In this article, we will cover easy steps to help revitalise dull hair and help you bring your shine back, including:
- What is dull hair?
- Treatments for dull hair to restore shine
- The best routine for dull hair
- Dull hair FAQs
Meet the Expert
Meet the Expert
Meet Kérastase Care Coach, Becky. With over 13 years of experience in the salon, Becky is a
L’Oréal Colour Specialist and senior hair consultant who knows all about restoring shine in lifeless hair.
On treating dull hair, Becky says: “My number-one recommendation would be to have a Fusio-Dose salon treatment and a good haircut.
For clients with dull hair, I like to use a combination of the Nutritive Contentré with the Brilliance Booster, which acts like a pick-me-up for hair.”
What is Dull Hair?
Are you asking, “why is my hair dull”? There are several potential causes of lifeless hair. Dull hair can be caused by product build-up and general oil build-up from your scalp, or it can be a result of infrequent washing or overwashing.
Hard water minerals can also cause hair to lose its lustre and shine. Ageing hair, too, can become dull from a lack of nutrients and long-term exposure to sun, heat styling, chemicals or pollution.
Potential causes of dull, lifeless hair include:
- Oil build-up – Can cause hair to appear limp and lifeless.
- Over-washing – Can strip natural oils from the hair shaft, leaving it lacking shine.
- Hard water – Minerals in hard water can strip the hair and leave deposits that give hair a flat appearance.
- Heat damage – Overuse of heat styling tools, particularly without heat protectant, can cause dull hair as the high temperatures damage the hair’s cuticle.
- Sun damage – UV damage to the hair can lead to dryness and colour fade.
- Environmental pollutants – Can leave residue on hair that makes it appear dull.
- Weather and climate – Cold, dry air can strip the hair of moisture, while humidity can exacerbate frizz, making hair appear less shiny.
- Incorrect products – Heavy products can weigh down the hair, while harsh products could disrupt the balance, leading to dull hair.
- Ageing – As we age, hair loses pigment and becomes drier, coarser, and may begin to lack shine.
On common causes of dull hair she sees in her clients, stylist Becky says: “Not using heat protection when styling hair, and using heat tools that are too hot. You need to make sure your tools are set to the right temperature for your hair type, so you're not burning your hair and leaving it looking dull.
“Not cleaning out your hair brushes can also make hair look dull – it's something people forget to do regularly. You should be washing your hairbrush weekly with soap, not just pulling hair out.”
Treatments for Dull Hair to Restore Shine
Think about the hair in the same way you would your skin. If your complexion was looking dull, you would likely lean on exfoliators, hydration and oils to smooth, nourish and restore that healthy glow. Well, your hair requires that same level of TLC. When you’re tackling dullness, you want to think about improving elasticity, increasing shine and strength through restoration.
Shampoo and conditioner for dull hair
When looking for the best shampoo for dull, lifeless hair and its conditioner counterpart, you want to look for products that are going to nourish and hydrate your locks. The Kérastase Nutritive range, for example, features a shampoo and conditioner designed to deliver essential nutrients to revitalise dull hair.
Hair oil for dull hair
Hair oil can help bring life to dull hair by smoothing the hair cuticle, intensely moisturising, and enhancing shine. If you’re in need of a quick fix, hair oil is your friend. Our iconic Kérastase Elixir Ultime is a bestseller for a reason. The new and improved formula is a versatile leave-in hair oil that has incredible anti-frizz properties, leaving hair protected, shiny and soft. And what’s more, it works on all hair types. The new formula is made with Wild Camellia and French Camellia, that in combination provides nourishment, illumination, and softness. Incredibly lightweight, it melts into the hair for instant hydration and nourishment. You can expect up to 2x shinier hair for 48H*’, up to 70% instant softness**, and up to 4 days anti-frizz***. Got more time? You can use the oil as a pre-cleanse treatment. Work through the lengths and ends for a few minutes before shampooing your hair, this works to detangle the hair resulting in no snags and less breakage (and, as we know, dull hair gets tangled!).
*Instrumental test vs unwashed hair
**Instrumental test on sensitised hair
***Instrumental test
Becky recommends hair oil to her clients with dull hair: "If someone has hair that's dull, frizzy or dry, I recommend applying oil when hair is both wet and dry. Use it as your heat protection before blow-drying your hair, and then use it as a finishing product afterwards. “When your hair is dry, I suggest applying half a pump to a pump every morning to give your hair a refresh, so it doesn't become dull when it's not freshly washed. For those with fine hair, I'd recommend just using it on wet hair, as this dilutes the product so it doesn't weigh hair down."
Hair glaze for dull hair
A popular and effective treatment for dull hair is to use a hair gloss or a hair glaze to bring life and vibrancy back into your hair. A hair glaze can quickly restore shine in lifeless hair by coating and sealing the hair cuticles, leaving it looking hydrated, glossy, and full of body. The Gloss Absolu hydra-glazing range combines hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and wild rose in oil to enhance the shine of dull hair and create a lightweight and long-lasting radiance. For a high-gloss finish on lifeless or frizzy hair, the Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops provide an ultimate glaze for vibrant and shiny hair, without weighing it down. Our expert Becky explains how hair glazes, like Gloss Absolu, can help dry hair: "Hair glaze works by sealing the cuticle, making hair look shinier. Having a hair gloss routine at home helps that salon shine last longer."
Hair mask for dull hair
Using a hair mask as a treatment for dull hair helps deliver deep hydration to your locks whilst repairing and nourishing textures that make hair appear lifeless or flat. A weekly hair mask can help you target the specific causes of your dull hair, from damaged cuticles to dehydrated hair and product build-up.
