Mixing a silicone-based shine serum with deep conditioner the night before a big event will leave strands shiny and healthy -- just like that, says Townsend (celebrity hairstylist who treats the tresses of A-list leading ladies like Natalie Portman and January Jones). Simply mix the duo together and apply; leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse out thoroughly. Voila -- shine!
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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").
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Switch it up
It's not just a myth: your hair can become immune (so to speak) to a shampoo and conditioner. With prolonged use, you may not see the desired results you once did. What to do? Keep a second stash of products in your shower, and twice a week, swap your standard for your secondary. Think about your end-result goal (hint: super shiny, extra soft, killer curls), then choose your shampoo and conditioner duo accordingly, says Doug DiCiano from NYC�s Blow Dry Bar. For model-esque shine, try Kerastase Bain Miroir Shine-Revealing Shampoo, $34 and Kerastase Chroma Reflect Masque, $58.
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Cold water cure all
You likely know that scalding hot water is a no-no in the shower; it robs skin of vital moisturizing agents, making chaffing and chapping more likely. Guess what? The same methodology applies to your hair as the skin on your head (scalp) is a key player in maintaining the health of your locks. So, when you're washing up, stick to warm or room temperature water when possible, and rinse out conditioner with cooler water to lock in the hydrating, conditioning benefits advises Dallas-based stylist Marc Marcell.
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Trim, snip, cut -- just do it
Every six to eight weeks, get a haircut. It needn't be drastic, but it must be consistent. A bi-monthly, slight trim keeps ends from splitting and tearing up the shaft, which in turn, helps hair remain healthy and strong. As a reminder-to-self, schedule your next appointment at the end of your current appointment, every time.
Aside from the obvious, superficial allure of shiny, healthy hair, there is a deeper, more anthropological explanation of why it appeals to men. Interestingly enough, one accurate indicator of health is hair. Healthy women have lustrous, shiny healthy hair, whereas the hair of sickly people loses its luster. So there you have it -- men prefer to procreate with healthy women (with shiny, sexy hair to boot).
But after wreaking havoc on our hair from habitual blowouts, bleaching and beyond -- is our hair shiny? Um, not so much. How do models and celebrities manage to rock such beautiful hair though? We went straight to the source: pro hairstylists, like Doug DiCiano, Marc Marcell, Danilo, Hallie Bowman and Mark Townsend as well as models from coast to coast. The result: 12 fabulous, fresh, and easy-to-follow laws for getting and maintaining soft, shiny, strong, healthy hair. Bye-bye, breakage; see ya, flyaway strands; so long, dull and lackluster hair.
You'll find out:
What shine enhancing hair cocktail you can mix up the night before a big event
How to tone down your heat styling habits
Why you should switch up your shampoo and conditioner
The water temperature you should use to wash and condition your hair
How often to trim your hair to keep it healthy
Which hair care products serve as a barrier between your hair and an elastic
How to keep blonde hair healthy
Why you should lay off the hair elastics
How to use oil olive to moisturize strands
Why Marsha Brady was on to something with all her hair brushing
What hair mask yields the most shine
The water temperature you should use to wash and condition your hair
What hair care products to use along with heat styling
