Simple Ways To Achieve Soft, Shiny Hair That Looks Good At Any Age

Struggling to get a handle on your hair at home? Well, you’re in luck. It’s time to cast those frustrations to one side. Yes, we’ve gathered 40 ingenious tips and hacks that’ll change your locks for the better going forward. So grab a pen and take note, folks. Your hair-care routines will never be the same again!

1. Flyaway toothbrush

Flyaways can be a nightmare to deal with when you’re styling your hair in front of the mirror. Why won’t they stay down?! Instead of losing your cool, though, here’s an idea to consider. Grab a toothbrush from your bathroom cabinet, before adding a little bit of conditioner to the bristles. Then, rub it over the flyaways — that should keep them in check.

2. Bobby pin hack

Unfortunately for some, it’s next to impossible to wear bobby pins. That’s because they won’t stay still if your hair’s glossy. But this clever trick could change all that. Just squirt some hairspray onto each pin ahead of putting them on. The layer of spray will act as an adhesive of sorts, meaning they won’t move around or fall off.

3. Ponytail trick

Want to add some volume to your ponytail? Well, this tip will be right up your alley. To start with, tie up your locks as per normal. Once that’s done, split the ponytail in two, with the top half draped over your crown. From there, place a hair clip in the center. That simple move will raise the lower half and give it a “fuller look.” It’ll be an instant improvement.

4. “Plopping”

The following hack’s perfect for those of you with curly hair. After taking a shower, don’t reach for a towel to dry your head. Instead, grab a shirt from your closet and place it on the bed. Then, throw your hair forward and bundle it inside. Leave it like that for roughly half-an-hour, ahead of using your hair dryer. All the hair-care products you’ve put on should’ve soaked in by then. The process is called “plopping,” by the way.

5. Concealing grays

Hair dye seems to be the obvious solution if you want to hide graying hair, right? There’s just one problem, though — the cost! Whether you’re doing it yourself or asking your hairdresser, it isn’t cheap. So, why not give this a crack? All you’ve got to do is take a dark-colored touch-up pen or some eyeshadow and dab the roots. It’ll make an immediate difference.

6. Dilute your shampoo

Did you know that shampoo can actually dry your hair out? We’re serious! These products soak up your “natural oils” as soon as you use them. But don’t fret, folks. There’s a way around this. Before taking a shower, empty a bit of shampoo into a cup. Then, fill it halfway with water. That should weaken the shampoo enough that it doesn’t do any damage.

7. Avoid blow dryers

When you’ve just washed your hair, do you immediately reach for the blow dryer? Well, it might be time to stop that. You see, these devices can harm your wet locks thanks to the immense heat they generate, regardless of how old you are. So as an alternative, stick some leave-in conditioner on and allow your hair to dry naturally.

8. Cold rinses

Nothing beats a warm shower after a long day at work. It’s so soothing! Yet the heat doesn’t do your hair any favors at all. Your natural oils can get striped away, drying out the hair in the process. But here’s an idea. Once you’re ready to wash the shampoo and conditioner off, opt for cooler water instead. That’ll give your locks a better chance of soaking up their goodness.

9. Tie up your hair outdoors

If you wear your hair down when you go outside, this might come as something of a shock. Yep, by doing that, you could actually be causing your mane a lot of harm. That’s because both the sun and the air are capable of drying it out. So to protect your hair, style it into a ponytail or bun before leaving the house. Better safe than sorry, right?

10. Sleep on a silk pillowcase

We don’t know about you, but we love sleeping on silk pillowcases. They’re very comfortable! Plus, thanks to the softness of the material, they can do wonders for your hair as well. You see, unlike their cotton counterparts, the silk won’t leave it in a frizzy mess come the morning. What’s not to like here? Maybe give them a try when you next change your bed.

11. Hair-care diet

It’s sometimes easy to forget that diets play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy head of hair. Yes, by adding vegetables and fruit to your meals, your locks will develop a beautiful glow. Oh, and make sure to drink plenty across the day, too. Hydration’s key for keeping hair in good condition. Products at the store aren’t the only things that can give it a boost!

12. Gentle brush

Regardless of your age, your choice of hairbrush at home’s absolutely vital. Why’s that? Well, certain combs are capable of doing more harm than good when you run them through your mane. To avoid that problem, then, here’s a suggestion: invest in a “boar bristle brush.” Apparently, these items are nowhere near as harsh as many other brushes on the market.

