Great shine starts long before the finishing product.
When The Independent explored what it really takes to achieve healthier, glossier hair, they turned to James Lear for the technical thinking behind the finish.
For James, understanding why hair has lost its shine in the first place is fundamental. While environment and everyday habits play their part, over-colouring, bleaching and excessive heat can have a significant impact on condition.
His advice starts with treating the problem, not masking it — choosing products specifically for concerns such as dryness or breakage, introducing oils throughout the styling routine and, importantly, protecting hair whenever heat is involved.
James also explains the technology behind modern lamellar treatments, which target conditioning ingredients where they're needed within each strand rather than simply working at surface level.
The principle is simple: protect the condition, retain the moisture and the shine will follow.
Discover James’ full contribution and The Independent’s verdict on the latest shine technology.
