Jacquie Carter, Director of Outer Nutrition’s at Herbalife, shares the dos and don’ts to help give your hair a healthy shine no matter what the texture.
Do: What you eat has an impact on the condition of your hair. By making sure that you eat a nutritious diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, your hair will look healthy no matter the weather. Food with L-Cysteine and Omega 3 fatty acids help promote hair health and shine. While fish, tomatoes, egg yolks and olive oil are excellent sources of fatty acids and are an easy source of L-Cysteine.
Don’t apply finishing products such as gel, mousse or serum too close to your scalp. You’ll end up with greasy hair rather than shiny hair. Too much product build-up can leave your hair looking dull.
Do: A salon visit can always be a treat, and regular deep conditioning treatments can improve the condition of your hair.
Don’t brush your hair while it’s wet. Hair is more prone to breakage if you brush while it’s wet. Instead, wait until your hair is damp and if you must style it while it’s wet, always use a wide-toothed comb to lessen the chances of breakage. Also be sure not to rub your hair when you towel dry. The back and forth motion of a towel causes friction, thereby leading to frizz. Instead, gently pat your hair dry.
Do try leave-in conditioners. The key to silky, shiny hair is to keep it well moisturised! If you have dry hair, and showers leave your hair tangled, then a leave-in conditioner can help keep your hair silky and smooth. However, if you have fine hair, a regular conditioner may be too heavy for your locks, so you might want consider alternative conditioning methods. A leave-in conditioner is lighter than the usual conditioner you use in the shower and can leave your hair moisturised but not weighed down.
Do read product labels carefully. Many hair styling products are loaded with alcohol and applying them all over can dehydrate your hair and strip it of its natural shine. Look for alcohol free products or those that only target your roots.
Don’t forget about hairspray or a shine serum, one that has minimal alcohol of course! Mist your hairbrush with a little hairspray to help set your hairstyle, tame the frizz and control static electricity. The smoother your hair, the shinier it will look.
Do: When your hair is dry, use your fingers to separate your hair before combing it. This will lessen any tangles and help you avoid frizzy hair that looks dry and unhealthy.