13. Dry shampoo

Don’t fancy washing your hair today? No problem — just grab some shampoo from the bathroom cabinet. By adding it to the roots, your head will look a lot less greasy than before. Plus, the product can add a bit of lift as well. Don’t put it on every day, though, and remember that you should rinse it off after 24 hours or so.

14. Wear a hat in the summer

Summer’s a great time to have fun with your family and friends outside. From the bright days to the warmer temperatures, the conditions couldn’t be better. Yet it’s probably your hair’s least favorite season. The heat from the sun’s rays can really hurt it. So, be sure to pick out a hat in your wardrobe and put it on prior to leaving. Trust us, it’ll help!

15. Olive oil conditioner

If you’re running low on hair conditioner, don’t rush out to buy more at the store. Instead, give this money-saving hack a try. Pour some standard olive oil into a dish and heat it up a touch. Then, gently rub it into your head. Let it sit for just under an hour, ahead of rinsing. Apparently, the kitchen product shields hair just as effectively as conditioner. Wow!

16. Hair chalk

Alongside the financial costs, hair dye can have a negative effect on your hair’s health, too. It’s far from ideal! But guess what? There’s an alternative method you can use. Yes, hair chalk could be the answer. It’s both easy to apply and to rinse off, and you’ve got plenty of funky shades to choose from. The results can be awesome.

17. Moisturize the ends

Due to their age, your hair ends will be prone to dryness. Yet that doesn’t mean you can’t help them out from time to time. For instance, this hack could make a noticeable difference. Prior to falling asleep, pump a hair oil product into your hands. Then, massage it into the tips. It’ll act like a moisturizer and soften things up.

18. Quick curl

Have you ever tried curling your hair at home? It can take forever! But this trick has the potential to change all that — and it’s fairly easy, too. To start with, put your locks in a high ponytail, so it hangs over your face. From there, grab your curler and focus on a separate area at a time. It won’t be long until you’re left with some lovely curls.

19. Purple shampoo

Is your blonde hair looking a little yellowy or dark at the moment? No worries. You can combat this issue by picking up a bottle of purple shampoo at the store. These specialist items are capable of neutralizing unwanted tones and making your hair lighter again. You won’t believe your eyes when looking at the results in the bathroom mirror.

20. Heat-styling tip

To say that heat-styling products can be problematic is a bit of an understatement. If you rely on them too much, you’ll be left with split ends all over the place. Mind you, that doesn’t mean you should throw the tools in the trash. Instead, just use them once every week. Maybe twice at a stretch — but no more than that.

21. Deep conditioning

Sometimes, it can feel like nothing gives your hair the boost it needs. It’s frustrating, to say the least. But don’t give up hope. As it turns out, there’s an item on the shelves that people of all ages can call upon. We’re referring to deep conditioner. By adding this to your scalp, you’ll notice the positive effects very quickly.

22. Detangle in the shower

How’s this for an interesting suggestion, folks? After putting conditioner in your hair while taking a shower, grab a brush and start combing through it. Your wet locks will be much softer than usual, allowing you to remove any niggling tangles with ease. Why didn’t we ever think of that before? It makes a lot of sense, wouldn’t you agree?

23. Baking soda hack

This next tip could blow your mind, so we hope you’re sitting down. Ready? Okay then. Apparently, baking soda makes for an excellent hair-care product. No joke! It can actually serve the same purpose as hair conditioner if you apply it to your scalp. And the results are said to be spectacular. So you may want to think twice before picking up a bottle of conditioner at the shops.

24. Avoid the towel wrap

Towel wraps might look cool, but there are better ways to dry your hair at home. You see, some of these materials can be quite harsh on your hair, hurting it as a result. So, as an alternative, call upon a “microfiber” towel or a soft shirt from your closet. Then, carefully dab your mane until it’s a bit dryer. Nice and easy, right?

25. A gentle massage

Would you say that you aggressively shampoo your hair while washing it? If so, now’s the time to stop. Why? Simple: by vigorously scrubbing your head, you could create some painful tangles along the way, which isn’t great news. Good luck brushing through them without wincing! On that note, carefully massage the product in. Your locks will be most grateful.

26. Makeshift curlers

Who says you need curlers to curl your hair? Surprisingly, there’s a whole host of stuff around your house that can do the same job. Yep, things such as plastic straws, pens, and even forks are meant to be excellent substitutes. Just firmly tie the hair around them for the best results. How cool is that? You might get some weird looks at home, of course, but it’ll be worth it!

