Get Expensive-Looking Hair With These Stylist Shine Secrets (2024)

Whether your hair is straight or curly, black or blonde or somewhere in between, everyone wants strands that shine. Shiny hair instantly reads as healthy and just looks better: eye-catching, head-turning, dare we say "glowing." But everything from chemical and heat damage to dryness, frizz, excessive styling and product buildup can dull hair, preventing it from reflecting light and having that coveted glossy appearance. So we turned to the shiny hair authorities, professional hairstylists and colorists, to share the tricks they use to achieve that "I just left the salon" shine at home.

How to get shiny hair with hairstyling

Certain styling techniques and products can help create that commercial-worthy gloss. “Shine serums and oils are great finishing products to give hair shine,” says Cynthia Alvarez, a celebrity hairstylist for Biolage in Los Angeles and New York City. They smooth hair’s surface and add shine by coating it with a thin reflective layer, notes April Story, Fekkai global master stylist in Atlanta and New York City.

Another option: a shine spray, which “contains light-reflecting ingredients to give hair a polished look,” says Ryan Pearl, a celebrity hairstylist and Tangle Teezer ambassador in Miami. For curly hair and updos, “alcohol-free hair gels also boost shine — as the gel dries, it creates a glossy cast.”

1. For a gloss-like effect, smooth a lightweight hair oil onto dry hair, avoiding the roots to keep hair from looking greasy, Alvarez suggests.
2. If you have straight or fine hair, opt for a shine spray or a glossing mist as a last step to “add a radiant finish,” Pearl recommends.
3. For textured hair, apply a hydrating mousse made for curls on damp strands, layer a curl gel on top and diffuse until it’s about 80% dry, Alvarez advises. “Once the gel dries, glide on a dab of serum to enhance shine,” she says.
4. When applying any shine product, start with a small amount and add more as needed, Story says. “Focus on mid-lengths to ends, where hair tends to be drier and more prone to dullness,” she recommends.
5. After styling, gently brush through hair to distribute your shine product evenly and smooth flyaways, Pearl advises.
6. Prevent dullness in the first place by avoiding excessive use of hot tools, which can damage hair. “When using them, always apply a heat protectant spray or serum beforehand, which can also add a layer of shine," Story says.

How to get shiny hair with haircare

Shiny hair starts in the shower. “Look for haircare products like shampoos and conditioners with silicones and nourishing plant oils,” Pearl suggests. “These help smooth hair and boost shine.” Moisture is also key: “Maintain a regular conditioning routine to keep your hair hydrated and reflective,” he says.

1. Layering products helps hair — especially textured hair — retain moisture and reflect the most light possible, Alvarez says. “Use intensely hydrating shampoos, hair masks and leave-in conditioners for curly hair and smoothing shampoos, conditioners and leave-ins for straight hair,” she suggests.
2. To counteract dullness, swap a clarifying shampoo into your routine as needed. “It rids hair of residue and buildup that prevent it from reflecting light,” Alvarez says.
3. Avoid over-washing: “This can strip hair of natural oils that contribute to shine,” Pearl explains. “Stick to a routine that keeps hair clean but not dry.”
4. Use a hair mask designed for colored hair once or twice per week “to keep hair hydrated and shiny,” Pearl recommends. “It adds a glossy finish.”
5. Another shine treatment to try, especially if masks are too heavy for your hair, is “a lamellar water treatment, a liquid conditioner that creates high shine,” Alvarez says. (See below for a top-tested GH Beauty Lab pick.)

How to get shiny hair with hair color

A serious shine enhancer: subtly tweaking your hair color via an an in-salon or at-home gloss or glaze, color-depositing products or glimmery highlights.

1. Go for a gloss or glaze treatment, available in the salon or for home use and in clear and tinted versions. “These semipermanent color treatments enhance vibrancy and give hair a high-shine finish,” Pearl explains.
2. Consider color-depositing products to refresh your color and add shine; these include shampoos, conditioners and masks. “They help maintain richness and shine between salon visits,” Pearl says. “Choose a shade close to your hair’s color to keep it looking fresh and glossy.”
3. Illuminate your color by requesting that your hair colorist add thin highlights a shade lighter than your base shade throughout your hair, Pearl advises. “This imparts a slight gleam that catches the light,” he says.