DS

Wouldn’t it be awesome if every day was a good hair day? We spend a great deal of time every week with a blow dryer held to our head, fixing our locks.  It feels amazing when we know our style turned out just right but many days, we walk away feeling like we have wasted a lot of time and it still doesn’t look good.  I mean, it just falls flat about 5 minutes after you style it, doesn’t it? There may be some pointers that you could use if you struggle with this, too. We have listed some below for you:

• Start with wet hair. You can gently towel-dry so it’s not dripping wet, but don’t rub too hard (it’ll get tangled). For the smoothest, most long-lasting results, avoid “rough drying” — fluffing the hair with your hands while drying. While it saves time, it makes hair frizzy.
• Don’t use too much product. If your hair is fine or oily, it’ll become limp. Put a bit of product only the ends, if needed.
• This takes more time but is WORTH it.  Divide your hair in sections, and start in front because this area tends to dry the quickest. Using a round brush and plenty of tension, aim the blow-dryer at the roots and move it along the length of your hair to the ends. Heating the hair in the direction of the cuticle helps keep it smooth and fights frizz.
• For volume and height, hold each section up and in the opposite direction from the way you want it to lie. For extra bounce, pin each section up after drying to let it cool. This helps set the curl so your hair doesn’t go flat the minute you walk out of the bathroom.
• To make your blow-out last, spray your hair lightly and then leave it alone. Avoid brushing it out or running your fingers through it — this will break up the bounce and make it go limp. RESIST that temptation.  Just messing with your ‘do too much after you are done can leave it flat.  It is better to spray and go!

We’ve had quite a hot, humid summer! Are you having trouble controlling your locks in this sweltering heat? We looked for some helpful tips and wanted to share them with you:

• This may seem counterintuitive, but you should actually moisturize more often.  Properly moisturizing your hair will help fight the effects of humidity.  A lot of products are actually formulated to tame hair without weighing it down.  Apply a deep conditioner twice a week in the shower but only from halfway down to the ends.  Towel dry and then use a product to combat frizz and boost shine.
• Don’t fight your curls.  Summer hair is more loose and casual anyway–now is the time to play up the natural waves you have.  Save yourself the trouble and put the flat iron away.  Add a diffuser attachment to your blow dryer instead and encourage some soft, pretty curls or just allow it to air dry.  Hair that is damaged from overdrying or stress is even more prone to frizz up on you.
• Ponytails can be your best friend. Pull hair back in a chic style when humidity does get the best of you. A bun at the nape of the neck is timeless and sideswept ponytails and braids are a huge trend right now.
• Good Housekeeping reviewed anti-humidity hairsprays. You can find the results here.