20 Timeless Hair-Care Tips

By Instyle
Updated Mar 12, 2014 @ 7:02 pm
Credit: BRIAN HENN/Time Inc Digital Studios

20 Timeless Hair-Care Tips

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Your Toothbrush: A No-Fuss Flyaway Fix

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To lock down stray hairs, spritz holding spray onto a toothbrush, then brush around the part, hairline, and above the ears, advises celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. (Just don’t use the same brush to clean your teeth!)

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Soothe Dry Strands with Almond Butter

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To moisturize dry hair, apply organic almond butter to the parched areas and let soak for 30 minutes. Then shampoo and rinse well, says stylist David Babaii.

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Extend the Life of a Blowout with Dry Shampoo

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To maintain a glam blowout days after you visit the salon, spritz dry shampoo onto the scalp, then brush through hair. (Don’t blow-dry or hair will look dirtier.)

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Blow-Dry Like a Pro with a Blast of Cold Air

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Celebrity hairstylist Oscar Blandi recommends dividing your hair into left, right, and back sections, setting the nozzle attachment to focus the air directly on hair, and blasting the back section. Switch the temperature to cool after hair is completely dry—the cold air will help lock in the style.

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Brighten Your Hair with Lemon and Beer

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To help keep hair color from fading, stylist Oscar Blandi recommends squeezing a lemon into a glass of beer, pouring the mixture over your hair, and soaking for five minutes while sitting in the sun. Seal the deal by shampooing and conditioning.

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Fight Frizz with Hair Serums

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Serums like the Nevo Hydra Pearls ($17; sleekhair.com), John Frieda's Original Frizz-Ease Formula ($10; ulta.com), and Carol's Daughter Monoi Oil Repairing Serum ($30; sephora.com) help reduce frizz. Apply to the back of the head first, because that spot can handle more product. Once you’ve coated your strands, sleep in braids – in the morning you’ll wake up to soft, silky waves.

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Keep Conditioner Away From Your Scalp

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The scalp's natural oils condition, so apply conditioner three or four inches away from your scalp to avoid weighing down hair, says stylist Mark Townsend.

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For Expert Input, Only Dye During Business Hours

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Most brands list an 800 number on their at-home coloring kits so if you have dye issues you can connect with an expert. Keep in mind however, that most hotlines close on weekends and by 7 P.M. EST on weekdays.

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Protect Hair with the Right Tools

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Prep hair with a thermal protective spray and use an ionic dryer, which dries hair faster. Also, to prevent hot spots, keep the dryer moving.

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Dye Dirty Hair to Prevent Irritation

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“The scalp's natural oils work as a buffer to prevent irritation," says colorist James Corbett. And it's easier to section-off second day hair, which ensures even color distribution.

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Honey: The Secret to Glowing Locks

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To make your highlights shimmer, add 1 tablespoon of honey to a dollop of your favorite conditioner.

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Hide Roots with a Jagged Part

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A perfectly straight part can show roots, so mix things up to hide a missed salon visit. You can also try parting hair to the other side and any regrowth won’t be as noticeable.

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Ceramic Tools are Textured Hair’s Savoir

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To make textured hair more healthy and shiny, use a ceramic round brush—no matter how much or how often you style it. Ceramic tools heat more evenly and allow hair to pull through more smoothly to prevent snags.

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Air-Dry with Velcro Rollers for Lush, Curled Locks

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If you don’t want to blow hair dry, set hair in Velcro rollers to air-dry after you shampoo and condition. The result will be lush, bouncy, free-flowing curls.

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Hide Gray Roots in a Pinch with Eye Shadow

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Pens, touch-up wands, and fill-in powders hide gray easily, but for a fix in a pinch, choose eye shadow shades that match your hair color and apply with an angled eyeliner brush.

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Rinse in Cold Water for Maximum Shine

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Shake out that conditioner with the coldest water you can handle, which instantly seals each cuticle, closing up the shaft; reflects natural light; and provides optimal shine. You can also try rinsing with a teaspoon of vinegar in water.

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Brighten Blond Hair with Herbal Tea

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Keep blond hair from fading by boiling chamomile tea for a few minutes; cool, and strain. Spritz the mixture on dry hair and it instantly brightens.

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Battle Dry Hair with Olive Oil

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Rake in a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil through strands once a week to nourish, condition, remove frizz, and improve elasticity.

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How to Make Short Hair Fabulous in 4 Steps

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Rub a large dollop of sculpting serum in hands and work through hair. Brush with a 1-inch ceramic round brush, pull hair forward toward face and air-dry.

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Use Your Ears to Fill Out Fine Hair

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A bob with shorter ends in the back makes hair look full and dense. For a nice bend in front, run a drop of gel from roots to ends and tuck strands behind your ears when hair is still damp.

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