Expert Tips and Tricks for Solving 15 of Your Top Hair Problems
1 "What can I do to make my hair look good--fast?"
QUICK FIX: Shampooing and restyling only your bangs or the layered pieces framing your face can totally freshen up your 'do, says Philip Carreon, co-owner of Estilo Salon in Los Angeles (and stylist to Courteney Cox and Alicia Silverstone, among others). Tip: Fill a spray bottle with water and mist just your roots. Then turn your head upside down and blow-dry for a couple of minutes, lifting at the roots to add extra volume.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: If your usual style scores high on the maintenance scale, consider a cut that works with your natural hair texture so your 'do is more wash-and-wear (example: a short, blunt-cut bob to give fine hair the illusion of fullness).
2 "My bangs won't behave!"
QUICK FIX: Philip tames an unruly fringe with a medium-size round brush and a blow-dryer. He suggests wrapping wet bangs around the brush and blow-drying, pointing the dryer's nozzle straight down. Then, while your hair is still hot, place the brush (or your hand) on top of your bangs and gently flatten them against your forehead while the air cools.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Get a cut that works with your hairline. This might involve longer bangs, brushing them to the side or even growing them out if you have a stubborn cowlick. Note. The wispier your bangs, the harder it is to keep them in place. Opt instead for a heavier fringe.
3 "I have combination hair--oily at the roots and really dry at the ends."
QUICK FIX: Laurent D. of Salon Prive in Los Angeles and New York City (stylist to stars like Shannen Doherty and Gwyneth Paltrow) recommends the following regime. To absorb oil, sprinkle baby powder or dry shampoo (like Klorane Dry Shampoo) on your scalp and brush it through your roots. Then mist the ends of your hair with a leave-in conditioner (like Pantene Pro-V Light Spray Conditioner) and style as usual. (Note: If your hair is black or brown, use the powder sparingly--it's more noticeable on dark tresses.)
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: When you shampoo, concentrate the suds on your scalp, not the ends of your hair. Alternatively, apply conditioner to the ends of your locks, avoiding the roots. A shampoo formulated for combination hair (like Charles Worthington's Balancing Act Oil Regulating Shampoo) targets both problems.
4 "I want my hair to curl under, not flip out, at the ends."
QUICK FIX: Blow-dry sections of your hair around a large-barrel round brush. As you finish drying each section, leave your hair wrapped around the brush for a few seconds to cool and lock in the style. "Removing the brush while your hair is still hot or yanking it out too quickly can pull out the curl," says Damien Miano of New York City's Milano/Viel Salon & Span.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: If you don't like the flipped-out look, avoid shoulder-length hair, advises Damien. "It tends to turn up where it hits your collarbone," he says. "You're better off going for a chin-length or well-below-the-shoulders cut."
5 "How can I make my hair grow faster."
QUICK FIX: On average, hair grows about half an inch a month, no matter what you do to it. To camouflage the difference between growing-out pieces (like bangs) and longer sections, Damien recommends adding layers to your style, using your shorter hair as the shortest layer. Another option: Pin back growing-out sections with pretty barrettes and bobby pinks, or use headbands. Don't skimp on styling products: Mousses, gels and creams help hold shorter strands in place.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Schedule regular trims farther apart than usual (say, every 10 weeks or so) and get only a small amount of hair snipped off--just enough to keep your locks in top condition as they grow.
6 "Any tips on how to make my curly hair straight?"
QUICK FIX: Damien swears by straightening balm (he likes Alterna Hemp Seed Straightening Balm and Salon Selectives Level 10 Smoothing Gel) and either a flat paddle brush or a large round brush. Apply the straightening balm to damp hair. Then divide your hair into small sections and blow-dry one section at a time, using the brush to pull hair straight and taut while you direct the hot air downward. Finish by using a straightening iron on individual sections. "If you're in a rush, just use the iron on the top layers," says Damien.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Ask your stylist about gentle relaxing treatments (like Rusk's Radical Anti-Curl). They work by chemically loosening the curl (and frizz), making it easier to straighten and style your hair.
7 "I hate my new hair color!"
