The Lazy Woman's Guide to Fabulous Hair
By Amber Kallor
We've got five effortless fixes that'll leave you looking polished in no time.
Fast Fix 1: Stop Frizz Before It Starts
Use a shampoo and conditioner with argan oil, says hairstylist Jeanie Syfu. It lightly coats hair and locks in moisture, preventing flyaways. Try Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, which contain softening apricot extract and argan oil-for less than $5.
RELATED: Val's Guide to Buying the Right Beauty Products
Fast Fix 2:
Upgrade Your Towel
A lot of women vigorously rub their hair with a towel thinking it will speed up drying time, but it only roughs up the texture and causes frizz. Blot with a microfiber towel instead and then wrap it around your head to soak up excess moisture. This one from Aquis Essentials (at left) is made of fabric that absorbs water faster than standard terry cloth.
RELATED: 5 Beauty Products You Don't Need
Fast Fix 3:
Make Wet Hair Work
By far the most time-consuming part of hairstyling is the blow-out. Here's how to skip it-and still look put together.
1. Squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner to your ends, like L'Oréal Paris EverSleek Humidity Defying Leave-In Crème; it will seal the cuticle and help your style hold its shape.
3. If your cut is chin length or shorter, make a deep side part with a comb and slick the sides down behind your ears. Add a smoothing balm on the crown to keep stray pieces in place.
4. If you have long hair, pull it into a high ponytail near the crown using a fabric elastic. We like the ones from Emi-Jay that don't cause breakage.
5. Wind the tail around the base of your pony to create a bun and secure it with long, rubber-coated hairpins that won't snag.
6. Once your hair has had a few hours to air-dry, let it down. You'll have a head full of body and waves.
RELATED: Storage Solutions from Stylish Women
Fast Fix 4:
Limit Your Blow-Dryer Time
A high-quality dryer can shave at least 30 minutes off your normal routine. For a smoother finish, look for models that use a combination of tourmaline and ionic technology (like the T3 Featherweight Luxe, at left, or the more budget-friendly T3 Veloce) both of which contain ceramic heating coils that distribute heat more evenly. A good dryer will also have a nozzle that attaches to the front of the barrel to focus the air. If you have curls, look for a diffuser with prongs, which act like fingers to help define waves as you dry, says Syfu. Spritz a volumizing product that containyus alcohol (like Redken Rootful 06 Root Lifting Spray) through damp hair to help speed up the process, she adds.
RELATED: Hair-Raising Surprise
Fast Fix 5:
Sleep on It
No time to get to the salon for a trim? Nexxus Split End Binding Overnight Treatment Crème contains polymers that attach to split ends to fuse them together while you sleep. You'll wake up to smoother hair, and the nongreasy formula won't leave residue on your pillow.
RELATED: 14 Stylish Gifts That Give Back (for Under $100)
KEEP READING: 3 More Quick Fixes for Fabulous Hair
More from Oprah.com:
