How to Have Smooth and Silky Hair

Co-authored by Ashleigh Grounds and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: December 7, 2022 References Approved

Deep Conditioning

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Styling

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Hair Care

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

It’s easy to get silky, smooth hair if you use the right techniques! Wash it less frequently and opt for gentle products that will help you achieve super smooth tresses. Avoid using heat-styling tools too often, as they can damage and dry out your hair. Try out a deep-conditioning treatment for instantly smooth and silky locks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deep Conditioning

1
Do a coconut oil treatment to replenish moisture. Once a week, try this treatment to get soft, smooth, shiny hair. Take 1 tablespoon (15 mL) or so of melted (but not hot!) coconut oil and work it into your hair from the roots to the tips, making sure every strand is covered. Comb through your hair then cover it with a shower cap or a piece of plastic wrap and let the oil sit in your hair for an hour or even overnight.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ashleigh Grounds
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
- Shampoo your hair once or twice to rinse out all of the oil. When your hair dries, you’ll be impressed with the results.
- Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you may have to warm it up before applying.
- Use unrefined coconut oil, rather than refined coconut oil, since it is better suited to cosmetic use.
2
Condition your with olive oil for an easy option. Comb 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil through your hair, then cover your hair with a shower cap or piece of plastic wrap. Let it soak into your hair for 1 hour, then remove the cap and shampoo your hair thoroughly to rinse out the oil. Dry your hair as usual.^{[2]
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3
Make an egg white hair mask for a natural remedy. This makes a great stand-in for conditioner, and will instantly create a softer, shinier look. Separate 2 eggs and whisk the whites in a bowl. In the shower, wet your hair and apply the egg whites, making sure to comb it through from the roots to the tips. Let it sit while you do everything else you need to do in the shower, then shampoo your hair with cold water to rinse it out.^{[3]
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- If desired, add 2-3 drops of lemon oil to the egg whites for a clean, refreshing scent.
- Don’t use hot water to rinse the egg whites out of your hair, or they may cook!
4
Try a honey banana hair mask for bright, shiny locks. Honey brightens, smooths, and softens hair, and banana adds some moisture. Mash up a banana with 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of honey. In the shower, wet your hair and comb the honey banana mask through from the roots to the tips. Let it sit in your hair while you take your shower, then shampoo your hair to rinse it out.^{[4]
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5
Get a professional deep conditioning treatment for best results. Many salons offer professional conditioning treatments. The treatments are composed of special oils and other ingredients that penetrate the hair and leave it silky for days to come. This is a great option if you have a special event coming up, like a wedding, graduation, or party.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Styling

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Apply a serum to tame frizz. Serum is an effective way to keep frizz at bay if your hair tends to be dry and coarse. Smooth some in after taking a shower, or apply it while your hair is dry if it frizzes up during the day.^{[5]
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2
Use argan oil for added shine. This oil is made from a tree that grows in Morocco. It has been found to have restorative properties that help hair stay smooth, strong and healthy. It’s so lightweight that you can apply it to your hair as a leave-in conditioner. Just smooth a little into your hair, focusing on the ends, while your hair is still damp after shampooing.^{[6]
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- There’s no need to apply as much oil to the roots area, since this part of your hair will naturally get oily faster than the rest of your hair.
3
Apply a heat-protectant product before using heat-styling tools. If you plan to blow dry, straighten, or curl your tresses, you should always use a heat-protectant product. This keeps the heat from burning your hair and making it damaged and dull. Simply spritz it on your locks and let it dry before using your heated tools.^{[7]
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4
Blow out your hair to smooth it down. Applying heat to your hair can create a soft, silky effect. Use a round brush to brush out small sections of hair, starting at the roots and slowly brushing down to the tips. Angle the hair dryer at the section of hair as you brush it out. Repeat several times until the section is dry, then move on to the next one.^{[8]
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- Round brushes will help smooth and straighten fine and medium hair. For coarse hair, a slightly curved brush will help you get the look you want while still matching the natural contours of your head.
- Using a heat protectant product will help ensure your hair looks smooth and silky.
- Don’t blow your hair out every single day, since it will eventually get dry and brittle. Save it for special occasions.
5
Use a flat iron to straighten your hair. A flat iron smoothes the cuticles on the hair shaft, making them lie flat. Once your hair is dry, comb through it to ensure there are no tangles. Then, heat up a straightening iron and straighten your hair in 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) sections. Avoid going over a single section more than once, as this can damage your hair.^{[9]
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- Doing this too often is damaging to hair, so save it for when you want the smoothest hair possible.
- You may also want to consider getting your hair professionally straightened. Look into permanent treatments offered by salons in your area.
6
Curl your hair with a curling iron or wand. If you prefer bouncy curls instead of stick-straight tresses, use a curling iron or wand. Wrap ¹⁄₂ to 3 in (1.3 to 7.6 cm) sections of dry hair around the iron or wand away from your face. After 10-30 seconds, release the hair and move onto the next section. Continue until all your hair is curled.^{[10]
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- Opt for a small barrel, such as ¹⁄₂–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) for tight curls and a larger barrel, like 2 inches (5.1 cm) for bigger curls.
- If your hair is naturally curly, you can define the curls and smooth your hair by curling your hair following its natural pattern.
- For a heat-free method of enhancing your curls, try using a curl-enhancing cream or gel. Apply a generous amount of your product to your hair. Then, wrap small sections of hair around your finger in the direction of your natural curls.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Hair Care

