How to Make Hair Softer

Last Updated: January 27, 2022 References

Having soft, healthy hair is something almost everyone desires, but it can be difficult to know how to achieve it. Healthy hair that has a nice shine and softness comes from daily maintenance and care for your hair. If your hair is dry or damaged it's not likely going to feel soft, but you can restore life and shine back to your hair by taking care of it and giving it the moisturizing and conditioning it needs. Then, over time your hair should feel smooth and soft.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Softening Hair through Daily Maintenance

1
Use shampoo and conditioner meant for your hair type. Many hair care products can strip your hair of the natural oils it needs, and sometimes you aren't using the right products for your hair type. Figure out what your hair type is and try to choose products that will improve the quality of your hair. If you can, go for all-natural or organic products as these will be less damaging to your hair.
- Your hair type may be fine, oily, dry, thick, coarse, etc. There are shampoos for every type of hair, so explore different products and find what works best for you. There are also shampoos and conditioners that increase the natural shine and smoothness of your hair, so you may try out one of those to help you achieve softer, smoother hair.
- Try to avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfate as this can suck moisture out of your hair. Search for hair products that have hydrolyzed proteins, which make strands stronger and healthier over time.^{[1]
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2
Rinse hair with cold water. Hot water can strip protective oils from your hair that act as a natural conditioner, leaving your hair cold and dry. When you are in the shower, wash with lukewarm water, and then finish off by rinsing your hair with cold water.^{[2]
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- Just as stylists will blast your hair with a blow dryer on a cool setting to create shine, a cold water rinse will also create shine. Cold water does the best job of sealing the natural moisturizers in your hair, which will make your hair feel softer.^{[3]
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3
Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb. After you have showered, take a wide-tooth comb and gently comb through your hair.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Start from the ends and work your way up to your head, trying not to tug or snag any of your hair. Never brush your hair as this can really damage it, especially if it is already dry. If your hair is especially tangled after a shower, apply a detangler to your hair before you comb it out.^{[5]
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- To make the combing job easier post-shower, consider running a brush or comb through your hair before you get into the shower. Then, when you apply shampoo and conditioner, your hair will be less prone to tangling.
4
Refrain from washing your hair every day.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Some people feel that they have to wash their hair every day to keep it clean. However, washing your hair too much can be bad for your hair because it strips your hair of the natural oils it needs and doesn't leave much time for the oils to be restored. Try washing your hair every other day or every 3 days to allow the natural oils and shine to return.^{[7]
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- If you are worried about your hair looking greasy or oily, you can always use dry shampoo on your roots. Simply apply the spray and rub it in gently with your fingertips. Baby powder is a great product for this as well. Wearing your hair up on the second day is always a good idea too, because it may be harder to style down.
- If you have always washed your hair daily, it may take your hair some time to get used to the exposed oils. You may experience very oily hair at first, but after a few weeks, your hair will naturally produce less oil between washes. When you wash it daily, it's trying to make up for the oil lost so it produces it faster. Once your hair is used to going a few days without a wash, the oil production will slow down and become manageable.
5
Avoid heat styling tools.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Blow drying and using styling tools like wands, straighteners, and curling irons can wear away hair's cuticles, resulting in dry or frizzy hair that breaks easier. If you really want softer hair, try to let hair dry naturally and try to avoid overexposure to heat.^{[9]
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- If you must use heat styling tools, make sure you spray heat protectant on your hair first. Then, when blow-drying your hair use a cooler setting and don't keep the blow dryer in the same place for more than a second or two so that it won't scorch your strands.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Maintaining Health and Shine

1
Use a deep cleansing conditioner. Once a week, apply a deep cleansing conditioner to your hair. This conditioning treatment will help restore life and moisture back to your hair but don't overdo it. If your hair starts to feel weighed down, or you are noticing build-up, deep condition your hair less. Apply this conditioner mainly to the roots, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it out with lukewarm water.^{[10]
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- You can also use a leave-in conditioner once a week to restore moisture back to your hair and bring health to the ends of your hair. Squirt a pump or 2 into your hands and then scrunch it into the ends of wet, freshly washed hair. Then, style your hair as usual. You can use leave-in conditioner as a styling product, or solely as moisturizer.^{[11]
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2
Get a trim regularly. Hair naturally begins to split around 3 months, and once you have reached that mark your hair will feel drier, get easily tangled, and will not grow as quickly. Aim for getting a trim or haircut every 3 to 4 months to keep your hair healthy. Keeping the ends of your hair trimmed will help your hair feel softer and it will be easier to style and manage.^{[12]
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3
Use proper sun prevention. When you spend time in the sun, you might protect your skin with sunscreen, but you also need to protect your hair. Your hair can be damaged by overexposure to the sun, so when you head outside for a long period of time, make sure it is protected. Wear a hat or apply a light hairspray with SPF protection to keep your hair from being damaged by the sun.^{[13]
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- After you have been outside for a while, apply a hair mask to restore moisture and life back to your hair. Even if you protect your hair from the sun, it couldn't hurt to do some conditioning to keep it from drying out. This is especially helpful if you have spent time in a pool.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making Hair Masks

1
Use coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural product that can restore moisture and life back to your hair, leaving it soft and shiny. Warm up 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Then, apply evenly through your hair and leave on for about an hour. Rinse it out with lukewarm water once you have allowed it to sit.^{[14]
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- Coconut oil can stain clothing and linens, so be careful when using it! Make sure to have an old towel around your shoulders or put your hair up in a shower cap as you let the coconut oil sit.
- Your hair can be wet or dry when you apply this mask, but it may be easier to apply over wet hair.
- For an even deeper treatment, put on a shower cap and aim a blow dryer at your hair for about 5 minutes. The heat will help the oil to penetrate deeper into your hair.
2
Apply a honey, olive oil, and egg mixture. Egg yolks can provide silkiness and softness to your hair as well as restoring strength to your roots. Olive oil is a natural moisturizer that can add shine and repair damage in your hair and honey has similar effects. Mix 1 egg yolk and 3 tablespoons of olive oil and honey and apply it to damp hair by massaging it into your scalp and through your strands. Then, rinse out with very cool water after 20 minutes.^{[15]
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- In place of an egg you can also use yogurt or buttermilk. There are many ingredients that are good for your hair, so it doesn't matter so much which ones you mix together.^{[16]
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- In place of honey and olive oil you can add an avocado.^{[17]
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  Christine George
  Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
  Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} This ingredient works much like the other ingredients by bringing shine and moisture to your hair.^{[18]
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3
Make a banana honey mask. Combine 1 ripe banana, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon almond or olive oil, and 2 to 3 drops of lavender oil. Blend these ingredients until smooth and then saturate your hair with the mask, massaging it into your scalp for extra hydration. Wrap your hair with a warm towel and allow the mask to sit on your hair for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it out.^{[19]
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- The protein in bananas improves the elasticity of your hair, while the honey can provide hydration to your scalp.
- Wrapping your hair in a warm towel provides extra heat to your hair, which will help create more penetration.
4
Create an aloe vera mask. Mix 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, juice from 1/2 a lemon, and 3 to 5 drops of argan oil. When you are in the shower, after you have washed your hair with shampoo, apply this mask evenly through your hair. Allow it to sit on your hair for 3 to 5 minutes and then rinse it out.^{[20]
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- This mixture is great for your hair because it replenishes moisture and shine to your hair, and is especially helpful if you have just spent a lot of time outside. You can also apply it to your skin if you are looking to moisturize especially dry, sun-exposed skin.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I hydrate my hair daily?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Try using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to help moisturize your hair.
Question

How can I make my hair silky overnight?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

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You can try applying an avocado hair mask to help keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
Question

How can I soften my hair at home?

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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Use conditioner every time you wash your hair and avoid heat styling. Treating your hair gently will help to soften it.