QUICK FIX: If you used a home-coloring kit, call the company's toll-free hotline for advice during hair-color emergencies. According to Louis Licari of New York City's Louis Licari Color Group, applying a hot oil treatment (like Alberto V05 Hot Oil Treatment) to recently dyed hair causes color--especially the semipermanent kind--to fade faster. Leave the product in your hair for 15 minutes, then shampoo out. You can repeat this several times a day without harming your hair.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Go to a professional colorist. She or he can use a special color-removing treatment (Schwarzkopf Igora Modulat, Clairol UnColor) to return your hair to its preprocessed shade.
8 "Help! My new highlights are already changing color."
QUICK FIX: To offset brassy-looking highlights, try an ash brown semipermanent dye, or blend brassiness away with a few blond highlights. (when in doubt, call the hair-color company's toll-free hotline for specific advice.) To brighten fading color, Louis Viel, New York City colorist and co-owner of Miano/Viel Salon & Spa, recommends a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner (Revlon ColorStay, Paul Mitchell Color Shampoo).
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Wear a hat to protect your hair color from the sun, or use a leave-in styling product with an UV filter (like Clairol Daily Defense Fortifying Leave-In Conditioning Spray). Color lasts longer on healthy hair. so keep your locks in shape with regular conditioning treatments and frequent trims. And if red is your dream shade, be aware that auburn dyes fade the fastest.
9 "My hair is too think and hushy."
QUICK FIX: If you have straight locks, apply a silicone-based setting lotion (like Sebastian Laminates Spray) from the roots to the ends of damp hair. Blow-dry your hair smooth, pulling sections straight down with a flat paddle brush. For curlier styles, apply gel to the ends of your hair to add weight and blow-dry using a diffuser attachment.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Allen Edwards, owner of the Allen Edwards Salon in Los Angeles (and stylist to Jenna Elfman and Renee Zellweger), recommends thinning out too-thick hair by having it cut in long layers with a straight razor. "It removes more bulk than a blunt cut done using scissors," he explains.
10 "Is there any way to keep my curls pretty and in control?"
QUICK FIX: For best results, Laurent recommends applying a leave-in conditioner (like aussie DewPlex Leave-In Conditioner + Styler In One) to wet hair, then allowing it to dry naturally. If you must blow-dry, use a diffuser attachment to soften the airflow. Keep your head upright while you style; flipping your hair over or from side to side will give it extra volume that you don't need. For added definition, wrap individual ringlets around a large-barrel curling iron.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Get curls cut in long layers; one-length hair tends to create a pyramidlike effect. And avoid brushing your hair when it's dry--it pulls out the curl and creates frizz.
11 "I've got lots of broken hairs. What should I do?"
QUICK FIX: A leave-in conditioner spritzed on dry locks will smooth frazzled ends and temporarily mask the problem, says Philip.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Condition your hair after each shampoo, and try to minimize combing or brushing wet hair--it's more delicate and prone to breakage. Once a week, apply a deep conditioner (like L'Oreal FortaVive Pure Strength 5 Minute Treatment). Or try products formulated to strengthen fragile hair and prevent breakage (like Pantene's new Ultra-V Hair Strengthening Complex). Always use covered elastic bands (the kind with little hooks are best because you can unwind them instead of pulling them out) and be extra gentile when taking out barrettes and clips.
12 "My hair gets so frizzy when it's humid outside."
QUICK FIX: Dry, porous hair tends to absorb moisture from the air, swelling strands and making them frizz, explains Philip. If you have coarse, curly hair, he recommends working in a humidity-repelling leave-in conditioner (Sebastian Moisture Base, Redken Climatress Moist-Ends, Aveda Styling Curessence) while your hair is still wet. If you have fine locks, opt for a lightweight balm (like Clairol's Frizz control Frizz Taming Balm).
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Don't fight the texture of your hair on a particularly humid day. "If your hair has some natural curl or wave to it, it's best to work with it, not against it," says Philip.
13 "My hair looks dull. How can I get more shine?"
