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No matter the cut, shape, or texture, having shiny hair defies all trends. It signifies health, and just brings a day-to-day radiance to your appearance. This doesn’t need to be something you can only get at the salon. Here are some recommendations for strengthening the shine of your hair:

1. A good sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner: Many shampoos contain sulfates as they are an effective cleaning agent. They can be too effective and strip the hair’s natural oils, making it dry and dull. If you have very dry, fine hair, try to avoid the sulfates. I recommend Color Wow’s shampoo and conditioner.
   • For those with oily, thick, or curly hair, you may find that your hair reacts well with sulfates. I would recommend using the Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner Set, but try to use it every 2-3 washes.
2. Keep it diverse: Going off of step 1, I recommend cycling through your hair products, particularly shampoo and conditioner. I consider hair to be a living, breathing ecosystem. It’s alive! It reacts, it adapts. I find when using the same products every single time I wash my hair, it starts to lose its luster. So I try to keep my hair on its toes. I would try to rotate products every 1 or 2 washes.
3. Rinse off with cold water: Cold water helps seal the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and creating a glossy finish. If a frigid shower is too unappealing, try rinsing with cold water at the very end of your wash.
4. Weekly Gloss Treatment: Incorporating a glossing treatment into your routine enhances shine and smoothness. I recommend using the OUAI Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque
   • OUAI also has the same masque available for thicker hair.
5. Use a Boar Bristle Brush: A good brush is key. Boar bristle brushes in particular are rich in keratin, which improves hair elasticity and resistance. It can smoothly untangle hair and distribute natural oils throughout the hair. The classic choice is a Mason Pearson brush. They are admittedly quite expensive. You can find a cheaper version of the same quality on Amazon here.
6. Finish styling with a shine spray: I highly recommend the Color Wow’s Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. It has an effective anti-frizz formula, but also keeps the hair with a glossy, shiny finish. You only need it every 3-4 washes as well, so a little goes a long way.

Bonus: For those who use heat when styling their hair, I recommend a heat protectant spray. The hands-down best spray is the CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray. It’s suitable for all hair types and holds up against intense heat.