StyleUnited

Courtesy Sarah James

Ah, the highly coveted, shiny mane. Some people are born with natural luster, but the overwhelming majority must work for it. Unfortunately, the things we do to our hair in an attempt to make it fabulous — coloring, highlighting, blow-drying, etc. — end up sucking some of the shine right away. Although there isn't an exact magic potion, there are definitely some tried-and-true ways to make those tresses more lustrous.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture!

The number one reason hair lacks shine is because it's drier than the Sahara at high noon. Super dry air — blasted from central heating in the winter — and an overzealous relationship with heated styling tools are two of the worst culprits. Give your stressed tresses a spa day by using a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week to help quench your hair's thirst. A daily leave-in treatment like Fekkai's Protein RX Daily Protein Fortifier is also a great idea for staying out of scarecrow territory.

Don't Be Afraid of Oil

Hair oils made from argan are fantastic products to use on dry hair. Moroccan oil and macadamia oil help to remedy dry hair by replenishing moisture on a follicular level and also creating a smooth, shiny appearance by coating the hair shaft. Just rub a pea-to-dime size amount  between your palms, and start by applying the product to back of your hair, moving forward to the front (you want less product around your face). Avoid the scalp .Plus, have you smelled these types of oils recently? If bliss had a scent, it would be Moroccanoil. Delish.

Clarify the Issue

Sure a little bit of product is absolutely beneficial, but dousing your hair with all sorts of pomades, gels, mousses and sprays can cause major build-up. And major build-up equals Dull City. If you think you might need a product 12-step program, consider using a clarifying shampoo once a week to rid yourself of the gunk and let your natural luster shine through.

The Shine Solution

I just came across this product recently, but Clairol Natural Instincts Shine Happy provides four weeks of gorgeous shine for the dullest of hair. It only takes 10 minutes, and includes a weekly conditioning treatment to help seal in the shine. Plus, it works on all almost all types of hair — natural, color-treated, highlighted, permed or relaxed.

Smooth It Out

I'll be the first to admit that this option won't help heal your hair, but take it from me, if you are looking for a quick way to add some shine to your hair, bust out your flat iron. Smoothing the hair cuticle creates a smooth, shiny appearance without much work at all. Just be sure to use a heat protectant beforehand, and a little shine serum before heading out the door.

Get the Look: Get rid of dull residue with Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo or get more personalized suggestions with Style360.