Natural Hair Care Products Help Achieve Healthy Hair

Natural Hair Care Products Help Achieve Healthy Hair - ELLE A new all-natural hair treatment leaves strands shiny and smooth

With summer officially here, I had visions of tossing my deep conditioner out the window and embracing naturally sleek strands. But in spite of saying goodbye to dry air, my dry hair remained—what the heck? Determined to get shiny, TV commercial-worthy tresses, I marched into NYC's Phyto Universe and promptly handed my hair over to Marina, a Phyto expert. Sitting me down in front of what looked like a mini computer screen, she began studiously rubbing an ultrasound-like lens on sections of my hair. As she did so, my magnified roots and ends appeared on the monitor. The sight of my scalp and hair shafts initially gave me the creeps, but then I couldn't turn away. (And neither could Marina, who was determined to find a split end to show me!)

When no split end could be found—my regular hairstylist will be so proud!—it was decided that my lackluster coif was the result of inadequate moisture and product residue. Enter Phyto Universe's new Summer Bliss Treatment. Whisking me away to a private cabin, Marina began brushing my hair with a boar bristle brush and massaging my scalp. Next, she combined egg yolk oil (to restore protein), soybean protein (to restructure), sunflower extract (to protect against UV damage), cashew oil, Shea butter, and pastel oil (to moisturize and nourish). After throwing in a few customized ingredients for my specific hair condition, she applied the entire mixture on my strands.

The following part wasn't so fun (I get restless easily)—I sat with my head under a steam-filled dome and played the waiting game while the mask worked its magic. On the flipside, the extra 20 minutes provided plenty of time to envision my soon-to-be-sleek hair (and I haven't awakened from my reverie since, by the way). After reappearing to rinse, shampoo, and condition my strands, Marina blow-dried my hair to a silky-smooth finish. Two weeks later, my tresses still look and feel more hydrated, though I'll likely have to devise my own at-home concoction or go back for another session soon—I'm so addicted to the results, I don't want them to ever wear off!

Street Smart Pony Tails – View 2009 Hair Trends

Street Smart Pony Tails – View 2009 Hair Trends - ELLE Hair at Alexander Wang’s spring 2009 show was stylish yet practical

"She's street-smart, athletic, and casual with a hint of Miami Vice—basketball meets walk of shame," says Alexander Wang about the models at his spring 2009 show. To complement Wang's vision, lead hairstylist Eugene Souleiman opted for a textured, undone half-pony.

"This is a girl who has been playing basketball all day and has casually pulled her hair back—the crown is damp to capture a sweaty look and the bottom is drier, full of texture and flyaways," says Souleiman. Want to get this look without hitting the gym? To create the dual-textured style, Souleiman began by spraying Aveda Volumizing Tonic through dry hair and finger-combing. Next, he misted Aveda Air Control Hair Spray all over and pulled locks into a ponytail. Sprinkling Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion for muss, volume, and grip, Souleiman then scrunched hair while simultaneously drying the just-applied products with a diffuser to add texture and flyaways. After coating strands with a second helping of Aveda Air Control Hair Spray, Souleiman redried tresses. Finally, he raked his hands across the top for a fabulously messy finish.

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Penny-Wise Hairstylist: Ted Gibson Hair Products – Ted Gibson Suggests 6 Affordable Hair Products

Hair Products – Ted Gibson Suggests 6 Affordable Hair Products - ELLE Anne Hathaway’s mane man shares his favorite affordable hair products

Ted Gibson

Anne Hathaway's mane man, Manhattan-based Gibson recommends pampering hair day and night with leave-in conditioners.

Pantene Pro-V Expressions Shampoo in red, brunette, and blonde, $6 each: "If used regularly, this will enhance your hair color."

Queen Helene Hard to Hold and Normal Styling Gels, $3 each: "Great for flexible hold in funky or slicked styles."

John Frieda Frizz-ease Crème Serum Overnight Repair Formula, $10: "This is easy to apply, won't leave residue on your pillow, and conditions really well."
Available at Target stores

Psssssst Spray Shampoo, $6: "The texture is very fine, which is ideal in a dry shampoo. Concentrate it at your roots to soak up excess oil."

Tresemmé Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Crème, $4: "A finishing touch for any type of hair. The consistency is very light, and it won't create buildup."
Available at Target stores

At $28, Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hairspray, is Gibson's top pick if you're going to splurge. "The perfect hold and so simple to use—not stiff or sticky."

