Sexy hair secrets: there's one lock look that is always in style: a healthy, shiny, magnificent mane. Find out how to get it no matter what you subject your strands to every day.(COSMO BEAUTY BOOK)

Glossy hair that begs to be touched is undeniably alluring. But unless you're genetically blessed, getting lush locks can be a catch-22. Chances are, you assault yours with brushes, blow-dryers, flatirons, hot rollers, and dyes or bleaches in an effort to get a crave-worthy coif, but over time, those styling habits leave them frizzy and brittle. Here, top pros give their best tips for preventing tress distresses.

IF YOU

Do Basic Styling

Even if you let your hair air-dry a lot, don't color it, and only occasionally use a hot iron, normal wear and tear from washing, brushing, and the environment can be damaging, says Cheri McMaster, Pantene principal scientist.

Your Get-Healthy Hair Strategy

* Be smart about sudsing up. Wash your mane every two days, if possible, says Gretchen Monahan, Dove celebrity stylist and owner of the Grettacole salons in Boston. And switch to a mild shampoo.

* Crib a conditioning regimen. UV rays and free radicals zap hair of moisture. For daily conditioning, just target your ends (which are driest). We like Clairol Herbal Essences Citrus Lift Tip Conditioner, $2.99 (1). In addition, mist damp locks with a light leave-in version. "The silicone in most leave-in treatments creates a barrier between your hair and the sun," says McMaster. Try Dove Sheer Moisture Leave-In Replenishing Mist, $5.99 (2).