9 Reasons Your Hair Looks Fried

Heat-styling ruffles the cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair shaft; without a glossy coating, the strands can't reflect light and look dull and rough. Summer is the perfect time to pack up the blow-dryer. Blot hair with a towel to absorb excess water then use either a styling cream (if your hair is wavy or curly and relatively thick) or a moisturizing mousse (if your hair is straight and relatively fine). When you feel you must blow-dry, hold the dryer as far as possible from your hair and keep it moving. And use your flatiron sparingly: "It's for finishing a style after blow-drying, not for taking hair from frizzy to straight," says New York City hairstylist Lisa Chiccine.