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Glass hair is one of the most popular hair trends, known for its ultra-sleek finish and mirror-like shine. Although the look seems prestigious, it’s easier to achieve than you think! Read on as Laura Elliott, Head of Education at Neäl & Wølf shares what glass hair is, how to achieve it, and her recommended products.
What is glass hair?
Glass hair is an ultra-glossy hairstyle that reflects hair so well that it looks like the shine of glass. The look includes smooth strands, a mirror-like shine, and a polished finish with no frizz or flyaways. It is usually worn as a sharp, straight style, with blunt bobs or long lengths. This said, the defining feature isn’t the cut itself - it’s the high shine, reflective finish. Achieving the style is all about hydration and smoothness - when the cuticle is flat and healthy, it reflects more light, and therefore creates the glossy effect.
Is glass hair healthy?
Yes! Healthy hair is the foundation of glass hair. Smooth, shiny hair typically shows that the cuticle is lying flat and therefore well hydrated. To achieve very healthy glass hair, focus on maintaining moisture, minimising damage and using products that smooth the cuticle of the hair without weighing it down at all. Read on as we share our recommendations.
How long does glass hair last?
Glass hair can typically last until your next wash, but can also depend on your hair type, styling routine and the products that you use. On naturally smooth or straighter hair, glass hair can hold quite well, but thicker, textured hair might need refreshing more often. Using the right products can significantly extend the lifespan of glass hair by controlling frizz, maintaining smoothness and boosting shine. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase and avoiding humid conditions can also help preserve the sleek finish for even longer.
How do you get glass hair?
Creating glass hair is all about keeping locks looking and feeling healthy, with precision styling, and finishing with the right shine-enhancing products. Read on for our full guide of how to achieve glass hair.
1. Start with clean, hydrated hair
Begin by washing your hair with smoothing, hydrating products that help to control frizz and promote shine, like our HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. These products use nourishing ingredients that keep locks smooth, leaving them soft and healthy-looking. Ensure you dry hair with a microfibre towel to further tame strands.
2. Apply a frizz-free prep product
Before styling, mist MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist through damp locks. This lightweight spray helps reduce drying time, whilst also smoothing the hair cuticle and protecting it from heat styling - creating the perfect base for a sleek finish.
3. Blow-dry for smoothness
Blow-dry your hair using our HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer, directing the airflow downward to help seal the cuticle. This uses ionic technology to rescue frizz, speed up drying time and lock in moisture, leaving hair with a silky shine.
4. Straighten in sections
Once your hair is completely dry, use a heat protecting spray like our GUARD Heat Protection Spray, which shields hair from temperatures of up to 220°C and leaves hair glossy and soft. Use straighteners in small sections to ensure each strand is evenly smoothed for the glass-like reflection.
5. Add lightweight nourishment
Warm a small amount of VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil between your palms and lightly smooth it through mid-lengths and ends. This adds softness, controls flyaways and enhances shine without fully weighing the hair down.
Content Credit: @emilymaruccihair
6. Finish with mirror-like shine
Complete the look with a light mist of GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist. This finishing mist spray boosts luminosity and delivers the signature glass hair effect - glossy, polished and gorgeously reflective.
What are the best products for glass hair?
To achieve glass hair, you need products that smooth the cuticle, protect hair during styling and maximise shine without any heaviness. Below, we’ve listed our top three products to achieve glass hair.
GLOW Super Shine Spray
GLOW delivers the ultimate glass-like finish. The ultra-fine mist instantly enhances shine and gives hair a radiant, mirror-like finish that perfectly completes the glass hair look. Shop now: GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist
MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist
MIRACLE is the ideal preparation step. It helps to speed up blow-drying whilst smoothing the hair, reducing frizz and providing essential heat protection, to create the perfect foundation for any sleek layering. Browse here: MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist
VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil
This hair oil adds lightweight nourishment and silky softness to your locks. This allows you to tame flyaways and enhance hair’s natural shine, without making hair feel greasy. Browse the solution: VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil
By focusing on hydration, careful styling and shine-enhancing finishing products, it’s easy to achieve the mirror-like finish of glass hair. View our full specialised collection: Hair Shine Products
