YOUR GUIDE TO A SHINY LUSTROUS MANE

  • 26 Oct - 01 Nov, 2019
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Beauty

After a long, unending summer of salt water, humidity, heat and other stuff that’s *great* for your locks (just kidding) we put together this list of tricks to get your hair in tip-top shape – just in time for the dry winter ahead.

Are you shampooing the ‘right’ way?

Your shampoo bottle may say “lather, rinse, repeat,” but that recipe is definitely not for everyone (or even most people). For the healthiest-looking locks, start by rinsing your hair in the shower. Then, rub a quarter-sized amount of shampoo into your roots (more for long or thick hair) and give yourself a good massage; no need to scrub your ends or repeat! Next, rinse your hair and condition it from mid-length to ends, letting it sit for a couple of minutes, then give it another rinse. If you’ve heard that giving your hair a final rinse with cold water will leave it extra-shiny, ignore that: Experts agree that the cold-water-rinse theory is a tall tale. Dry your hair by squeezing it gently with a towel; rubbing it vigorously will cause breakage and strip away all of your glorious shine.


Ditch shimmering sprays, opt for argan oil instead

While you might think that spritzing on a little shimmering spray is a quick way to gloss up your locks, you could actually be doing more harm than good. Many hair sprays that promise to add a little sparkle to your mane include mica, a mineral that will indeed make you shimmer in the short-term, but can also “rough up the hair shaft and work against your natural gleam” over time. Instead, the magazine recommends using products that contain argan oil, which will make your hair look shiny and also improve its texture.


Clarifying shampoo helps too

Your hair can easily get full of, well, crap, and that makes it look less shiny and way duller. Between the products we apply (including dry shampoo), the oils we secrete and the dirt and grime we pick up in our everyday lives (ew, thanks, city life) our hair sometimes needs a little extra help in the cleansing department. That’s where clarifying shampoos come in: They strip out all of that unwanted nonsense and leave your hair looking fresh and new. The only catch is they’ll also strip all the good stuff out of your hair if you use them too often, so once a week is probably more than enough.


Wash less, condition more

Lathering up daily can dry out your hair by stripping away the naturally occurring oils that act as your scalp's built-in conditioner and help fight split ends – and minimal split ends means less you need to chop. Experts agree: Scale back washing sessions to once or twice a week and when you do shampoo, use a gentle formula like focus your attention on hydration. "Conditioning treatments are crucial. Combing through your hair while the conditioner is still in it helps to keep knots from forming and to avoid the breakage that occurs when you try to brush through post-shower tangles.

Trim, Don't Chop

It's true: The more often you snip, the longer your hair grows without broken, tattered pieces – if your stylist cuts the right amount. If you want long hair, it's important to find a hairdresser who understands what you want; there is no need to take off two inches when you can remove the split ends in a quarter inch.


Use a natural-bristle hairbrush

For best results, you’ll need a 100% wild boar-hair brush (sourced humanely, of course). These stiff, rough-feeling brushes will draw natural oils from your roots to the ends of your hair, promoting natural gloss and shine. Plus, they help to increase volume in fine hair – double score!


An overnight, shine-boosting mask

Everything looks better after a good night’s rest, including your hair! Coating it with a loving and nourishing mask (and then sleeping with a towel over your pillowcase!) can get your hair looking shiny and healthy in no time. Coconut oil is a great overnight option: Just massage it through your hair from roots to ends, then pull it back in a braid or ponytail to keep it from getting all over your face while you sleep. In the morning, shampoo it out and skip the conditioner.

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