Gwen Stefani Hair Gallery – View 20 Gwen Stefani Hairstyles

Gwen Stefani Hair Gallery – View 20 Gwen Stefani Hairstyles - ELLE From fluffy curls to swept-up rolls, Gwen’s done it all! Vote for her best coifs through the years

Penny-Wise Hairstylist: Taylor Lucas Hair Products – See the Latest Natural Hair Products.

Hair Products – See the Latest Natural Hair Products. - ELLE The West Coast stylist reveals her favorite affordable hair products

West Coast stylist Taylor Lucas prefers to go green when possible: "You don't have to spend a fortune to get great natural products."

Johnson's Baby Powder, $3: "I always keep this in my kit to freshen up day-old hair. The powder is superfine and won't clump up in roots."

Suave Professional Volumizing Foam Aerosol, $2: "Gives amazing body and hold without getting crisp."

Sonia Kashuk Tools Hair Brush, $15: "Brushing wet hair is usually really damaging, but this brush is so gentle it won't cause breakage."

Goody Ouchless Elastics, $2: "We buy these by the truckload at my salon—there's no strand-snagging metal."

Jarrow Formulas Coconut Oil, $5: "Makes your hair feel amazing—smooth just a bit on the ends of hair to combat dryness."

Yes to Carrots Pampering Shampoo and Conditioner, $8 each: "There are no parabens in this line, which is why I started using it. Now I'm totally in love."

At $130, T3 Pro Dryer, is Lucas' top pick if you're going to splurge.

"If you go too cheap on a dryer, you could burn your hair."

For spring hairstyles and the latest beauty trends, view ELLE.com’s hairstyles gallery

For spring hairstyles and the latest beauty trends, view ELLE.com’s hairstyles gallery - ELLE The hairstyle for Doo.Ri’s spring 2009 runway show was straight and edgy

"The clothes have a flowing movement, and Doo.Ri wanted the hair to move as well," says Orlando Pita, who styled the sexy tresses for Doo.Ri's spring 2009 show. "But I thought the hair should have toughness to it too. Since the fabrics in the collection are so soft, I wanted a contrast." To create the toughness he describes, Pita chose a straight, voluminous, slightly mussed look. "It's straight because straight hair always tends to look more hard-edge; wavy hair is more romantic and soft," explains Pita, who purposely coiffed hair so that it hung in the face and wasn't "beautifully placed and perfect."

After blow-drying locks and creating a deep side part, Pita misted T3 Elevate Iron Volumizer over the entire head and went over the ends with a flat iron. "Even though Elevate is an aerosol product, you can use a flat iron and hair won't get sticky," says Pita. "It's a volume spray that you don't have to blow-dry, so if your hair is flat in the morning because you washed it the night before, you can just quickly spray it in, brush through, and iron."

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Penny-Wise Hairstylist: Helena Faccenda Best affordable hair care – Experts reveal their favorite budget-friendly hair products and hair tips

Best affordable hair care – Experts reveal their favorite budget-friendly hair products and hair tips - ELLE The New York City hair guru reveals her must-have bargain buys

Helena Faccenda

New York City stylist Faccenda believes in moderation: "If you use too much product, your hair just winds up looking dirty—and not in a cool way."

Citré Shine

Citré Shine ANTI-FRIZZ Spray Laminator: $4

"For a sleek look, this eliminates frizz but won't weigh down hair."

Sally Hershberger

Sally Hershberger Wreck & Roll Texturizing Gel: $13

"Smells so good and is versatile enough to finish off a tousled and sexy style or a smooth and straight one."

V05

VO5 Hot Oil: $3

"One of the oldest treatments around, and I'm still a huge believer in it."

L'Oréal PARIS

L'Oréal PARIS Elnett Satin Hairspray: $14

"The greatest hairspray in the world—I will not go to work without a can in my bag."

Pantene Pro-V

Pantene Pro-V Volume Conditioner and Shampoo: $4 each

"Great shampoo and conditioner are essential in any regimen. This line cleans hair without stripping it, giving it a fresh bounce."

Revlon

Revlon Perfect Heat Styling Iron: $15

"Really portable and lightweight."

Ojon

At $30, Ojon Leave-in Glossing Cream is Faccenda's top pick if you're going to splurge.

"Completes the look of almost any style, leaving it polished but not too done."