How to get soft, silky hair

• Dryness or damage can result in coarse hair. If you want to know how to make hair soft, what you really want to know is how to keep your hair healthy.

• Rubbing your hair dry with a towel can cause frizziness, and that’s not going to help when your goal is silky strands. Try squeezing the water out, rather than rubbing.

• Avoid using a brush when your hair is wet; it can damage your hair. Use a comb instead, or just wait until your hair is dry.

• Different hair products get different results. If you always use the same shampoo or conditioner and you’re not satisfied with the results, try out a few different brands and see which ones work better for you. Some hair products are designed specifically with how to soften hair in mind, and they’ll usually say so on the packaging.

• If regular conditioning isn’t getting you the soft hair you’re dreaming of, try out a leave-in conditioner. Conditioning is particularly important for naturally coarse hair.

• Don’t over-wash your hair. If you’re washing every day, you’re stripping your hair of oils that could be adding softness and shine. That’s right: the answer to how to make your hair soft might actually be to do less work.

• Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture, and moisture is crucial for silky hair. Try a silk or satin pillowcase instead.

If your hair isn’t naturally straight, you may be tempted to grab some straighteners. Remember that heat can damage hair, though, and damaged hair won’t have the same shine. Prepare your hair with heat protection spray, try to avoid straightening too often, and make sure your straighteners are designed with heat protection in mind.

You can also use a heated straightening brush for quick results.

Finally, if you want shiny, soft hair, get regular trims. Split ends will resist all your methods for how to make hair soft, so it’s best to make sure the ends are trimmed away every few months.