When it comes to my skincare routine, I'll always favor the route that leads me to dewy, glowy, healthy skin. A serum that promises "glazed donut" skin? Excellent. A hyaluronic acid-infused face mist? I'll take two. An SPF with light-reflecting particles? Sign me up. The thing about radiant skin is that it looks healthy, and the same applies to hair—which is why, now that I've found my glowy skin essentials, I'm on a mission to achieve the shiniest, glossiest hair of my life.
It helps that shiny hair is majorly on trend right now, so there are a ton of products out there that promise to boost shine and give hair a "glass-like" finish. "The current interest in shiny hair is really a phenomenon coming from social media that reflects the quiet-luxury trend," says celebrity hairstylist Frederic Fekkai. "From sleek ponytails accessorized with ribbons to a reflective bob or long hair with a mirror-like shine, it's a versatile trend." No matter your hair type or length, it's always possible to achieve a glossy finish, and because a shiny finish creates the illusion of healthy hair, it looks good on everyone.
However, as I've learned over the past few months of testing, not all shiny hair products live up to their lofty claims. There's a fine line between hair looking glossy and greasy, and you may notice that some hair products add shine but weigh hair down in the process. With the right products and styling tips, you can achieve a glass-like finish without taking the volume out of your hair or needing a daily hair wash.
Below, I've shared the best products for shiny hair, tried and tested by me.
I start off my routine with dry hair before I've even set foot in the shower. Like Olaplex (it was actually created by one of the chemists behind Olaplex), this treatment works by repairing broken bonds in the hair. The result? Hair health is literally boosted from within, and just as healthy skin equals glowy skin, healthy hair equals shiny hair. Unlike other bond repair treatments, this is actually really easy to use—you simply spritz it through dry hair, leave it for ten minutes, and then start your hair wash routine.
I always double cleanse my hair. Just like double cleansing your skin, this allows your first shampoo to work on actually removing oil, dead skin, and product residue, so the second can come in and do a thorough cleanse. This clarifying formula helps to remove stubborn buildup but without drying out my scalp or hair.
You might think that products that ultimately get rinsed out of your hair wouldn't add much in terms of shine, but the Brilliant Gloss range proves that theory wrong. In fact, Fekkai is a firm believer in the idea that good haircare starts in the shower. Since these products aren't left in the hair, they won't contribute to buildup or greasiness. "The Brilliant Gloss shampoo and conditioner add shine and luster without weighing hair down," he adds. I find this shampoo lathers really well (so you don't need to use loads) and rinses out easily.
Unlike typical conditioner formulas that can feel thick and heavy, this one is very light but still packs a punch of moisture. "It gives hair a gloss-like sheen like no other and protects against dehydration with various antioxidants and natural ingredients like French cold-pressed organic olive oil," says Fekkai. "I love to look at natural ingredients when I can, but always the best version of it—organic, pure. If you see how olives grow in the South of France, they stay moisturized and juicy in the sun. Olive oil can do beautiful things for the hair, and that's why I wanted to include it in this formula." He recommends rinsing the conditioner out with a cold blast of water to seal the cuticle.
Once I'm out of the shower, I spray this all over my hair and comb it through. It recently went viral on TikTok thanks to its ability to reduce frizz, leaving hair with a sleek, reflective finish.
As you can see, the Brilliant Gloss range is undoubtedly the star of my shiny hair routine. Before I dry my hair, I comb this styling cream through my lengths. I find that it helps keep my ends really smooth and soft and stops them from going fluffy or looking dry.
Traditional heat tools can dry out hair and add frizz, but since the Airwrap is so gentle, it keeps my hair relatively frizz-free. What's more, it allows you to finish hair with a cold shot of air, which is another expert-recommended tip for boosting shine.
Of course, hairspray is another great product for adding shine to hair, but since some can make hair feel crunchy and stiff, this is a step I've avoided in the past. Until I was introduced to Sam McKnight's Modern Hairspray, that is. It adds a glossy sheen to hair while locking your style in place—and keeps hair soft and bouncy in the process.
My daily haircare routine in-between washes consists of no more than brushing a few drops of this oil-serum hybrid through my lengths each night before bed. Because it has a serum texture, it doesn't feel heavy like a regular oil or make hair look greasy. It just adds a really healthy-looking shine and makes hair feel super silky.
Every few weeks, I use this semi-permanent treatment gloss in my hair. It very subtly boosts color (there is a full spectrum of shades available), but I mostly use it because it adds a bright, glassy sheen to hair. What's more, this sheen doesn't disappear after the next wash but stays noticeable for weeks afterward.
Another finishing spray which adds a reflective finish to hair. All while setting curls in place—and without resulting in crispy strands.
If you really don't like using oils in your hair, try this gloss-boosting serum instead. It adds instant shine and helps to smooth frizz, flyaways, and fluffy ends.
Aveda's Nutri-Plenish range is another favorite of mine. It works on the premise of boosting overall hair health and helps to keep hair looking shiny in the long term, too.
Far more than just a regular heat-protection spray, this formula is infused with brightening particles which give hair an instant shine boost.
Don't have time for conditioner? Try this quick-rinse treatment instead. In less than ten seconds, it adds a reflective coating to hair.
This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.
