Achieving the Perfect Glass Hair Look is Actually Really Easy — Here’s How to Do It

If you’ve been on Instagram at any point in the last year (and let’s face it, you know you have), chances are you’re already quite familiar with the “glass hair” trend. First coined by Refinery29 in 2018, glass hair refers to those smooth, impossibly sleek styles that appear so glossy and luminous that they actually mimic the appearance of glass (cool, right?). It’s a look that has dominated social media feeds and red carpets alike in recent months and one that doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon if the hashtag #glasshair is any indication. Still, for those of us who don’t have a glam squad at our beck and call, achieving that enviable glass hair look can be a bit of a challenge. That is, until now. 

At the risk of tooting our own horn, we recently launched our first fully customizable hair serum and as it turns out, it’s actually really helpful when it comes to mastering the sleek, glass hair look of your dreams. Skeptical? Below, we’ve outlined our go-to glass hair routine to show just how easy it is. All you need is your customizable hair serum, a blow-dryer, a flat iron, and a good brush. Read on to learn more!

In the shower

While some hairstyles actually work best with 2nd-day hair, the glass hair look is not one of them. For the shiniest, sleekest results, it’s best to start with clean strands that have been washed with a shine-enhancing formula like Function of Beauty’s customizable shampoos and conditioners. In addition to being super moisturizing and free of any harmful ingredients, our formulas also give you the option to add up to five hair goals, including everything from shine and anti-frizz to hydrate and fix split ends. For an added boost of glass-like shine, try one of our all-time favorite hair hacks: rinsing your hair with cold water. By finishing your shower routine with a cold rinse, you’re actually helping to seal your hair cuticle so that it lays more smoothly, which in turn will help it to better reflect light so that it appears more lustrous.

Post-shower prep

Now for the fun part: applying your hair serum! While your hair is still damp dispense the recommended amount of your formula into your hands and gently rub them together for a few seconds to help activate the serum. Once warmed up, gently apply the serum from the mid-shafts to the ends, being careful to avoid the scalp as this could cause your strands (especially those with naturally fine, oily hair) to appear flat and greasy. For added moisture, shine, and heat protection, you can also apply your customizable leave-in treatment as it will provide a protective seal around your strands that will not only help prevent heat damage but also help your hair cuticle to lay flat for an ultra-sleek finish. 

Perfect your blowout

When it comes to mastering glass hair, it’s essential that you get your blow-drying technique just right. The key is to make sure that you’re smoothing the hair cuticle down as you go so that it dries smooth and flat. To start, be sure to attach the flat nozzle to your hairdryer to help direct the flow of air. Using a large, flat brush, gather a small section of hair at a time and point the nozzle down onto the hair shaft. It may feel time-consuming, but by doing so you’ll be helping to keep the cuticle layer as flat and tight as possible so that you can spend less time on the next step. 

Straighten up

Should your hair still need a little help reaching its straight potential, don’t worry, that’s what your flat iron is for. Start by running your straightener over small sections of your hair (only where needed), being sure not to hold it over one spot as this can not only cause kinks in your hair but also unwanted heat damage. If your hair requires a little bit more effort to straighten, you may also want to consider brushing your hair as you straighten it by running a flat brush through your hair and immediately following it with your flat iron. 

The finishing touches

To help lock in your sleek new look, we suggest finishing your routine off with another round of hair serum by running a small amount through the mid-shafts and ends. Just remember, a little goes a long way here, so be wary of overdoing it. Should you just want to tame a few random flyaways, we recommend rubbing a small drop or two of serum through the palm of your hands and then, using two fingers, gently apply it to the strands using a pressing motion anywhere you want added frizz control. The result will be 100% glass hair perfection. See, now wasn’t that easy! 

Ready to make hair serum a part of your daily hair care routine? Head here to start customizing your hair’s perfect formula!

Your October (Hair)oscopes Are Here!

Do you follow your monthly horoscope? Do you enjoy talking about all things hair care-related? Yes? Then you’re going to love our monthly (hair)oscopes! At the beginning of each month, our resident hairstylist/astrologer Dylan Chavles will look to the cosmos to reveal what the month has in store for both you and your hair. See what lies ahead for your love life, career, potential new haircut, and more below!

Libra

Libra! Happy birthday to our favorite diplomat! Saturn is coming out of retrograde, so if you’ve been feeling anti-social or “stuck” around people, that was just the universe challenging your natural gift of the gab. Venus and Mars will be in your first house of self, so if you have any new and exciting ideas to present in the work environment, trust that your ideas will be welcomed with open arms. Make sure to grab a luxurious leave-in treatment, so you look extra special when you get that promotion.

