Hair's the Scoop

Getty Images

Suffering from dull, lackluster hair? These 5 tricks & product picks can help:

Pre-Shower: Treat Your Tresses
If your hair is seriously dehydrated or in need of a trim, rub a bit of oil (be it a luxurious pre-treatment or a dash of olive/argan oil from the kitchen) at the ends 10-15mins before you cleanse. 

In the Shower: Target Your Type, Then Feel the Chill
The right shampoo, conditioner and bi-weekly mask are vital to achieving healthy-looking locks. (Pantene offers a wide variety of type-specific formulations, as does John Frieda.) But the key to success actually lies in the last few seconds of your shower: the rinse. A blast of cold water can seal the cuticle and enhance shine.

Before Styling (or Sun Exposure): Smooth Your Ends
Dry, damaged hair is anything but sexy. To repair existing flaws and prevent future damage, use a thermal gaurd with SPF. One of the latest (and greatest) to hit the market is Kérastase Soleil Huile Celeste ($37; Kerastase-USA.com), which boasts both UVB and UVA protection as well light-reflective shimmer to enhance shine.

To Finish: Knock-It-Out
Short of blinding, there's no such thing as being overly lusterous when it comes to hair. So always finish your look with a mist of lightweight shine spray, whether you're hitting the grocery store or attending a gala event. It's 2 seconds well spent. (We heart Serge Normant Meta Sheer Dry Oil Finishing Spray, $24; SergeNormant.com.) 

JohnsPKI/Splash News

“I do a 30-second ice-water rinse right after rinsing out my conditioner. It keeps my hair shiny.”

– Padma Lakshmi on how she achieves a lustrous finish.

Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage

Achieve lustrous, healthy-looking locks with these foolproof tips from Antoinette Beenders, Aveda's Global Creative Director:

Try a Slicked-Back Style
To amplify shine, experiment with a tight, sleek ponytail. Instead of hair spray, work a few drops of a glossing serum, like Aveda Smooth Infusion, into your palms and slide it over the top of your hair for a glossy finish and to tame flyaways. Then, pull your hair back tight into a ponytail and it will stay lustrous all day.

Create a Shield
After blow-drying your hair, take a small amount of of a smoothing fluid (for fine hair) or pomade (for thick, course hair), such as Aveda Light Elements or Brilliant, and stroke over the top layer of your hair on top of your head. This will prevent moisture from entering your hair in humid climates, and will prolong your blow-out— plus it adds incredible shine.

Prep Curls
For curly hair, take a small amount of a prep/styling lotion, like Aveda Smooth Infusion, and apply it on wet hair prior to air drying/defusing your hair. This should help gaurd against humidity, and give you the luminous finish you seek.

Control Frizz
For extremely frizzy hair, apply a small amount of a smoothing straightener, such as Aveda Smooth Infusion, to damp hair, and then add a small amount of retexturizing gel over the top. Comb this combination thoroughly through the hair and slick back into an updo, and allow to dry naturally. This potent combination will keep your hair frizz-free in the most humid climates, and adds amazing shine.

Have any tips/tricks of your own? Do share!

Demis Maryannakis/Splash News

Seen here at the off-Broadway premiere of "Mary Stuart," Sarah Jessica Parker looks radiant in a darker shade of blonde.

Donato Sardella/WireImage

Vibrant, healthy-looking hair is the foundation for any successful style. So I've asked Ken Paves to share his 4-step guide to achieving (and maintaining) a lustrous finish:

Step One: Start in the Shower.
When choosing a cleanser and conditioner, avoid dehydrating ingredients (such as parabens) and be sure to glaze regularly to enhance your natural/not-so-natural hair color and boost shine. "You want to cleanse without overly stripping the natural oils from your hair and hydrate areas that might need more moisture than, say the roots," says Ken. To do so, lather at the scalp, then allow the shampoo to work its way through your tresses as you rinse. Also, try to wash your hair every other day, as both shampoo and water can strip your hair of its natural oils.

Step Two: Prep, Prep, Prep.
Ken recommends washing your hair the night before, then allowing it to air dry with any desired styling products (Healthy Hair Shine Serum is a favorite), working off of your new found texture the next day. This way you won’t have any buildup, which can dull hair, so your locks will look more lustrous after your regular styling routine.

Step Three: Make the Most of a Blowout.
The secret to a fabulous, look-at-me blowout is in the brush. Ken says, “The best brush is the Mason Pearson Paddle Brush— it helps to evenly distribute the natural oils in hair giving it a shine all over." To find the brush best suited to your hair type, click here.

Step Four: Lacquer Your Locks.
“I like to use hairspray as it locks your hairstyle in place and creates a nice finish to the hair, but if you find that you’ve sprayed too much, take a paddle brush to brush it out," says Ken. Phobic of hairspray? Try a lightweight finishing spray with minimal hold, like Ojon Tunu Elastik. Whichever you choose, be sure to add that last layer of shine-enhancing product to amplify your hair's brilliance and complete your look.

Source: Gabriela Maj/Getty Images, Jemal Countess/WireImage

Pictured here with Patricia Field at New York Fashion Week, Lucy Liu's hair couldn't be more healthy-looking.