QUICK FIX: Lay off the hairspray, says Philip, since spray buildup is dulling. Instead, he recommends choosing silicone-based styling products (like Sebastian Laminates Get A Grip) to get texture, hold and shine all in one. Rinsing hair with cold water after shampooing closes the hair's cuticle (aka the outer layer) so it reflects light better.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Try sudsing up weekly with a clarifying cleanser (ThermaSilk Clarifying Shampoo, Neutrogena Daily Care Shampoo, Vidal Sassoon Clarifying Shampoo) to remove product buildup. Limit heat styling and condition your hair regularly. For shine plus brightness, try an extra-conditioning semipermanent color gloss. Do it yourself at home (with Clairol's Natural Instincts or L'Oreal's Castings Spa Colour) or get it done in a salon.
14 "I have tons of split ends."
QUICK FIX: Allen masks split ends by working a dab of deep conditioning (like Aveda Deep Conditioner) into damp hair before styling. You can also apply a split-end treatment (like Infusium 23 Split End Repair) to damp hair to fuse forked locks. If your split ends do an antennaelike thing once your hair is dry, work in an anti-humectant pomade (like Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade) to control them and seal in moisture.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Ease up on the blow-drying--it makes hair more prone to splitting. If you have to use a dryer, go for a low heat setting and direct the flow of air downward. Prevent split ends before they start by getting monthly trims.
15 "How can I give my limp hair a volume boost."
QUICK FIX: Laurent swears by volumizing spray (try Aussie Real Volume Spray or L'Oreal BodyVive Add-In Body Spray. Use the product on damp or dry roots, then flip your head over and blow-dry. When your hair is nearly dry, smooth the top layer with a round brush. To create extra volume, wrap sections of dry hair around large Velcro rollers and mist with an aerosol hairspray. Remove the rollers when the spray dries.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Try a volumizing shampoo and a lightweight, body-building conditioner (like Vidal Sassoon Texturizing Formula Shampoo for Fine Hair). Apply conditioner only on the ends. Dyes can also add volume: When you go darker, the pigment coats the hair shaft, making each strand thicker, while going lighter removes color from the hair shaft, causing the cuticle to swell and creating volume.
By: Laing, Jennifer, Palma, Anna, Seventeen
QUICK FIX: Shampooing and restyling only your bangs or the layered pieces framing your face can totally freshen up your 'do, says Philip Carreon, co-owner of Estilo Salon in Los Angeles (and stylist to Courteney Cox and Alicia Silverstone, among others). Tip: Fill a spray bottle with water and mist just your roots. Then turn your head upside down and blow-dry for a couple of minutes, lifting at the roots to add extra volume.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: If your usual style scores high on the maintenance scale, consider a cut that works with your natural hair texture so your 'do is more wash-and-wear (example: a short, blunt-cut bob to give fine hair the illusion of fullness).
2 "My bangs won't behave!"
QUICK FIX: Philip tames an unruly fringe with a medium-size round brush and a blow-dryer. He suggests wrapping wet bangs around the brush and blow-drying, pointing the dryer's nozzle straight down. Then, while your hair is still hot, place the brush (or your hand) on top of your bangs and gently flatten them against your forehead while the air cools.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Get a cut that works with your hairline. This might involve longer bangs, brushing them to the side or even growing them out if you have a stubborn cowlick. Note. The wispier your bangs, the harder it is to keep them in place. Opt instead for a heavier fringe.
3 "I have combination hair--oily at the roots and really dry at the ends."
QUICK FIX: Laurent D. of Salon Prive in Los Angeles and New York City (stylist to stars like Shannen Doherty and Gwyneth Paltrow) recommends the following regime. To absorb oil, sprinkle baby powder or dry shampoo (like Klorane Dry Shampoo) on your scalp and brush it through your roots. Then mist the ends of your hair with a leave-in conditioner (like Pantene Pro-V Light Spray Conditioner) and style as usual. (Note: If your hair is black or brown, use the powder sparingly--it's more noticeable on dark tresses.)
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: When you shampoo, concentrate the suds on your scalp, not the ends of your hair. Alternatively, apply conditioner to the ends of your locks, avoiding the roots. A shampoo formulated for combination hair (like Charles Worthington's Balancing Act Oil Regulating Shampoo) targets both problems.
