Tell me the secret to swishy, gorgeous hair

[LittleAndOften]

What's the secret to beautiful hair? I'm in a hair rut. We are on one income so budget is tight, however I'd still like to look as nice as I can if you can help!

I have long brown hair with a slight natural wave. I wash and blow dry my hair every couple of days and it looks ok (I use Elvive shamp & cond) . However even on those rare occasions when I make a real effort with my hair, it still looks a bit meh. I don't know anything about products (although I'm also pg and trying to avoid too many chemicals atm), but I'm prepared to be enlightened!

I suppose I'm worried the secret to gorgeous locks is to throw a ton of money and chemicals at it. Am I right?

[Swiftier]

I have long hair and use coconut oil or camellia seed oil to do a weekly mask - it makes a big difference to my hair, makes it nice and soft and shiny. And it’s not too expensive.

[SoupDragon]

I suppose I'm worried the secret to gorgeous locks is to throw a ton of money and chemicals at it.

I don't think it is. My hairdresser always moments on how shiny and soft my hair is and I use an Aldi coloured hair shampoo and conditioner - I don't do anything else to it (actually, I do usually use a heat protector spray). I think it's a matter of finding the right product for your hair.

[SoupDragon]

I suspect that the right brush helps too.

[Hiddenaspie1973]

It's age related. I had good hair until 40.
Now its thinner, frizzy (not curly haired) and the roots are so much darker than before.

[yomellamoHelly]

I've been wondering if the secret is not over-washing it. Mine was getting really dry and frizzy / fuzz-ball style. Thought it was worth a try as I wear it up for work.
It's been 3 1/2 weeks. Think the hair's natural oils are finally kicking in as it's started to feel a lot better over the last few days. Last 4-5 inches still need work, but overall looks much better. Am currently brushing it a lot to encourage the oils down the hair shaft.

Am washing fringe as usual so it doesn't look horrendous.

[SoupDragon]

It's age related. I had good hair until 40.

I'm not convinced. I never had shiny hair in my youth but it is now I'm 50.

I suspect there isn't going to be a single magic answer!

[Inliverpool1]

Excellent diet is the answer, protein shakes are brilliant for this. And omega 3

[NorthernGravy]

A lot of celebrities with long thick full hair have extensions woven in.

[DesperadoDan]

A good quality serum and thermal velcro rollers. I have curly hair but prefer swishy shiny hair with bounce.
Wash and condition hair, towel dry, apply serum to lengths and ends, put rollers in, use hairdryer, let hair and rollers cool and gently unroll hair. Instant swishy hair with lots of root lift.

[optimisticpessimist01]

My hair recently has been incredible condition, very soft and shiny. I can't put my finger on why, I use Alberto Balsam shampoo and conditioner- the cheapest ones I can find so definitely not high end. I then chuck my hair in a towel for 10 min, use volumising mousse at my roots and blow dry my hair upside down for 5 min. I straighten it every day and this makes a big difference.

I also stopped getting bleached highlights in my hair about 2 years ago and I think it has pretty much all grown out and I think this has made the biggest difference. I still dye my hair a chili chocolate colour semi-permanent every 4-8 weeks

[elrider]

I have recently been loosely following the Curly Girl method (also have kind of wavy hair if it dries naturally but I still often wear it straight). The method is largely about cutting out certain harsh ingredients, which, as it turns out, are in most products. Some people only use conditioner to wash and cut out shampoo altogether but that's often the people with properly curly hair. I still shampoo, but as my hair has adjusted to less "stripping" kind of products, I need to wash it less so I now wash every 3 days and I'm aiming to get to 4 (I realise many people do this already but I've always had terrible grease by the second day until now).

I'm also trying to cut down on plastic so the shampoo bar I use is from Soaps for Little Suds. I sometimes use apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse which gives me such soft hair. I still use a conditioner in a plastic bottle as I haven't yet found a conditioner bar that I like - Tresseme Botanique is CG approved and very nice. My hair has never looked better and is still improving. If you switched to these 3 things (or even 2 if you didn't do the ACV rinse), I'm sure you'd soon see a difference.

[LizzieSiddal]

Philip Kingsley Elastazier is amazing.

I use it about twice a week, and it’s transformed my mid length hair to shiny and swishy. If I ever stop using it, it’s back to frazzled, flyaway hair.

[Mymadworld]

Sorry to say but reducing the amount of washing does not necessarily mean swishy hair. I wash mine once, maximum twice a week and if I leave it to dry naturally, it's most definitely not swishy. I do think diet plays a big part plus hair masques and a good finishing product but mine only looks good when it's been smoothed by heat (hairdresser blow dry or babylis big hair)

[bingohandjob]

For me, is my Babyliss Big Hair. It's totally changed how swishy and shiny my hair looks and is so easy to use - dead easy to use. On my shoulder length hair, if I style it with this, easily lasts two days.

[FiremanKing]

I use Percy & Reed hair products. I switch the shampoo from time to time.

[RoastNuts]

1. Have some layers cut in.
2. Wash it and don't use conditioner it only weighs it down
3. Comb it
4. Leave it to dry naturally
5. Don't brush it

Ta-dahhh!

[LittleAndOften]

Thank you all. Lots of interesting things to try here. I used to have a babyliss big hair but didn't find it any more effective than using a round brush. I accept this may be down to my own ineptitude!

[LittleAndOften]

How much vinegar do you use for a rinse?

[MrsGrannyWeatherwax]

I have long thick hair which is often commented looks nice, soft etc l (no matter how rubbish I am at styling). I just wash it every 2-3 days and do a deep condition every few weeks but add hair oil after every wash (now I’m older anyway).

I don’t use heat really or products except for special occasions and I think that’s helped protect my hairs health. My water intake isn’t great and neither am I super healthy.

[pinkgloves]

My hairdresser put some expensive, Aveda shine treatment on a while ago. She said it would last about 24 washes. It's been super swishy and smooth and glossy for almost two months now!!

[pinkground202]

Khiels Creme with Silk Groom, amazing stuff and the key to swishy hair for me. You only need a small amount so the tube lasts for ages.

[elrider]

I probably do 1 part apple cider vinegar to about 5 parts warm water, mixed up and either poured or sprayed on, rubbed through, combed then rinsed well.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

I wash my long wavy very thick hair twice a week, use an SLS free shampoo, currently one by Jason, a silicon tree conditioner, aldi, only brush before I wash it so it’s not tangled when wet, use a hair oil when it’s towel dried and only blow dry and straighten my fringe. It’s soft, shiny and easy to look after. I have a small baby and not much time to do anything with it!

[64632K]

I have thick really long brown hair, I dont blow try it or use any serums or treatments. Wash once maybe twice a week, shampoo only roots, condition only ends. Always use a shampoo free from SLS, Parabens etc. I massage coconut oil/amla oil once a week with a bit of castor oil, leave in no longer than a few hours.
I don't buy the age theory either as it depends how you treat your hair. Oh I also have a silk pillow.

[Inliverpool1]

Hormones play a huge part in your hairs appearance hence thick long hair is seen as a sign of fertility you can’t dismiss that