Getting thick, glossy hair isn't just about the products you apply, a hair-friendly diet is fundamental for healthy, gleaming locks, while hair dryers and straighteners can also boost shine dramatically.
'Glossy hair is surprisingly achievable,' says trichologist Philip Kingsley. 'Incorporating hair-healthy foods into your diet can make a real impact. Plus, the cleaner and more controlled hair is, the shinier it will be. It's really that simple.'
Choose the right products
Look for brands with nourishing, moisturising or hydrating ingredients such as olive, argan and omega-3 oils and shea butter. Then choose the right one for your hair type.
For a quick shine-fix before you go out, silicone-based shine sprays coat your hair and flatten the cuticles for added gloss. But be wary of using them too often.
'Coating your hair in them repeatedly will attract and dust and dirt, leaving hair looking dull and cancelling out their shine-boosting benefits,' warns Philip Kingsley.
TRY: Kerastase Elixir Intensive Shine Ritual, £15. Add this 10-minute dual-action conditioning treatment to your in-salon blow-dry to boost shine and leave your hair looking super-conditioned.
Add hair-friendly foods to your diet
'A healthy lifestyle is always reflected in your hair,' says top stylist Kerry Warn. 'All the products in the world won't make much difference if your hair is lacking the nutrients they get from a balanced diet.'
Philip Kingsley agrees. 'The crux is to have the underlying nutritional goodies. For your hair, that's mostly protein, so try to eat a portion of fish, eggs, meat or low-fat cottage cheese with most meals.'
TRY: Start taking a daily supplement that provides you with the vitamins and minerals that might be missing from your diet. Common deficiencies include calcium, iron, vitamins D, B12 and B6. These are all included, along with collagen-building amino-acids, in Vitabiotics Wellwoman Trilogis, £35.70 for 60 capsules (take two a day).
Use the right tools
Tool up with the right equipment to replicate that hair salon-perfect sheen at home. Hair naturally shines when the cuticles lie flat, so use brushes made with natural boar bristles (known for their shine-boosting benefits) and ceramic barrels, which retain heat - meaning the time you spend drying is reduced. Less drying means a lower risk of causing damage to your hair.
Trade in your old hairdryer and straighteners for the latest appliances which use ionic technology - they emit negative ions to break up the positively charged water molecules on your hair.
They cause less damage as they dry your hair more quickly and allow the hair to retain moisture, leaving it more hydrated and super-shiny.
TRY: BaByliss Elegance 2100 dryer, £28, ticks all the boxes. It uses both ionic and ceramic technology plus has a 'cool shot' for mirror-shine results.
Point the nozzle of your hairdryer downwards to flatten the hair shaft. 'Get into the habit of holding it at least five inches away from your hair. It's an easy way to avoid damaging your hair,' says stylist Richard Ward.
Change your routine
A few simple switches can make all the difference. 'When shampooing, use the pads of your fingers, not your fingertips or nails, to stimulate the scalp and encourage healthy hair growth,' says stylist Richard Ward.
Think of it as a mini head massaeg rather than a rub, and take your time. 'You should spend at least 30 seconds shampooing and every so often, run your fingers through from front to back to prevent tangling too,' adds Philip Kingsley.
Don't skimp on rinsing either. 'Hair will only shone if it is rinsed really well,' says Richard Ward. 'Rinse for two minutes and finish with a cool rinse to stimulate the circulation in your scalp.
Aim to pat your hair dry rather than rubbing, to help smooth down the hair shaft and encourage shine.
TRY: 'Use a deep-conditioning hair mask two to three times one week for an intense nourishing treat and then just once a week to maintain hair shine,' says trichologist Philip Kingsley. Richard Ward Couture Hair Silk Protein Masque £23 contains moisturising ingredients to fight frizz, so is perfect for normal to coarse hair.
