Nothing looks as good as a head of gleaming, healthy hair. While a lucky few are born with good hair, most of us have to work hard to attain luscious locks but the results are well worth it. Here are a few tips to keep your mane in great shape! 1. Shampoo your hair every alternate day. Some beauticians recommend shampooing your hair everyday, but this must only be done with a very mild shampoo as you could dry out your hair. However, don't let your hair get really dirty before you shampoo it, as this could cause your hair to fall. Shampooing it every alternate day or at the most, after every two days, should do the trick. Take a clue from the climate you live in. Ask yourself these questions: - Is the climate humid - Do I exercise and workout a lot This leads to a sweaty scalp. - Is the atmosphere in my city polluted - If your answer to any of these questions is a yes, you need to shampoo more often. 2. Does your work or lifestyle take you out in the sun a lot Wear a cap, and try and get your hands on a conditioner which has sun block. UV radiation can cause untold damage to your hair, so don't step out without a hat or scarf. Ideally, avoid stepping out between noon and 3:00, when the rays of the sun are at their harshest. 3. Apply oil at least once a week. Leave it on for around half an hour to an hour, and shampoo off. If possible, once a month, give your hair a deep-conditioning treatment by steaming your oiled hair to enable it to penetrate the strands. 4. Egg is excellent for the hair. It nourishes hair and adds shine. Whip up an egg and apply it to your hair once a week, after applying oil. 5. Visit your hairdresser for a trim at least once in four to six months, to keep split ends in check. There is no 'cure' for split ends. Once a hair is split, the end has to be cut off to avoid further splitting of the strand. Hairdressers would naturally recommend more frequent visits, but if you are trying to grow out your hair then a trim once in six months should suffice. If you want to maintain your current hairstyle, get it trimmed more often. 6. Condition your hair after every wash. After shampooing your hair, towel dry. Take a little conditioner in the palm of your hand, rub hands together, and apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair. Never, ever apply it to the scalp. Once you've applied the conditioner, comb it through your hair with a wide-toothed comb so it gets evenly distributed. Wash off after three minutes. 7. Is your hair frizzy? A great trick to tame frizzy hair is to apply two or three drops of oil to your hair, just after washing it, when your hair is still soaking wet. This tames the hair without giving it an oily appearance. 8. Don't shampoo your hair with hot water. Cold water is best. 9. If you have long hair, sleep on a satin pillowcase. This helps hair glide when you move in your sleep. Regular cotton pillowcases may latch on to your hair, causing breakage. It's best to tie hair up when sleeping. Never, ever use elastic rubber bands. Instead, invest in 'scrunchies', which are rubber bands enclosed in cloth. 10. Make sure your diet is healthy, or it will reflect on your hair. Get your daily dose of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Fish is excellent for hair.