AFTER SHAMPOOING - HEALTHY HAIR - BEAUTY TIPS AND TRICKS

Shampooing causes the hair cuticles (the outer hair cells) to interlock and can lead to tangles, Conditioning the hair smooths these cells so that you can comb your hair more easily. 

A conditioner also gives the hair extra shine. You should always apply conditioner after swimming because chlorine dries out the hair.

Regardless of type, most hair benefits from a conditioning rinse, leaving hair shafts smoothed and flat. Not only does this mean that combing and brushing are easier, but styling is more manageable too.

There are many different sorts of conditioners available, with differing degrees of effectiveness, but they all act to coat the hair for a sleeker result. 

A cost-effective way to choose what is right for your hair is to buy trial sizes, available at chemists, or to seek expert advice from your hairdresser.

Long, thick hair will need more conditioner than a short bob, for example, so when pouring the conditioner into your hands, take account of how much hair you actually have! 

Once again, a 50-pence coin-sized amount will be fine for short hair; double it for longer locks. Putting the palms of your hands together, coat your hair with conditioner, starting at mid-length, and working down to the ends rather than on top. 

The hair lower down is likely to be less well conditioned, so save the last drops for the top of your head.

Smooth the conditioner through your hair giving yourself a short scalp massage at the same time. Leave the conditioner in for a few moments - modern conditioners work quickly - and begin to rinse.

One of the reasons that hair always feels so wonderful after a trip to the hairdresser is that they are adept at getting rid of any excess product build-up. 

So, once again, rinsing is the key. Conditioners, by their very nature, are more time-consuming to get out than shampoos, so pay careful attention to ensuring you have rinsed enough. 

Many people make the mistake of not rinsing their hair thoroughly after conditioning. However, it is essential to remove all traces of conditioner if your hair is to remain healthy, shiny and full of body.

Once your hair is completely clean, wrap it in a warm, fresh towel. Don't be tempted to scrub away at your towel-wrapped hair in the hopes of drying it. 

While the action will remove excess water, it will also undo all your efforts towards smooth, tangle-free hair. Instead, gently tug your hair with the towel, moving to drier parts of your towel as you gradually squeeze out the water. 

Using a wide-toothed comb to brush through is essential - wet hair is much more fragile, and any excessive tugging can lead to breakage or damage.

The active ingredients used in commercial products are known as 'cationic surfactants - chemicals that are attracted to dry and damaged hair. However, they do little more than temporarily coat the hair.

Conditioners made from natural ingredients tend to be more compatible with the composition of the hair, leaving it smoother and more manageable.

1. Pour a small amount of conditioner into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Run your hands over your hair, starting about 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) down from your scalp and working right to the ends. Never rub conditioner into your scalp or apply it to the hair near the scalp, since it could become greasy...

2. If you have long hair that is dry and damaged at the ends, apply a little extra conditioner to this area. Leave the conditioner on your hair for the length of time recommended on the bottle by the manufacturer; most commercially produced conditioners work virtually instantaneously.

3. Rinse, rinse and rinse again; leaving a residue of conditioner on the hair will make it dull and limp. Finish with a cold-water rinse.

4. Wrap your hair in a thick cotton towel and press against the hair with your hands to absorb the excess moisture. Use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to remove any tangles, starting at the ends of the hair.