What you need to breathe new life into your hair, straight from top stylists.
Ditch Boring Strands
We know you want to switch up your style. But in spite of your best
intentions — and your prettiest Pinterest boards — most mornings it's
quicker to stick with what you know. The thing is, feeling great about
your hair matters. In fact, according to a recent Dove survey, 90
percent of women say a good hairstyle can give their whole day a
positive vibe. We're not suggesting you reset your alarm to 4:00 a.m.
Instead we're offering tips that take just minutes to do. Here, what you
need to breathe new life into your hair, straight from top stylists.
Style While You Snooze
Go to bed tonight and wake up with gorgeous hair tomorrow by applying a drop of serum, like Tresemme Keratin Smooth Keratin Infusing Serum
($4, walgreens.com), to damp strands, splitting hair down the middle,
weaving it into two schoolgirl-style braids, and then hitting the sack.
"This will prevent flyaways and give you soft waves in the morning,"
says Jeanie Syfu, a hairstylist in New York City. If your hair is curly,
braid it tightly to create waves and nix fuzz. For those with superfine
hair that tends to get greasy, mist roots with dry shampoo before bed.
The starch in the powder will soak up any oil that accumulates while you
sleep. "You'll wake up with clean, voluminous hair," says Mark
Townsend, a hairstylist in Los Angeles. We like Bosley Professional Strength BosRenew Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($10, ulta.com), which contains DHT, an ingredient that helps prevent hair loss.
Treat While Training
Studies show that incorporating coconut oil into your diet can help
burn belly fat. Turns out, the ingredient also works magic on damaged
strands. Laini Reeves, a hairstylist in Los Angeles, suggests coating
dry hair with it before your next sweat session. Her pick: Nohona Organic Coconut Oil for Skin and Hair
($20, nohonaproducts.com). "The heat generated by your workout helps
the oil penetrate even deeper than it normally would," she explains.
Just warm two dime-size dollops between your palms and smooth on from
roots to ends, then twist hair into a tight bun. The nourishing oil
drenches strands in moisture; just shampoo post-gym and you're left with
lustrous locks.
Upgrade Your Pony
Take your go-to ponytail to the next level with this version from
Townsend that's as easy to pull off as the original: Simply part your
hair on the side, gather the smaller section into a low ponytail at the
nape of your neck and secure with an elastic. Then wrap the front
section around the elastic, holding it in place with bobby pins. "Let
some of it cover your ear a little," he says. "It's asymmetrical and
sexy without being too edgy."
Skip the Blow-Dryer
No time to wrestle with a dryer? Use hot rollers to tame frizz or
give flat strands a lift. You won't end up with helmet head, we promise:
"New versions don't get quite as hot as the older ones did, so curls
don't get too tight," explains Tommy Buckett, a hairstylist in New York
City. Roll back the top center section of your hair in three or four
large rollers. (For even more oomph, set two curlers vertically on
either side of your head). Wait 15 minutes, remove, shake out and usher
in instant body. Try T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers ($99,
sephora.com). For an even faster style, work a wet look. If your hair is
short, run a quarter-size dollop of gel through damp hair, then part it
and comb neatly. We like Kerastase Forme Fatale Bodifying All-Over Gel
($35, kerastase-usa.com). "Keep things feminine by back-combing the
crown for lift," Syfu says. For longer tresses, make a low side part,
then rake your hair into a bun at the nape of your neck, securing it
with an elastic. "Add a few pins to help it stay put," Townsend says. If
your hair tends to frizz, finish with a mist of flexible-hold hair
spray, like KMS California Hairplay Playable Texture ($19, kmscalifornia.com for salons).
Get a Little Dirty
If
you shampoo after every workout, stop! Washing too often opens your
hair's cuticles and strips away the natural oils. It can also cause the
pigments in color-treated strands to fade faster. Rather then sudsing up
every day, aim for three times a week. In between shampoos, rinse hair
with water, massaging your scalp with your fingertips. "Your natural
oils work as a conditioner to smooth and nourish the hair," Townsend
says.
[post_ads_2]
Use High-Tech Tools
You once had to choose between a boar-bristle paddle brush, which
enhances shine by raking natural oils through your hair, and a round
ceramic model, which heats up evenly to help shape hair when you style
it. Now the Macadamia Hot Curling Boar Brush ($45,
macadamiahair.com) combines both technologies into one. And when it
comes to straightening, this is your ticket to no more fried hair: the HAI 1.0 Neo Styling Iron
($150, folica.com), whose plates are coated with a thick finish that
feels like leather and prevents heat from scorching the hair shaft, says
Luke Chamberlain, a hairstylist in Los Angeles. The substance also
diffuses the heat, smoothing strands without zapping volume. Glide the
iron over sections of air-dried hair. "You'll end up with straight hair
that has movement," Chamberlain says.
Score Sexy Strands
New flexible nonflaky mousses, like L'Oreal Paris EverStyle Volume Boosting Mousse
($7, drugstores), work wonders on wet and dry hair. "A palmful is
usually the right amount, but don't worry about using too much,"
hairstylist Laini Reeves says. "Mousse is more forgiving than it used to
be." Scrunch into dry hair, flip your head upside down and blow-dry for
a minute. "You'll reactivate your style and get gorgeous texture,"
Buckett says.
Join the Band
Ever stop at a juice bar after a run, only to realize you've got no money? Goody Athletique Zipper Storage Headwrap
($6, Target stores) has a built-in pouch for stashing small items like
cash while you work out. What's more, its absorbent fabric wicks sweat
away from your roots. Now you can have your workout and drink your
smoothie too.
More From Fitness
More From Fitness
