13 stylist-approved tricks for having the shiniest hair ever

Perhaps you’ve heard that cold water helps constrict pores. Well, it has a similar effect on your hair. According to stylist, Stefani Padilla, cold water seals and smooths the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and adding shine. After using shampoo and conditioner, finish with a blast of cold water.

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At your salon appointment, ask your stylist for a gloss treatment. “A clear gloss, with a little gold colour in it, delivers the ultimate shine,” says colourist, Will Francis. “I like to leave it on for at least ten minutes.” The way the light reflects off hair post-gloss makes it look super lustrous.

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Heat styling can wear away hair’s cuticles, so it becomes dry, frizzy and breakage-prone. Padilla advises giving your hairdryer and flat iron a rest in favour of air-drying, at least a day or two a week.

Of course, there will be occasions when you want a bouncy blow-dry. So it’s important to invest in the right type of tool – specifically an ionic blow-dryer, which dries the hair faster than alternatives and helps reduce static. One major blow-dry mistake that may be sabotaging your style? Ignoring the nozzle attachment. It’s there for a reason and that’s namely to smooth strands and enhance shine.

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Remember, it’s not just about the tool, but how you use it. Be sure to hold the hairdryer a few centimetres away from your head to moderate heat damage. “Always blow dry from root to end – in the direction of the cuticle,” says celebrity colourist, Michael Canalé. “Keep the brush moving while doing so. The continuous, fluid motion smooths and flattens the cuticle, resulting in shiny hair.”

When it comes to heat-styling, you already know that protecting your tresses is a must. But what you might not realise is that pollution and UV rays also damage hair. The right formula can shield against heat and environmental damage.  A nourishing oil “is great because it protects hair from thermal stress, UV, colour fade and environmental aggressors. I always use it on my clients,” says Francis.

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Restore radiance with a nourishing oil. Use it as a weekly treatment (massage into scalp and strands) or smooth a few drops daily on the ends to enhance hydration and sheen. Padilla recommends using a lightweight oil, like a nutrient-rich jojoba oil infused with shine-boosting rosemary, protective Ayahuasca plant essence, and moisturising vitamin E.

Certain nutrients are shown to improve hair health – chief among them omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. “Your body needs these to produce lustrous locks, from the inside out,” says Padilla. Load up on fish, like mackerel and sardines. Don’t love seafood? Consider a fish oil capsule. Other omega-rich foods include walnuts, flaxseeds (and oil), avocado and tofu.

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You’ve certainly heard this before, but it bears repeating… stylists are begging you to stop shampooing your hair every day. Washing less actually preserves shine by allowing natural oils to do their job, according to Francis. Try to limit cleansing to two or three times a week, and make sure you know how to properly wash your hair.

Clarifying hair is important to avoid build up, which can deplete the shine. Want squeaky clean strands? Consider adding a clarifying shampoo into your rotation once a month (but not weekly as it can dry out your tresses). When it comes to picking the right formula, Padilla recommends steering clear of chemicals and sulphates, which can strip the hair as well as open the cuticle. “The key to shine is to keep cuticle closed and protected,” she says.