Prep Your Hair for Autumn
Now that summer is coming to an end, it's time to figure out what to do with your easy, breezy hair. Below, we've provided 50 essential tips that will help your hair look good long after the warm weather is gone.
Safeguard Your Strands
1. Wash your hair every other day. To absorb excess oil between washes, apply a dime-size amount of baby powder to your roots at the crown and massage it into your scalp.
Related: See the best homemade hair treatments.
2. Get a trim every six to eight weeks to rid hair of dry, split ends.
3. Moisture loss causes split ends, so keep hair hydrated with Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Split End Prevention Leave-In Cream from mid-shaft to ends. ($4.49; at drugstores)
4. Deep-condition hair twice a month to restore health and boost radiance.
5. Be honest! Tell your stylist about any previous chemical treatments. This will ensure nothing is used on your hair that will cause a bad reaction-like hair loss.
6. Avoid pulling or tugging at tangled wet hair. Hair is like an elastic band-it can snap off and break if stretched too far. Instead, use your fingers or a widetooth comb to separate wet strands.
7. Hot water is the enemy! High temperatures can damage your hair and will promote frizz.
8. Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove protein buildup along the scalp caused by oral medications, fatty acids and product use.
9. Create your own clarifying rinse: Mix 1 oz apple cider vinegar with 8 oz water and apply to wet hair. Let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse clear.
10. Buffing your hair with a towel when wet causes it to tangle. To absorb water, gently blot with a towel.
11. Want a quick hydration boost for hair? Apply olive oil to ends.
12. Always rinse out conditioner with cold water to seal the cuticle, which promotes shine.
13. Comb your hair from root to tip each night to increase blood circulation, loosen up dry skin on your scalp and distribute your hair's natural oils, which will moisturize the hair shaft.
Preserve Your Color
14. Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recover Pak locks in moisture and extends the vibrancy of your color. ($25; Kiehls.com)
15. Believe it or not, color fades faster on air-dried hair. So use a hair dryer on the lowest heat to get hair at least 80% dry.
16. Look for "sulfate-free" on haircare product labels; it means they don't contain harsh detergents that strip color.
17. Is your color fading too soon? Be sure to use color-preserving shampoo and conditioner to keep it lasting longer between salon visits.
18. Avon Advance Techniques Age Retreat Foaming Shampoo forms a water-resistant shield on the hair shaft to keep your color true. ($5.99; Avon.com)
19. These days, we all need to be kind to our wallets. Try highlights instead of a single-process color-you'll find that they require less upkeep.
20. Ask your stylist to add highlights in two complementary shades to blend in perfectly with your natural color. Doing this will make your roots less noticeable as they grow out.
21. Between color appointments, apply a clear gloss treatment like Zotos Diamond Shine Rinse- Out Shine Boost Glaze to refresh your hair color and add shine. ($7.29; SallyBeauty.com)
22. Tired of coloring your hair to hide gray strands only for them to show up days later? Break this pattern by adding No Gray to any at-home coloring kit. It helps evenly cover gray hair. ($5.75; at Walgreens)
23. For the most natural finish, only go two shades lighter or darker when coloring your hair.
Tricks of the Trade
24. Avoid frizz-never brush curly hair, especially when it's dry.
25. Use a steel brush when blowdrying; it will absorb heat, speeding up drying time.
Related: Prevent your hair from thinning out.
26. Keep a shine serum in your arsenal of hair products to combat frizz flare-ups.
27. A drop of L'Oréal Paris EverPure Smooth Frizz-Free Serum is all you need to calm down wild hair. ($8.99; at drugstores)
28. Use a heat-protecting spray before blow-drying, flat-ironing or curling to add shine and shield hair from damaging heat.
29. Apply Oscar Blandi Seta Silk Polishing Cream from mid-shaft to ends to finish off a DIY blow-dry. It's formulated with aloe vera and green tea to moisturize and protect your hair. ($19; HSN.com)
30. Got frizz and no product? Rub a dime-size amount of Vaseline between hands and lightly smooth over the top layers to quickly settle hair.
31. In a pinch, use beer (light beer has less of an aroma) as a setting lotion.
32. Ask your stylist for a how-to lesson on styling your hair so you'll be able to create the same look at home.
33. Keep a blowout lasting days longer by sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase.
34. Wear your everyday look to the salon. This will help your stylist understand your style as well as what you're comfortable with.
35. Learn the lingo- you'll be happier with your color results if you know what to ask for.
36. Determine if demi-permanent or permanent color is best for you with help from Clairol Professional.
Freshen Up for Fall
37. Thinking about a change? The onelength bob gets updated with face-framing layers (think Debbie Harry from the '80s). It's versatile, sexy and easy to style.
38. To add texture, definition and shine to this season's cropped styles, apply a shine wax like Matrix Vavoom Design Pulse Glow to Pieces on ends to separate layers. ($16; Matrix.com for salon locations)
39. Even if your beach days are coming to an end, loose waves still work for autumn.
40. To create a wavy style, divide wet hair into several sections, apply Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Spray Gel and scrunch. Then use a diffuser to dry hair wavy. ($2.99; at drugstores)
41. Spending less time outdoors means your skin tone will lighten up. Warmer shades of brown will make pale skin look radiant.
42. Try wearing bangs. Side-swept versions help frame the face and are universally flattering.
43. A sleek updo always looks chic.
44. Create this simple look: 1. Make a high ponytail and section out the top layer (hair from temple to temple). 2. Backcomb roots to add volume to this top section. 3. Sweep it back and wrap it around the ponytail to hide the elastic band. 4. Secure in place with hairpins and spritz on hairspray for hold.
45. The bohemian vibe is influencing clothing and hair color this season. Try an eye-catching color like caramel, rusty brown or a reddish tone.
Bad Hair Days Happen
46. Use a curling iron to create body or a flat iron to smooth frizz and flyaways quickly.
47. You Style by Conair is a straight and curling iron in one. ($50; at drugstores)
48. Flip your head over and spritz roots with a light-hold hairspray, then flip hair back over to build volume.
49. Reach new heights with Daisy Fuentes Style Pro Volumizing Hair Spray. ($8; at Walgreens)
50. Keep unruly strands under control by pairing a ponytail or bun with a headband.
Related: Check out celebrity medium-length hairstyles.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
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