Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

How can I get shiny sleek hair?

70 replies

Purplerainbow · 23/04/2017 13:35

My hair is coloured, I have tried various products but really struggling to get nice shiny hair? It's kind of a bit.... dull? I have a great hairdresser and a good cut so it isn't that. I need to use shampoo and conditioner that won't leave a build up but protects the colour? I must use a heat protector too. Any suggestions?? What have you found that works? I can't dry my hair like the hairdresser does on myself which doesn't help!

OP posts:
Primadonnagirl · 23/04/2017 16:15

I should have gone back and complained but was working away so felt I'd left it too long

DameDoom · 23/04/2017 16:15

Purple I think your hairdresser might be lying. Split ends are only due to friction and wear and tear , they are by no means the hallmark of good-conditioned hair - you could have your hair trimmed and get rid of split ends but if the whole shaft is needy then what are you going to do?

Your hairdresser is not doing you any favours -this is an easy fix.

DameDoom · 23/04/2017 16:21

Prima that is awful. I know it seems shallow and very anti-feminist but when I look shit or feel I look shit, I cannot perform to my best ability AT ALL. If my clothes, hair, skin are sorted I feel I can take on the world.

RebelAllianceUK · 23/04/2017 16:41

Prima, my guess would be one of the following:

  1. no broken bones to repair (you've stated that your hair is in bad condition so that's not you)
  2. fake Olaplex was used
  3. wrong application process / inadequate timings for best results

I have also heard of 4. which is when hair has been so utterly destroyed that the bonds are broken beyond repair (intensive bleaching over long period of time). Apparently it's extremely rare, but not unknown.

OP I will hunt out the seller's name for you. I used an eBay trade outlet for pro hair dyes/bleaches that does decants. It costs about 5 quid per stand alone treatment.

RebelAllianceUK · 23/04/2017 16:42

no broken bonds* to repair Grin, not bones!!

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 23/04/2017 16:46

Fab thanks rebel!!

dame you're spot on! When my hairs crap I feel crap. May be really shallow but makes me feel insecure if my hairs crap?

OP posts:
RebelAllianceUK · 23/04/2017 16:58

Just an extra thought, Olaplex repairs broken Disulphide bonds inside the hair shaft. And that's all. If your hair appearance is compromised because it's dry (as well as damaged) that will require an intensive conditioner immediately after step 2. Think I got that off the Olaplex Australia website but I believe it to be true.

DameDoom · 23/04/2017 17:03

I know Purple we are a fickle bunch but I do stand by everything I say. Looking your best sends out a clear message : I give a shit in all areas of my life. I have a colleague who I lecture with (teach 3 days at school and then teach trainees at uni the other 2) who makes a point of being unkempt to the point of having sleep stains on her cheeks. She is disgusted at my grooming levels and thinks I am shit thick. I am no Einstein granted but getting up earlier to present my best face is not a crime.

DameDoom · 23/04/2017 17:07

Rebel you are the Olaplex guru! Completely correct. It does work if you have the problem it's designed to fix.

UppityHumpty · 23/04/2017 17:08

Do a porisity test. If your hair floats in a container of water it's low porisity so you should try heat activated conditioner treatments - I oil my hair weekly with coconut oil pre-shampoo, then afterwards comb leave-in & serum into my hair and wrap it in a t-shirt. Let it par-dry and it's lovely smooth silky hair. I touch it up with leave-in on dry days.

DameDoom · 23/04/2017 17:14

Uppity are you a science bod? Am off to do porisity testing now. Thank you.

Primadonnagirl · 23/04/2017 17:23

She dyed my hair at the same time... did that stop it from working?

RebelAllianceUK · 23/04/2017 17:39

Prima combining with colour treatment should not per se stop it working, so long as the other 4. factors I mentioned above aren't applicable.

Olaplex however does recommend that for seriously damaged hair, the first treatment is conducted as stand-alone (no colour, no bleach as integral to the application process) to maximize results. Whatever that means.

I got really good results doing stand-alone with step 1 for 30 mins and step 2 for over 2 hours (until it went dry). I know this is way longer than salon application times so that might possibly be relevant.

toffeeboffin · 23/04/2017 17:53

Yes, just the ends, not the roots. Everything below your chin.

now you'll tell me it's chin length

dibly · 23/04/2017 19:01

I started using the josh wood oil from my m&s advent calendar, sleek glossy hair ever since, love it. And that's from someone with coloured, fine and naturally very greasy hair.

UppityHumpty · 23/04/2017 19:22

@Damedoom - not a science bod but with really, really, damaged hair. Since doing the poristy test and changing my routine my hair is lovely and shiny

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 25/04/2017 08:06

I can take afford the olaplex, can anyone recommend a decent shampoo and conditioner?

OP posts:
ArseyTussle · 25/04/2017 08:17

Is it worth going silicone free then you'll have a better idea of what your hair is actually like underneath? So many serums and conditioners just kind of varnish the hair so it looks and feels smooth and silky but the actual condition of it hasn't improved.

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 25/04/2017 09:11

That ask meant to read'I can't afford to' Blush

I think I would struggle with silicone free? I tried a shampoo and conditioner that didn't have silicone and sulphates etc and made my hair very dull and I didn't like it at all.

Silicone is what Pantene is full of. When Iv used that my hai a lovely for a couple of washes and then it goes horrible because of the silicone so I don't use that.

OP posts:
Judydreamsofhorses · 25/04/2017 09:27

I have coloured hair (which I dye myself every four weeks or so) in a short Louise Brooks style bob - random people actually come up to me in the street and say how lovely and shiny it is! I switch between Aveda Damage Repair shampoo and conditioner, and Liz Earle. I sometimes do a hair mask, the Lee Stafford coconut one, but honestly think this combo is a winner.

Original poster
Purplerainbow · 25/04/2017 10:34

Which liz Earle? It's expensive.. BUT I forked out for an eye cream about 6 weeks ago and it's really noticing now!

OP posts:
ArseyTussle · 25/04/2017 14:40

Ooh, I have the Aveda Damage Repair conditioner in the tube and it makes my hair really smooth and soft. Don't know about shiny as mine's highlighted and has lots of texture in it so it's impossible to get shiny.

tabulahrasa · 25/04/2017 14:48

"I think I would struggle with silicone free? I tried a shampoo and conditioner that didn't have silicone and sulphates etc and made my hair very dull and I didn't like it at all. "

Did you wash all of the silicone out of your hair first? If not it'll do that as there's a build up and it won't be able to dissolve it properly.

hashtagcurious · 25/04/2017 14:51

Try an egg yolk :)

TwoBeams · 25/04/2017 14:55

My hair is bleached and I love the L'Occitane verbena shampoo and conditioner. It's $$ but you can try a travel size, widely available on ebay etc.
I also use philip Kingsley elasticizer as an overnight treatment and it's fantastic.
It's probably the most expensive hair treatment I own, but you can purchase from QVC and you get 30 days to try it and see if you get on with it. If not, send it back for a refund.