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If you’re envious of the luscious, silky locks celebrities have, you can make your hairstyle just as shiny and beautiful. “There are a variety of reasons why hair wouldn't be shiny,” said celebrity stylist Genn Shaughnessy, who has worked on stars such as Carrie Underwood and TLC's Laurie Hickson-Smith. “The most common are dry and damaged hair and an overblown cuticle.” Treat your tresses well and follow proper hair care protocol, and you, too, can have gorgeous shiny strands.
Start from Within
You’re stressed, eating poorly and not sleeping enough – this alone could be the reason your hair isn’t as shiny and silky as you’d like. “Your hair is a reflection of your health,” said Shirley Madhere, M.D. “The condition of your tresses may allude to the condition of your life." For both your hair and your health, examine your diet. Foods that strengthen hair follicles and support hair growth, according to Madhere, include salmon, dark-green leafy vegetables, legumes and nuts. Supplement your diet with biotin and B vitamins for an even bigger boost to your tresses.
Shampoo and Condition
Shampoo and conditioner set the foundation for silky and shiny hair because it seals the cuticle, letting it lay flat. Sylist and Florida salon owner Mike Van den Abbeel recommends Sojourn “Smooth” shampoo and conditioner, which he said creates silky, smooth locks. Resist the urge to shampoo your hair every single day because it strips your hair and scalp of its natural emollients. Instead, soap up one to two times per week or after you hit the gym. However, you can use a moisturizing shampoo each time you shower.
Style
When you wrap your hair in a towel, try not to rub it over the hair, as it creates frizz, Van den Abbeel said. Instead, squeeze the water out with the towel or try using paper towels, which are more absorbent and cut down on blow-drying time. Both Shaughnessy and Van den Abbeel recommend rubbing a few drops of argan oil into your hair, and then smooth on a product with keratin, such as Keratin Infusion by Copolla, which keeps your hair smoother and silkier for up to a week. When you blow-dry your hair, flip your head over and use a paddle brush to push the hair in various directions over the scalp. This helps remove the curl near the root of the hair. When you’ve finished blow-drying, always apply a heat-protecting spray to minimize damage caused by the flat iron and keep the cuticle compact. Straighten your hair in one-inch segments with a flat iron, and you’ll finish with shiny, silky strands of hair, just like you see on the red carpet.
Have a Soft Touch
Every once in a while, give your hair a break from heat styling and chemical products, such as dyes or texturizers. Hair is fragile, Madhere said, particularly during times of stress or hormonal shifts, so you’re more likely to experience breakage or hair falling out. Even normally, you can expect shedding of approximately 50 to 100 hairs per day.
Trim Regularly
Split ends contribute to frizzy, unmanageable hair. Visit your stylist every two months to do away with split ends, which could travel upward along the hair shaft if not managed.