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Wash your hair a few times a week instead of every day. In order for your hair to stay soft and smooth, it needs the natural conditioning of sebum, the oil that your scalp produces to keep your hair strong. If you wash your hair every day, you rinse away this nourishing oil, leaving your strands feeling dry and coarse instead of smooth and silky.^{[11]
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- Find the washing routine that’s right for you. Some people do it 2 or 3 times a week, while others wash every other day if their hair is especially oily.
- If your hair looks or feels greasy in between washed, apply dry shampoo to the roots. Massage it in to your scalp, then gently brush your hair to distribute the product.
2
Use cold water when you wash and rinse your hair. It might be hard to wash your hair in ice-cold water, but if you want silky, smooth hair, make it as chilly as you can take. Cold water helps the hair shaft lie flat, so when it dries it has a smooth, shiny appearance. Hot water has the opposite effect, creating frizz and drying out your hair.^{[12]
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If you can’t stand the thought of taking a cold shower, take a shower using warm water and wash your hair separately.
3
Use sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are found in many cleansers, including dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, and more. Sulfates are effective and washing away oil and grease, but using this ingredient on your hair can be too harsh, causing frizz and damage to your hair. Look for sulfate-free shampoo that will cleanse your hair without stripping away its protective oils.^{[13]
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4
Opt for a moisturizing conditioner. Conditioner helps hair stay smooth and silky by moisturizing it and keeping it tangle-free. Look for a conditioner that will keep your hair smooth without weighing it down. Silicone-free conditioner is best, since silicones build up in your hair and cause it to look dull after a while. Opt for a product that has glycerin in it, instead.^{[14]
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Leave-in conditioners are great for hair that tends to be dry or coarse. Since you don’t rinse them out, they add an extra layer of protection against dry air and humidity that can cause your hair to frizz up.
5
Detangle wet hair with a wide-toothed comb. Gently combing your hair instead of brushing it while it’s wet will prevent it from getting broken and damaged. Hair is fragile when it’s wet, and using a wide-toothed comb allows you to detangle it without causing problems. Start near the tips and work your way up to the roots for best results.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Ashleigh Grounds
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
6
Use a boar-bristle brush when your hair is dry. This type of brush is made using natural bristles that are similar to the texture of human hair. It’s used to pull sebum from the scalp down to the tips of the hair, so that the entire length of hair gets its nourishing benefits. Brushing your hair using a boar bristle brush is as effective as a deep conditioning treatment in helping your hair feel soft and silky.^{[16]
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- Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet, since this can cause it to break.
- Only use a boar-bristle brush, or another one designed specifically to distribute your natural oils. Plastic-bristle brushes don’t work the same way, and they can damage your hair.
7
Trim your tresses every 6-12 weeks. Trimming off the dry, coarse ends of your hair will keep it looking lighter, smoother, and softer. Aim to get regular trims to remove split or damaged ends. You don’t need to hack a ton of hair off each time, simply trimming 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so should do the trick.^{[17]
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8
Sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a silk scarf at night. Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and dull. Swap out your pillowcase for silk one, or wrap your tresses in a silk scarf before going to bed. Your hair will be smooth and silky in the morning.^{[18]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I make my hair straight and smooth?

Ashleigh Grounds
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Ashleigh Grounds is a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in Austin, Texas. Ashleigh has over 11 years of cosmetology experience. She studied cosmetology in Dallas, Texas and completed a two-year hair salon apprenticeship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Toni & Guy Hair Salon. She is accredited by the International Board of Cosmetology, is a certified Babe Hair Extension Professional, and is a certified Brazilian Blow Out Professional. Ashleigh was voted the best Hair Stylist in Austin for 2012 by RAW Artists and was voted in the top 20 salons for 2020 in Austin by Expertise. Ashleigh's work has been featured in Talentmagazines, BlogTalkRadio, KXAN, and Studio 512.

Ashleigh Grounds

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If your hair is very tangled, saturate it with a deep conditioner and let it sit for several minutes. Then, detangle your hair with your wide-tooth comb as you rinse out the conditioner.
Question

Do eggs make your hair shiny?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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Yes, eggs have both protein and healthy fats. They strengthen hair and add shine.
Question

What products are good for coarse hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

For coarse hair, you want products that are enriched with hydrating oils. Look for coconut, macadamia, and argan oil.