Selecting hair care

Buy moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for very dry hair. They restore moisture lost in blow-drying. Products containing aloe, seed oils or shea butter are especially rich. They are generally too heavy for oily or fine hair, though, but can be used just on the ends.

Buy clarifying shampoos or conditioners and buildup removers for clean hair that's dulled by too much build-up. they can help greasy hair if used periodically. It can be drying, however, so limited use is recommended. Special anti-dandruff shampoos are far more effective for flaking or itchy scalps.

To preserve color and natural oils to your hair, get color-fading shampoos and conditioners are gentle and moisturizing products that won't strip color or oils. It's easy to confuse color-protecting products with color-boosting or color-enhancing products. The latter two deposit color (and can stain highlights)and thus might be more than you bargained for, especially on dry or processed hair.

Look for dimethicone, a mineral emollient, which helps smooth and straighten a mop of thick hair before blow-drying. Regular conditioners often contain chemicals such as panthenol, which is a cosmetic coverup and can be found in most grocery store products. A light conditioner tames static and untangles normal to oily hair. Deep, rich conditioners resuscitates dry or damaged hair, but using too much can flatten thin, fine or oily hair, so use on midshaft and ends. If your hair is very fine, use very little to create shine and smoothness.

Create shine and body for straight hair and tame frizz with leave-in conditioners and reconstructive detanglers. It also defines curls in wavy hair.

Indulge yourself and your hair with a 20-minute treatment that rejuvenates and replenishes lost moisture, protein and shine. Hair masks, hot oil treatments and deep-conditioning protein packs restore softness and shine by penetrating into the hair shaft and filling in "pockets" of missing protein.

Apply volume-enhancing sprays and root-lifting products to damp roots, then again when dry to add volume to flat, limp, thin or very straight hair. You should not use it if you have bushy or thick curly hair.

Use gels and cremes sparingly and experiment with different effects. Hair gels and cremes add texture and shape to your hair. They're good for defining curls and holding styles. Cremes can be softer and lighter while gels are harder and stiffer.

Stop static, flyaway hair with styling cremes or pomades. It tames frizz when worked into dry curls with fingers, but can be too greasy and weigh down hair. It's best to start with a coffee bean-size amount and add more later if needed.

Calm curls and fix frizzies on dry, processed (colored or permed) or curly hair. Shine-enhancing gels or sprays and glossing cremes can be used to. It will also add shine to your hair. Look for silicone in the ingredients list to help hair reflect light and look shinier. Too much product weighs down oily hair, so use it very lightly or just on the ends. Sprays are the least oily; simply spray on your hands and smooth over your hair.

Touch-up frizzies or fly-aways with hair balms. They're a cosmetic cover-up and don't restore moisture, but give a healthier look to your hair.

Use at-home products sparingly and monitor how they affect your hair. Straighteners, spray relaxers and relaxing cremes can be used to straighten all hair types for people of all skin colors. It can transform curls into waves. Temporary products often contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, coconut oil and plant extracts. Permanent straighteners and relaxers are serious business and should always be applied by professionals.

Try spraying hair spray on a brush and then brush through your hair. Hair sprays tame fly-aways, add volume and seal coiffure. Use light varieties for a natural-looking hold. Firm-hold sprays can give a bulletproof, rigid look.