Yes. Hair shines when its cuticle layer is attached and reflects light. “Since shampoos are alkaline, they open the dandruff, so they have to be closed afterwards with an acidic product, for example a conditioner,” explains Marc Booten, an organic hairdresser from Düsseldorf. If you style a lot, the last product residues are best removed with peeling or so-called pre-shampoos.

There are so many supplements. Do they really make your hair beautiful?

Since hair is quite far back in the vitamin and trace element distribution chain, a three-month treatment with biotin, silica and zinc, for example, can be useful. However, with the last two: Beware of overdosing! Beetroot and kale (lots of zinc, iron and B vitamins), but also nuts (omega fatty acids), are tastier than pills and are also real shining lights from the inside.

I want to use an eco-shampoo, but doesn’t that dull the mane?

No! The industry has really caught up. And even solid detergents have become a real shampoo alternative. “But because we do not use softeners and other additives, natural products are less easy to spread. That’s why I recommend using a comb to work the rinse from my line in the shower. Then your hair will have a great shine afterwards, which will also last,” explains hairdresser Marc Booten.

How much care do I need?

Depends on the structure. Thick hair may get along with rich oils, fine hair rather not. “Many people over groom,” says Robert Mrosek, who runs the Alcina flagship salon in Bielefeld. “Hair masks, for example, are not best left on overnight.”

Which brush provides the most beautiful shine?

The wild boar bristle brush is a classic for a reason. It untangles the hair particularly gently. If you have some time in the morning, you should try granny’s trick with the 100 brush strokes. First brush the hair 50 times overhead, then 50 times backwards. This distributes the grease from the scalp into the lengths and smoothes the cuticle.

My hairdresser offered me a glossing. What’s the point?

A glossing is a kind of intensive treatment in the salon that wraps itself around the hair like a protective coat and fills the gaps in the cuticle layer. Mostly it is offered with color, but it also works without – for all those who simply want more shine and less frizz. It has to be applied for about 15 minutes and lasts for about four weeks. If you are prone to allergies, however, you should ask your hairdresser about the ingredients, as they come into contact with the scalp.

Color & Styling

Does blow-drying really make a difference?

Yes. Doesn’t take high-tech equipment, though. “The important thing is that it has power and that the temperature can be regulated,” explains hairdresser Robert Mrosek. “First blow-dry the hair dry, then blow-dry each section with the nozzle from the roots to the ends and fix it with the cool-down button.” More important than the correct technique is not blow-drying the hair too hot. Because that damages – there it is again – the cuticle layer. So, even if it takes longer, it’s better to choose the medium setting. “Over time, the equipment gets hotter,” says Hairdresser Booten. “Unfortunately, it’s not sustainable, but for the sake of the hair, it’s worth investing in a new hairdryer every few years.”

I have curls that look quickly frizzy and dull – What can I do?

Curls, due to their structure, come less in contact with the sebum of the scalp and are rougher. “For extra care, not only comb the acid conditioner into wet hair, but also knead it into dry hair. Instead of blow-drying in between, it is best to let it air-dry, it is more gentle”, Booten recommends.

What more nurturing alternatives are there for colouring?

Most hairdressing brands offer intensive tints without oxidants that last for a long time, but also care with active ingredients such as the moisturizer squalane. For those who want to intensify their colour above all, plant dyes are a good alternative. “I use the brew of walnuts for example,” Booten explains. “It gives a nice brown, and their tannic acid gives it a shine.”

How do I keep my new colour shining as long as possible?

Avoid products with silicones from about a week before colouring, because they accumulate in the hair. And after colouring: avoid washing for one or better two days so that the pigments can settle.

Straightened my hair shines much more beautiful. How do I keep my hair from falling apart?

First and most important rule: Only straighten hair that is completely dry! Spray thoroughly with heat protection and then work through the mane at a temperature of 140 to 160 degrees. “There are models that heat up to 220 degrees, but this can damage the hair,” says hairdresser Mrosek. “To prevent individual areas from getting too much, move the iron in a flowing movement along the strand. If you’re unsure, have it shown the next time you go to the hairdresser.

Better oil, serum or gloss spray?

It really is a matter of taste. With all styling products, the rule of thumb is: your hair will look shinier for a few hours. For lasting shine, always protect the cuticle layer.