How to Have Soft Shiny Hair Inexpensively

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel

Last Updated: January 1, 2022 Approved

Getting your hair soft and shiny can take a bit of effort; the majority of people do not have these hair characteristics naturally beyond the toddler years. Fortunately, it is possible to restore both softness and a shine to your hair using a whole range of treatments, many of which you will find the ingredients for in your own home. You can also smooth your hair by avoiding damaging practices and by adopting healthy ones. Even if you're on a tight budget, glossy, shiny hair is achievable with ease.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing DIY Hair Treatments

1
Apply coconut oil to frizzy hair. Coconut oil coats your hair and is great for reducing frizz, smoothing your tresses, and protecting your hair from environmental damage. Use it on the ends rather than the roots as the scalp is where much of your natural oils are. To successfully complete a coconut oil treatment, you need to:
- Wash your hair with warm water.
- Carefully scrunch the oil into the ends of your hair, one tablespoon at a time. Avoid touching your scalp with the oil.
- Let the oil sit on your hair for at least thirty minutes.
- Rinse your hair with cold water, then shampoo and condition like normal.
- Air dry or dry with a towel around it.
2
Deep condition your hair with eggs. Mayonnaise is mostly eggs, so it only makes sense that eggs would also be an effective way of putting moisture and shine back in your hair. They also have a lot of protein, which is good for strengthening weak hair.
- Crack 2-4 eggs (depending on your hair length) into a bowl.
- Pour olive oil in the bowl, just enough to cover the yolk, and whisk together. Make sure the solution is well blended.
- Shampoo your hair in lukewarm water then put the mixture in your hair.
- Let it sit for 5-6 minutes.
- Rinse your hair again with lukewarm water.
- Lastly, rinse with cool water.
3
Use yogurt as a deep conditioner. Yogurt can add softness and shine to your hair while also de-frizzing and repairing damage.^{[1]
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Research source}Make sure the yogurt is plain, otherwise you will end up with more sugar and food colourings in your hair, which isn’t something you want.</ref> Use plain yogurt, although plain Greek yogurt works very well also.
- Brush out your hair well.
- Spread the yogurt all over your hair.
- Take an old hair tie and put your hair into a ponytail or bun.
- Leave the yogurt in your hair for 20-30 minutes or until the it has hardened.
- Shampoo and condition your hair.
4
Make a treatment that contains aloe vera and honey. Mix together equal parts conditioner, alcohol-free aloe vera gel, and honey. Aloe Vera is an excellent conditioning and rebuilding agent, and honey does a good job of adding shine. You can also substitute the aloe vera for jojoba oil.
- Massage the mixture through your dry hair.
- Leave the mixture in your hair for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse out with shampoo and conditioner.
5
Make an apple cider vinegar treatment.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} The acidity in apple cider vinegar can restore your hair to its proper pH, which makes it much stronger and healthier.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Shampoo your hair and rinse it with cold water.
- Make a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar.
- Leave the vinegar and water mixture on your hair for fifteen minutes.
- Rinse the vinegar out of your hair with warm water.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Avoiding Damaging Practices

1
Don't use products that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} This is especially important if you have curly hair. Look closely at the labels of shampoos and conditioners before you purchase and use them.
- Although Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is derived from palm and coconut oil, it has been linked to skin irritation and hair loss. It is also used as an industrial-grade cleanser.
- Try looking for shampoos and conditioners with natural and organic ingredients. Natural ingredients will restore natural oils to your hair.
2
Don't wash out all of your conditioner. When you are washing it out, wash it out until it still feels like there is a bit in there and then (without touching) run cold water over your head with the shower head. Don't rinse anymore or run your fingers through it.
- Leave-in conditioners are also widely available. Spray it in your hair after you've shampooed and showered, and leave it in until the next time you shower.
- Some leave-in conditioners help you style your style in addition to adding hydration. They are essentially a frizz-control agent. Just make sure that your hair isn't weighed-down and greasy after application.
3
Avoid non-organic styling chemicals as much as possible. Dyes and relaxers can be very bad for your hair. If you feel like you have to do it, make sure not to leave the chemicals in your hair too long. Apply sparingly to prevent hair damage. Read the product's instructions to see how often you're supposed to wait between treatments.
- Keratin treatments, or Brazilian hair blowouts, can be especially damaging to your hair. They contain high levels of formaldehyde^{[5]
  X
  Research source} and can make your hair fall out.^{[6]
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  Research source}
You may love your straightened hair, but your hair doesn’t love your flat iron. Straighteners, as well as curling irons and other heat-producing styling tools, can overheat and damage your hair, leaving it dry and brittle.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Practicing Healthy Hair Habits

Split ends can make your hair look more dull, dry, and damaged. You either need a haircut once a month or once every two months depending on your hair length and condition.
2
Brush your hair the right way. We all know we need to brush our hair to get it looking its best, but there's an art to brushing that many people overlook.
- Avoid brushing wet hair. It's hard to do, but wait for your hair to dry out a bit before you bring the brush down on it. When you need to brush wet hair, use a wide-toothed brush with rounded tips. This will help cut down on split ends and reduce torn hair.
- Don't rip your brush through snarls. If you don't have detangler spray, wet the area and apply lots of conditioner to work it through evenly. Sleeping with your hair in a bun or braid can make it easier to brush in the morning, and will control some of the frizz (if you have it). Brush gently and slowly work the tangles out.
- Don't over-brush. Some people say that brushing your hair 100 times a day will help bring blood to your head and stimulate hair growth. There is no scientific evidence to suggest this is true.^{[7]
  X
  Research source} In fact, over-brushing can cause cuticle damage and breakage, unless you brush it when it’s dry with a boar bristle brush.
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy nutrients and also drink lots of water. You are what you eat, in a way, and the same applies to your hair. Eat healthy if you want healthy hair. Also, eat lots of protein because it will help strengthen your hair, improving color and shine. This is because your hair is made of protein.

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Expert Q&A

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Question

What can I do to make my hair shiny and silky?

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.

Michael Van den Abbeel

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Use your blow dryer with the directional nozzle to dry your hair to help spread natural oils.

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Question

How do I get my hair soft and silky?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

To smooth and soften your hair you need to add moisture and close the cuticles. Using oils like macadamia, argan, and avocado will add lasting moisture. You can apply them as a treatment or look for shampoos and conditioners that contain them. To close the cuticles you'll need to avoid chemical treatments and heat styling.

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Question

How can I get shiny hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Using moisture-rich products that contain oils like avocado and macadamia will add shine to your hair, but it can take some time. For a quick fix, mist your hands with shine spray and run them through the lower half of your hair.

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Tips

If you don't like the idea of washing your hair less because it will become greasy, invest in some dry shampoo.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} You can also make a homemade dry shampoo with one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of cornstarch. Rub in dry, small amounts and brush it out until you can't see the powder any more.

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Don’t wash your hair everyday; Washing too much can cause breakage.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.}

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Don't skip heat sprays before straightening, curling, or blow drying your hair. This may seem quicker and easier at the time but eventually restoring your usual glossy hair will be impossible.

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Warnings

Be careful with treatments containing honey; honey has the potential to lighten hair slightly.

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If you go swimming in a chlorinated pool, try to wear a swim cap. Exposure to too much chlorine can make your hair dry and frizzy.

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Always be careful with chemicals you put near your hair. Even some shampoos can be bad for your hair. For example, curly hair can become dry and brittle from overusing shampoos with sulfate detergents.

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