The Style Glossy: New & Now

Tame Your Problem Hair!

By Emily Listfield for The Style Glossy

Bad hair day? We went to celeb stylists for advice on dealing with some of the peskiest problems. Here are their top tips on how to rehab your locks.

Frizz
“Start fighting frizz in the shower by using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner,” says stylist Kevin Mancuso, a favorite of Demi Moore’s. “Hair expands when it’s exposed to water, as it is on a humid day, but well-hydrated hair is less likely to drink up the moisture that’s in the air.”

If the frizz has already taken hold, you can benefit from a silicone serum. Rub a dime-sized amount in your palm and smooth over the surface of your hair to add shine and deflate poof. Also, avoid brushing curly hair once it’s dry. 

We recommend using Clairol Professional Satin Anti-Frizz Serum 40ml - $23.50 when it comes to unruly hair, as it fights the frizzies and adds moisture to magically create silky-smooth hair in next to no time.

Flyaways
“Often, when people blow out their hair, they over-dry it, causing flyaways,” explains stylist Mario Russo, known for styling the locks of Natalie Portman. “Add a small amount of a moisturising leave-in conditioner to your hair while it’s still damp, concentrating on the more dried-out ends. Then blow-dry the hairline and crown first to get them smooth, aiming the nozzle down the hair shaft.” Stop as soon as your hair is dry to the touch underneath as well as on top, to avoid breakage.

A straightening iron can also help smooth flyaways -- when used correctly. Always apply a hydrating heat protectant first. Use minimal tension and round the ends in. Finish off with a styling cream or silicone serum to smooth down wayward strands. 

We have the Clairol Professional Smoothation Sleek Heat Protection Lotion 150 ml-$23.50  which protects hair cuticles from heat damage and helps fight frizz caused by heat. This added protection leaves hair looking smooth and sleek, with a healthy shine. It’s especially great for those with fine hair, which can be damaged easily. An absolute essential for fans of flat irons or curling tongs.

For protecting those Sebastian Professional Trilliant Spray RRP $42.00 - is a multifaceted complex designed to gently condition hair and provide heat protection with a shine smooth finish. Trilliant is Sebastian’s number one shine enhancing product and delivers polish, body and heat protection all in one.  

Too-short Bangs
While you can’t speed up hair growth, you can make the process more bearable. “Try sweeping your bangs to the side,” suggests stylist MariLynne Mele. “Blow-dry your bangs down with a comb to achieve maximum length, then lightly go over them with a rounded brush. Giving the ends a bend will ensure they don't bounce up, and impart a soft, naturally wispy look.” 

Over-processed Hair
Too many chemical treatments and your hair can end up looking -- and feeling -- like corn husks. Celeb stylist Ted Gibson, who helps get Anne Hathaway ready for photo shoots, offers this advice: “Getting a haircut, even a trim, will instantly cut off damaged ends and give you a fresh new look. Be sure to do a deep-conditioning treatment once a week as well.”

Mele recommends making your own treatment cocktail. After washing your hair, use a deep-conditioning mask mixed with about two pumps of shine serum. Apply, wait ten minutes, then rinse. It will give those dry, broken hairs extra shine and some weight to keep them down.

Roots
It’s one of the great mysteries of life how you can go to bed with perfectly fine colour and wake up the next day with 1.5 cm roots. To tide you over until your next dye job, colourist Jason Backe -- a favorite with beauty editors -- recommends this trick: “Hide gray by using eye shadow or mascara on the roots and setting it with hair spray. Both shadow and mascara are available in shades from light brown to black, which will work for all shades of brunette.” 

It’s harder for blondes to get away with this. They’re better off trying one of the new at-home hair-colouring kits designed solely for root touch-ups. Match the colour as closely as possible to the rest of your hair. Finally, no matter what’s at the root of your problem, changing the location of your part will help hide the telltale signs.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/edenexposed

Emily Listfield has contributed to numerous publications, including Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle.