Shiny, beautiful hair

Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

It used to be that only the very good had shiny hair. They were the ones who used the right shampoo and conditioner, never went near straightening irons, vowed off chemical treatments, ate right and got regular trims. Now, just about anyone can cheat and have hair so shiny you can see yourself in it, all thanks to sprays and serums.

Redken Color Extend Color Veil Protective Shine Shield
$32.95 for 100ml

The new range for colour-treated hair does many things. It shields hair against environmental hazards such as the sun, it smoothes, it stabilises colour-altering minerals to prevent loss of colour, and it strengthens. This gives an invisible protective shield as well as high shine to hair. And it doesn't weigh hair down.

From selected hair salons.

Toni & Guy Tame-it Serum
$24.95 for 30ml

A serum that takes frizzy hair and leaves gleaming, glossy smooth hair in its wake. Think of it as a hair wrangler that will control unruly locks in minutes. Best on thick or curly hair rather than fine hair.

From selected pharmacies.

KMS Flat Out Shine Serum
$26.95 for 60ml

This portable bottle means you can have shine on the run. Part of the Flat Out range committed to straightening hair, this silicone-based serum does its smoothing and shine-making best in two to three drops. The berry vanilla ftagrance is a bit overpowering when you use first it but that quickly dissipates - and it's probably a good idea to get a demo on how to open it. It's simple and very ingenuous but I've never been able to work it out for myself.

From selected hair salons.

Matrix Color Smart Reflective Shine Spray
$24.95 for 125ml

This is a weightless spray-on shine spray. Always good news for fine hair because it won't drag down any styling effort, rendering it futile. Good with frizz and also helps protect against UV light and free radicals.

From selected hair salons.

L'Oreal Shine Curl Curl-Defining Spray
$24.95 for 125ml

This spray does the obligatory shine very nicely but adds another dimension - it also goes to work on bringing out the best in curls by making them light as air. Obviously you need curls to start with unfortunately, or it would be perfect.

From selected hair salons.

Get the look

Choose the right shine creator for your hair type. While serums are brilliant at giving shine to a finished look, avoid going near fine hair with them. Instead, opt for a weightless spray.