Shiny hair has never not been covetable, but right now we seem to be taking our obsession with glossy, liquid-like locks to new extremes. From the runways to social media, blindingly shiny hair is everywhere – a stark contrast from the care-free styles of the lockdown days.

The best way to achieve your shiniest, slinkiest hair? When you ask the internet, the instructions are clear: simply switch your shampoo, marinate your head in a hydrating mask, stop straightening (and blow-drying, while you’re at it), book in for a trim every month, and use as many styling products as you can get your hands on.

Back in reality, we know those ‘healthy hair’ rules aren’t always easy to stick to – I certainly don’t follow them religiously. Early Monday mornings require help from the hairdryer, and a little experimental styling can be truly joy-inducing, especially after two years of topknots and greasy slick backs.

However, refusing to follow the rules with the diligence of an angel doesn’t mean glossy hair – the kind that would make a Hadid weep – is out of your reach.

The solution lies in a few clever quick fixes, all of which can be found on the digital shelves and come in at a price that feels surprisingly sensible. Read on for the shiny hair short-cuts that really, honestly, work – trust me, I’ve tried them all…

How To Get Shiny Hair

1. Lamellar Treatments

My number-one shiny hair hack is something you may have overlooked. Lamellar treatments have been around for a while – Kérastase’s in-salon only K Water was the first – but a few new blockbuster launches have really pushed this smart technology to the fore. Essentially, these liquid conditioners work as a surface shiner, slicking over the outer core of each strand to instantly moisturise and repair any dry or damaged areas. They’re best applied in-shower, and require as little as 10 seconds to do their finest work.

Trust me when I say: the results are remarkable, especially when it comes to reducing frizz and adding a reflective shine you can really see once your lengths are dry. I rely on Kérastase’s Chroma Gloss after a colour treatment, and love Matrix’s Shine Rinse before a big event – the shine is extreme.

2. Colour Glosses

For something more long-lasting, these innovative at-home toners essentially combine a glossing treatment with a conditioning mask, imparting softness and shine alongside a sheer veil of light-reflecting colour. They won’t change your existing shade completely, but rather tint it, making browns and reds richer and blondes more vibrant.

 

3. Shine Serums

A good old serum is still one of the quickest, easiest ways to get shiny hair in seconds. Most are based around silicones, which have a bad rep in ‘clean’ beauty circles, but the fear is largely unwarranted. Silicones are a safe, extremely common cosmetic ingredient that, in hair serums, bring remarkable gloss as well as shielding strands from frizz.

They’re brilliantly effective at adding artificial shine to the surface of the hair – but be wary of any product that promises to work on your hair’s health, because frankly that probably isn’t true. Think of a serum as a top coat for your hair, and you’re on the right track.

4. Oil Sprays

If your hair is especially dry or damaged, an oil mist is the best way to add aesthetic shine while simultaneously nourishing parched patches. One with a decent nozzle will deliver a fine, even veil of conditioning oil that sinks into thirsty strands without making your roots look oily. A particularly good move after a straightening session.

A version of this article originally appeared on ELLE UK.

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