Hair Miracle Workers: 5 Quick Fixes for Bad Hair Days

Photo: Courtesy of Revlon
Photo: Courtesy of Revlon

By Amber Kallor

Blah Factor #1: Grown-Out Gray

Revlon Root Erase by ColorSilk

Covering your roots either means spending an hour in the salon (and dropping a sizeable amount of cash to conceal a minor amount of gray) or making a mess of your bathroom with a DIY touch-up kit. But this drip-free sponge applicator and ammonia-free formula get rid of roots in 10 minutes. Plus, each shade seamlessly blends with at-home or salon haircolor brands--making the process foolproof.

$4.50, Revlon.com


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Blah Factor #2: Stick-Straight Hair

Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray

This spray not only gives you that tousled, spent-the-day-at-the-beach look instantly (even if you're stuck in an office miles from the ocean) but also adds texture without any stiffness. Infused with an exotic root extract from Southeast Asia, this formula also protects your dye job from UV rays (when you're lucky enough to escape your desk and get outdoors).

$35, Oribe.com


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Blah Factor #3: Fine Hair That Falls Flat

Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner

Salicylic acid in this shampoo removes product buildup from your scalp to boost limp roots. The ultralight conditioner, infused with arginine (an amino acid derived from sugar beets and soy protein), improves elasticity and reduces breakage. Kukui nut oil in both adds shine.

$24 each, Aveda.com


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Blah Factor #4: Out-of-Control Curls

Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Curl Defining Crème Gel

This lightweight formula offers the best of two curl products: It conditions like a cream and defines shape like a gel (minus any crunchiness). A special blend of polymers fuses split ends together for a kink-free finish.

$12, Ulta.com


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Blah Factor #5: Dehydrated Hair

Try one of these ultralight, spritz-on solutions:

The detangler: When the blue top layer of moisturizing silicones and clear bottom layer of softening polymers are blended in Pantene Pro-V's Aqua Light Weightless Conditioning Shake, the result is an airy mist that moisturizes and eliminates knots. Shake and spray on damp hair to prevent breakage (caused by brushing) or heat damage (caused by hot tools).
$6.50, Walmart.com

The beach-day haircolor keeper: The Davines Well-Being De-Stress Lotion--containing carnation, nutmeg and sandalwood essential oils--absorbs quickly into damp or dry hair, protects your dye job with a UV filter, and calms frizz on contact.
$25, Davines.com for salons


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The split-end softener: A pea-size drop of Dove Style and Care Nourishing Dry Ends Serum--when applied from the middle of the hair shaft down--subdues frizz.
$5, Soap.com

The flyaway tamer: Rich with omega-6 fatty acids, Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil can be used on wet or dry hair as a conditioning mask, heat protector and shine booster. (But avoid applying near your scalp-this concentrated formula can weigh down roots.)
$29, Redken.com for salons


KEEP READING: 6 More Quick Fixes for Bad Hair Days


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