YOUR STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO SLEEK, SHINY HAIR

YOUR STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO SLEEK, SHINY HAIR

One of the most popular hair trends for fall is a super sleek look that is straight, shiny, and free from frizz and flyaways. Seen on the runway in low ponytails, no-nonsense buns, or down, if you have long hair, this is a gorgeous look for fall that works for both daily wear and an update on a daily style for a glam night out.

Worried your hair won’t be tamed or will turn out looking limp and flat? Look, no one wakes up with lustrous hair that’s perfectly polished – it takes a little work, but with these tips, you’ll be glossy and glam in no time!

Cleansing and Conditioning

Healthy, shiny hair starts in the shower. Prepare your hair to look its best with the right hair cleanser and conditioner, especially one that is free of drying sulfates and parabens. Frizzy hair and flyaways come from dry, damaged hair, so your cleansing and conditioning is your first step is making sure your hair starts out hydrated and healthy.

Remember to not use warm, not hot water when you shower, and gently comb and towel dry hair before you start styling.

Protect Your Hair

Since it’s nearly impossible to achieve this look without some heat styling, before you blow dry your hair, protect it with a heat protectant spray. This coats each strand, locking in moisture and preventing damage to your hair which will ultimately destroy a smooth, shiny look.

Many heat protectant sprays contain natural oils that are healthy but can weigh hair down. To prevent hair from being weighed down, spray it on your hands, rub them together, and smooth the spray through at the roots of your hair, and use more toward the ends of your hair where it’s more vulnerable to damage.

Dry Your Hair

Once your hair is damp, rather than wet, start blow drying your hair, starting at the root and pointing the heat downward, away from the scalp. This keeps the cuticles of each strand smooth closed, preventing damage, breakage, and frizz.

Boost the smooth factor by using a flat, paddle-shaped hair brush with boar bristles if your hair is fine or thin. Use a brush that has a blend of nylon and boar bristles if your hair is thick and coarse to help prevent tangles as you finish drying it.

Use a Styling Cream

When your hair is dry but before you flat iron it, use a lightweight styling cream that will boost shine and protect your hair while keeping it looking polished and smooth all day long. Just a dime-sized amount massaged through your hair will be more than enough to maintain your look.

Flat Iron Your Hair

So you’re not trying to straighten too much at once and having to go over the same spots repeatedly, divide your hair into two sections – a top and a bottom. Clip up the top layer of hair and start with the bottom. Use a ceramic-coated flat-iron to straighten one-inch strands of hair at a time, gently smoothing the iron down your hair from root to tip.

Move slowly but steadily through each strand. When you complete the bottom layer, unclip your hair and straighten the top. Note: If your hair is extremely thick, you may prefer to do three layers.

Set It And Go

Your hair should be smooth, silky, and looking completely chic and sophisticated. Now, all that’s left is to determine your style – remember, low ponytails were huge on the Fall 2018 runways – and set it with a small amount of styling cream or nourishing hair oil to boost the shine and keep it looking fantastic all day. Now you’re ready to get out there and take on the world with a look that can be polished and professional or sleek, chic, and ultra-glam.

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