Basic start: To ensure that your fabulous locks will stay looking great from January to December, it's essential to start with a great cut. Take a trip to your hairdresser and have a lengthy consultation where you can discuss your hair type, the kind of look that you want, the length that you want and the level of maintenance you are willing and able to put into styling your own hair.

Daily: Great hair starts with daily work. Brushing your hair is essential to keeping it manageable and healthy. Using a brush (or a comb) specific to your hair type will make the job easier. Washing should also be made part of your daily routine if your hair can handle it, if not, keep washing to a minimum of 3 times a week and always use shampoos and conditioners that will nourish and protect your hair.

Weekly: Leave your hair alone. Give your hair a break once a week and don't add any products or use any heat styling aids. Just wash it and let it dry naturally.

Monthly: Applying a deep treatment to your locks once a month will add extra nourishment to your strands and help keep them protected.

Every 6 weeks: Get a trim to keep your ends neat and your strands healthy. If you're trying to grow your hair, try extending the time between your trims to 8 weeks.

Every 3 months: Try a new hair brush. Using a worn brush can cause damage to your strands, so to keep your hair in tip-top shape, replace your brush.

Every 6 months: Give your hair an evaluation and make a change. A new type of cut or color (or both) should be enough to give your look a total re-vamp and keep you out of a hair rut.

Yearly: Appraise everything about your hair from the styling tools that you use, the shampoo, the conditioner and even your stylist. If something is not working for you or your hair, change it!