Andrew Barton: steps to shiny happy hair

Top hairdresser Andrew Barton has tested products, gadgets and myths, styled for catwalks, celebrities and royalty, and helped women look 10 years younger on the hit show of the same name. In an iVillage exclusive he shares his insider knowledge for shiny happy hair

I'm always aware of the potential that good hair has to transform how a woman looks and feels; how it can excite and ignite her emotions and give her a sense of power and the feeling that she can conquer anything in her path...

Getting the right nutrients

The path to shiny hair is certainly not paved with fad diets - it's about achieving a balance and making sure you eat regularly so that your body gets a good intake of nutrients. When the body is under attack the first place it takes essential nutrients from is the hair and skin - this is the front line, if you like.

The food we eat really does make a huge difference to the essential nutrients that hair needs for growth. When we eat, our bodies go to work breaking down the nutrients. The hair and scalp need these nutrients - in particular vitamins A, B, C and E - as much as any other part of the body. And don't think you can cheat by taking a vitamin supplement - it may help a little but hair needs the real thing!

Replace chocolatey snacks and crisps eaten between meals with some delicious fresh fruit and your hair will thank you for it.