Shiny Hair Hacks
Dry, dull hair getting you down? Hey, it happens! There are so many variables that can either create or deter shiny hair. Some people are really lucky when it comes to hair shine (my friend Mariah has the best hair), and some of us have to use some extra tricks to get our hair shiny and healthy. Here are some tricks that I’ve used both internally and externally to achieve beautiful, gorgeous, shiny hair.
Oils are your friend. Adding coconut oil to wet hair ends will help mend split ends and keep the hair looking shinier and overall healthier. Try this mixture I like. Combine ½ cup Sweet Almond Oil (to fight frizz and give UV protection), ¼ cup Avocado Oil (which helps heal breakage in your hair’s cuticle), and ¼ cup of Olive Oil (to improve elasticity). Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and apply sparingly from mid-shaft to ends of wet or dry hair.
Consuming oils is also great for your hair as it works from the inside out. There are tons of vitamin oils that you can buy. I add them to my coffees and teas! One of my favorites is the Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil. Not only does it help my hair stay shiny, but it also gives me some other vital nutrients. It’s really fantastic! Another favorite is the Omega Elixir Inner Beauty Oil.
What you eat can also be a big part of hair shine. Proper nutrition is key for overall health, but also plays a very important part in your hair health.
Here’s a list of things to add to your diet immediately so that you can start your shiny hair journey.
-Protein
Hair is made of protein. If you don’t have enough protein in your diet, you’ll find that your hair becomes brittle and weak.
-Iron
Iron is important for nutrient supply to the scalp. When you have too little iron, you can experience hair loss.
-Vitamins C, A and E
These vitamins are all necessary for healthy hair and need to be consumed regularly since our bodies do not produce these naturally.
-Zinc and Selenium
Both scalp protectors, lacking these nutrients will often lead to a dry and flaky scalp.
-Omega-3 fatty acids
These also can’t be made by our bodies, but are very important for keeping your scalp and hair hydrated.
-Biotin
A water-soluble B vitamin, having too little Biotin can cause brittle hair or even hair loss.
-Eggs
Eggs are a rich source of protein, zinc, selenium, and biotin!
-Fish
Fish, especially oilier fishes like salmon, provide protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin A (important for sebum production).
-Nuts
Especially walnuts, are little nutrient-rich superfoods that offer protein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E (which protects the hair from the sun).
-Sweet Potatoes
A great source of vitamins, particularly vitamins C and A.
-Lentils
Last but not least, lentils are another great source of iron and protein, and a great way to get these nutrients if you’re a vegan or vegetarian.
These food and supplements are all great ways to assist your body and hair health, but you can also try incorporating some hair masks into your beauty routine. I swear by these. As you all know, I fried my hair going blonde, so I constantly had hair masks in during my recovery period (all day all night).
Here are a few masks I use when I need to get my hair back on track:
-Banana, Yogurt & Honey Hair Mask. Mash one banana and mix it with 2-3 tablespoons of yoghurt. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and honey each. Apply it to your hair and rinse off after an hour.
-Olive Oil & Egg Hair Mask. Combine two, raw eggs and 1/2 cup olive oil. Once you wash with shampoo, start sectioning off damp hair and adding the treatment throughout (focusing on the tips of your hair). A wide-tooth comb can help distribute the product through your sections. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse away the treatment and let your hair air-dry. Use it once a week.
-Yogurt Hair Mask. Take a cup of plain yogurt and whip it. Apply it on your scalp, hair, and hair ends by massaging it well. Cover your hair with a shower cap and use a hair dryer to heat it up, then wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
-Pumpkin and Honey Hair Mask. Mix 1/2 cup pumpkin puree with 1 tablespoon honey and apply to hair in sections to make sure it’s distributed evenly. Throw hair up into a bun and leave on for at least 30 minutes. You can of course leave it on for longer if you wish. When washing the hair mask out, be sure to shampoo and style as you usually would.
-Avocado Oil & Mayonnaise Hair Mask. Mix 1/4 cup Avocado Oil with 1/4 cup of Mayonnaise and apply to hair in sections. Cover hair with plastic cap and leave treatment in for at least 20 minutes then wash and dry as usual.
Tag me in your hair journey pics please! I always love seeing before and afters!
XOXO,
Heather