Hair care with flair

March 29, 2017 4:51 AM

I cannot get to a hairdressers before a big event, but I would like my long, dark, thick brown hair to look as awesome as possible. What (non- dye) products will give me the most bang for my buck?

I am normally a supermarket shampoo and conditioner only kind of woman. My hair often feels a bit meh so I would like to feel a bit special and shiny-haired. I'm intending to wear it down for the event, although I will possibly have a clip of some kind. My budget is reasonably stretchy this month, and I'm in the UK.

posted by threetwentytwo to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

Best answer: I know you said non-dye, but have you thought about a henna treatment like the ones Lush do? When I had long, dark brown hair I used Caca Brun on it, which deepened the colour only somewhat but mainly just left me with hair so shiny it was stupid. There's a bunch of before/after shots online regarding what it might do to your colour, it's about eleven quid, and it's a one-off treatment where you melt it and slop it on top of your head for a few hours under plastic wrap. I'm an absolute idiot and it always worked for me, so it is as foolproof as it gets. My head smelled vaguely like a lawnmower but I've never achieved that amount of shine from anything else but a salon.

If you're really after non-dye products the Boots nourishing masks for hair are great and also induce a lot of shine for around £2.
posted by monster truck weekend at 5:25 AM on March 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

I've never tried it but have heard good things about gloss/glaze treatments. They are sometimes tinted but also come in clear and add tons of shine. Link.
posted by juniper at 5:28 AM on March 29, 2017 [3 favorites]

Best answer: For lustrous locks, I suggest a deep conditioning mask - used once a week up to the event itself, but not the day before the event itself. (I say the latter as such treatments tend to make my hair super super conditioned, and thus not necessarily ideal for a big night out with hair being clipped and styled).

For a cheap and effective DIY mask, rub a large tablespoon of coconut oil into your dry hair before you shower - let it soak in for 15 mins. Wash out with normal shampoo. (Conditioner is very optional ; I skip it after a mask as my hair doesn't need it, but others seem to condition even after a mask.) Extra points if you use a wet brush or similar to really get the mask onto every hair.

If you don't want to DIY, Boots will have you covered with various options - I used an Aussie one once which was pretty good.

For pre-styling, I've just started using Percy & Reed's Wonder Balm. I can't say how it works or what is actually specifically does, but my hair is noticeably more shiny, more healthy looking when I use it (rubbed through towel-dried hair before styling).

Consider also what brushes you're using to comb, style your hair. You might want to consider spending a few quid on a smoothing brush to finish off your look on the night, and increase the polish of your hair. A quick Google / Amazon / Boots will have you covered here.

Bit of a curve ball: how are your eyebrows? Impeccably groomed brows really work with, and pump up, the shiny and healthy hair aesthetic you're going for.
posted by thetarium at 5:43 AM on March 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

Seconding an overnight coconut oil mask, and also henna treatments! I buy this stuff that is a henna and indigo blend that lends a chestnut tone to hair. I use it to enhance my (similar to yours) hair.
posted by elke_wood at 8:30 AM on March 29, 2017 [3 favorites]

Best answer: If you're wearing your hair down, are you planning to blow dry it and straighten with a ceramic straightener? Both those processes help hair look sleeker and more polished, as opposed to only air-drying or blow-drying. Add a tiny dab of serum on your palms, and run your hands through your hair after you straighten to finish.

Making sure you've trimmed visible split ends can also do a lot to make your hair look sleek. As others have said, a conditioning treatment also makes a huge difference. I know Olaplex is usually recommended for blonde hair, but I use it on my black hair and it does result in a shinier look.

You could also use a curling iron (large barrel) to wrap about 1" sections of hair about 2/3 of the way up after you straighten your hair and then gently tease those sections at the roots for volume for a soft, pretty waves.
posted by Everydayville at 12:46 PM on March 29, 2017

Getting a blow out at the salon makes a big difference. You could try something like a Brazilian Blowout for extra smoothness that lasts a few weeks.
posted by waving at 1:16 PM on March 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

My hair always looks shiny and lush when I do an at home two minute protein reconstructor treatment. It's as easy as conditioning, basically, and works kind of like a blowout for my hair.

If I had the time and energy, though, I'd definitely henna/indigo/cassia treatment. Super super shiny. The higher percentage of henna I use on my dark brown hair in that mix, the more it almost sparkles with shine. Especially in the sunshine. If I want truly glorious hair, I go all henna. If I want a bit of a deep chocolate brown, I add a good amount of indigo. Plain cassia is good for conditioning and shine.
posted by instamatic at 8:24 PM on March 29, 2017

Do you have a hair straightener? There are lots of hair tutorials on the beauty department for hair styles.

Can you afford a fancy Kerasaste shampoo and conditioner this month? Also these tresemme treatment shots are really cheap but they make my hair feel sooo soft! You can maybe use one when getting ready for the event!
posted by Crookshanks_Meow at 2:32 AM on March 30, 2017

Response by poster: You've all convinced me on the henna! Luckily I've found a friend who can walk me through it, which is great. I shall look at the conditioning masks as well.

On the day itself there will be several of us getting ready so we've got decent hair straighteners etc.

Thanks all!
posted by threetwentytwo at 5:35 AM on March 30, 2017

Response by poster: Coming back to this one last time to say that I henna'd my hair, it looks shiny and awesome, and I never would have thought about it without Asking!
posted by threetwentytwo at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]

Awesome! I mixed up henna last night for an early morning henna today, partly inspired by this thread. I can't wait to have super-shiny sparkly hair again!
posted by instamatic at 2:34 AM on April 9, 2017