If your hair is looking a little under the weather as of late, if it’s dull and lifeless, there are some great tips and advice on how to turn it around and restore its shine. Firstly, we will get started with the ‘don’ts’ before we learn how to get shiny hair!
Take a look at the labels of the shampoos and conditioners you use and avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, especially if your hair is curly. The reason is that these can be associated with hair thinning and skin irritations and can be harsh for the hair, stripping it of oils needed for shine.
Instead, look for natural and organic ingredients that work with your hair type. This might involve a bit of shopping around, experimenting and asking people for recommendations.
Don’t skip the conditioner. Even if your hair is fine and feels silky, it needs to be conditioned. There are lots of products to choose from, so rub in a conditioner on the ends of the hair, spritz a leave-in conditioner onto damp hair or use deep conditioning masks from time to time. You’re never above a good conditioning!
Avoid excessive heat on your hair. We can’t stress this enough here at You Queen! Heat damages hair. We know that a hair dryer and straightening irons are super quick and effective when you’re in a rush to get ready and leave the house in the morning, but they leave your hair feeling dry and brittle.
Never skip a salon appointment! Get your hair trimmed regularly to avoid split endsand invest some time into your hair care routine.
It’s important not to be heavy handed with your hair. The follicles are delicate. Brush it gently and tease out knots lightly. Avoid brushing wet hair, but if you must do it, use a wide toothed comb. If you are prone to knotty hair, use a detangling lotion or spray and brush enough to keep knots away, but not too often.
So, these are your main ‘don’ts’ to remember, and now onto the ‘do’ list! Basically, if your health is shining on the inside, your hair will shine on the outside. That means lots of exercise and fresh air and eating a balanced and nutritious diet. If you skip sleep, don’t drink enough water and feel lazy as you munch on junk food, your hair will suffer and lack shine.
Now for the fun part! If you look online, there are loads of DIY shine treatments to use on your hair. Here are just a few hand-picked choices for you to try at home and experiment with! Not all of them will work for you, but these are the most recommended.
Coconut oil
Massage organic coconut oil through dry hair (make sure it is unrefined). If you are prone to oily hair, don’t rub it in too much into the scalp. Really work the ends of the hair with the oil. Coconut oil can add lots of moisture, so use sparingly! Wash your hair with warm water and wrap it up in a hair towel or shower cap to allow the oil to work its magic for around half an hour.
Rinse it out and use your regular shampoo and conditioner as normal. Take the time to shop around and buy the best products for your hair type – there’s a lot to choose from and it can make a huge difference when it comes to hair condition and shine.
Rinse products out thoroughly and seal up the hair follicles with a blast of cold water to finish, then pat dry (do not rub because this can be harsh and cause hair to snap and break).
Eggs
Another deep conditioning treatment includes eggs. Crack 2-4 eggs in a bowl (the number of eggs will depend on how long and thick your hair is). Separate the egg yolk from the whites (this can be tricky at first, but practice makes perfect). All you need is the yolks (the yellow/orange bits).
Pour a small amount of olive oil into the bowl as well and whisk until blended. Leave the mixture sit on damp and shampooed hair for around five minutes and rinse with warm water, and then a blast of cool/cold water to finish.
Yogurt
Once you have brushed your hair well, use plain yogurt as a treatment. Spread the yogurt all over the hair and use a shower cap to hold in place and leave to work on the hair for up to 30 minutes and shampoo and condition as you would usually do.
Aloe vera and honey
source via beautynstyle.net
Aloe vera and honey are both very gentle and moisturizing for your hair. They help condition the follicles. Aloe vera is great at soothing any scalp complaints and rebuilding damaged hair, while honey adds shine and smells great! Honey can also act as a lightening agent if you want blonder hair.
Make sure you pick an aloe vera that is organic (check the ingredients to avoid harsh chemicals), and an alternative is jojoba oil. Massage the mix on dry hair for up to 10 minutes and wash out with your normal products.
Vinegar
After shampooing with your usual product, rinse the hair with cold water to avoid build up or shampoo residue and then add two cups of apple cider vinegar mixed with one cup of water as a rinse. Leave it on the hair for up to fifteen minutes before rinsing away thoroughly (until the smell has faded considerably). This really helps detangle and add shine to hair.
Oil and shea butter
Add half a cup of olive oil or another oil such as rosemary, chamomile or coconut to one cup of shea butter and two tablespoons of avocado and jojoba, plus a small amount of honey. Combine all this together and smooth over your hair for up to 30 minutes.
Vegetable oil and conditioner
After washing your hair, mix two tablespoons of vegetable oil with your usual conditioner. If you do not have any vegetable oil, canola oil will also do the trick. Never use too much oil, especially if your hair is naturally oily. Section the hair and spread evenly through, massaging into your scalp and each strand. Leave this soak in for up to 30 minutes and rinse.
The treatments above are deep conditioning and help with the appearance of shiny and silky hair, but they should not be used at every hair wash – once a month is about right.
In-between using these treatments, remember the advice on how to keep your health in good order and your hair maintained carefully. Combining all of these tips will help you have hair that sparkles in the light!
How do you keep your hair looking healthy and shiny? Have you got any tips not already mentioned in this article or have you tried and tested some of the treatments above? We would love to hear your comments, so feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the box below!