You need to make sure that all of your hair gets the cold water so as the water is running off feel it to see if it is cold or luke warm, luke warm means that your hair still has some warmer water in it and it has released it all yet. Cold obviously means that you have cold water in your hair and it has been thoroughly rinsed with the cold water. It may take a few days or even up to a week or more to see the effects of the cold water. This is a slower process but it is the most healthy for your hair.

2. Silicone Styling Products

   Most shine products that you spray on after the shower or after your style now contain silicone. It creates a fake outer layer to your hair so that the light can be reflected instead of absorbed. Just be careful with these cause you can use too much and then your hair looks oily. These products can build up which isn’t bad but be careful with it, don’t use the product if your hair is already looking shinier, that means you already have enough on the outside of the hair. Some products will also say that they are silicone products but they actual contain a plastic. These are ok too but shouldn’t be used ever time you do your hair. Products with plastic are also great if you wear your hair straight because they will help to keep it that way. They heat up and get soft with the hair dryer and then when your hair is cooled straight they harden and keep it there.

3. Mayonnaise

   Some people don’t like this one cause it can weigh down the hair if the hair is fine, but it is perfect for naturally curly or wavy hair. Naturally curly and wavy hair is pretty much pre-damaged when it comes out of the scalp so that cuticle is already lifted up. This makes it very porous also, which means it’s like a sponge it sucks stuff up. The mayonnaise molecule is larger than the hair shaft, however, the protein and oils in the mayonnaise can fit into spots left open in the cuticle and can act as a sort of filler to make it softer and shinier. My daughter has really curly hair and she loves using the mayonnaise. She says it’s the only way to be able to comb through it. She uses the mayonnaise about once a month. The way to do it is to apply it, put a bag over it and then use a hair dryer to heat it up. This swells the hair shaft up and helps to separate the different products within the mayonnaise and allows it to be taken into the cuticle.

4. Conditioners

   Most conditioners these days are starting to use silicone but some of them still contain wax. I can’t really mention within the article what conditioners not to use because, well, I don’t want to be sued. Lets just say that if you look at the back on the products and anything with a “Para” in front of it within the first twelve items listed means you shouldn’t be using it. If it’s listed after the first twelve you should be ok, you won’t get too much build up from the wax. I would still use a combination of the conditioner and the silicone styling products to get the desired shine.

5. DO NOT’S

   Do not fall for the beer trick. Beer is good for your hair because of it’s protein value, it adds body to your hair not shine.

Do not go for butter or oils either, like hot oil treatments. Their molecules are way too large to actually get into the hair shaft and they sit on the outside causing weight and oiliness. Since they sit on the outside they will fall off pretty easily so why waste your money for a temporary relief or a result you may not want.

Do not fall for the commercials, do your research and get educated. The best way to get what you want from your hair is to know your own hair and find what works for you. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below or look me up on the internet and read more of my articles. Thank you for reading and may all your days be good hair days.