Hair Problems – Solutions to Common Hair Problems in Women - ELLE Top 10 solutions for troubled tresses
DRY, DAMAGED HAIR
Whether
you've been spending too much time with your blowdryer or your hair is
suffering from the frosty winter air, infusing moisture back in is a
must.
Hair
stylist Ted Gibson relies on an old homemade recipe to help heal
heat-damaged hair. "I mix a teaspoon of olive oil, two teaspoons of
mayonnaise, and one egg and apply it to the hair," he says. "It's pretty
concentrated so that's all you need. Cover it with a plastic cap and
leave it on for thirty minutes."
COLOR THAT FADES TOO FAST
You
drop a bundle on the perfect hue, and it's fading as quickly as you're
getting used to it. Aside from protecting it in the sun and using a
color-care shampoo, the key to maintaining colored hair's luster is
diligent maintenance.
"Buy
a temporary hair dye one shade darker than your color," suggests
colorist Rita Hazan, whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate
Moss, and Martha Stewart. "Make sure it's not a permanent color and will
wash out in a few shampoos. Put the color on your hair for five to ten
minutes, then shampoo and condition. It will help revive your color
until you can get to the salon."
A combination of suntan lotion and water, spritzed on from a spray bottle, will also keep those fade-inducing rays at bay.
UNRULY CURLS
During
the winter, too much indoor heat can zap the moisture from your curls,
making them impossible to keep under control. Battle the elements with a
few smart products and accessories.
According
to Michelle Fiona of Bumble & bumble, "lots of curly tops gather
their styled hair that's too unruly under a knit cap to let the curls
settle and relax for a bit. To stretch curls, you can pull dry, styled
curls into a loose bun for about 20 minutes. This will help flatten the
curls a bit."
HAIR THAT LACKS BODY
Limp,
flat locks can be even worse in wintertime, when there's little
humidity and plenty of static. Help boost your volume with a kitchen
remedy.
"White
vinegar really helps expand each strand of hair," Ted Gibson says.
"After you've shampooed and conditioned, apply a little to the hair in
the shower, and then just rinse it out." It also works as a clarifier,
ridding hair of excess build-up that may weigh it down.
GREASY HAIR
Whether
your hair produces excess oil naturally or you went a bit overboard
with styling products, your scalp can still be saved without another
wash.
"Spray
your hair with Redken Workforce 09 spray to soak up oil, and then blow
dry," says Rodney Culter, owner of the Cutler Salon. Any spray dry
shampoo also works, or, in a pinch, plain old talcum powder. Sprinkle it
at the roots and then brush throughout the hair.
NO TIME TO WASH
Last
night's look may have been perfect, but a few hours of partying and a
sound sleep can leave it looking less than desirable. Clean up quickly,
no water required.
"Believe
it or not, perfume is the best thing to use if you have no time to
wash," Bumble & bumble's Fiona says. Flip your head over, give it a
quick spritz, and massage the roots to add volume back in. It will smell
as good as a fresh wash, and nobody will know the difference.
A HORRIBLE HAIRCUT
We've
all been there—that moment when the stylist turns your chair around,
only to find ourselves in tears when we face our reflection. If you
become victim to a bad haircut, a hat isn't the only option.
There
are options beyond Great Lengths extensions, and Rodney Cutler says
thinking within reason is one of them: "Hedge your bets. If you think
your hairdresser is great but having a bad day, go back and talk to
them. If they're always having a bad day, try someone new. Check out
redken.com and search for a salon in your area—you can review stylists'
profiles online and select one that matches best with your hair needs."
DULL, OVERLY MATTE HAIR
Shampoo
commercial hair can only be found in shampoo commercials—but even a
little bit of luster can go a long way. Rid your hair of impurities to
let its real strength shine through.
"For
really dull hair, try a deep cleansing shampoo once a week to
detoxify," says Ted Gibson. "You can also use essential oils to bring
back shine—use a mixture of ylang ylang and jasmine and lightly apply it
to the hair."
BRASSY BLONDE
Hair
that is bleached or highlighted can lose its luster quickly, creating a
color that's anything but natural blonde. Avoid looking clownish with
smart shampooing.
"Use a purple or violet colored shampoo to help counteract the orange tone in your hair," Rita Hazan suggests.
EARLY SIGNS OF GREY
No
matter how long you spend staring at them, plucking them, and wishing
them away, your grey hairs aren't going anywhere. "If you think you can
avoid grey hair by pulling them out, you're wrong and you will lose!"
says Rodney Cutler.
Instead
of giving them the yank treatment, Cutler suggests a quick-fix color
treatment for those first offenders. "Highlights are a great
introduction to camouflage grey hair without too much high maintenance.
And as more grey hair comes in, you can move to a single process."
For more tips on making the most of your hair, check out our story on fall's best cuts
