We all appreciate that the hair seen in commercials may just be computer generated iridescent and therefore doesn’t appear to look the same in the real world.

However even the most lacklustre locks can get some help. Here’s a few ways to get hair glimmering: eating correctly is most important especially foods containing keratin, a form of protein. Foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs, beans and low-fat dairy products together with foods containing omega-3 fats such as salmon, avocados, flaxseed oil, brazil nuts and almonds all benefit hair development and sheen.

A healthy diet offering nutrition intervention will take time so don’t expect to show off a new shine for about 6 months.

Keeping and getting hair clean is most important and if you are a styling-product junkie, you’ll need to banish the build-up thereby guaranteeing squeaky clean hair. Try using a clarifying shampoo or an home-made recipe as follows:

1 tablespoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of your shampoo

The bicarbonate will remove the sticky residue. Conditioning is also important so do it every time you shampoo. Always choose a nutrient rich formula which includes ingredients such as avocado oil, olive oil and shea butter. These moisturize and fill in the tiny cracks in the hair shaft.

And forget the cold water rinse. It may be good to help close your pores but doesn’t do anything for hair cuticles.

Practice damage control so when drying squeeze gently and blot, not rub, hair when you towel-dry. Remember wet hair is fragile and the friction of vigorous rubbing can damage the hair cuticle.

Getting that glossy mane is easy, always look for dimethiconol on the label. Make sure it’s in a water-soluble form as constant use creates a build-up that will eventually dry hair out.

Stop night-time fuzz by sleeping on satin pillowcases for equally satiny hair. The friction from tossing and turning equals full especially as at night the average head is 9lbs of deadweight.

Always brush with the best. Boar-bristle brushes, or boar-bristle with nylon, are superior for smoothing hair and distributing natural oils. Plastic hair brushes don’t have as much give and so can snag and break hair. And you don’t have to do those 100 strokes per night as it’s a myth that you can condition your hair by repeatedly stroking the scalp. All this does is to tax your hair.

Recipe for shiny hair:

½ avocado, peeled and pitted

2 tbsp vodka

2 tbsp honey

1 egg yolk

Mash the avocado in a small glass bowl together with the vodka, honey and egg to form a creamy mixture. Apply to freshly shampooed, towel blotted hair and leave for 30 minutes.

Rinse well in warm water, then shampoo and style as usual.