We all know that our head of hair is our crowning glory, but, sometimes it seems as though our hair has a mind of it's own.

It also doesn't help that the hair ads on television and magazines have women with gorgeous shiny hair, flowing down their back.

So how can we achieve such amazing results without breaking the bank? And is it possible? Besides having the right lighting and cosmetic products for our hair, yes, actually, it IS possible to have shiny and healthy hair.

Here are some easy tips that you can do at home:

Trim your hair every 5 or 6 weeks – this will help reduce your chances of getting split ends and also help get rid of split ends if you have any.

Use a wide tooth comb when de-tangling wet hair. This is when your hair is at it's weakest, so you really don't want to tug and pull at it, making it brittle and once again, causing the ends to split.

Apply some olive oil to the ends of your hair to bind it, if you do find any split ends. This is only a temporary cosmetic solution, but will help make your hair look a bit healthier.

Avoid colouring your hair, or damaging it with heat too often. Try and limit the times you use a curling tong, or straightener. You can also try spraying with a protection serum before blow drying. This is usually applied at the roots of your hair.

In Summer, make sure you wear a hat, as the UV rays from the sun can also damage your hair.

When swimming, be it in chlorinated water or in sea water, always wear a swimming cap. You might not look glamorous whilst swimming, but at least your hair will thank you for it.

In Winter, a scarf or Winter hat would also help protect your hair from the damaging winds.

Condition your hair each time you shampoo and do a conditioning treatment at least twice a week. If your hair is in pretty good condition, then only once a week is necessary.

Besides using the commercial treatments for hair, you can also make your own hair masque by using egg yolk and olive oil.

Simply beat 2 egg yolks (depending on the length of your hair and the size of the egg), and mix it with some olive oil. About a couple of tablespoons is enough. Then apply throughout the hair. Leave this on for around an hour or so, and then wash off with a gentle shampoo. The protein and other essential nutrients from the egg yolk will help to repair the hair shaft and the oil will help to moisturise the hair and the scalp.

Shiny, Dandruff Free Hair

When it comes to shinier hair and controlling dandruff, coconut oil has been known to work very well. You can get some good coconut oil from health food stores.

Make sure the coconut oil is warmed through before you apply onto your scalp and your hair,  as it solidifies in cold climate.

To do this, simply place some in a container and place the container in a pot of warm water. If you have very dry hair, it's best to leave the oil on overnight, remembering to use a shower cap to avoid having oil stains on your pillowcase!

For normal to oily hair, you only need a couple of hours. Then wash your hair with shampoo.

Lifestyle and Hair

Your diet is also important as the condition of your health is normally reflected on your skin, teeth and hair. Green leafy vegetables, chicken, carrots, low-fat dairy, beans and salmon are great for your hair. They have all the necessary nutrients like Vitamins A, C, protein, calcium and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your scalp and promoting strength for your hair.

Avoid processed foods or foods that are high in sugar, or trans-fats. Monosodium Glutamate, also known as MSG, are also bad for your health and hair, so avoid that at all costs. MSG is known to cause hair loss.

Simple and Affordable

I hope these tips will help you give the love and care your hair needs. They are pretty easy to follow and affordable as well, so really, we haven't got any excuse not to.