How to Make Hair Shine

Today's culture of glossy magazines and omnipresent advertising has made shiny-hair addicts out of many women. There is an entire industry devoted to getting your hair to look, feel and be beautiful, healthy and strong. What's the easiest way to tell when hair is all of these things? When every strand shines like the top of the Chrysler Building.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Leave-in conditioner
• Gloss
• Glaze
• Cold water
• Hair dryer

Instructions

Start at the Root

1. What you do in the shower is the most important step. First, select a shampoo/conditioner combo that moisturizes and conditions. Two of the best are The Body Shop's Honey line (slightly expensive at $15 a bottle), and Vive Pro's Nutri Gloss, available in drugstores. Do not go for shampoo/conditioners that target shiny hair--many may actually be leaving wax buildup on your scalp and dulling your hair.

2. Lather on the gentle, moisturizing shampoo, rinse and switch to conditioner, not neglecting any part of the strand. From root to tip, work the conditioner in. If you have long hair, twist it up and into a bun so that it's out of the way for the rest of the shower.

3. Keep the conditioner in for a least 3 minutes and rinse with cold water. This step is arguably the most essential to shiny hair, and the cheapest--rinse with water as cold as you can stand, then squeeze excess water out and pat dry; don't rub.

4. For ludicrously shiny, healthy hair, twice a week use a glaze like John Frieda's Hair Glaze. This adds an extra coat of shiny to your hair. Also, once a week use an intensive conditioner.

Style for Days

1. When styling your hair, there are two products absolutely essential to glossy hair. The first is leave-in conditioner. A quick all-over spritz, and your hair is soft and protected from heat. The second is a good glossing creme, like John Frieda's Brilliant line. This adds an extra layer of protection against heat and keeps hair smooth and detangled.

2. When blow-drying, use a medium heat setting rather than the full heat. Using a flat paddle brush, blow-dry your hair into the style you desire.

3. When you're finished blow-drying, holding the paddle brush away from your hair, spray the surface of the brush lightly with hairspray and brush through your hair. This maintains shine and swing while still giving extra hold and locking the strand.

4. Finally, use a shine spray. If you have thick hair, you can handle a little more oil, so just about any spray will do, but for finer hair, do not put oily serums in. The best product for fine hair is Kenra Silkening Mist, a very light, ultra-shiny spray that smells delicious.

5. Enjoy your ludicrously shiny hair--but careful, you may suddenly become more popular, successful, and all around fabulous.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to use the products in their recommended amount to keep hair from becoming greasy.