We all want beautiful, shiny tresses, but all too often, we end up with dull or greasy hair instead. So what can you do if your mane isn’t living up to all its glossy potential? Try these five tips for shiny hair.
Eat Shine-Boosting Foods
Healthy, shiny hair starts from the inside out, so make sure to give your hair the nutrition it needs. Look for good sources of protein, like beans, lentils, and lean meat. Vitamins and minerals like vitamins A and C, biotin, and zinc are all great for your hair, too, so load up on leafy greens, berries, eggs, and oysters. Finally, make sure you’re getting plenty of good fats like avocado, olive oil, and flax seeds. They’ll help give your hair the gloss you’ve been longing for.
Stay Away from Sulfates and Silicones
Ingredients like sulfates and silicones are super harsh on your hair, so it’s best to avoid them. Sulfates are added to many hair products, especially shampoos. That’s because they create a lot of lather. Unfortunately, they clean a little too well, stripping your hair of the oils that make it shine.
Many people turn to silicone for an instant sheen, but while silicone will make your hair shiny, it’s a temporary effect. The downside is silicone is difficult to get off your hair. It seals moisture out and creates buildup that makes your hair look dull and gunky. If you already have buildup, try an apple cider vinegar rinse to help remove it.
Get Regular Trims
If you have a ton of split ends, your hair will look dull and fried. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution. Getting regular trims will keep split ends at bay, and your hair will instantly look shinier. Aim to go to the salon at least once every three months, more frequently if you’re developing split ends between appointments.
Cool Down
Heat is not your friend when you want shiny hair. Styling tools, blow dryers, hot water, and even the sun can dry and dull your hair. Try air drying your hair as much as you can and cut back on how often you use heat styling. We have some great no-heat hairstyle ideas here.
If you do use heat tools, always spray a protectant on your hair first, and use a UV protectant spray if you’ll be in the sun. Finally, consider a quick rinse with cold water at the end of your shower. It’ll seal your cuticles so they lay flat and help your hair sparkle.
Shampoo Less Frequently
One of the biggest mistakes that leads to dull hair is shampooing too often. And we get it. No one wants to be dirty. But when it comes to your hair, shampooing too often can leave your hair stripped of the moisture it needs. So unless you’re getting covered in mud every day, it’s best to let your hair rest for a few days between washes.
Don’t forget to give your hair time to adjust, too. If you’ve been washing daily, you may produce a lot of oil to compensate, leading to your hair looking greasy. Give it time. When you stop stripping your strands, you won’t produce so much sebum, and you’ll have a healthy shine instead. We recommend trying Citrus Yao if your hair's on the oily side. It cuts through excess oil without stripping your locks.
Viori bars are carefully formulated with shine-boosting ingredients, like rice bran oil, aloe vera, and bamboo. Check out our reviews to see the amazing results, and don’t forget to add your own!