BY MELIS;
GOLDSTEIN
if Hot Air
:ive your hair dryer a
holiday and experience
the liberation of going
au naturel.
W
hen given a choice, don’t place yourself in
the direct path of 1,800 watt of hot air. All
that heat, well,
hot air,
can really damage
and strip the colour off your hair. “Nature
has already given you what you need.
When you let hair air-dry, it returns to its natural way,” says
Gabriele Vigorelli, a stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally
Hershberger, New York, US. But sometimes nature needs
a little help. With the right cut, and styling tricks, you’ll be
sitting pretty with healthier hair, a whole lot of extra time
on your hands and a smile on your face.
Straight Talk
Adding texture is a huge challenge for thin, straight hair,
which has fewer proteins compared to thicker locks.
CUT “The best style for this hair type is a soft layered
bob that graduates from shorter layers at the back to longer
ones in front to create movement,” says Alan Gold, Creative
Director of The Haig & Co, Philadelphia, US.
STYLING After applying a product, remember to scrunch
and manipulate your locks as they dry. To add a little
texture, comb your hair with a volumizing mousse foam
applied onto wet strands before going to sleep; twist your
hair in a bun and clip them. It’s the easiest way to wake up
to wavy hair.
Catch the Wave
Inconsistency and humidity are wavy hair’s biggest
challenges—one day waves bend just right, another day they
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BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS | DECEMBER 2011
just fall flat and frizzy. You should avoid over-shampooing
and limit the washes to not more than three times a week.
CUT
Long layers add bounce and decrease volume. To get a
look that works with your natural wave, ask your stylist to
cut hair when dry. Avoid using razors or thinning shears, as
they tend to cause frizz and split ends.
STYLING
“Scrunching hair when wet disturbs the curl
pattern and creates frizz,” says Johnny Lavoy, a consulting
hairstylist for L’Oréal. In the shower, work the conditioner
through wet hair with a wide comb or fingers, then blot—
don’t twist or wring—with a towel to remove excess
moisture without causing too much friction. Apply product
from root to end and create curls around the face by
twisting hair around your fingers.
Curly Cues
“Hydration is the key,” says Lorraine Massey, co-author
of
Curly Girl
and co-owner of New York’s Devachan salon.
“Frizz is a curl’s way of begging for moisture,” Massey says.
She advises that you use sulphate-free shampoos, which she
believes won’t strip your curly hair’s natural oils.
CUT
Look for a stylist who specializes in curly cuts to shape
your long, diagonal layers that frame the face, so curls sit
into each other without compromising on movement. Bad
cuts give curly styles a pyramid-like shape.
STYLING
No brushes or combs, even in the shower. Use
fingers to comb the conditioner and product through. Try
‘duckbill’ clips (like those at the salon) to pin up hair at the
crown and give it height as it dries. ■
PHOTOGRAPH: NEW MANN/CORBIS
