There are good hair days. And then there are days when Hot Damn, your hair has never looked this good in your entire life. The main difference between the two is that the latter typically occurs because you had a professional handling things — like when you get a blowout after a trim, or when your cousin somehow nabs that fancy Instagram hairstylist for her wedding. Besides having the benefit of the full range of motion of their arms (if you've ever tried to French braid your own hair, you know what we mean), there are little sneaky-yet-genius tricks that pro hairstylists do to make your curls springier, your waves bouncier, and your updo a whole lot more secure.
Luckily, at Allure, we've spent 27 years interviewing the top experts in the business. In honor of our first-ever Hair Guide issue, we're presenting the 25 best hair tips our editors have heard from the hairstylists who create the coolest waves, best blowouts, and sexiest curls on the pages of your favorite magazines and on the heads of your favorite celebs.
A superfine mist of water from a spray bottle can loosen curls without fully rewetting the hair, and it air-dries in seconds. — Kristin Ess
While blow-drying, let hair cool before taking it off the brush. Everyone speeds it along, and it’s why their hair falls or curls don’t last. — Lacy Redway
To prevent a texturizing or surf spray from turning hair dull, mix it with a few drops of hair oil in your palm and then rake it through hair. — Mark Townsend
For loose waves, use the iron’s clamp to pull hair smooth at the roots, then wrap the length of the hair vertically around the iron, leaving the ends out. — Justine Marjan
It’s not the sexiest look ever, but get a satin bonnet to wear while you sleep. It’ll preserve any style overnight. — Ess
To smooth the back of your hair, brush it forward (over your shoulders) as you dry it — creating tension at the roots with your brush dries the hair straight. — Jen Atkin
To refresh curls, use a hair dryer on the cold setting: Blast dry hair from side to side, swinging it with your fingers to bring curls back to life. — Vernon François
It’s hard to think of cutting thinning hair — if you’re losing yours, you don’t want to give any up — but trimming two inches makes it look fuller. — Nunzio Saviano
Healthy hair holds color longer, so do weekly deep-conditioning treatments to keep yours vibrant and shiny. — James Corbett
For volume, blow-dry the roots first, lifting them with your fingers. When you start with the lengths, you pull down on wet roots, flattening them out. — Harry Josh
Section curly hair into four twists in the shower and smooth shampoo on top of each one and your hair won’t get tangled when you wash it. — François
For a sleek pony, tilt your head back 45 degrees and gather your hair with a mixed-bristle brush. The more bristles, the smoother your hair will be. — Josh
If you’ve transitioned to natural texture, it’s so important to keep hair moisturized. Use a leave-in conditioner after every single shower. — Redway
For the easiest bouncy volume, use dry shampoo (from roots to ends) before bed, and sleep with your hair in a bun for lasting volume the next day. — Ess
If your hair is thinning or lacks volume, adding highlights can swell the cuticle, giving the appearance of more hair. — Corbett
Turning your wand from vertical to horizontal when curling will give you a softer wave. — Josh
If you only use co-wash, your hair could get limper. Cleanse your scalp with a scrub every once in a while to take off dead skin cells. — François
For a subtle bend that’s identical to a round-brush blowout, curl your hair with a giant two-inch curling iron, and set the hair with clips for 10 to 30 minutes. — Ess
When you’re not sure what to do with your hair, part it on the side. It exposes the undersides, which usually look healthier and shinier than the top layers. — Garren
If you want your blowout to last, hair needs to be 100 percent dry or it’ll frizz and fall. So feel around for damp spots and dry them. — Nathaniel Hawkins
I always stretch out my washes one extra day by putting my hair in a low bun with a thin layer of pomade on top so it looks sleek, not greasy. — Ess
For a no-bump updo, blow-dry damp or dry hair in the direction of the style (e.g., from the nape and sides upward for a high bun or pony). — Jennifer Yepez
Spritzing your hair with a little water reactivates yesterday’s product so you don’t have to pile on more (that can weigh down your hair). — Garren
When you’re pressed for time, try a texturized pony. Twist hair into three mini buns, set with a diffuser, then shake your hair out and tie the ponytail. — Josh
- If you accidentally put too much product in your hair, use dry shampoo all the way through to the ends to soak it up. — Yepez
A version of this article originally appeared in the June 2018 issue of Allure. To get your copy, head to newsstands or subscribe now.
More hair advice:
- 13 Common Mistakes People With Curly Hair Make — and How to Avoid Them
- How to Air-Dry Your Hair, No Matter Your Hair Type
- Here's How Often You Need A Haircut Based on Your Style and Texture
Now, learn the reasons your hair may be breaking — and how to fix it:
