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The Glass Hair Trend: How to Get Mirror-Shine Hair Using Hair Oil

Model holding strengthening hair oil

By Brooke Sager

KEY TAKEAWAYS

If you’re a fan of the glass skin craze, it’s time to have the shine of your life with glass hair: a new beauty trend that spotlights ultra-glossy hair with no frizz in sight and so much shine that light bounces off it like a mirror. It’s sleek, it’s sophisticated, it’s stunning—so it’s no surprise that the look is all over your FYP.


Your secret weapon for achieving this trend at home is a lightweight hair oil, like our Gloss Mode Treatment Oil: a glossy hair styling oil formulated to instantly boost shine, strengthen* hair and protect from heat damage for soft, smooth, silky-as-e.l.f. strands.


Ready to hop on the glass hair bandwagon? Here’s everything you need to know about the trend, expert tips for boosting shine and hair health, plus how to use our new shine-boosting treatment oil for soft, smooth, silky-feeling hair that turns heads.


*Vs. control

The Science of Hair Shine—Backed by Results

Strengthening hair oil is more than just a styling product—it’s a treatment oil that actually helps improve the look and health of your hair and plays a major role in helping you achieve that glass-like, polished finish.


It boosts shine

Gloss Mode Treatment Oil instantly boosts shine for a glossy-as-e.l.f. finish.


It strengthens hair

Split ends are characterized by the splitting of a hair strand and a raised hair cuticle can minimize light-reflecting benefits.

clinically proven results from e.l.f.’s hair oil

Gloss Mode Treatment Oil actually strengthens* hair and seals split ends** (we’re talking an 80% reduction in split ends** and 88% less breakage* to your strands in a single application!). The result is soft, smooth and shiny-looking strands.


It helps prevent breakage

Gloss Mode Treatment Oil offers heat protection up to 450 degrees F. Protecting your strands from thermal damage when you blow-dry or flat-iron helps you maintain smooth, healthy hair—and healthy hair has more shine!


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**Temporarily, after a single application on dry hair

The Shine Gloss Oil: Your Secret Weapon

The most important step in achieving glass hair: Using a lightweight hair oil.


Our powerhouse formula strengthens* hair and seals split ends**, helps protect it from heat styling and instantly boosts shine for soft, silky-feeling strands and a high-gloss finish. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly with a non-greasy feel so your strands will look and feel smooth and silky as e.l.f. without feeling weighed down.


For max shine, turn the hair oil bottle upside down and gently tap to release a controlled drop. Start with 2-3 drops—you can always add more depending on your hair texture and density.

  • On damp hair: Work styling oil through mid-lengths and ends for added shine and heat protection before styling.
  • On dry hair: Work styling oil through mid-lengths and ends as a finishing oil to add shine and seal split-ends* after styling. *Temporarily on dry hair

The details and benefits of gloss mode treatment oil

Pro tip: Avoid applying hair oil directly to your roots or scalp, which can make hair appear greasy.

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**Temporarily, after a single application on dry hair

How to Get Glass Hair for Different Hair Types

Straight, wavy, curly and coily hair types can all achieve the glass hair look with our holy grail hair oil.


For best results, you’ll want to adjust how many drops of Gloss Mode Treatment Oil you use based on your hair type and texture to get gorgeous glass-like shine without heading into “greasy” territory.


How to use hair oil for types 1 and 2 hair:

Apply 2-3 drops to:

  • Damp hair: for strengthening, heat protection and frizz reduction*
  • Dry hair: to smooth flyaways and add shine

e.l.f.’s hair oil works for all hair types

How to use hair oil for type 3 hair:

  • Start by applying 2-3 drops from mid-length to ends, then add more as needed
  • Apply from mid-lengths to ends on dry or damp hair
  • Gently scrunch and style as desired


How to use hair oil for type 4 hair:

  • Defined styles: Finish to soften curl cast
  • Locs & braids: Press in to help strengthen and reduce breakage*

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How to Blow Dry Your Hair for Glass Hair Shine

A smooth, shiny, glass-like blowout is all in the technique and the right products.


To start, section hair and generously spray Humidity Hero Anti-Frizz Spray from roots to ends until your hair is fully saturated, then comb through to evenly distribute.


Next, grab a round brush or paddle brush, then blow dry your hair on hot with tension in small sections—this will activate the frizz control and humidity protection. Make sure you are pointing the blow dryer nozzle downward to help seal the hair cuticle and minimize frizz.

model with curly hair running her hand through her hair

Optional: run each section over with a flat iron for an especially sleek finish.

How to Achieve Glass Hair Without Heat (Air-Dry Method)

Wondering how to get glass hair without heat? A lightweight hair oil is your most important step for achieving glossy shine when air-drying your hair.


For an air-dried glass look, apply 2-3 drops of Gloss Mode Treatment Oil to damp hair, making sure to apply it before your hair dries to help it smooth and control frizz and enhance shine.

model with wet hair applying hair oil

Tips for Longer-Lasting Hair Shine

Another reason to love a lightweight hair oil: it can be used as a daily style refresh for long-lasting shine.


If you’re skipping wash day but want to extend your glass hair look, just add 2-3 drops of Gloss Mode Treatment Oil from mid-lengths to ends for added shine.


The layered vanilla and peony scent will also give you a refresh without re-washing!

model with coily hair before and after applying hair oil

Common Glass Hair Mistakes to Avoid

Want to nail that smooth, glass hair effect at home? Avoid these common styling mistakes:

  • Skipping heat protectant. Heat styling your hair without thermal protection can lead to breakage, dullness and frizz.
  • Overusing styling products. Too much of a good thing—like going heavy on the hair oil—can make your hair appear greasy and feel weighed down. Opt for a lightweight hair oil (like Gloss Mode Treatment Oil) and start by applying 2-3 drops from mid-lengths to ends.

e.l.f. Hair gloss mode treatment oil
  • Rough-styling your hair. Haphazardly blow-drying your hair is a recipe for frizz. For glass hair and a smooth finish, blow dry your hair in sections and point the nozzle attachment downward using a round brush.


The glass hair of your e.l.f.ing dreams starts with e.l.f hair.


Shop the full collection and get ready for soft, smooth and impossibly shiny strands.

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