Lovely Locks

How to Get Shiny Hair

Hello Lovelies! I'm so sorry I've been absent from here for a while! Life gets busy as we all know and I so badly wanted to write a post but I needed to get through my midterms first so I can graduate this May! So exciting! :) Anyways, today I wanted to share with you all some of my tips on how to get super shiny hair. These are all things I have tried and have worked for me. If any of you have any tips you've tested and love please share it in the comment section below! I'd love to try your suggestions!

First off...

I love this photo of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley! I think she has absolutely gorgeous, super shiny hair! The beauty of shiny hair is it screams "Healthy!". If you use chemical treatments on your hair on a regular basis or are a big fan of heat styling you are placing great stress on your strands and can leave them looking tired and dull. So my first tip is:

Get It Healthy Girl!

I know how much fun dying your hair can be! I also know how absolutely HORRIBLE hair dye and bleach and chemicals can be for your hair. I know this because I used to be an avid hair dyer. One day I had a bad dye job and tried to fix it- ended up with fried orange hair that was snapping off like rubber bands. I ran to my hair stylist, bless her heart, and told her to chop it all off- I was starting over. She cut as much of the damage off as she could and then recommended I try a hair treatment that ended up changing my life. It's name is JOICO K-PAK RECONSTRUCTOR. It's in a bottle like this:

When I say I swear by this stuff I don't say it lightly. This stuff LITERALLY saved my hair from all falling out of my head. I did 10 minute treatments every day for a week then cut back to 5 minute treatments every other day and my hair literally went from the texture of rubber to my normal hair texture. It's miraculous! And it smells like delicious banana bread! Within a few weeks I was able to go in and have it dyed back as close to my natural color as possible and then I left my hair alone and never dyed it again. If you are battling damaged hair I highly recommend you try this stuff. It works by rebuilding the keratin proteins in your hair making it stronger, shinier, and truly healthier. If you want to go all-out, I recommend putting a halt on the dye jobs. It's a hard transition, but it's so worth the health of your tresses. 

2 Words: Argan Oil.

Before it's dry, before you style with heat- this stuff is amazing! I use it as a shine serum and heat protector and it leaves your hair looking like a gorgeous shimmering ocean. I got mine super cheap at Wal-Mart, I've had it for about 9 months and I have barely made a dent in the bottle. I love the Organix brand because it smells ahh-mazing and clean and I can rub what's left on my arms for soft skin too. The price is just unbeatable for the quality of it! This is what it looks like:

Sulfate-Free Baby!

When the whole "sulfate-free shampoo" trend started I thought it was a total joke. I figured it was just another ploy to make the cosmetic companies more money and I was not going to buy into it. Well, I tried it out just to see what the hype was and I can easily say I am now on the sulfate-free shampoo train and chugging along happily with my results! If you want to know more about why going sulfate-free is a good choice read HERE. 

Choosing a sulfate-free shampoo has increased my hair's body which is a big thing for someone with fine, straight hair like me, as well as increasing the shine factor by a huge margin. My hair has never felt or looked healthier in my life! I've tried out different brands and I've narrowed them down to my top two favorites for you guys- one is a splurge and one is a steal!

SPLURGE & FAVORITE:

Rusk Deep Shine Color Shampoo

I love this one because not only does it use natural dead sea minerals, but it also has color-protecting technology which is nice if you're in the sun or chlorine a lot! It smells sooo clean and nice- I love the smell!

STEAL & SECOND FAVORITE:

Not Your Mother's Way to Grow Long & Strong Shampoo

I bought this because the reviews on it were great! I have been growing my hair out for 3 years now and I wanted a shampoo that would support my hair health while growing it. I don't know if it has actually helped my hair grow but I know it has kept my hair strong while it's grown! And bonus- it makes your hair smell like candy!

I buy both of these at Ulta and I alternate using each every other wash. They're amazing and I highly recommend trying them out!

Hot Oil Treatments

I've talked about these in the past and I really do believe my hair is healthy and shinier because of them. You read more about these in my COCONUT BEAUTY post.

Hair Masks

Hair masks are great because they deliver nutrients to your hair. I love to make my own diy hair masks. I have tried many different recipes which you can find on my pinterest page linked on the right on my board Hair-spiration. My top 3 favorite recipes you can find HERE.

Drink Water!

I know I've said this in the past- well I'm saying it again! Water is the best hydrator for your body and hair since your body is made up of about 50-75% water! Drinking water hydrates your cells giving your hair the ability to shine naturally! Drink at least 8 8oz cups a day. I always carry a 1 liter bottle of water with me throughout the day and I know I have to drink two of those in a day to get my full water-intake. 

Eat Healthy

A diet rich in protein and fiber and low in saturated fats and refined grains will encourage hair growth and health as well as your body's health. Just think- your hair is attached to your body therefore it is fed from your body. What you eat will affect the health of your hair, therefore affecting your hair's ability to shine. Eat foods that are healthy for your body and you will receive shine payoff in your hair. 

Cold Rinse

I'd be amazed if you haven't heard this tip before but I figured I'd share it just incase since it works like a charm! After using your sulfate free shampoo & conditioner, rinse your hair with cold water before you step out of the shower. This helps to constrict the hair folicles- just like cold water makes your pores in your skin constrict- and therefore leaves it less vulnerable to damage and shinier!

Follow These Tips...

And let me know how they work for you! I'd love to hear any other tips any of you have tried and would like to share! I also am working on coming up with a regular posting schedule for this blog and probably in a couple months when I graduate I will have that up so you all will know when to expect to see something new from me on here! Don't forget to smile, beautiful! <3

...Vanessa...  

Comment below with requests for topics and/or tips and I will do my best to fill them!

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