Summer Hair: Your 3 Step, No-Heat Plan
Once you've found the right cut for your texture, a few of the right products—applied at the right time—is all it takes to create a terrific style.
By Kate Sandoval
If your hair is...fine and straight
1. In the shower: Your hair probably gets oily quickly, so shampoo daily with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo ($11.50; PaulMitchell.com for salons) is gentle enough to use frequently. Conditioner weighs down fine hair; apply it only from midlength to ends. Try Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Clay Conditioner ($15; Aveda.com), which has kaolin clay to make hair appear fuller.
2. When hair is still damp: Straight, fine hair falls even flatter when you use the wrong styling products. Stay away from oils, serums, or anything that boasts "extra hold"—these formulas can be heavy. Instead, choose a lightweight volumizing spray, like L'Oréal Professionnel Volume Expand Volumizing Root Lift Spray ($23; LorealProfessionnel.com for salons), and mist it only at the roots. Blow-drying for a few minutes helps the product create some oomph.
3. Just before you leave the house: Hairspray is drying because it contains alcohol; use it to reduce oiliness. TreSemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray ($4.50; drugstores) provides hold without freezing your style in place, and also adds shine.
See the best cut for fine and straight hair in the summer
2. When hair is still damp: Straight, fine hair falls even flatter when you use the wrong styling products. Stay away from oils, serums, or anything that boasts "extra hold"—these formulas can be heavy. Instead, choose a lightweight volumizing spray, like L'Oréal Professionnel Volume Expand Volumizing Root Lift Spray ($23; LorealProfessionnel.com for salons), and mist it only at the roots. Blow-drying for a few minutes helps the product create some oomph.
3. Just before you leave the house: Hairspray is drying because it contains alcohol; use it to reduce oiliness. TreSemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray ($4.50; drugstores) provides hold without freezing your style in place, and also adds shine.
See the best cut for fine and straight hair in the summer
From the July 2009 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine