There's nothing like a head of healthy, lustrous hair to enhance your total look. Shining, well-styled hair looks polished and professional; knowing you have it can help you face the world with more confidence. It's easy to forget that your hair--made of protein and keratin--can be damaged by rough handling, harsh chemicals, excessive sun and styling tools. Giving your hair the proper care can help ensure that it stays healthy.
Flattering Style
Select the proper hairstyle for your face shape. The right haircut will frame your face and accentuate your good features. If you have a long face, you should try to create an illusion of width at the sides; feathering, ringlets or waves can be very effective. If you have a round face, you should pick a hairstyle that will add the illusion of length, such as graduated layers that come to a point below the chin.
If you're having a hard time settling on a hairstyle, consider the universally flattering haircut suggested by Free Beauty Tips. In this versatile hairstyle--which can be adapted to any face--hair is cut to shoulder-length and then layered towards your face, so that the layers serve as arrows to direct the eye to your best features.
Reduce Shampooing Frequency
One trick to promote body and volume, while avoiding breakage and split ends, is to stop the practice of automatically washing your hair every day. Free Beauty Tips notes that not only is this unnecessary, but it can damage hair. Hairstyle.com recommends washing normal hair and dry hair twice a week, and shampooing oily hair three times a week.
Proper Shampoo Techniques
Protect your hair from split ends and damage by shampooing gently. First, carefully comb through dry hair to avoid knots and tangles that could cause breakage during shampooing. Wet your hair with lukewarm water to raise the hair cuticle and help remove dirt and oil. Apply the shampoo directly to your scalp, and then gently massage into a lather, taking care not to twist, wring or tangle the hair. Haircare.com warns that you should also avoid piling hair on top of your head.
Repeat the lathering process. Free Beauty Tips states that while the first lather removes dirt and oil, the second allows the shampoo to fully treat the hair. Rinse your hair well, and gently squeeze excess water from it. Apply conditioner from the roots to the tips of the hair, then don a shower cap and allow the conditioner to remain in your hair. Although most commercial conditioners suggest leaving it in for three minutes, Free Beauty Tips endorses leaving it in for a full 10 minutes for extra hydration. Rinse your hair thoroughly, and finish with a blast of cold water to seal the cuticles and lock in shine.
Air Drying
Many beauty experts recommend taking a periodic "vacation" from blow-drying. and allowing hair to air dry. There's no need to sacrifice style or volume when you air dry, however. First use an absorbent towel to carefully blot excess water--making sure you don't rub or scrub at wet hair--then apply a volumizing styling product and use your fingers to fluff and lift at the roots repeatedly as hair dries. Alternately, you can mousse wet hair into a tight ponytail on top of your head. When you release the dried hair, you should see more volume at the sides and crown.
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