Shine bright! The ultimate guide to achieving smooth, silky and shiny hair

With different hair types come varying textures, from poker straight to springy coils. Silky strands signal good hair health because light’s reflection indicates that strands are in tip-top condition. It’s to do with the hair cuticle sitting flush against the hair fiber, its microscopic cells overlapping neatly to protect the inner cortex and manage moisture entering and leaving the strand. In damaged hair, these cells tend to be more raised and less able to protect the hair from environmental aggressors and moisture loss. A raised cuticle layer doesn’t reflect light as well, which is why having silky, shiny hair is often a signal of healthy hair.

 

How to get silky hair

 

Those with damaged strands or a naturally raised cuticle need to invest in hair care that works to smooth the outer lipid layer and bolster gaps in its protective armor. Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner target damage with a nourishing complex that stops 98% of daily hair damage. Strands that are naturally coarser, or with a curl pattern that interrupts the cuticle layer as it bends and spirals, also reflect light more erratically (this is why curly hair doesn’t tend to look as shiny as straight hair). So, if you have a curl pattern, it’s even more important to invest in hair care that smooths the cuticle, adding a much-needed layer of protection. Try working an intensive once-a-week mask into your routine – ideally, one designed to nourish and moisturize textured hair, such as Dove Amplified Textures Recovery Mask for Coils & Curls.

 

How to make hair silky permanently

 

The right hair care can work miracles on dry, damaged hair, but longevity is only guaranteed when you limit its exposure to damage. With new hair growth comes the potential to nurture and protect your strands, so using a heat protection spray such as Dove Smooth & Shine Heat Protection Spray will go a long way in maintaining your hair’s resilience and shine (heat styling is a sure-fire way to crack and raise your hair’s cuticle). Avoiding long periods in the sun and regular trips to the pool without wearing a swim cap will also help, although we would never recommend you cut back on activities that bring you joy, not when there are products designed to work alongside your hobbies and lifestyle.

 

How to make hair silky and shiny at home

 

Not everyone can afford a monthly trip to the salon, so it’s all about stocking up on in-shower hair saviors that work with, not against your strands. Introducing oil-based products could be key if you want to smooth flyaways (often referred to as frizz). Dove Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Shampoo contains weightless oils that smooth strands while cleansing. Used alongside its Conditioner, it leaves your hair 100% smooth.

Not born with hair that looks naturally shiny? We hope the above proves that with some careful hair care selection, you can still have it, if you want it.