Hair Miracle Workers: 11 Quick Fixes for Blah Hair Days
Whether you're battling limp roots or split ends, try these fast solutions.
By Amber Kallor
Photo: Courtesy of Revlon
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
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
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
Photo: Courtesy of Nexxus
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.
$10, Amazon.com
Photos: Courtesy of Pantene, Davines, Dove and Redken
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
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
Photo: Courtesy of Cutler
Blah Factor #6: Hot Yoga Frizz
Cutler Fly-Away Control Stick
Toss this solid pomade into your gym bag. Tourmaline (to prevent static), eucalyptus extract, and shea butter, pistachio, coconut, sunflower and castor oils add shine and condition. For a slicked-back look, glide the stick all over your hair and then style, or warm up a tiny bit between your fingertips to smooth post-workout flyaways.
$23, Amazon.com
Photo: Courtesy of John Frieda
Blah Factor #7: Hair That Can't Make Up Its Mind
John Frieda Root Awakening Lift and Refresh Root Spray
Eucalyptus and peppermint extracts in this volumizing spray refresh oily roots. Conditioning ingredients—like dimethicone and vitamin B3—moisturize dry ends without weighing hair down.
$6.50, JohnFrieda.com
Blah Factor #8: Unpolished Waves
Goody Wave Creator
Even those of us who are
klutzes with a curling iron can get soft, beachy waves every time, thanks to this barrel's unique shape. Pointing the iron downward, wrap two inches of hair between each bump, hold, unwind and finger comb curls. This hot tool heats up to 425 degrees (the temperature of most professional irons) in 30 seconds.
$19, Amazon.com
Photo: Courtesy of Alterna
Blah Factor #9: Day-After-Shampoo Hair (and No Time to Hit the Showers)
Alterna Bamboo Style Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo
A few spritzes of this clear formula on your roots absorb oil and add volume without a trace of dulling white residue.
$22, Ulta.com
Photo: Courtesy of Tresemmé
Blah Factor #10: Hair That Flops with the Forecast
Tresemmé Climate Control Finishing Spray
A blend of olive oil, UV blockers and keratin shields hair from humidity, wind, static and sun—but doesn't make your style look (or feel) shellacked.
$5, Ulta.com
Photo: Courtesy of Scünci
Blah Factor #11: Unruly Layers
Scünci Evolution Headwraps
If all else fails and you need something stronger than gel or hairspray to keep your bangs brushed back or short pieces in place, slip on one of these snag- and slip-proof headwraps. Unlike plastic versions that often lead to a headband headache, the stretchy rubber guarantees a comfortable fit.
$12, Amazon.com
Next: The lazy woman's guide to fabulous hair
Published 03/28/2012
