5 reasons your hair looks dull – and exactly how to fix it The solution:
YOU CAN’T RESIST A HALF-HEAD OF HIGHLIGHTS
Yes, it’s a universally known fact, but a friendly reminder: any kind of bleach on your hair will make it duller.
The solution:
First, get some Olaplex
– a haircare system for damaged strands – and use it religiously. Next, invest in an at-home light-reflecting gloss – like Josh Wood Colour Shade Shot Gloss, £15, Davines Alchemic Conditioner, £21.50, and Leonor Greyl Repigmenting Conditioner, £39. This stuff conditions your hair, adding reflection to strands and keeping brassiness at bay.
YOU’VE BEEN LIVING IN A BEANIE
Hats, scarves and the like all rough up your hair’s cuticles, or “outermost layers”, so that they can’t reflect light.
Dry conditioner. These oil-based products usually come in the form of an aerosol or a mist, and inject much-needed moisture into your strands. We love Kevin Murphy Young Again Dry Conditioner, £24.
THE WEATHER IS SCREWING YOUR HAIR OVER
Our mane is a fragile creature, and whether we’re battling gale-force winds or bathing in the sun, our hair will find something to complain about. What’s more, bonedry indoor air can also suck the life (and by “life” we mean moisture) out of it.
The solution:
A good place to start is with shampoos and conditioners that enlist hyaluronic acid (usually found in skincare). It’s a “humectant”, meaning it grips water, helping skin and hair cells retain moisture. Try Grow Gorgeous Intense Shampoo, £16, and Conditioner, £18.
YOU’RE PROTEIN DEFICIENT
Take it from a vegan who’s had to seriously increase her chickpea intake for the greater good of her mane…
The solution:
Be conscious of the nutrients you’re consuming. For example, a veggie or vegan diet needn’t reduce protein intake if you’re responsible. Legumes, beans, houmous, nut butter and fortified plant drinks are all brilliant sources of protein and other vital nutrients. Plus, dark green vegetables help the scalp generate a natural hair conditioner (sebum) due to their high amounts of vitamins A and C. Just saying: the pursuit of shiny hair’s no excuse to dodge your greens.
YOU USE MORE DRY SHAMPOO THAN ACTUAL SHAMPOO
Of course dry shampoo is one of the best gifts ever given to mankind. But too much can dry out your hair and disrupt your natural oil-production cycles.
The solution:
An apple cider vinegar rinse in place of your shampoo, or between washing and conditioning. It’ll gently remove product build-up and restore shine.