Condition, Condition, Condition
When your hair becomes dry and brittle, the lack of moisture will cause hair to appear dull and lackluster. For women with naturally curly hair, the very nature of curly hair tends to make the hair dry and porous. That’s because the natural oils have further to travel down a winding hair shaft, meaning extra conditioning and hydration is an absolute must.
Regular conditioning treatments will help give your hair the hydration it needs. Leave-in conditioners are especially helpful for replenishing moisture in your hair, and over time, the amount that’s needed will lessen. Those who have overprocessed hair or naturally coarse tresses tend to need a great deal of conditioning; thus, some find that deep conditioning treatments using heavier conditioning products and pomades work well to restore the condition and luster of the hair.
Moisturizing Hair Masques
Applying moisturizing hair masques to your hair on a regular basis is highly effective for improving the luster of the hair. Experts recommend applying the hair masque at least once every other week.
Using a hair masque is simple: Once you find a high-quality hair masque, apply it to your hair, starting at the scalp and working through the strands of the hair. Use a plastic cap, or plastic wrap, to cover your hair. By doing so, the heat from your scalp won’t escape, thereby allowing your hair’s cuticles to open and the conditioners penetrate the scalp. The longer you leave the masque on the hair, the better. Over time, visible improvement will surely be seen!
Hydrating From The Inside Out
While we’ve all heard the old adage, that beauty begins from the inside out. And, while that lesson was certainly attached to character development, it’s also highly relevant to beauty routines.
Today, there are tons of great tasting beverages we all enjoy — from coffee to alcohol. Plus, many of us have adopted lifestyle choices that naturally lend themselves to dehydrating the body. Smoking, tanning, strenuous exercise, and spending excessive time in an air-conditioned environment can lead to dehydration, if we’re not careful. When the body is dehydrated, not only does the skin appear dull and dry, but so does your hair. So, drink up!!
Natural Emollients: Nature’s Clear Gloss Treatment
It’s no secret that hair care product manufacturer’s have begun looking to nature for clues on how to achieve and maintain healthy hair. As market demand for safe, natural and effective products has increased, the popularity of certain emollients derived from nature has skyrocketed.
Among the more popular choices are coconut oil, which is rich in fatty acids that nourish the hair and give it moisture. Another is argan oil, a plant-derived oil taken from the kernels of the argan tree native to Morocco. Avocado and lavender oils are also very popular. Each of these naturally-derived oils has been applauded due to their ability to penetrate the scalp, to moisturize its strands and to retard moisture loss.
Clear Gloss Treatments
While clear gloss treatments are becoming a very popular salon treatment, not everyone understands its benefits. Paul Cucinello of New York City’s Chris Chase Salon explains it this way: “A gloss is very acidic and closes the hair and the cuticle real tight. The result is a very smooth surface texture that will reflect a lot more light and have a much softer feel to it.” Beyond offering a great deal of shine, clear gloss treatments reduce frizz, tone down highlights and offer intense conditioning to your hair. They last for six weeks or longer, and can be done from the comfort of your home with an at-home gloss kit.
When Coloring Your Hair, Choose Demi-Permanent Color
While permanent hair color looks great, its process (i.e., the use of ammonia and peroxide) can be extremely damaging to your hair. Demi-permanent hair color, on the other hand, allows for great results without using a harsh and potentially damaging process. Further, demi-permanent hair color is often formulated with built-in conditioners and tends to fill in any porous areas of the hair (which leads to a more lustrous appearance).
In conclusion, the key to a high shine is intense, consistent conditioning and the use of natural or salon-based moisturizing treatments. The results may take time, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
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