27. Don’t go outside with wet hair

If you want to wash your hair before going out for the day, try to do so a couple of hours earlier. Give it as much time to dry as possible. You see, damp hair can get quite messy when you leave the house. Dirt and dust particles will cling to it in an instant. So in a matter of moments, it’ll probably need another dip under the shower.

28. Avoid rubber bands

When putting your hair in a ponytail, you might choose to hold it in place with a rubber band. Honestly, though? That isn’t a good idea. Due to how tough these items are, the hair can stick to the surface and get damaged once they’re taken out. Instead, go for “soft hair elastics.” These are much better suited to the job.

29. Dryer sheet trick

Don’t you just hate it when static electricity starts to affect your hair? It’s a real problem during the winter months. You can end up looking like a mad scientist! Try not to worry, though. This trick could be a huge help. Yes, by sticking a dryer sheet through your brush, the hair will quickly settle down and return to normal.

30. Creating a bun

Hair buns are very tricky to pull off. We don’t blame anyone for avoiding them! But this hack might be a game-changer. After tying up a ponytail, grab an unwanted sock from your drawer. Then cut the lower half off and scrunch what’s left into a doughnut shape. Stick that through the ponytail, before wrapping your locks around the sock until it’s covered. And that’s it. Say hello to your bun!

31. Castor oil hack

If you’re suffering from hair loss at the moment, here’s a tip to consider. Get hold of a castor oil bottle at the supermarket, ahead of rubbing a helping into your mane. Once you’ve covered everything, let it sit for around 30 minutes. Then, using shampoo, rinse it under the shower. The product’s said to moisturize hair and stop it falling out. Sweet!

32. Don’t wash your hair every day

Here’s a piece of advice that everyone can follow. Quite simply, you really shouldn’t be washing your hair each day. You’ve got to give it a break between rinses. If you don’t, you run the risk of drying it out completely. Natural oils will struggle to return and that could ultimately lead to issues such as hair loss. Oof.

33. Shower caps

Nothing will make your hair go frizzier than the steam and condensation inside a shower cubicle. It’s pretty irritating, especially if you aren’t planning on washing it at that time. Anyway, this simple tip will put a stop to that problem. All you’ve got to do is slip on a shower cap before jumping in. It really is that easy!

34. Regular trims

This trick could prove to be very interesting for those of you with long hair, so listen up. To avoid developing split ends and dryness on your tips, give them a snip every now and again. Gaps of between three to four months are said to be ideal. It’ll have a major impact on your hair’s health, so don’t be afraid to try it out.

35. Apple cider vinegar hair mask

Looking to try something different when treating your hair? Well, how about this. Pour out a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and then stir it with three egg whites and some olive oil. Once it’s mixed, put it on your head for around half-an-hour. At that stage, rinse it off. This blend can fight off dandruff, scalp acne, infections, head lice and more. Impressive, right?

36. Eyeshadow hair dye

Hair dye? Pah! Here’s another alternative to those pricey products on supermarket shelves. And you might already have some in your makeup bag. Yes, eyeshadow’s perfect for coloring your locks on a temporary basis. Just rub it along the areas that you want to “dye.” You can have a lot of fun with this, so don’t hold back.

37. Coconut oil

Struggling to get rid of a troublesome bout of dandruff? Well, this hack’s sure to be music to your ears then. Prior to going to sleep, rub a helping of virgin coconut oil into your head. After it’s set, hit the hay and get some shut-eye. Then, once you’ve woken up, rinse it off. Your hair should already be feeling a lot better.

38. Short hair test

It isn’t always easy to visualize what your hair would look like if it was shorter. But what if we told you that there’s a trick to make this happen? And it’s extremely clever. Using the hair at the back, start to braid an area from the point you’re thinking of trimming. After that, tuck it away and look in the mirror. There’s no drama or risk here — if you aren’t a fan, don’t get it cut!

39. Natural bleach

If you want to make your hair a lot brighter than usual, then you might be looking to bleach it. But don’t rush in here. The process is known to hurt hair — big time. Instead, give this method a crack. Take some lemon juice and apply it to your mane. Its acidic contents will affect the pigments, turning it lighter as a result. And it’s a much safer approach!

40. Yogurt hack

Unorthodox — that’s probably the best word to describe this crazy hack. To protect your hair, wash it under the shower and lather it with yogurt. Nope, that isn’t a typo. Let it sit for around 20 minutes or so, ahead of adding shampoo to the mix. Then, rinse it off. Apparently, your scalp could well benefit from the dairy product’s anti-inflammatory properties. That’s nuts!