Hair care

Best Kept Secrets for Healthy Hair

Learn how to keep your hair shiny, soft and bouncy by stealing these expert tricks

by Molly Roemer

2 of 13

Turn down the heat Although you may be tempted to blow dry, curl, straighten, perm or color your hair (or, do all of the above), consider the ramifications of overdoing it. The more you process your locks (be it to tweak the color, texture or look of your hair), the worse off you are in terms of overall hair health -- including shine and softness. Scale back on what you do: for example, use heat styling tools every other day (rather than daily), and color treat every three months (rather than every six to eight weeks). Your hair will look so much shinier and have less split ends as a result, says actress and model Natalie Dickinson (you may have seen her on episodes of "Prison Break").

SEE NEXT PAGE: Switch it up

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

products mentioned

Kerastase Bain Miroir

9.1

Kérastase Réflection Masque Chroma Riche

8.9

Aussie Sydney Smooth Heat Protector Plus Leave-In...

8.4

Sunsilk Blonde Bombshell Color Boost

9.4

Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Breakage...

8.1

Vavoom Gold Heat Iron In Volume Protective Dry Mist

9.0

leave a comment

Older comments

Hmmm...How about less products because you wash less? I wash my hair twice a week and use dry shampoo on the off days on my roots. My hair has gone from dry and brittle to gorgeous. Shiny. And it's CHEAP. Dry shampoo and quality regular shampoo are all I use. I wash and dry my hair every 3-4 days. And no, it doesn't smell bad. (I bathe everyday...not doing that COULD be smelly!!) :-)

by caitycatherine Monday, February 4, 2013 at 07:23AM Report as inappropriate

great

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 09:27PM Report as inappropriate

My hair is over processed and I love the conditioning benefits of Olive Oil and honey. I am hesitant to trim every 6-8 weeks, because I am not one of those whose hair grows fast.

by flirtygirl214 Friday, September 14, 2012 at 03:36PM Report as inappropriate

Trim Trim....have to do that for my hair since its so damaged.

by andyv1217 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 10:20PM Report as inappropriate

I have become obsessed in the last couple years about hair health after completely ruining my hair with heat, bleach, and not taking care of it. I follow most of these rules but I also uncorporate the vitamin biotin and hair repair pill viviscal into my routine and it has really helped. I recommend these to anyone who has really damaged hair.

by glenncoco Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 06:39PM Report as inappropriate

Healthy hair is attainable with great products and tools

by TBjunkie Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 12:04AM Report as inappropriate

I have always brushed my hair at least 100 times before i went to bed but, I didn't know it mattered what type of brush you used. Guess I will have to buy a Boar Bristled Brush! Also, the Pantene for Beautiful Lengths! Thanks!!!

by brendalea Monday, April 2, 2012 at 05:08PM Report as inappropriate

The olive oil treament sounds good but, do you put it in dry,damp, or wet hair?

by brendalea Monday, April 2, 2012 at 05:03PM Report as inappropriate

I have waist long hair so I usually have it up a lot. Never thought to put a leave-in conditioner in it to protect it from the elastic! GREAT TIP!!

by brendalea Monday, April 2, 2012 at 04:58PM Report as inappropriate

why is blonde hair so hard to get super shiney? I even bought this stuff called Happy Shine and it didnt really work! ARRRGH! LOL

by brendalea Monday, April 2, 2012 at 04:40PM Report as inappropriate