Next to her nails, hair is most complained about feature women have. Some are born with lovely locks, others are not so lucky. If it’s curly, they want straight and if it’s straight, they want curly. But the one thing all women can agree on is that they want it to look beautiful.

So, how do you turn dull and lifeless hair into shiny and beautiful hair?

Beauty starts on the inside. The first step to beautiful hair is starting from the inside out. Eating a healthy diet will give your hair the nutrients and nourishment it needs to grow strong, shiny and healthy looking.

Along with a diet filled with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables be sure to drink plenty of water. Water will not only enhance the appearance of your hair, it will enhance the appearance of your skin as well.

If you find it necessary to wash your hair on a daily basis, wash with a gentle shampoo. Harsh shampoos will pull out moisture and the end result is dry, dull hair. Adding a about a dime sized drop of castile soap to your shampoo will help strip dirt, dead skin cells and hair care products such as hair spray and gel, but it will leave your hair feeling soft and smooth. You can take it one step further and wash with castile soap alone, it’s gentle, natural and inexpensive.

And, don’t forget to use a small amount of conditioner. More is not better in this case. Rub a small amount between your palms and begin at the end of your hair and work your way up. Too much conditioner at the root will add weight making your hair look flat once it has dried.

Although a hot shower can be relaxing, it is damaging to your scalp and hair follicles. When you wash, use warm water. This allows the follicles to open and allows the shampoo to reach in and grab any accumulated dirt. But, when you rinse, use cool to cold water in order to close the follicles. Your hair will retain moisture and it will take on a new shine and brilliance.

There are a variety of hair care products on the market that promise to feed and nourish your hair, adding shine and volume. However, these products can be costly and filled with ingredients that may ultimately damage your hair and your scalp.

Instead, make your own deep conditioner with products from your kitchen. Olive, almond or coconut oil all work well. Heat it up slightly, apply and wrap a towel or shower cap around your hair. Leave it on for 45 minutes to an hour, wash and rise. This treatment should be applied a couple of times a month.

Take extra care with heat products like dryers and irons. Heat can cause split ends resulting is a frizzy look. Towel dry and use a moderate setting on any heat-styling implements you use. And, don’t forget that trip to the salon. To keep hair looking soft and smooth, ends need to be trimmed on a regular basis.

Taking a little extra time, care and thought will make a world of difference in how your hair looks and feels. It is possible to have shiny, sexy hair that will turn every head in the room.