1. Quit the “lather, rinse, repeat” rule

Your shampoo bottle instructs you to “lather, rinse, repeat,” but that recipe is definitely not for everyone (or even most people). For the healthiest-looking locks, start by rinsing your hair in the shower. Then, rub a quarter-sized amount of shampoo into your roots (more for long or thick hair) and give yourself a good massage; no need to scrub your ends or repeat! Next, rinse your hair and condition it from mid-length to ends, letting it sit for a couple of minutes, then give it another rinse. If you’ve heard that giving your hair a final rinse with cold water will leave it extra-shiny, ignore that: Experts agree that the cold-water-rinse theory is a tall tale. Dry your hair by squeezing it gently with a towel; rubbing it vigorously will cause breakage and strip away all of your glorious shine.

2. Argan oil is your best friend

Beauty commercials might convince you to splurge on shimmering sprays to gloss up your locks, but think again, it may just do more damage than good. Many hair sprays that promise to add a little sparkle to your mane include mica, a mineral that will indeed make you shimmer in the short-term, but can also roughen the hair shaft and work against your natural gleam over time. Switch to using products that contain argan oil, which will make your hair look shiny and also improve its texture. Just be sure you start with a small amount – fine hair can quickly start to look oily.

3. Change of a hairbrush

Your best bet is a hundred per cent wild boar-hair brush. Its stiff, rough-feeling brushes will draw natural oils from your roots to the ends of your hair, promoting natural gloss and shine. Plus, they help to increase volume in fine hair – double score!

4. Heat-protection products, all the way

Blow-drying is a moisture sapper, so is hair straightening. If you blow dry, flat iron or curl your hair on the regular, it’s a good idea to protect it. While most styling instruments aren’t going to destroy your hair, heating up your strands can dry them out and leave your hair looking less-than-glossy. Before you fire up that flat iron, talk to your stylist about a protective product that will work for your hair type. 

5. Food for your hair

Everything looks better after a good night’s rest, including your hair! Coating it with a loving and nourishing mask can get your hair looking shiny and healthy in no time. Coconut oil is a great overnight option: Just massage it through your hair from roots to ends, then pull it back in a braid or ponytail to keep it from getting all over your face while you sleep. In the morning, shampoo it out and skip the conditioner. A yolk blended in with some coconut oil and honey makes for an effective mask – literally food for your hair!

6. A good diet helps

Grab yourself a bottle of Caesar salad dressing and start eating: Omega-3 fatty acids are found in egg yolks and sardines (both ingredients in a classic Caesar) and they’ll make your hair shine. Salmon and mackerel also contain large amounts of these healthy fats, so have some fish as a main course with your salad.