Scorpio

Happy birthday to my October Scorpios! There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for all of those enduring serious pattern changes. Pat yourself on the back for making healthy changes, they’re not easy. Luckily, Mercury and Venus will course through your first house of self, giving you the encouragement you need to help complete your transformation. When you get a breath of fresh air, take yourself to your hairdresser and give them the green light to give you the fresh cut you’ve been thinking about it. I promise you’re ready!

Sagittarius

Sag!! Congrats to you because you won the Libra season lottery! October wants you to celebrate your dreams, and you’ll have the universe on your side to make them come true. Don’t let the storm of insecurities and jealousy, caused by Venus and Pluto colliding, get in your way of success this month. Luckily you have heightened intuition on your side. Use it to make these negative feelings null and void. While you’re at it, use your Libra season spidey senses to concoct the perfect shampoo to amplify your new clean slate.

Capricorn

My diligent Capricorn, stop being humble in October! It’s time for the world to see how powerful and magnetic you truly are. Venus and Mars will enter your first house of self, illuminating all of your best qualities and encouraging you to get out of the workspace. Show everyone what you’ve been grinding away at this entire year. Your ruling planet Saturn is coming out of retrograde, giving you the green light to present your creations and buy a luxurious hair mask as high quality as yourself.

Aquarius

Aquarius, it’s time to stop holding onto perfection and color outside of the lines. Venus resides in your house of higher learning and travel this month, making you extra open to new places and ideas. If you haven’t planned a trip yet, October would be a perfect month to take yourself on a three-day retreat. Libra season wants you to get away and get honest with all of your feelings, and come back feeling refreshed and invigorated. Don’t forget to bring a leave-in conditioner loaded with hair-healthy ingredients to accompany you on your journey!

Pisces

My sensitive Pisces, Libra season is going to be a roller coaster, but I promise it’ll be for the best. With Venus, the planet of love, colliding into Pluto, the planet of transformation, October wants you to “trim the fat” in your life. This transition is encouraging you to change something that doesn’t serve you anymore. Whether that means ending a friendship that’s been sucking the life out of you, or standing up for yourself in an unhealthy work environment, it’s time to pull yourself up and say no to something. Make sure you’re taking extra good care of yourself this month by surrounding yourself with love, good food, and a 30-minute scalp massage. 

Aries

Aries! I know you love productive conflict, and October is a great time to shake things up. If you’re in a relationship, this month is perfect for bringing up an aspect (or two) of your relationship that isn’t working for you. With Saturn going direct, you’ll have a clearer mind to work from in your relationship. You can’t hold whatever you’re holding in any longer! Financially, you have the opportunity to come into a healthy wad of cash this month. Don’t spend it all in one place, but if you do, make sure to re-up on a customized shampoo and conditioner, because feeling good is priceless.

Taurus

Taurus, I know you hate compromise, but Mars is asking you to give up some control in the workplace this month. You’ll need to go with the flow at work in October because Venus opposes Uranus, making your love life a whirlwind. If you don’t have any romantic interests, you’re more than likely to be taken aback by someone in the middle of the month. Embrace these new irregularities in your usual patterns, and I bet you’ll enjoy it. Maybe get crazy and try a new deep conditioning mask to enjoy in the bath.

Gemini

Gemini, my favorite pot-stirrer, Venus is swooping into your house of work and health to remind you to take care of yourself. This is a perfect month for a nourishing reset. If you don’t slow down, the new moon on October 27th will illuminate your need to, and you’ll be forced into it. I suggest cooking meals at home, keeping your house clean, and treating yourself to a scalp treatment at your favorite salon.

Cancer

My sweet Cancer, Libra season is asking you to fine-tune your comfort zone! October is an excellent month for you to make improvements in your living situation. This is fantastic news for you because there’s nothing you love more than homemaking. Along with literal tidying up, Pluto going direct is going to force you to look at your relationships with a clear set of eyes. Don’t ignore the changes you need to make in your personal relationships—Libra season is asking you to make life easier on yourself. While you’re going over your life with a fine-tooth comb this month, I suggest investing in a low-key hairstyle to make this journey easier for you.

Leo

You had a fantastic summer of socializing and being everyone’s favorite person, now it’s time to be your own favorite person! Libra season is asking you to go within and take some time to reassess what you really want out of your personal life and career. You have some challenging aspects this month as Mercury enters Scorpio and Pluto comes out of retrograde. These planets are pushing you to weed out bad habits and communicate your feelings constructively. Being an excellent communicator also means being a good listener, so listen to your hairdresser when they tell you it’s time to trim your split ends.

Virgo

Virgo, your financial diligence this summer has made October breezier than usual (financially, that is) congrats! This is a great time to ask for a raise or change in positions at the workplace, as you’ve been cultivating this energy for so long. Venus enters Scorpio early in the month, making your realm of earthly pleasures extra flirtatious. Treat yourself to a shampoo and conditioner that smells intoxicating and keeps your split ends in check.