I’m a Beauty Editor & This Is How I Get My Hair So Shiny
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
There's no way to say this without sounding up myself, so I'll just come out with it.
I get a lot of compliments on how shiny my hair is.
Can I apply false eyelashes? Absolutely not. Will I ever nail winged eyeliner? To be confirmed.
But glossy, shiny, swishy hair I can do.
If you've ever wondered exactly how to get shiny hair, read on.
Here's How to Get Shiny Hair.
A few things to know about my hair type, because if yours isn't similar, what works for me might not work for you.
I have fine hair, but a lot of it. It's naturally wavy and prone to frizz, and I currently wash and blow dry it two to three times a week.
Important detail, I've also never dyed my hair (except for an at-home wash-out burgundy box dye circa 2005).
This definitely has a bit to do with how I keep it looking so shiny, but my virgin hair colour can't take all the credit.
I've also picked up some expert shiny hair hacks and very good products for shiny hair over the years.
They're quick, simple and easy to implement into your haircare routine, starting from your next shower.
Let's get into it.
1. Hair Shining Shampoo and Conditioner.
I change shampoos and conditioners as often as I change my undies.
Professional salon-quality hair care will always give good gloss.
Aside from our best-selling scalp scrub from Christophe Robin (which I use religiously as my first shampoo), I rotate between hair products from brands like Virtue, Kérastase and ELEVEN Australia.
But if you're after hair so shiny, you could do your makeup in its reflection, you've got to try the new Raincry shampoo and conditioner.
Don't let the plain white packaging fool you.
These 'polishing' and 'radiance' formulas are guaranteed shine city.
Suitable for all hair types, RAINCRY RADIANCE RINSE contains shine-enhancing ingredients like keratin amino acids, lavender extract and cherry vinegar.
RAINCRY POLISHING WASH even comes out of the tube a metallic charcoal shade.
AND for a limited time only, you can save $15 when you buy these shiny hair heroes in a bundle, it's a no brainer!
2. Rinse Hair With Cold Water.
Considering our hair is actually dead once it grows past the scalp, there's no solid scientific data that proves cold water can affect your hair quality...
Maybe it's placebo, maybe it's genius, but I swear my hair looks shinier when I finish my wash with a cold water rinse.
Some trichologists and hair stylists reckon this is because the cold temperature helps to close hair cuticles.
Think of it like tiles on a roof. When your hair cuticles are laying down nice and flat, the result is smooth, sleek hair.
Giving my head a good massage under super cold water for 15-20 seconds in the shower (or as long as I can bare it) just feels really refreshing on my scalp, too.
3. Best Hair Brush For Shiny Hair.
I did not brush my hair for a decade.
Why? Because it only ever left it fluffy, frizzy and looking like an old broom.
Think: Hermione Granger's hair in the first Harry Potter movie.
Turns out, I was using the wrong type of hair brush for my hair type. Duh.
Rather than boar bristle hair brushes, I've found detangling paddle brushes with metal or plastic round-tip pin bristles reduce frizz and add shine.
It also just feels really good on the scalp.
RAINCRY DETANGLE PADDLE BRUSH- Large not only looks beautiful with the chic tortoiseshell handle, but the paddle brush's metal round-tipped bristles are suitable for use on all hair types.
A good detangling brush needs to be tough but gentle so you can remove tangles and knots from your hair, without also removing the hair itself.
You can use it wet or dry - I personally like to tip my head over and brush through dry hair before flipping up again and smoothing over the top layers for extra shine.
4. The Best Hair Mask For Shiny Hair.
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care - Chic Copper 250 is the best hair mask for shiny hair I've tried.
It's actually one of our best-selling colour toning conditioning products for maintaining dyed hair, but you can also use it on natural hair for a seriously shiny, vibrant finish.
Apply after shampooing in place of your usual conditioner. Leave on for a few minutes if you're just after hydration and shine, or keep it in for up to 30 minutes to neutralise brassy tones.
Rinse out and voila! I mean, the proof is in the Instagram embed above, no?
5. Hair Shine Products.
Next come the shiny hair products I apply before and after blow drying.
I like to run a decent pump of Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil 75mlthrough damp mid-lengths and ends.
Crucially, I do this both before wrapping my hair in a hair towel wrap (which I often leave on for hours!) and before blow drying.
Then, once my hair is dry, I warm the tiniest jellybean-sized amount of Davroe Ends Repair Leave-In Treatment 150ml between my palms and press it into the hair.
This works on clean hair, as well as to zhuzh second or third-day hair.
The result? Swishy, shiny, seriously soft hair that looks and feels like I've just had a fresh haircut.
And it smells really bloody good.
Shop the hair shine products here:
6. A Game-Changing Hair Tool.
If I had a dollar for every time I've recommend the ghd Glide hot brush, I'd have enough to shout you dinner.
And a cocktail.
I've honestly used this hair tool *almost* every single day since I got it around two years ago.
The straightening brush's ceramic heated bristles and ioniser are what gives hair the epic shine.
GHD Glide Hair Straightener Hot Brush even makes dirty hair look brand new, see evidence below.
From smoothing flyaways and taming baby hair regrowth, to getting rid of those random cowlick-y kinks around my sideburns, this tool delivers infinitely better-looking hair in just a few minutes.
I literally tip my head upside down and use the straightening brush like a normal hair brush.
Pro tip: For faster styling, hold onto the ends of the hair as you run the brush through to give it some tension.
7. Hair Supplements and Silk Pillowcases.
Finally, let's talk about hair supplements and silk pillowcases.
Because you might be wondering if hair supplements *actually* work, or if sleeping on a silk pillowcase is *really* better for your hair... or if it's all a marketing ploy.
My honest answer? Both are very nice-to-haves, but not must-have products if your budget doesn't allow.
Shhh Silk Silk Pillowcase Queen Size is a no-brainer, I've been sleeping on one for years to minimise frizz from all my tossing and turning.
Silk also feels lovely and cool on the skin, which is especially handy in summer. My advice is to choose a silk pillowcase in a darker colour as they look new for longer.
As for hair supplements...
Apotecari Mane Event 90 Day Kit | Intensive Hair Growth, Condition & Thickness is one of our favourite hair supplements. These hair supplements are vegan and cruelty-free and support natural growth of strong, healthy hair.
There’s no such thing as a magic potion when it comes to growing longer, stronger, thicker hair, but these come pretty close.
This chic once-daily vegan hair supplement contains a range of vitamins and minerals to help the appearance of lacklustre, thin hair - in conjunction with a balanced diet.
For more expert information on what hair supplements can (and can't) do, read our guide to hair supplements here. You can also suss out Apotecari reviews on the brand's Instagram page.
All I can really say is, I notice a difference when I forget to repurchase.
Shop Apotecari Hair Supplements here:
And that brings me to the end of this how to get shiny hair instruction manual! Godspeed!
Want to hear more about beauty editor haircare routines?
Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast co-host Joanna shares her fine hair product favourites in this YouTube video below.
After expert hair care tips and product recommendations? Check out these Beauty IQ articles here:
