Sometimes the only thing standing between a good hair day and a great hair day is the right technique. Check out our best salon secrets for getting amazing style!
#1 Pin like a pro.
Styles like messy buns and twists need the help of a bobby pin or two to stay in place. If you’ve ever used a bobby pin, though, you know it’s tricky to get them to stay put without sliding right back out. That can be frustrating if you’re right in the middle of an amazing updo. How do stylists at salons do it?
Here’s the secret: If you take a look at a bobby pin, you’ll see that one side is bumpy and the other is straight. The bumpy side should always be the side that faces your scalp. That keeps the pin from sliding out as easily. You can also bend the straight side of the bobby pin in half so that it makes a V shape. Then, when you insert the pin into a bun or twist, the bent V end will catch on your hair, keeping the pin in place and preventing it from sliding out. How cool is that?
#2 Use dry shampoo for styling magic.
Dry shampoo is so much more than just dry shampoo. Yes, it’s awesome for those days when you’re giving your hair a break from the normal washing & drying routine (or when you’ve accidentally over slept and you are limited on time for getting ready in the morning!) But----it is also a nice little styling product. Dry shampoo can be used to give your hair grip and volume. That extra grip comes in handy when you’re creating a French twist or when you want your ponytails and braids to stay neat and tidy. It’s also helpful when you want a fairly voluminous look and you’re running low on mousse.
Just apply a bit of dry shampoo to your roots immediately after you shampoo and dry. Your hair will get instant volume along with the perfect texture for an updo, plus the product will also soak up oil and debris from your hair as the day goes on.
#3 Smooth static and flyaways.
Pesky static and flyaways can be exasperating, but it’s easy to make them disappear. Just spray a little hairspray onto a brush and then smooth it through your hair. You’ll get instant shine and those flyaways will be a thing of the past.
#4 Detangle in the shower.
When is the best time to detangle your hair? In the shower! Before you rinse out conditioner, use a vent brush or a wide tooth comb to gently brush your hair from root to tip. This will get rid of tangles without damaging your hair.
Never try to detangle your hair with a brush when it’s dry. This just causes friction, contributes to frizz, and can cause serious breakage and damage.
#5 Use Velcro rollers for an amazing blowout. If you’ve got a set of Velcro rollers, then you can create a great blowout in under 30 minutes. This is perfect for when you can’t make it into the salon for a professional blowout, and for those crazy days when you’re running late and don’t have enough time to go through the entire shampoo, blow dry and style routine.
To get the look----wrap 2 inch sections of dry hair around large Velcro rollers. Then give each roller a shot of warm air from a blow dryer. Mist lightly with hairspray (we recommend one of the lightweight L’Oreal finishing sprays that we use at the salon) and then let the rollers cool down for about 20 minutes while you’re doing your makeup. When you take the rollers out, you’ll have a gorgeous blowout with great volume at the roots and bend at the ends.
**Another fabulous tip: Velcro rollers also work really well for setting curls when you are using a curling iron. As soon as you release curls from the iron, wrap each one around a large Velcro roller and secure it. Then let your hair cool for about 20 minutes and mist with a finishing spray. This “set and cool” time will give you long lasting curls that won’t fall flat.
#6 Use cool air for shine.The cool air setting on your dryer can be used to give your hair a smooth finish. When you’re almost done drying, switch to the cool setting and blow dry for one minute to set your style and give it shine. Another option is to set your hair in Velcro rollers immediately after blow-drying. Let your hair cool in the Velcro rollers for a smooth finish.
Helpful tip: When blow drying, point the nozzle of the dryer toward the ends of your hair. This directs the stream of air in the same direction that your hair grows, so it smooths the cuticle and prevents tangles.
#7 Give up daily shampoos.
Daily shampooing is actually not healthy for your hair. Washing your hair every day robs your hair of moisture and natural oils, and that can lead to dry, dull, fragile hair. Frequent washing can also make your hair color and highlights fade twice as fast. No one wants faded color or dry, dehydrated hair. Begin washing your hair every other day (or less often based on your hair type), and your hair will stay healthy, shiny, and more manageable.
On your “no shampoo days”, try using a product such as L’Oreal Fresh Dust Dry Shampoo. When applied to your hair and roots, the dry shampoo will absorb excess oil and leave your hair with an amazing fragrance. You’ll get hair that feels clean, shiny, and refreshed without being subjected to unnecessary washing.
#8 Sleep on a satin pillow case.
If your hair is especially delicate or fine, try sleeping on a satin pillowcase. Satin won't snag your hair or cause friction like cotton, which can rough up the outer layer of your hair. It’s the perfect choice for fine hair, extensions, natural hair, curls, and other hair types that need a little extra tender loving care to stay smooth and healthy.
#9 Give your hair a mid-day volume boost.
Hair styles often experience a mid-day slump. To give your strands a quick refresh, flip your hair upside down and mist with hair spray in the middle of the day when your style starts to look droopy. Then flip right side up again and lightly fluff. Voila! Instant lift to make it through the rest of the day!
#10 Don’t style in a steamy bathroom.
It’s a mistake that many of us make all too often---we step out of a steamy shower, towel dry, and then reach for the blow dryer to start blasting our hair. It’s like trying to style in the middle of a rainforest with that much moisture, humidity, and steam still in the air.
For best results, wait until the bathroom cools off or move to another room to style. Waiting about 10 minutes to blow dry and style gives your hair a chance to air dry a bit and allows time for a heat protectant to soak into your strands. It also keeps you from breaking into a sweat as you blow dry.
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For more insider tips on how to get hair that looks amazing, visit us at the salon anytime! We’re honored to be among the very best hair salons in the Vero Beach FL area, and we love to share styling tips with our guests.