In-salon treatments for dull hair
Finally, you can check out professional in-salon treatments for dull, lifeless hair to bring back your shine. Salon services such as Fusio-Dose, Kérastase’s professional treatment, are designed to target the unique causes of your dull hair.
An expert stylist will be able to review your hair and choose a personalised treatment based on your needs to deliver glossy, high-shine results.
The best routine for dull hair
Is your dull hair in desperate need? Let’s take a look at 3 easy things you can and the dull hair products you need to restore your hair to its shiny, bouncy best.
HYDRATE YOUR DRY HAIR
Step 1:
HYDRATE
Nutritive Bain Satin by Kérastase is a gentle hydrating shampoo for dry hair.
The gentle formula of this protein enriched shampoo deeply cleanses dry hair and restores hairs softness.
This moisturising shampoo revitalises shine and strengthens hair.
Up to 45% softer hair* and up to 90% more shine**.
*Instrumental test vs sensitised hair
**Instrumental test vs pre-washed hair
Step 2:
NOURISH
Lait Vital by Kérastase is an intensely nourishing ultra-light detangling conditioner for fine to medium-dry hair.
The conditioning formula contains lipids & vitamins to help nourish, detangle and smooth dry hair.
Up to +116% more shine* and up to 99% stronger hair**.
*Instrumental test, vs pre-washed hair
**Combing test, vs classical shampoo on sensitised hair
Step 3:
ADD SHINE
As we mentioned, hair oil is the quickest fix needed by dull hair, and Elixir Ultime is famous for that.
But hair oils work over time to nourish, detangle and improve shine, which is why investing in a hair routine rich in precious oils is a smart choice when fighting dullness.
Oils coat the fiber of the hair imparting shine and infusing the dull hair with antioxidant protection and hydration and our oil-rich haircare won’t weigh down your hair fibers.
Any hair type can use a hair oil, it’s just a matter of knowing which on to choose to best suit your hair’s needs.
ILLUMINATE YOUR BLONDE
Step 1:
MOISTURISE
Blond Absolu Bain Lumière by Kérastase is a shampoo for all types of blonde wanting healthier, shinier hair.
It’s specially formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and Edelweiss Flowers Extract, to deliver the ultimate hydrating illuminating shampoo.
Hair is 8x shinier*and 11x stronger*.
*Instrumental test after the application of Bain Lumière
Step 2:
FORTIFY
Blond Absolu Cicaflash Conditioner with Hyaluronic Acid by Kérastase is an intense fortifying conditioner that softens hair and prevents breakage for all different types of blonde hair.
This nourishing Hyaluronic Acid conditioner is our ultimate hybrid: it combines the intense nourishing performance of a mask with the lightweight finish of a conditioner. It deeply nourishes the hair strands.
Hair is up to 71% softer* and +98% stronger*.
*Instrumental test after application of Conditioner
**Instrumental test using Bain Lumiere + Huile on bleached hair
Step 3:
ADD SHINE
Dull hair? A few drops of a nourishing oil can work wonders.Elixir Ultime is famous for that.
But hair oils work over time to nourish, detangle and improve shine, which is why investing in a hair routine rich in precious oils is a smart choice when fighting dullness.
Oils coat the fiber of the hair imparting shine and infusing the dull hair with antioxidant protection and hydration and our oil-rich haircare won’t weigh down your hair fibers.
Any hair type can use a hair oil, it’s just a matter of knowing which on to choose to best suit your hair’s needs.
RESTORE SHINE AND TAME FRIZZ
Step 1:
ILLUMINATE
Tackle dull, lifeless hair from the very first wash wit Gloss Absolu Bain Hydra-Glaze Shampoo . Specially formulated to leave you with bounce and glossy hair, the foaming gel formula cleanses your scalp thoroughly whilst smoothing hair cuticles to create an ultra-smooth surface.
With a combination of hylauronic acid and glycolic acid, the Gloss Absolu shampoo is designed to leave your hair lightweight and bouncy, with an incredible shine.
*Instrumental test, when using full Premiére routine.
Step 2:
ENHANCE
Conditioner is essential in counteracting limp or dull hair, and the best conditioners will enhance gloss and shine without heavy residues or weighing your hair down.
The Gloss Absolu Insta Glaze Conditioner is a gloss-enhancing conditioner for long hair prone to frizz. The cream texture nourishes and plumps the hair layers, while delivering shine, improving elasticity, and helping
Step 3:
ADD SHINE
For a lightweight and radiant shine, Glaze Drops by Kérastase leave hair with exceptional smoothness and shine to tame frizz and enhance softness.
Say goodbye to dull and lifeless hair with the Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Hair Oil. With a formula containing Wild Rose in Oil, just a few drops will leave your hair shiny, smooth, and ultra-glossy.
Dull hair FAQs
How can you tell if you have dull hair?
Dull hair is typically characterised by flat, lacklustre strands that lack shine. It may have a rough texture, be prone to frizzing, and even be tricky to detangle.
What causes dull, lifeless hair?
Dull hair causes range from internal factors such as hormones, to external factors such as heat damage, hard water, or dryness. From product build-up coating the hair shaft, to excess use of styling tools damaging the hair cuticle, dull, lifeless hair can be caused by a variety of factors.
What is the best shampoo for dull, lifeless hair?
The best shampoo for dull, lifeless hair will vary depending on the cause of dull hair. Best practice is to look for formulas with nourishing ingredients that leave hair lightweight and bouncy, such as hylauronic acid and wild rose in oil in Gloss Absolu Bain Hydra Glaze Shampoo.
Does heat make hair dull?
Yes, heat damage can be a contributing factor in dull or limp hair. Excessively using hot tools without a heat protectant, or even washing hair in boiling hot water can dry out the hair strands and damage the hair cuticle, making it rougher and dulling the shine.
