Getting Glass Hair with Bio-Based Leave-In Conditioners
November 19, 2020
“In case you missed it: The glass hair trend is taking over the world. And by that, we mean red carpets and social media feeds everywhere,” writes Erin Jahns in Byrdie.
Glass hair is best achieved with a healthy head of hair, which makes leave-in conditioners formulated with sustainable, bio-based ingredients the perfect product to help create smoother, shinier strands.
Healthy hair shines
While glass hair can be achieved with the help of styling tools and haircare products, silky-smooth hair that reflects light like polished glass is best achieved with healthy hair.
“Glass hair starts with healthy hair. There’s only so much you can do with styling products if you don’t already have a great foundation to start with,” said celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan, who regularly works the style onto Kim Kardashian and Ashley Graham’s strands,” according to Vogue.
Healthy hair is defined by scientists and stylists alike as hair that is smooth, strong, and free from breakage, split ends, frizz, and flyaways.
However, hair can be easily damaged by:
- Heat styling
- Rough towels
- Rough pillowcases
- Combing
- Brushing
- Hair ties
- Tugging, twirling, or pulling
- Chemicals in hair dye
Despite the everyday stressors that can damage hair, there’s a simple solution to promoting hair health. Leave-in conditioning treatments that can moisturize, strengthen, and impart gloss to each and every strand.
The benefits of leave-in conditioners
Leave-in conditioners are formulations designed to be spritzed, sprayed, or rubbed into the hair after a shampoo or on dry hair. Unlike regular conditioner, which is washed out after a few minutes, leave-in conditioners fully absorb into the hair shaft and coat strands for a longer, more intensive treatment.
“Leave-in conditioners are absolute miracle workers for those who don’t have time to spend an extra 15 minutes in the shower waiting for a hair mask to penetrate. And although nothing will ever be as nourishing as one of those rich masks, there are some seriously moisturizing leave-ins that will have you thinking you just gave yourself a deep-conditioning treatment,” explains Allure.
In particular, leave-in conditioners formulated with bio-based ingredients are especially helpful for achieving the glass hair trend. These natural, plant-based formulations fulfill the consumer desire for eco-friendly haircare, and offer intense hydration to damaged locks, smooth out flyaways and frizz, and add mega-doses of shine.
"Glass hair starts with healthy hair. There’s only so much you can do with styling products if you don’t already have a great foundation to start with."
Justine Marjan, celebrity hairstylist
Natural, bio-based polymers
For efficacious leave-in conditioners that impart hefty doses of moisture and gloss to hair, bio-based polymers are key. Polymers help strengthening and conditioning proteins absorb into the hair, which helps to promote softness and smoothness, the two key components to glass hair.
In particular, bio-based polymers, with naturally nourishing ingredients like Tung and rapeseed oil, can intensify the conditioning properties of other ingredients. Packed with unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins, lightweight oils like Tung and rapeseed can more easily penetrate the hair shaft to thoroughly moisturize strands.
Additionally, for eco-minded consumers, bio-based polymers are a welcome option as compared to more synthetic leave-in conditioners.
Glassy and glossy
Spurred on by social media, glass hair is predicted to remain a perennially popular trend this year and beyond. For consumers seeking the shiniest, silkiest head of hair possible, leave-in conditioners formulated with bio-based polymers are the key to successfully moisturizing every hair strand and enriching gloss and shine.
