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Shiny, smooth, touchably soft hair—aka glass hair—is no longer just reserved for hair commercials and runways. Now, all of us can achieve the trend thanks to products that up the ante in the shine department. “Much like glass skin in skin care, the glass hair trend is all over TikTok,” says hairstylist Mandee Tauber, principal artist for Oribe. “People are becoming more invested in the health of their hair.” It’s all about giving your hair that reflective quality we all long for. You know, the one that lets your hair catch the light as it moves naturally, and leaves people gawking from afar. “The best way to describe glass hair is when the hair has an extra shine that makes it look healthy, rich and touchable,” says hairstylist Donavin Maxwell of the FEKKAI Salon at The Mark.
How do glass hair products work?
Tauber says glass hair products are often formulated with proteins that help lock in hydration and moisture. “This gives a healthy outer glow to the hair,” she explains. Anyone can achieve this look, Maxwell adds. But, it is important to maintain the overall health of your hair. “High porosity can prevent you from achieving this look, so it is important to replenish your hair with reparative protein treatments,” he explains. “Some ways to keep your hair healthy are to use a reparative moisturizing mask daily and use heat protection when using hot tools. You can also get regular moisturizing treatments.” For those with high-porosity hair, Tauber says you should also make sure to use high-quality products that don’t cause buildup.
The Best Shine-Boosting Products to Try Now
There are several different formats for glass hair products, including masks, sprays, lamellar waters and serums. “Glass hair is all about achieving a mirror-like shine,” says Leo Izquierdo, cofounder of IGK Hair Care. “And to get that, the secret lies in layering shine-enhancing products to transform dull strands into high-gloss, polished locks.” Here, our favorites to try.
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Swap this treatment in place of your conditioner, but make sure to squeeze all the excess water from your hair first. Apply it from your mid-lengths down and then rinse after one minute to reveal ultra-glossy shine, which is clinically proven to last through 15 washes.
“Mirror Rinse uses Glass Hair technology to smooth the cuticle, creating an optimal surface for light reflection that gives the ‘ring light effect,’ says Tauber. “It’s meant to be used in place of conditioner, but for thicker, coarser hair, it can be applied after conditioner.”
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“To achieve glass hair, I would recommend applying the original Brilliant Glossing Styling Créme mixed with a pump of the Brilliant Gloss Glass Hair Anti-Frizz Serum to wet hair,” says Maxwell. The serum is also one of our favorites, and is proven to make hair two times shinier. It also reduces frizz by 73 percent!
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Powered by the brand’s Glosslock technology, this oil-based, frizz-fighting spray repairs existing damage while protecting against future damage from heat styling. Hair stays sleek and smooth for up to three washes.
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Inspired by K-beauty “splash masks” in the skin-care category, this 60-second rinse-out treatment (use it in place of conditioner) moisturizes and boosts shine for your best hair yet. Infused with amino acids, it smooths the cuticle, enhances the appearance of hair color and gives an overall refresh to the hair. No wonder it’s a best-seller!
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You thought a one-minute treatment was fast, but this rinse does the job in record time: 10 seconds! The lamellar water soaks into the hair instantly to patch up rough spots and make detangling a breeze. Plus, it uses 98-percent naturally derived ingredients, and the formula is 99-percent biodegradable (remember everything that goes down the drain has to end up somewhere).
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You may have seen this silicone-free hair mask on TikTok, where it’s beloved for achieving #glasshairgoals. It smooths and adds next-level shine thanks to a hydrating ceramide, a strengthening rice-derived protein and macadamia oil.
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“This spray delivers luminous finish with just a few spritzes,” says Izquierdo. “It not only provides high shine, but its lightweight formula also ensures your hair stays smooth and sleek without weighing it down. It’s perfect for that glass-like texture.” Spray it on dry hair from the mid-lengths down and build up if you need more.
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This lightweight, peach-scented treatment is called a lotion but it feels more like water and won’t weigh hair down. We love the combination of the brand’s signature conditioning milk proteins with hydrating hyaluronic acid and shine-boosting fruit extracts. You only need a few seconds in the shower after shampooing—apply it in place of conditioner—and then you’ll see and feel a dramatic difference.