4 "I want my hair to curl under, not flip out, at the ends."
QUICK FIX: Blow-dry sections of your hair around a large-barrel round brush. As you finish drying each section, leave your hair wrapped around the brush for a few seconds to cool and lock in the style. "Removing the brush while your hair is still hot or yanking it out too quickly can pull out the curl," says Damien Miano of New York City's Milano/Viel Salon & Span.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: If you don't like the flipped-out look, avoid shoulder-length hair, advises Damien. "It tends to turn up where it hits your collarbone," he says. "You're better off going for a chin-length or well-below-the-shoulders cut."
5 "How can I make my hair grow faster."
QUICK FIX: On average, hair grows about half an inch a month, no matter what you do to it. To camouflage the difference between growing-out pieces (like bangs) and longer sections, Damien recommends adding layers to your style, using your shorter hair as the shortest layer. Another option: Pin back growing-out sections with pretty barrettes and bobby pinks, or use headbands. Don't skimp on styling products: Mousses, gels and creams help hold shorter strands in place.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Schedule regular trims farther apart than usual (say, every 10 weeks or so) and get only a small amount of hair snipped off--just enough to keep your locks in top condition as they grow.
6 "Any tips on how to make my curly hair straight?"
QUICK FIX: Damien swears by straightening balm (he likes Alterna Hemp Seed Straightening Balm and Salon Selectives Level 10 Smoothing Gel) and either a flat paddle brush or a large round brush. Apply the straightening balm to damp hair. Then divide your hair into small sections and blow-dry one section at a time, using the brush to pull hair straight and taut while you direct the hot air downward. Finish by using a straightening iron on individual sections. "If you're in a rush, just use the iron on the top layers," says Damien.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Ask your stylist about gentle relaxing treatments (like Rusk's Radical Anti-Curl). They work by chemically loosening the curl (and frizz), making it easier to straighten and style your hair.
7 "I hate my new hair color!"
QUICK FIX: If you used a home-coloring kit, call the company's toll-free hotline for advice during hair-color emergencies. According to Louis Licari of New York City's Louis Licari Color Group, applying a hot oil treatment (like Alberto V05 Hot Oil Treatment) to recently dyed hair causes color--especially the semipermanent kind--to fade faster. Leave the product in your hair for 15 minutes, then shampoo out. You can repeat this several times a day without harming your hair.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Go to a professional colorist. She or he can use a special color-removing treatment (Schwarzkopf Igora Modulat, Clairol UnColor) to return your hair to its preprocessed shade.
8 "Help! My new highlights are already changing color."
QUICK FIX: To offset brassy-looking highlights, try an ash brown semipermanent dye, or blend brassiness away with a few blond highlights. (when in doubt, call the hair-color company's toll-free hotline for specific advice.) To brighten fading color, Louis Viel, New York City colorist and co-owner of Miano/Viel Salon & Spa, recommends a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner (Revlon ColorStay, Paul Mitchell Color Shampoo).
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Wear a hat to protect your hair color from the sun, or use a leave-in styling product with an UV filter (like Clairol Daily Defense Fortifying Leave-In Conditioning Spray). Color lasts longer on healthy hair. so keep your locks in shape with regular conditioning treatments and frequent trims. And if red is your dream shade, be aware that auburn dyes fade the fastest.
9 "My hair is too think and hushy."
QUICK FIX: If you have straight locks, apply a silicone-based setting lotion (like Sebastian Laminates Spray) from the roots to the ends of damp hair. Blow-dry your hair smooth, pulling sections straight down with a flat paddle brush. For curlier styles, apply gel to the ends of your hair to add weight and blow-dry using a diffuser attachment.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Allen Edwards, owner of the Allen Edwards Salon in Los Angeles (and stylist to Jenna Elfman and Renee Zellweger), recommends thinning out too-thick hair by having it cut in long layers with a straight razor. "It removes more bulk than a blunt cut done using scissors," he explains.
10 "Is there any way to keep my curls pretty and in control?"
