There’s nothing quite like that glossy, high-shine finish your hair has right after a much-needed trip to the salon. But it often seems like the second you walk out of those doors, the world starts to conspire against that brilliance. Slowly but surely, those sleek, shiny strands turn into lackluster, dull hair. We know because we’ve been there (more times than we can count). The good news is that dullness doesn’t have to be a given—there’s so much you can do in between hair appointments to prevent lackluster locks and dull hair color.
From high-quality haircare products that curb dry, dull hair to styling techniques that promote super shiny tresses, we’re covering everything you need to know. At our side is hairstylist Lorena Landauro, who’s eager to take your dull hair from drab to fab.
What Does Dull Hair Mean?
Simply put, dull hair refers to strands that appear lackluster and are without their usual shine or vibrancy. Your tresses may appear matte or flat and typically lack dimension. If you’re already out there Googling, “What is dull hair?” there’s a good chance you might already be dealing with hair that’s lost its brilliance.
Good hair day by @colorbymarina.
How To Tell You Have Dry, Dull Hair
The most obvious sign of dull hair is a flat, non-glossy quality where your hair seems to absorb light versus reflect it. However, Landauro says there are other characteristics to watch out for as well. These can include hair that lacks movement, tangles easily, and feels rough or brittle. Dullness may also manifest as a dim or muddy-looking color. In this case, hair might still have a bit of shine, but the color isn’t quite as luminous as it once was. And it’s worth noting that any hair color, whether color-treated or virgin, can lose its luster.
Good hair day by @ines_lblc.
What Causes Dry, Dull Hair?
There are a handful of culprits behind dull hair, according to Landauro. A few of those are internal—like hormonal imbalances and diet—while many others are external. Sometimes, there can even be a few causes compounding each other. The most common factors that can contribute to dull hair include:
- Product buildup
- Not rinsing hair thoroughly enough after shampooing and conditioning
- Washing your hair with very hot water
- Excessive sun exposure
- Hard water in your shower
- Not using the right haircare products for your specific needs
- Heat styling too frequently, especially without a heat protectant
- Too much chemical processing
- Exposure to environmental aggressors like smog, pollution, chlorine, or saltwater
Good hair day by @hairbycristyg.
How Do You Fix Dull Hair?
You can manage dull hair in a number of different ways with the right habits, treatments, and shine-enhancing formulas. Ahead, we break down some of your best options.
Use salon-quality haircare products
“It’s important to incorporate professional products into your beauty routine,” Landauro says. “[High-quality] haircare is essential to keep hair beautiful, healthy-looking, and bright.” She advises starting with a good shampoo and conditioner system designed for your specific hair type and concerns. This step is key since the right in-shower products can help lay the foundation for how smooth and shiny your hair appears once it dries.
If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few suggestions from the L’Oréal portfolio of professional brands:
- For damage: Try Redken Extreme Shampoo and Extreme Conditioner. The protein-infused duo helps fortify weakened areas of hair and leaves locks shiny and conditioned.
- For dryness: Biolage Professional Hydra Source Shampoo and Conditioning Balm work to optimize hair’s moisture balance, increasing its softness and manageability.
- For frizz: Moisturize, detangle, and reduce frizz in both straight and textured hair using the Smooth Perfection Anti-Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner Duo from Pureology.
- For color preservation: You can keep salon color protected and vibrant for up to six weeks by adding Shu Uemura Art of Hair Color Lustre Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner to your wash day lineup.
Some people may need to wash their hair as often as once a day to banish dullness, while others may fare better with a less frequent wash schedule. There isn’t a hard-and-fast rule here, so pay attention to how your hair looks and feels before deciding to lather up. For more personalized advice, browse our article, How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, Based on Your Hair Type.
Clarify your hair
Sometimes, your mane may require a more thorough cleansing to help eliminate hair-dulling buildup. A clarifying shampoo, like Shu Uemura Art of Hair Gentle Radiance Deep Cleanser, can help. This formula deeply purifies your hair and scalp to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup for softer, shinier hair. Just be sure not to overuse clarifying shampoo, or you can risk stripping moisture and color from your hair. Generally, once a week is enough to reap the benefits, but double-check what your shampoo’s packaging label instructs.
Indulge in restorative hair treatments
“In addition to shampoo and conditioner for daily use, you should also incorporate hair treatments one to two times a month to help strengthen your hair,” Landauro says.
