We’d be lying if we claimed we didn’t long for the swishy, lustrous hair shown in 90s shampoo commercials. In actual life, though, shining isn’t always so simple.
Faded color, textural variances, injury, weather, and other factors all contribute to the loss of natural sheen and the appearance of dull, flat, and lifeless hair.
What’s the good news?
You can get that glossy finish and live your best hair commercial life with a few excellent products tailored to your hair type. We’ve collected a list of the top hair products for shine and luster so you can step up your hair game.
1. Moroccanoil Treatment Original is the best overall.
This product is Moroccanoil’s original (and probably greatest) offering, and it is a flexible oil treatment that can be used in a variety of ways and on a variety of hair types. It’s created with fatty acids to build strong hair that reflects light for unrivaled shine. Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment or after style to tame any flyaways.
What We Like
Versatile
Nourishing
Multi-purpose
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
2. CHI Pliable Polish is the best paste.
If you want the flexible hold that a hair paste provides, this choice from CHI is the best there is. The malleable solution contains silk molecules, which can aid in the promotion of shine, while the non-sticky texture moulds and holds. Try it the next time you want to try a neat bun or ponytail hairdo.
What We Like
Non-sticky
Shapes and holds hair
What We Don’t Like
Fine hair may become weighed down.
3. Bed Head by TIGI Masterpiece Massive Shine Spray is the best spray.
We’re calling this TIGI mist shine in a can. The fine spray offers the hair a glossy, smooth appearance while also providing a firm grip for a long-lasting finish. Great for evenings out, hard up-dos, or simply channeling Audrey Hepburn circa Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
What We Like
Provides significant shine and hold
Simple to use
What We Don’t Like
It must be cleaned out.
4. Ouai Hair Oil is the best oil.
This oil from Ouai is light, nutritious, and wonderfully fragrant, and it delivers adequate nourishment and a healthy-looking shine without adding weight or grease. Its composition protects against UV damage while also preventing humidity-related frizz.
What We Like
Lightweight and multi-purpose UV protection
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
5. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil is the best multi-purpose hair oil.
This profoundly nourishing oil treatment may be applied to wet or dry hair to hydrate, soften, and add shine. It rehydrates dry, stressed, or frayed strands without weighing them down and is infused with responsibly produced mirsalehi honey. Use it to finish and smooth your hair or overnight as a leave-in mask.
What We Like
It smells fantastic.
Hair is nourished.
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
6. Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray is ideal for fine hair.
There is a delicate line between glassy and oily glossy hair, especially if your strands are fine. Oribe’s Apres Beach Wave & Shine Spray, on the other hand, provides both natural-looking shine and smooth texture—truly the best of all worlds. Scrunch wet or dry strands to generate beachy (but not crunchy) waves.
What We Like
It will not burden down fine hair.
It causes movement and separation.
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
7. ghd Straight On Straight & Smooth Spray is ideal for heat styling.
This dual shine and heat protectant spray smoothes and seals the cuticle for shinier strands and a longer-lasting style.
“Use it before [heat] styling for the best results—it contains the brand’s heat protection system, which contains protecting polymers and conditioning agents that smooth the surface of the hair and shield it up to 220 degrees,” says Jordan Thomas, ghd’s national education manager.
What We Like
Provides thermal shielding
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
The Winners
Your greatest overall product will undoubtedly be determined by your hair type and style preferences, but Team Byrdie feels that the Moroccanoil Original Treatment and Oribe’s Apres Beach Wave & Shine Spray are head and shoulders above the competition. Moroccanoil for its flexibility and nourishing ingredients, and Oribe for delivering shine and movement in one simple product.
What to Look for in Shine and Luster Hair Products
Ingredients that boost radiance
“Acai extract, camu extract, urucum extract, and amodimethicone are antioxidants that offer deep conditioning effects, prevent hair from heat damage, and impart shine,” explains Thomas. “Pro-vitamin B5 draws and maintains moisture in the hair.”
Depending on your hair type, you should avoid specific components.
“Use butters instead of serums for tighter curl textures, and avoid most petroleum-based hair treatments,” Mutsiwa says.
FAQ
What kind of hair products can add shine?
“Getting shine is all about producing a light reflection,” Thomas says. “To achieve this, your hair fibers must be aligned and your cuticles must be flat.” Many products promise to achieve this, but it’s crucial to identify what works best for your particular hair type. There is a delicate line between healthy-looking hair and hair that seems greasy and in need of a wash! Avoid using anything too heavy on your strands, especially if your hair is fine. For a glossy finish, I prefer applying light sprays and fine mists and layering them as required.”
“When it comes to dry or frizzy wavy, curly, or afro hair, moisture is crucial,” says Mutsiwa. “The remedy may be found in leave-in conditioners, creams, sprays, gels, defining creams, and butters.” These are more suited to tighter hair types and will promote hair health for a shinier finish.”
How frequently should you apply shine treatments on your hair?
According to Thomas, this is a matter of personal choice. If you have dull or dyed hair, you may wish to apply shine-enhancing treatments on a regular basis—or perhaps just before an occasion.
Do hair shine products have an expiration date?
Unfortunately, the majority of hair products have an expiration date. Check your package for the most up-to-date timetable. Also, anything that changes color, smell, or texture should be discarded.
