Finally! The Secret to Ultra-Shiny Hair.
We all want it, but sexy, shiny hair isn't always as easy as the shampoo commercials make it seem. It's all about smooth strands. That's because the smoother the hair cuticle, the more light it reflects. When a cuticle is damaged, light gets absorbed into cracks and crevices, making hair look dull. "For megashine, you need to fill in those cracks and use styling techniques that smooth the cuticle instead of rough it up," says Tommy Buckett, stylist at Sally Hershberger Downtown salon, in New York. How do you fill in those cracks? We found out how to keep your hair shiny (and healthy).
What do guys think of your hair and makeup?
CURLY HAIR
The big shine killer for curly strands is dryness. Give your mane major glow by moisturizing at every step.
Hydrate: "Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair is, and the cuticle is a little rougher," says Buckett. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner (try the Garnier Fructis Moisture Works line) to hydrate your strands so they'll shine more. Moisture also gives curly hair some extra weight, which helps prevent dulling frizz. To maintain the natural healthy oils your hair needs to look shiny, shampoo only every other day, recommends Buckett. (On nonwash days, you should still condition if you get your hair wet so that it doesn't dry out.)
Prep: Before styling, apply a serum like John Frieda Frizz-Ease, $9.99, or a curl cream with shine enhancers to mend any gaps in the cuticle and increase shine. "The serum or cream makes detangling easier so you're not pulling on and breaking strands," says Buckett. "Comb it through your entire head of hair using a wide-tooth comb because that will make the cuticle lie a little flatter."
Style: To get perfect, long-lasting curls, twist inch-size pieces around your finger, then scrunch the spirals up, shaping individual curls to make them more uniform. "Blow-dry hair with a diffuser or let your hair air-dry to reduce heat damage," says Buckett. Once your locks are dry, seal curls with a spritz of shine spray (we like Sally Hershberger Star Shine, $12.50).
Can your hairstyle help you get what you want?
STRAIGHT HAIR
In addition to the light-diffusing effects of split ends, residue, grease, and oil gunk up straight strands for a dull finish. Here, how to nix them all and get your shine on.
Deep clean: Once a week, use a deep-cleansing shampoo to remove grease and product buildup. "Apply conditioner to hair first - just from ear level down to the tips - to provide a protective barrier on the strands that helps prevent tears and split ends from forming," says Buckett. Then apply shampoo just to the roots, lather, and rinse everything out to leave your hair clean but not dried out. End your rinse with cold water to seal and smooth the cuticle.
Prep: Towel-dry damp hair, then apply a polishing milk, like Redken 01 Outshine Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk, $16, and run it through strands with a fine-tooth comb. This will fill in cracks and ensure that your blow-dry doesn't rob moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and dull. Add a volumizer, like Tresemmé 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray, $4.49, for some height.
Style: For a bombshell blowout, attach the nozzle to your blow-dryer, and only point the airflow down on your hair from above; this smooths the cuticle as you dry, leaving hair shinier. Finish with a cuticle-sealing blast of cold air. Once dry, rub a little more polishing milk onto the ends of hair to help splits stick together or spritz shine spray on a brush (boar-bristle ones are best for polishing), and run it through your hair.
Ready for a new 'do? Try some out with our makeover tool!
TWO TIPS FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Coat Your Cuticle:Use an at-home glazing treatment that contains crevice-filling siliconeto repair cuticle cracks that suck up light and make locks look dull. Try Frédéric Fekkai Salon Glaze Clear Shine Rinse, $28.
Do a DIY Shine Boost: Mix 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar or a dash of baking soda with a quarter-size squirt of your favorite shampoo in a small bowl before you lather up once a week. Both will strip hair of dulling product buildup and crank up shine.
PLUS: Get easy, sexy summer hair.
Get more beauty advice and tips at Cosmopolitan.com!
Beauty Products Celebs Can't Live Without
Become a fan of Cosmo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
Want More Sex & Love Advice? Subscribe to Cosmo & Save up to 71%!
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
