If your hair’s looking a bit dull, follow these simple steps to get your shine on:
1. Water: The water you use makes a huge difference to how shiny your hair will be. You need either need a Whole House water filtration system or a filter on your shower head to filter out chlorine, which is incredibly drying. If you wash at the gym, ask if they have filters on their showers and if not, make that suggestion! It’s also important to shampoo with warm-ish water and to rinse out conditioner with water as cool as you can bear it to be.
2. Shampoo: The shampoo you use is the most important step in getting your hair to shine. Most “natural” shampoos tend to strip and dry-out your hair, as do regular shampoos that contain SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). I only buy shampoos that are free of SLS and parabens, but I also want a shampoo that contains truly nourishing and preferably organic, ingredients. Here are my fave’s for getting the shine: Onesta Hydrating Shampoo, and John Master’s Evening Primrose Shampoo.
3. Condition: Many conditioners contain wax, which just coats your hair and won’t leave it very shiny. The conditioners I love right now are: Avalon Organics (for a lighter condition), Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner, and Moisture Rich Conditioner by Simply Organic Beauty.
4. Style: Its’ imperative not to load your hair with too much product, as it’ll make it oily and weigh it down. I love Shear Miracles Vegan Hair Milk, Simply Organic Anti-frizz Calming Creme, and Zerran Radiant Finish Liquid.
Dry: Its all about the dryer. A powerful salon-style dryer will make all the difference in creating a smoother and shinier finish. You totally get what you pay for with a dryer, so if you dry almost everyday, invest in a good one. I love The FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro 1900 dryer, which is the lightest professional dryer on the market – it’s fantastic not to have an aching arm, after using such a powerful and effective dryer. For noise control, I love the Bio Ionic Whisper Light dryer, which is the quietest model on the market.
Finish: Argan oil is one of the best anti-frizz oils ever, because it can penetrate the hair shaft – make sure, however, that it’s pure Argan oil, as many brands are adulterated with cheap oils which don’t work. I love Zinn Beauty Miracle Oil. I also like Surface Bassu Oil Serum.
Treatment: Give your hair and scalp a monthly nourishing treatment – this recipe is inexpensive and easy!