The secrets of great looking hair

1. Use a shampoo that's specially formulated for your hair type, especially if it's coloured or chemically treated. Only apply shampoo to your scalp. As you rinse the lather off it will gently cleanse the rest of your hair without stripping it.
2. Don't misuse your hairdryer. Avoid the three cardinal sins of hairdrying: holding the dryer too close to your head, using it on too high a heat setting and holding it in one spot for too long. Let your hair dry naturally whenever you can and when you do blow-dry be sure to direct the heat down the hair shaft.
3. Remove build-up. Your hair won't shine if it's coated in product. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to strip your hair of gunk, but not of its natural oils.
4. The head massage that comes with your shampoo at the salon isn't done just for pleasure. It stimulates the scalp, which encourages hair growth and boosts shine. Include a mini massage in your shampooing regime at home.
5. Eat a hair-friendly diet. What you eat now can affect the way your hair looks in three months. Your hair is made up of protein, so choose protein-rich foods such as chicken, fish and cheese to boost the production of keratin, the protein in your hair. Make sure you eat foods that are rich in vitamin B, such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice and dark green veg. It's essential for healthy hair.
6. Have your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks - even if you're trying to grow it. Leaving your hair untrimmed will result in split ends, which will gradually work their way up the hair shaft leaving your hair looking ragged and unconditioned.
7. Don't ever use a brush on wet hair. This can cause the hair to stretch and break. Use a hair-friendly wide-tooth comb instead to detangle washed locks.
8. If you want to eliminate frizz but don't want to weigh your hair down with product run the palms of your hands over your hair. The oils in your skin will tame flyaway strands.
9. Use a conditioner. Get hair in peak condition by using an intensive moisturising conditioner once a week. Wash hair, apply the product then wrap your hair in cling film and a towel and leave for 30 minutes.
10. Once you've had your hair styled on the day avoid brushing it. This will remove any product such as shine spray or hairspray and will cause the style to "drop". If you need to freshen up your do, spritz lightly with water to reactivate the product and reshape with your fingers.

Start a discussion :: Print this article ::