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8 Stylist Secrets for Healthy Gorgeous Hair
Nothing compares to a professional blowout, but with the right techniques, it is possible to achieve and maintain that salon look at home. Here, hairdressers reveal their best tips, tools, and products for shiny, beautiful hair. By Madeline R. Vann, MPHMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: August 23, 2019Medically Reviewed Not sure how to style your hair at home These tips can help you get that fresh-from-the-salon look
iStock When it comes to getting just-stepped-out-of-the-salon hair at home, your stylist really is your secret weapon. They know the cuts and products that are best for your particular type of hair, and the tools that can help you maintain the look. Of course, nothing quite compares to a professional blowout. "As a professional, I am going to get a better blow dry from another professional,” says Lindsay "Dez" DesPlaines Syck, a leading Aveda stylist and trainer with Neroli Salon & Spa in Milwaukee. Not due for a trim or color for a few weeks? Not to worry. The following eight tips and tricks from professional stylists will help you score shiny, healthy hair in between appointments.1163 Get a Good Haircut & Learn How to Maintain It
iStock"My biggest pet peeve is that clients have really low expectations of their hairstylists," says Syck. She advises finding a stylist who can create a haircut that’s just right for you and your hair, and who will explain what it's going to take for you to maintain the look. That usually means getting regular trims, says Tania Moran, a stylist at Swank salon in New York City. "If you have long hair, return every six to eight weeks," she recommends. "If you want it to grow, wait a bit longer. If you have short hair, go in every four to six weeks."1164 Use the Right Products for Your Hair Type
iStockA good stylist will also help you understand which products are best for your particular type of hair. For example, using shine/gloss drops with an external heat source will help repair damaged, dry, or frizzy hair, says Moran. For brassiness in blondes, Moran suggests trying violet shampoo and conditioner. Texture and volume spray can perk up limp hair, she advises, while smoothing creams can help tame thick hair. Leave-in conditioner and curl cream are a good combination for curly hair, she adds.1165 Wash Your Hair a Lot Less Frequently
iStock"The worst-case scenario is washing hair daily," says Syck of this common mistake. Frequent shampooing wears down your hair (especially if you like hot water), and can remove your natural oils. Unless you have a very oily scalp, wash only once or twice a week. As a bonus, the less you wash, the less often you need to apply a styling product. In between washes, briefly rinse hair to remove dirt. Dry shampoo is a great alternative, says Moran, but using it too frequently can create buildup. If buildup does occur, conquer it with a clarifying shampoo once a month or more, she recommends.1166 Invest in Some High-Quality Hot Tools
iStockThere's no getting around it — you want to invest in the right tools for hair care. "It's not a bad idea to spend $100 or $150 on a blow dryer — same for a curling iron or a flat iron," says Syck. But even the best products don’t always last forever, warns Moran. “Warrantees are helpful, as there’s always a chance that your tool will decide to burn out. And be careful when traveling, because your converters have to convert volts and watts, not only outlet size.” For high-quality hot tools with excellent longevity, Moran is a huge fan of Chi, which makes flat irons, curling irons, and more. “They tend to be on the more expensive side while still being reasonable,” she says.1167 Learn How to Give Yourself a Blowout
iStockHeat and direction are the key elements for a successful blowout, says Moran. The best beauty tip when blow drying your hair is to get as close as possible without actually touching the strands (the heat can do damage). Use a moderate to high heat setting, and make sure you aim down so that air blows along the hair shafts from root to tip. That's what gives you the sleek shininess of salon hair. To achieve waves or curls at home, curling irons and wands are the most user-friendly, rather than trying to use a brush, according to Moran. But don’t overdo it with hot tools. “Using two hot tools a day can be very drying and damaging to the hair,” she warns. “I recommend air drying the hair, then using an iron.”1168 Use Heat Protectant Products Every Time
iStock"Heat is a double-edged sword," acknowledges Syck. "It is what drives the professional finish, [but] you need to default to a heat protecting product." Always use a heat protectant spray or serum before you blow dry or flat iron, says Moran. She recommends ColorProof’s CrazySmooth Extreme Shine Treatment Oil. “When used with hot tools, it breaks the product down to penetrate the hair shaft in order to work on reconstruction and protection,” she says.1169 Sleep on Satin or Silk Pillowcases
iStockAs beauty tips go, this one may make you feel a little spoiled (but really, why not spoil yourself if it's this easy?). Satin or silk pillowcases help maintain your salon hair longer, because they don’t rub the hair in an aggressive manner, says Moran. When you move your head around in your sleep (as most people tend to do), it slides across silk as opposed to dragging abruptly on cotton, which can undo your style or push it out of shape, especially if you use hairspray, she explains.1170 Don t Wear the Same Ponytail Every Day
iStockUsing shampoo more sparingly means you will probably come to a day when a sleek ponytail is the best — and easiest — style. But ponytail holders that are tough or textured can damage your hair if you put it up wet, says Moran. “If you put your hair up when it’s dry, it’s stronger and more resilient to breaking,” she explains. Also, Syck says, be sure to protect your hair by varying your updos, as the same placement each day can cause breakage or damage. A high ponytail today should mean a low one tomorrow or a pinned-up twist instead. Additional reporting by Jennifer D’Angelo Friedman. Most Recent in Skin & Beauty
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