I am still getting used to the high (read: nose bleed) maintenance regime that goes with my new mink blonde block hair colour. I am in love with the change, but in typical fashion, just want a one-shot fix that makes my hair look smooth and polished. Is this really too much to ask?
Top tips for glossier looking hair
Make sure your hair is drenched with water before you apply shampoo. This will make washing it out easier, as shampoo residue makes hair look duller. Try a detox shampoo that will cleanse hair and also leave it hydrated, or a sulfate-free shampoo that won't strip hair. It won't foam up as much as you might be used to, but it will leave your hair with more natural oil.
![Reece Witherspoon has the blonde thing down pat.](/web/20170313023626im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/v/v/e/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guvpa0.png/1489183079178.png)
Try double conditioning after shampooing in the shower. Make sure to rinse out the second slathering thoroughly. Look for a light formula that won't weigh hair down.
Always blot hair dry rather than rubbing it so as not to damage the cuticle. Try a super absorbent blotting towel to soak up all the excess moisture. Wrap the towel around your hair and tuck it in so its soaks up the excess water. This will leave you with frizz free hair.
Leave-in conditioner is another great tool to create gleaming hair, as it makes hair much easier to comb. This, in turn, reduces breakage and a roughed up cuticle, boosting the final shine effect when it is blow-dried in, as well as protecting hair from heat styling and sun damage.
Once hair is bone dry apply a little light oil to the ends to add shine. Rub a little oil onto your hands and then lightly run them over your hair, twisting the ends as you go
If you overload on the oil, which is easy enough to do, revert to a light dusting of lifesaving dry shampoo to soak up any excess.
Once a week apply a hair mask and leave it on blotted hair for a full 10 minutes and then rinse out. This will boost shine and help improve elasticity.
As your parting gesture, before you get out of the shower, run a shot of cold water over your hair to help close down the cuticle. Hair stylists swear by this. Carry this concept with you when blow-drying your hair too and give it a final blast on the cold setting.
Try an ingestible moisturising supplement that will help with air and nail strength and growth, like the latest offerings from Vida Glow that are marine collagen based, derived from deep sea red salmon scales harvested from fish already caught for food.