Again, it’s best to use professional, high-quality products that address your specific concerns. For instance, if you want to prevent your color from shifting, you can apply a rinse-off mask like L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Metal Detox Mask. The hydrating formula helps protect against heavy metal-induced color fading and hair damage. If your hair is seriously parched, on the other hand, reach for the Redken All Soft Moisture Restore Leave-In Treatment. This acidic, pH-balanced leave-in treatment locks in moisture, seals hair’s cuticle, and visually sleekens split ends to give hair a healthier look and feel.
Good hair day by @by__kimberly.
Try products that help brighten hair’s tone
Those with lightened hair are especially prone to dullness. That’s because hair is more likely to develop brassy tones, which can gradually give hair a yellow or orange glow that makes it appear matte or “dirty.” Fortunately, introducing pigmented toning products into your routine can help neutralize brass and restore luminosity to lightened strands.
For the best results, pick formulas designed to address your hair’s specific shade of brass: Blue cancels out orange undertones in lightened brown hair, while purple counteracts yellow tinges in blonde to gray hair. For the former, try the Matrix Brass Off collection, which contains cobalt-colored pigments to neutralize brassy orange tones. As for the latter, you can’t go wrong with the purple-infused Matrix So Silver line to cool down blonde and silver hair and restore their brightness.
Use a shine-boosting hair oil
“To enhance the shine of your hair, the best product to use is an oil before drying your hair,” Landauro says. Depending on its formula, a hair oil can provide a multitude of other benefits, including smoothing, frizz protection, moisturization, and more.
One of our favorite oils is the iconic and award-winning Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil. The luxurious formula, which is infused with wild camellia, helps tame frizz, strengthen hair, and protect against temperatures up to 450°F. Plus, the oil now comes in a refillable glass bottle so that you can continue stocking up while being kinder to the planet.
Good hair day by @alexhazen.
Always use a heat protectant
Heat damage is a major contributor to dull hair. We know it may not be realistic to retire your blow dryer, curling wand, or flat iron for good, but there are ways to help lessen their damage.
Step one is to cut down on how often and how long you use these tools. For example, try letting your hair air dry to about 50% before picking up the blow dryer to speed things along.
Second, dial down the heat on your preferred styler—it doesn’t have to be at the hottest temperature setting in order for it to work. The key is to set your tool just high enough to effectively style your hair without repeatedly going over the same section.
Finally, always your prep hair with a good heat protectant. These types of formulas form a protective barrier over your strands and help evenly distribute heat to minimize damage on any one spot.
There are lots of heat protectants to choose from, and many formulas even offer extra benefits (think protecting hair from UV rays, promoting strength, or reducing blow-dry time) to streamline your routine. One versatile option we’re partial to is the Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In Hair Treatment Spray, which boasts a whopping 21 benefits to prime, prep, and perfect your hair. Or, if you’re looking to cut down on styling time, Biolage Professional’s Hydra Source Blow Dry Shaping Lotion has you covered. In addition to giving you a speedy blowout, it’ll leave hair soft, shiny, and with long-lasting shape memory.
Try a glossy hair system…
While many of these tips can help nix dullness in a pinch, building a complete regimen of glossy haircare products can sometimes be even more effective.
Consider overhauling your routine with Redken’s Acidic Color Gloss range. This pro-quality collection is ideal for color-treated hair that lacks shine and vibrancy. The shampoo, conditioner, hair gloss, and heat protectant all have an acidic pH to help seal the hair’s cuticle and deliver molecular-level shine. Read more about the line and how to use it in our complete Redken Acidic Color Gloss Haircare Review.
...or get glossed by a pro
When all else fails, heading to the salon for a hair gloss is an easy (and relaxing) way to wave goodbye to dull hair. In case you’re unfamiliar with hair glossing, it’s a demi-permanent hair dye service that enhances your hue and helps condition, soften, and add shine to your locks.
Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss is one of the most popular glossing formulas among pros. These ammonia-free formulas can help refresh your mane in just 20 minutes while making your hair look and feel better than when you entered the salon. But don’t just take our word for it—see the stunning results firsthand in our article, 7 Hair Gloss Transformations for More Vibrant Hair Color.
Next Up: How to Get Soft Hair With Our Best Haircare Products
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Header photo credits (left to right): @Kérastase, @hairbycristyg, @shuuemura_artoffair
