I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that.

I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that.

      I desire hair that's so shiny it appears constantly wet—strands that mimic a shimmering waterfall and tresses that catch light with every movement. Simply put: I want "liquid" hair. This longing for glossy, healthy locks, especially since I'm working with color-treated lengths, is particularly relevant this summer as rich, shiny hair colors continue to trend for 2026. Celebrity colorist Rita Hazan mentioned earlier that "reflective, super-shiny, glass hair will be the norm in salons and at home" this year. After a summer of saltwater and sunshine, my hair isn't living up to the shine I seek, but I have a few weeks to revive it before autumn arrives. To ensure I step into September with my dream hair, I reached out to celebrity hairstylist Xavier Velasquez for a personalized checklist. Here are the top three tips I'm committing to… starting now. If you also want to start fall with your most luxurious hair ever, I recommend you join me in this challenge.

      1. **Incorporate Weekly Repair Treatments**

      The secret to achieving "liquid" hair is that healthy, thriving strands reflect light better. You can spray as many shine products as you like, but the effect won’t be lasting without repair. "The ultimate 'liquid' finish occurs at the cuticle level," agrees Velasquez. Shine sprays can be effective—they provide a beautiful, luminous overlay, similar to how lip gloss adds temporary sparkle—but this effect is fleeting. For long-term silkiness, consider integrating a bond-repairing or deep-conditioning treatment into your routine at least once a week. "Choose formulas that smooth and seal the cuticle for a healthier, more reflective surface," Velasquez advises. It’s even better to opt for treatments that enhance shine while also repairing internally. For those with color-treated hair, make sure to find color-safe products that avoid clarifying ingredients and alcohol, which can strip color.

      **My Top Favorite Formulas**

      - **REVLON Colorsilk After Color Mask**

      2. **End With a Cold Water Rinse**

      Although it seems straightforward, rinsing with cold water can work wonders for adding instant silkiness. Don’t worry—you don’t need to take a freezing shower. Just turn the water to cold after rinsing out your conditioner before stepping out. "I always recommend a cold water rinse at the end of a wash to seal the cuticle, locking in smoothness and enhancing shine," says Velasquez. A quick cold-water rinse also provides skin benefits and has a soothing effect on the body, making it a super simple beauty hack. Personally, I like to detangle during this step with either a wide-tooth comb or my trusty Tangle Teezer. Using a showerhead filter is also helpful to prevent mineral build-up that can dull hair.

      **My In-Shower Staples**

      - **Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler**

      - **HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter**

      3. **Trim the Ends**

      "The first thing I’d suggest is a trim," emphasizes Velasquez. You might underestimate its impact on shine, but trust the expert: Damaged ends can make your hair look lackluster. "Split ends won’t heal themselves," he adds. "If ignored, they’ll travel up the hair shaft, making your hair appear dull, frizzy, and lifeless." Contrary to common belief, regular haircuts can promote length; split ends can travel up and cause breakage, which stunts growth. Ultimately, no amount of restorative masks can fix ends that need trimming. Snipping them off allows those moisturizing, shine-enhancing products to work effectively. "It’s one of the best ways to revive dull hair for the fall season," assures Velasquez. By September, you’ll have the shiniest, silkiest strands around.

      **Shop More Shine-Inducing Hair Products**

      - **COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray**

      I can’t do blowouts without my beloved Dream Coat, which adds shine and combats humidity and frizz—such a game-changer.

      - **REVLON Colorsilk After Color Serum**

      After a trim, this repairing hair serum is essential for split ends, reducing frays by up to 99% and immediately eliminating visible damage while keeping the color vibrant.

      - **Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth Blowdry Spray**

      "Glassy Smooth" is the perfect description. This blow-dry prep mist by celebrity stylist Chris McMillan gives my hair a reflective, mirror-like shine.

      - **Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) High-Shine Gloss Hair Treatment**

      I’ve tried numerous at-home glosses, and this one from Living Proof is still my favorite.

      - **Virtue Shea Butter Heat Protect Curl Leave-In Butter**

      Just a small amount of this deeply hydrating curl butter transforms my 2

I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that. I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that.

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I desire shiny, smooth hair by September— a hairstylist advised me to do this, this, and that.

An individual checklist.