We know what you're thinking: blondes have more fun � or do they? It's debatable, since when their hair is fried (due to bleach damaging it -- causing split ends, breakage and flyaways), that fun-loving spirit may fade. That's why, if you can, avoid bleaching to achieve a blonde hue. Instead, try a subtler, at-home highlighting kit to enhance the blonde undertones you've already got. Then, keep them vibrant with products intended to maintain the health and shine of your hair, like Sunsilk Blonde Bombshell Color Boost, $7.
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Ease-up on the elastics
Hair bands -- although life savers when it comes to keeping hair out of eyes and keenly in place -- can do a doosy on strands. Simply put, wearing elastics too often tugs hair and causes breakage. Instead, use headbands, barrettes or bobby pins; accessories that sweep strands off your face without causing damage, Marcell explains.
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Lube up
Olive oil makes your veggies, pasta and poultry healthier, indeed, but it can also do great things for your scalp due to its moisturizing, hydrating characteristics. Reap the benefits easily by dabbing finger pads into the oil, then gently massage them into your scalp and strands. Sleep on it (you may want to put a towel over your pillow), then rinse, wash and condition in the a.m.
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Brush to boost circulation
Long hair is lovely -- especially when it's strong and lustrous. Help hair grow longer by boosting circulation and blood flow to your scalp. The simplest way: brush your scalp vigorously at night with a boar-bristle brush. The action increases blood flow to the scalp and, in turn, helps hair grow. In addition, Pantene celebrity stylist, Danilo, suggests using a shampoo that's formulated to strengthen and improve long hair, like Pantene Beautiful Lengths Shampoo, $4.
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Mask it
Hair that's dry -- whether from daily wear and tear, environmental factors (like wind and freezing temps), over-processing or simple styling -- demands a deep-penetrating conditioning treatment (aka: a hair mask) at least once a week, says Bowman. Whip one up yourself by following one of these hair repair recipes).
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
