How to Add Shine to Dull Hair

Glossy hair has become a major trend, seen everywhere from runways to social media. Our favourite A-list celebrities are serving us with ultra-glossy hair inspo that we are longing to achieve. Numerous factors contribute to the lacklustre and dull appearance of our hair. However, we have some helpful tips for you to incorporate into your daily routine so you can achieve the shiniest hair you've ever had. 

What Causes Dull Hair? 

Quite simply, hair gets duller if it doesn’t properly receive moisture or doesn’t retain the moisture that it does receive. There are a few factors that add up to your hair becoming duller: 

• Improper hair care techniques that leave it stripped of moisture and healthy oils 

• A diet that doesn’t supply your hair with all the right nutrients 

• Excessive heat styling that evaporates all the moisture away 

• Excessive exposure to sunlight 

• Nasty and harsh chemicals that strip away vital moisture. 

How to Get Shiny Hair 

There are a few hair tips that you can follow to add shine to dull hair, with each step being a key part of your new routine! 

Using a Clarifying Shampoo Once Per Week 

Clarifying shampoos are formulated specifically to trap impurities and wash them away. A few of our favourites are: 

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo  

From the Cult Fave brand Olaplex, No.4 is designed to strengthen and repair hair structure, reduce breakage, eliminate frizz and flyaway's, and restore internal moisture levels, resulting in healthy, shiny, and manageable hair. 

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo 

This shampoo is perfect for those who want to gently cleanse their hair without stripping colour, while infusing it with essential hydration and colour retention. 

ELEVEN Australia Hydrate My Hair Moisture Shampoo 

This gentle, caring cleanser freshens your hair and scalp while also adding crucial moisture back in. Ideal for a dry climate, for brittle hair, and really, for most of us. 

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo 

This hydrating shampoo moisturizes and protects hair while replenishing lost oil, improving hair elasticity, reducing the occurrence of breakages and split ends, making hair silky and soft, repairing hair, and giving curls a brilliant shine. 

Rinse with Cold Water 

Cold water closes your hair cuticles, locking in moisture. When water is colder, it doesn’t strip essential oils and minerals away. 

Use Silk or Satin Pillowcases 

Improve your sleep and hair health with Kitsch Satin pillowcases. The smooth texture reduces friction, keeping hair tidy and frizz-free while preventing greasiness. Remember to wash them regularly for optimal results and enjoy a better night's rest and more manageable hair every morning. 

Add Temporary Shine 

Using hair oil can be a great way to add shine and light reflection to dull hair. If that’s your main goal, then this is a great option for you. If you need a recommendation, we suggest the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil. Nicknamed "liquid gold" because each drop deeply nourishes, strengthens, and smoothens hair, providing intense nourishment and incredible shine. 

Use a Boar Bristle Brush 

Boar bristle brushes are designed to be as gentle as possible on hair, especially when compared to nylon and plastic alternatives. They can be more expensive but are well worth it in the long run. Try the Natalie Anne Gentle Wet & Dry Brush to add natural, healthy-looking shine to your hair while gently smoothing tangles and frizz. 

Focus on your Scalp 

The health of your hair relies heavily on the health of your scalp. Whether you’re considering a scalp massage to stimulate blood flow or you want to try a more scalp-friendly shampoo, focusing on the health of your head is sure to have benefits for the rest of your hair. 

Try a Co-Wash 

Co-washing consists of exclusively using conditioner to wash your hair. This is extra-useful if you’re someone who struggles with dry hair, as harsh shampoo can strip some of the essential moisture from your strands of hair. 

Having a routine is a key aspect among all these tips. Without a consistent routine, there is a possibility of achieving results below your expectations. Therefore, it's essential to identify which of these steps you can incorporate into your daily life. By doing so, you'll soon notice your healthiest and shiniest hair yet. 

Styling Practices to Avoid:

Many styling practices that people use can end up doing more harm than good to the health of their hair. These should be avoided wherever possible, as damaged hair can ruin your look until you manage to get its health back to expected levels. Some of the main styling practices to avoid in your hair care routine are: 

1. Minimize Heat Styling 

Heat opens hair cuticles, making it susceptible to damage and moisture loss. Style hair safely by using lower heat settings or keeping tools further from your head for the benefits without long-term risks. One alternative you could consider is overnight curling methods. The Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set helps you create the perfect curls without the heat damage! 

2. Avoid Using Sulphates and Silicone 

While sulphates certainly do have quality cleansing powers and work wonders for some people, they can sometimes do your hair more harm than good, particularly if you have sensitive hair and skin. To avoid this, make sure that you look through all the ingredients of your shampoos and conditioners when you make purchasing decisions. 

3. Try Not to Use Heavy Conditioners 

This isn’t necessarily a hard and fast rule but depends on the type of hair that you have. A thick conditioner can be perfect for those with especially thick and dry hair, but if you have naturally thin or oily hair, then a light conditioner is the perfect way to go! Using a conditioner that is too thick for your hair runs the risk of weighing down the individual strands and making it look dull, so understanding your hair before you make a choice of product is a must. 

4. Don’t Rinse with Hot Water 

If you rinse your hair with hot water, it’s more likely to get frizzy all while leaving the cuticles open to potential moisture loss. To find the perfect balance, consider a high temperature when you’re conditioning to get the water in, then a cold rinse to slam the cuticles shut and trap the moisture inside - your scalp will love you for it. 

We hope these tips help you on your haircare journey to shinier, glossy locks. If you have any other hair needs or concerns, feel free to reach out to our Oz Experts at ozhairandbeauty.com