Heavenly Shine

10 tips of World Champion Hair Stylist and Artistic Director Andy Uffels 

1.  Hair conditioners play an essential role in making hair shine. They make hair more manageable and sleek, thus assuring a glossy look and protection against weathering. Remember to rinse hair thoroughly after conditioning to remove any conditioner buildup which will weigh hair down and leave it dull. 

2.  Chemically treated hair or naturally dry hair rarely has the desired shine. It is necessary to apply deep conditioning at least once a week. Intensely conditioning agents penetrate the hair bringing additional amounts of moisture. Apply a generous portion of conditioner to your hair, and rinse thoroughly after 5-10 minutes. Your hair will not only look better and feel softer to touch but the moisture it contains will effectively prevent split ends. 

3.  If your hair is in good condition, applying an intensive conditioner or masque will also be very beneficial: your hair will get additional moisture and develop a luxuriant shine. In this case, we recommend applying conditioner along the whole hair length and to the tips but keeping it away from the roots so as not to stimulate oily secretion. Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly! 

4.  Use cold water for the last rinse to allow scales to close, leaving a smooth cuticle. This will give the hair more shine and better protection from weathering. When washing, first wet your hair to flush dirt and dust out and to open the scales so that the conditioner may penetrate inside the shaft. 

5.Towel-dry your hair by gently tapping: vigorous rubbing lifts scale edges and leads to rough surfaces, a factor which ultimately determines how shiny the hair is. 

6.  Avoid using too many hair care products when styling your hair and afterwards: hair will collect dirt faster, become dull and rubbery to touch. 

7.  Styling products may leave a film on your hair. If so, use a clarifying shampoo to effectively remove any buildup. Short and medium-long hair with heavy accumulation of gel and wax requires regular application of clarifying shampoo since the products tend do settle on the hair relatively quickly. 

8.  For perfect long-lasting shine, try the smoothing Pantene Pro-V Silky Soft gel: massage it into towel-dried hair along the whole length and tips; then use a dryer with a wide or round brush, always pointing the hot air stream down, from roots to tips. In this way, scale edges will again become tight. 

9.  For enhanced gloss and shine, you may try appliances which need high temperature to straighten the hair. Do not use them more than 3-4 times a week on dry hair to avoid hair damage. Take a small strand one at a time so as not to press it for too long or repeat the operation on the same bundle of hair. 

10.  Temporary coloring is an excellent way to get a good shine because the coloring agents sticking to the hair have special light reflective properties. In order to achieve a desired effect without a permanent color change, you can use a coloring shampoo. Choose a color similar to your natural hair to minimize the difference and your hair will acquire a glorious shine.