Shimmering, shining hair is a universal symbol of youth, health, and beauty. According to hair expert Philip Kingsley, owner of the Philip Kingsley Trichological Centre in New York and London, the amount of shine in your hair all depends on the cuticle, the outer layer of hair cells that cover the hair shaft. "The smoother the cuticle, the more it will reflect light and the shinier the hair will be," asserts Kingsley. Along with avoiding harsh products and rough treatment, you can promote healthy, glossy hair by using a natural home remedy to pamper hair and soothe and smooth the cuticle.
Step 1
Beat a raw egg egg thoroughly, then blend in 2 tbsp. honey and 1/3 of a cup of olive oil. If your hair is very thick or long, you should double the recipe. Stir the mixture until it has a creamy, silky consistency.
Step 2
Warm a towel in the microwave until it is almost hot. Depending on your microwave, this should take two or three minutes. Heat the towel in 30-second increments to avoid getting it too hot.
Step 3
Apply the mixture to your hair, and massage it through from the roots to the tips, making sure it contacts parts of your hair that may be dry and damaged. The treatment can be messy; you may want to wear an old shirt or smock and work over a sink.
Step 4
Wrap the warm towel over your head and allow the treatment to stay in place for 30 minutes, re-warming the towel as needed. This shiny hair recipe from Ladies' Home Journal uses beneficial natural ingredients to promote healthy hair. Eggs contain L-cysteine, the most abundant nutrient in human hair. According to Natural Health Research, L-cysteine supports hair strength by providing adequate amounts of sulfur to hair cell.. Drugs.com notes that olive oil is rich in beneficial fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols, and may be used as an emollient, or moisturizer.
Step 5
Rinse the mixture from your hair with lukewarm water. You may want to use a small amount of a mild, moisturizing shampoo to get it all out. After rinsing, finish with a blast of cold water to your hair. According to Harper's Bazaar, this helps seal the hair cuticle to the shaft for a smoother, shinier appearance.
Tips and Warnings
- You can use inexpensive natural substances to remove soap build up and add shine to your hair. Free Beauty Tips recommends that brunettes and redheads add 2 tbsp.apple cider vinegar to rinse water after shampooing; blondes should use the same amount, but substitute lemon juice. Hair styling products with silicon can help seal the cuticle, resulting in shinier hair. Harper's Bazaar notes that these products can be applied as either a serum or a spray, but cautions that overuse may cause hair to fall flat and look greasy.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 egg
- Clean towel, warmed in microwave
- Commercial moisturizing shampoo (optional)
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