QUICK FIX: For best results, Laurent recommends applying a leave-in conditioner (like aussie DewPlex Leave-In Conditioner + Styler In One) to wet hair, then allowing it to dry naturally. If you must blow-dry, use a diffuser attachment to soften the airflow. Keep your head upright while you style; flipping your hair over or from side to side will give it extra volume that you don't need. For added definition, wrap individual ringlets around a large-barrel curling iron.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Get curls cut in long layers; one-length hair tends to create a pyramidlike effect. And avoid brushing your hair when it's dry--it pulls out the curl and creates frizz.
11 "I've got lots of broken hairs. What should I do?"
QUICK FIX: A leave-in conditioner spritzed on dry locks will smooth frazzled ends and temporarily mask the problem, says Philip.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Condition your hair after each shampoo, and try to minimize combing or brushing wet hair--it's more delicate and prone to breakage. Once a week, apply a deep conditioner (like L'Oreal FortaVive Pure Strength 5 Minute Treatment). Or try products formulated to strengthen fragile hair and prevent breakage (like Pantene's new Ultra-V Hair Strengthening Complex). Always use covered elastic bands (the kind with little hooks are best because you can unwind them instead of pulling them out) and be extra gentile when taking out barrettes and clips.
12 "My hair gets so frizzy when it's humid outside."
QUICK FIX: Dry, porous hair tends to absorb moisture from the air, swelling strands and making them frizz, explains Philip. If you have coarse, curly hair, he recommends working in a humidity-repelling leave-in conditioner (Sebastian Moisture Base, Redken Climatress Moist-Ends, Aveda Styling Curessence) while your hair is still wet. If you have fine locks, opt for a lightweight balm (like Clairol's Frizz control Frizz Taming Balm).
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Don't fight the texture of your hair on a particularly humid day. "If your hair has some natural curl or wave to it, it's best to work with it, not against it," says Philip.
13 "My hair looks dull. How can I get more shine?"
QUICK FIX: Lay off the hairspray, says Philip, since spray buildup is dulling. Instead, he recommends choosing silicone-based styling products (like Sebastian Laminates Get A Grip) to get texture, hold and shine all in one. Rinsing hair with cold water after shampooing closes the hair's cuticle (aka the outer layer) so it reflects light better.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Try sudsing up weekly with a clarifying cleanser (ThermaSilk Clarifying Shampoo, Neutrogena Daily Care Shampoo, Vidal Sassoon Clarifying Shampoo) to remove product buildup. Limit heat styling and condition your hair regularly. For shine plus brightness, try an extra-conditioning semipermanent color gloss. Do it yourself at home (with Clairol's Natural Instincts or L'Oreal's Castings Spa Colour) or get it done in a salon.
14 "I have tons of split ends."
QUICK FIX: Allen masks split ends by working a dab of deep conditioning (like Aveda Deep Conditioner) into damp hair before styling. You can also apply a split-end treatment (like Infusium 23 Split End Repair) to damp hair to fuse forked locks. If your split ends do an antennaelike thing once your hair is dry, work in an anti-humectant pomade (like Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade) to control them and seal in moisture.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Ease up on the blow-drying--it makes hair more prone to splitting. If you have to use a dryer, go for a low heat setting and direct the flow of air downward. Prevent split ends before they start by getting monthly trims.
15 "How can I give my limp hair a volume boost."
QUICK FIX: Laurent swears by volumizing spray (try Aussie Real Volume Spray or L'Oreal BodyVive Add-In Body Spray. Use the product on damp or dry roots, then flip your head over and blow-dry. When your hair is nearly dry, smooth the top layer with a round brush. To create extra volume, wrap sections of dry hair around large Velcro rollers and mist with an aerosol hairspray. Remove the rollers when the spray dries.
LONG-TERM PRESCRIPTION: Try a volumizing shampoo and a lightweight, body-building conditioner (like Vidal Sassoon Texturizing Formula Shampoo for Fine Hair). Apply conditioner only on the ends. Dyes can also add volume: When you go darker, the pigment coats the hair shaft, making each strand thicker, while going lighter removes color from the hair shaft, causing the cuticle to swell and creating volume.
By: Laing, Jennifer, Palma, Anna, Seventeen
posted by James at 1:44 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home