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If your hair is truly stubborn about holding a curl or even a wave, a few quick product switches may be all you need. Boston salon owner Marc Harris says to start by using a styling cream for a styling gel.
"This will add moisture to your hair, make it more pliable and increase elasticity," Harris says.
If your hair is dry or damaged, avoid styling products with a high alcohol content, he says, and never spray fragrance on your locks.
"The alcohol content can make hair brittle and much harder to style," says Harris, owner of Salon Marc Harris on Newbury Street.
Most importantly: Limit time under the blow-dryer. Harris says to towel-dry hair first to remove at least 20 percent of the moisture, then hit it with the dryer on low heat. And, he says, "Stop the minute your hair is dry. Don't use the dryer to style it."
If there's no time for your normal shampoo/blow-dry routine, experts suggest a dry shampoo—products that use dry, oil-absorbing ingredients like cornstarch to clean hair without water. You simply spray in the dry shampoo, fluff with your fingers and brush it out. You'll get a root lift, and your style will look refreshed.
Moreover, dry shampoos are the secret weapon for many women with fine or limp hair. Even if your tresses are clean, a quick spray at the roots with dry shampoo, and you've got instant lift and volume.
