How to Make Hair Glossy – 10 Stylist Secrets

Glass hair, expensive brunette, new money blonde.. This year's biggest hair trends all have one thing in common: unbelievable shine that makes strands shimmer from root to tip. But if your hair doesn't radiate natural shine, some simple changes to your regimen will give hair gloss that truly lasts.

Let's get into your steps. Here's how to make hair glossy at home and in the salon...

1. SHOW YOUR SCALP SOME LOVE

Healthy hair starts at the root, where your hair follicles lie. So, before you treat the lengths, don't forget to show your scalp some TLC. If you suffer from a dry scalp, your first step is introducing a mask that's suitable for the roots.

Your next step is a scalp massage, not just when your scalp mask is on, but every day. Whether you're lathering up your shampoo or prepping your hair for the day ahead, take a minute or two to gently massage the roots. Move your fingertips in circular motions, starting at the front and gradually moving backward until you reach the base of your neck. This step helps to improve blood circulation, so nutrients and oxygen can be carried to your hair follicles.

2. USE A SHINE-ENHANCING SHAMPOO

Lay the foundations for dazzling shine with a smoothing, hydrating shampoo; one that nourishes, fights frizz and detoxes your hair of dulling aggressors. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo's luxurious lather is the ideal step one staple, with the built-in Metal Purifier neutralizing any metals, such as copper, that lurk through hair strands. You can't see these metals, so you might not think they're really there, but we all deal with them, when they come from the water we wash with or the air we breathe. While removing them, ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo also infuses hair with a blend of Omega-9 fatty acids and Squalane, two hero ingredients that nourish your hair from the inside out.

3. CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION

Healthy hair just glows better, so make sure you're treating it to a conditioner after every wash – preferably one that fends off frizz for that glossy finish. When hair is smooth, it's better able to reflect the light, making ULTIMATE SMOOTH Conditioner your go-to for creating a shimmery, shiny look. It also makes hair a dream to detangle, so there's no more dragging a brush through knots. Your wide-tooth comb will glide through, causing less stress – and, in turn, less frizz – for even the most delicate hair cuticles.

4. USE A HAIR MASK EVERY WEEK

Don't skip regular masking sessions. A deep conditioning treatment, like ULTIMATE SMOOTH Intense Mask, is needed to inject dry hair with the glow-boosting nourishment and essential moisture it craves. Suitable for all hair types, this conditioning mask features high concentrations of Omega-9 and Squalane, so you get a supercharged weekly treatment that makes a real difference to your hair's shine. Apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of damp hair, making sure excess moisture has been blotted away first. This is key to ensuring your hair can soak up all the intense shine-enhancing goodness. Then wrap your hair up in a warm towel while the mask absorbs, and leave it there for up to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and just feel that silky finish.

5. TARGET EXCESS PRODUCT BUILDUP

Product residue is one of the biggest causes of dull hair. Let it build up, and it creates a coating that makes hair strands appear flat and tired. So, when you're dealing with oily roots and it feels like product buildup might be dragging hair down, have a 'detox session' with a clarifying shampoo.

6. FINISH WITH A COOL WATER RINSE

Hot water is a no-go in your shiny hair regimen, as it strips the hair shaft of all the vital, protective oils it needs to stay healthy. So, make sure you're always washing your hair with lukewarm water. This is the best temperature to effectively remove any residue without causing harm to your hair and drying it out. Then, after your shampoo and conditioner have been completely rinsed, blast strands with cold water. This quick trick encourages the hair cuticle to lie flat, creating a shinier outer layer. Do your cooler rinse at the very end of your hair washing session – either after rinsing away conditioner or your deep conditioning treatment.

7. NEVER RUB HAIR DRY

One surefire route to lackluster hair is rubbing it dry with a towel. Each strand of hair is at its most delicate when wet, so it needs the gentlest of care. For this, we recommend a microfiber towel or soft, cotton t-shirt to blot away moisture. Simply use it to press wet hair and remove excess water while avoiding unwanted friction.

8. REPLENISH MOISTURE WITH THIS POWER PAIR

It takes powerful formulas to revive shine and luster in dull hair, but this potent duo makes a visible difference from day one – even if you have stressed, damaged hair.

- First, mist towel-dried lengths from root to tip with ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. The weightless leave-in treatment repairs hair damage in 90 seconds¹ and gives you 99% less breakage².

- Follow with ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum. The hair oil-meets-hair serum nourishes in 30 seconds and gives you smoothness that lasts up to 3 days³ – essential for glossy hair that's soft and frizz-free.

Plus, ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum doubles up as a heat protectant, so it gives you an instant boost of shine while shielding lengths against the harmful effects of hot tools and heat damage. So, whether you're using a hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, a few drops of hair oil will keep frizzy hair at bay and provide the protection you need.

9. GET A GOLDEN GLASS HAIR GLOW

While the steps above address dullness and dryness over time, you can get an instant solution by heading to your nearest Wella salon for a Golden Glass Hair service. Combining color and care, it's all about layering luminosity, with a fresh coat of your dream shade carefully blended to deliver mirror-like shine. Choose from Honey Glass Hair, Rose Gold Glass Hair, Apricot Glass Hair, Coral Glass Hair, and more. You can see the full breakdown of looks in our complete guide to Golden Glass Hair.

Once you're in the chair and you've picked your color, your salon colorist will take you through three key steps to ensure the glossiest finish. Here's what to expect:

THE BASE LAYER

Shinier hair begins with your first layer of color, created using one of four signature Wella services that are focused on root-to-tip radiance. These include...

Illuminatural: Featuring Illumina Color, this base enhances the highs and lows in your hair while giving you up to 100% grey coverage for youthful, radiant, and 100% natural-looking color.

Illuminage: Combining a root shadow with sun-kissed balayage, Illumina Color delivers the dimensional glow you want through the summer months.

Blondor Lights: Taking your highlights to the next level, Blondor Lights are meticulously woven through your hair to ensure strands shimmer in all the right places.

Color Touch Melt: Starring up to five shades within the same color family to play up hair's multi-tones, a Color Touch Melt harnesses the true-to-tone vibrancy of demi-permanent Color Touch.

THE TOP GLAZE LAYER

Once your base layer has developed, a SHINEFINITY Glaze is applied from root to tip, creating a glassy top coat that glistens under the light. This zero damage, zero lift, demi-permanent formula delivers a translucent veil of color, giving you brilliant shine you can feel. Dull hair is history in one coat.

THE FINISHING LAYER

With your glass hair color ready to glow, your colorist will finish your service with ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum, applied to the mid-lengths and ends of hair for instant smoothness and shine. It's a glass hair essential that gives your hair intense moisture to lock frizz away.

10. DON'T FORGET NIGHT CARE

No glossy hair regimen is complete without an effective solution to bed head; a serum that protects your hair while you sleep from the friction caused by tossing and turning. If you feel like you're always waking up to an unmanageable mane, care for lengths with ULTIMATE REPAIR Night Serum. Light yet nourishing, it acts like an overnight shield to reduce mechanical damage, breakage, and frizz. So, not only do you achieve smoother hair night after night, but you can also hit snooze on your alarm and skip the lengthy fight against flyaways. We love a time-saver.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does my hair look dull instead of shiny?

Hair usually looks dull when the cuticle is rough, dry, coated with product buildup, or affected by minerals and metals from water and the environment. When the cuticle does not lie flat, light scatters instead of reflecting evenly. Hydrating, smoothing care, occasional clarifying, and heat protection help restore a glossier surface.

What is the best way to dry my hair without causing frizz?

The best way to dry hair without causing frizz is to blot, not rub. Wet hair is more fragile, and rough towel-drying can lift the cuticle, increase friction, and make hair look dull. Use a microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt to gently press out excess water before applying leave-in care.

Can product buildup make my hair less glossy?

Yes, product buildup can make hair look flat, coated, oily at the roots, and dull through the lengths. Styling products, heavy conditioners, hard water minerals, and environmental residue can reduce shine by creating a film on the hair. A clarifying shampoo used occasionally can help reset the hair so smoothing and conditioning products work more effectively.

How do I keep my hair smooth and shiny overnight?

To keep hair smooth overnight, reduce friction while you sleep and apply a lightweight night serum or leave-in treatment through the lengths. Pillow friction can roughen the cuticle, increase tangles, and contribute to frizz or breakage. A silk or satin pillowcase, loose protective style, and nourishing overnight care can help hair look more polished in the morning.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is my hair so dry even when I use conditioner?

Hair can stay dry if it is losing moisture faster than your routine can replace it. Common causes include heat styling, chemical over-processing, hard water minerals, overwashing, hot showers, and friction from rough brushing or cotton pillowcases. If conditioner is not enough, add a weekly deep-conditioning mask and a leave-in protectant to support the hair’s outer layer.

How often should I use a hair mask for dry hair?

Most dry hair benefits from a moisturizing hair mask once a week. Very coarse, curly, high-porosity, or chemically treated hair may need richer conditioning more often, while fine hair may prefer a lighter mask or shorter processing time. For best results, apply the mask mainly to mid-lengths and ends and leave it on for the recommended time before rinsing thoroughly.

Is hot water bad for dry hair?

Hot water can make dry hair feel rougher because it may lift the cuticle and contribute to moisture loss. Lukewarm water is better for cleansing without over-stripping the hair. A brief cool rinse at the end can help hair feel smoother and look shinier.

Should I wash my hair every day if it feels dry?

Dry hair usually should not be shampooed every day unless the scalp requires it. Frequent washing can remove natural oils that help protect the hair fiber, especially on the lengths and ends. Try washing every other day or less often, and focus shampoo mainly on the scalp while letting the lather gently rinse through the ends.

What ingredients should I look for to moisturize dry, frizzy hair?

Look for conditioning ingredients that soften, smooth, and help reduce moisture loss. squalane, Omega-9 fatty acids, panthenol, glycerin, ceramides, and lightweight oils can support shine and manageability, while heat-protective polymers help defend against styling damage. For damaged dry hair, hydrolyzed proteins or bond-building technologies can also help improve strength and resilience.

Now you've got the full lowdown on glossy hair, discover our complete round-up of hair care guides. From reducing breakage to tackling dry ends, we've got all the advice you need for your healthiest mane yet.

¹ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

² When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

³ When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum, if unwashed for 3 days, vs. untreated.