How to Make Hair Look Shiny and Healthy
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2015/03/28 - Updated: 2023/08/16
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Hair and Scalp - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Hints and tips to make your hair light, healthy and shiny looking, includes information on what not to do.
• Rather than reaching for the blow-dryer the minute you step out of the shower, let the hair air-dry for a bit first.
• Silicone serums and creams can impart healthy shine to hair that's prone to frizz or plagued by split ends just don't use more than a drop or two.
Introduction
Your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage. Remember to always use a soft brush, avoid stiffs brushes.
Main Item
It's hard to get your hair to look frizz-free and shiny. Even as more and more crown bound women are embracing their natural hair textures, plenty continue to blow-dry their natural curls and waves into smooth submission.
Step 1: Prepare
After blotting the hair dry with a towel, lightly coat strands with a styling product: mousse for soft hold or gel for sleeker, stronger hold. Save any silicone serums until the end.
Step 2: Relax
Rather than reaching for the blow-dryer the minute you step out of the shower, let the hair air-dry for a bit first. One of the biggest mistakes women make is starting when hair is too wet you'll just get tired and fed up by the end. Instead, chill out and wait until tresses are only damp before cranking up the hot air.
Step 3: Prioritize
If the hairline is blown out beautifully, you can get away with the rest of the hair being a little less than great.
If you have bangs, start by combing them forward and holding them tightly with your fingers as you blow them dry, directing the nozzle starting from the roots.
Step 4: Separate Hair Into 4-5 Clean Sections
De-tangling each with a wide-tooth comb before clipping all but one of them to the head.
Blow-dry the loose section, pulling it taut toward the floor with a large round brush and rolling it either under or out at the ends.
Keep the blow-dryer's nozzle a few inches from the brush at all time, directing it down to the floor to keep the cuticle flat and smooth.
Repeat with the other sections, rolling some under and flipping some out at the ends so that the hair doesn't look too uniform.
Step 5: Bring Out the Big Guns
Flat irons and rollers let you cheat your way to Miss Universe-caliber polish in minutes.
To use a flat iron, press small sections of completely dried hair, starting at the roots and working his way down to the ends. Or, for smooth, sultry waves, he winds nearly dry hair in large Velcro rollers and pins them against the head before blasting hair with the blow-dryer to set the curl.
Step 6: Seal the Deal
Silicone serums and creams can impart healthy shine to hair that's prone to frizz or plagued by split ends just don't use more than a drop or two. It should be used sparingly and only on the ends after you've completed styling. If you use too much, it can make the hair look very slimy."
Tips for Healthy Hair
Monthly Hot-Oil Treatment
To make a hot-oil treatment for dry hair:
- Place 1/2 cup of canola or soybean oil in a glass measuring cup.
- Place the cup in a bowl of hot water, and allow the oil to warm - Any vegetable oil will work, but canola oil is a good choice because it contains no added ingredients.
- Use hands to spread the warn oil through wet hair, leave it in for two minutes tops.
- Wash hair thoroughly with shampoo. You'll have softer, shinier hair!
Brushing For Shine
Brushing too much can damage the hair cuticle. NOT recommended! Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage. Remember to always use a soft brush, avoid stiffs brushes.
Monthly Trimmings
Regular trimming is necessary to keep the ends of hair soft, smooth and thick. The last couple of inches of hair become raggedy and thin if you do not trim them regularly. Trimming also keeps the shape of hair.
As hair grows unevenly, any hairstyle can go from chic to shaggy after two or three months. You do not need to get a huge chop or remove all damaged hair at once. Small trims every 2-3 months are sufficient to keep the hair in shape. This is also to avoid ragged ends of your hair!
Adopt Loose Styles
Hair should never be worn "done up" constantly. This is injurious because every part of the hair should have frequent air and sun baths.
For normal shampoo employ Castile, tar or vegetable soaps, and Green soap for oily hair. A good egg shampoo may be made of an egg, thoroughly beaten, one tablespoon alcohol, four ounces bay rum, a pinch of borax, and four ounces of Castile soap mixed in a pint of hot water, to be used when cool.
Protein for Great Hair
For healthy, beautiful hair, emblazon the word protein in your mind.
Hair is at least 97% protein, containing 19 of the 22 amino acids that from protein. This is why hair condition depends so much on the quantity and quality of protein in foods. Hair reflects poor nutrition through breaking, cracking and splitting. Dryness, brittleness, and lack luster hair can be sign of poor protein supply. Do remember to get your daily dose of protein, your hair will thank you for it, take care of your body and you will have beautiful hair!
Read our complete list of Hair Care Myths and Tips