FOR LONG HAIR
– Braid away. Instead of just pulling your hair back, get creative and do a little braid work. Hair that’s all “tied up” this way really stays in place. Plus, it tends to be cooler because it doesn’t spread all over your back. Try turning one ponytail into two braids as we did, or do as many as your fingers can stand. (Hint: To make it really stay, braid away when your hair is wet and add a little glaze if your locks are curly.)
– Twist and twirl. When it’s hot, twist your hair into a bun and secure it in place with a stick-and-stab barrette (ours was $5.50 at Ulta 3). The beauty of this barrette: It works on all sorts of hair – thick, thin, curly, straight – and all you have to do is secure it wherever you want. (Hint: If your hair is really thick or you have it braided, consider using this barrette underneath the bun to boost it -it puts less weight on your scalp, so you’ll be more comfy.)
FOR SHORTER HAIR
– Get wrapped. Take a cotton bandanna, fold it in half to form a triangle, put the folded edge on your forehead and bring each flap around your head so they meet in back. Tie the two ends in a knot over the third flap. (Take a hint: Stick to cotton, because it won’t stick to you. It breathes, unlike synthetic materials that will trap sweat and make you hotter than ever.)
– Stay slick. Tame wild locks for the whole day with a coat of glaze instead of gel. Both products are applied to towel-dried hair, then combed into place; they dry clear, shiny and hard to keep hair firmly in place. And both increase luster and body. But according to `Hair & Hairstyling, An Usborne Guide” ($8, by Paula Woods) gel is heavier and stickier than glaze, so it can make hair look limp. (Hint: It’s hard to figure out which styling products are actually glazes. Some say gel, gloss or lotion on the bottle, but are really glaze. Go to a beauty supply store and ask the staff for help. We found the four in the photo above at Ulta 3 with the help of their staff consultants: Rusk Jele Gloss, $8; Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting Gel, $2,50; Paul Mitchell Super Sculpt Styling Glaze, $2,50; and Nexus Versastyler Designing Lotion, $3.50.)
HAIR GLOSSARY
Ever notice how many styling aids are out there for your hair? Picking the right stuff can make your head spin, so we consulted the experts. Here are tips from `Hair & Hairstyling, An Usborne Guide,” an excellent source of sensible information.
– Gel: Apply this thick, transparent jelly to dry or damp hair to keep hair in position. But beware – it’s messy to apply and can be heavy, so use it only on roots if your hair is fine.
– Mousse: Apply this foam on damp hair to hold styles in place and give hair body. It works best on curly or wavy hair, and the conditioning kinds are best.
– Glaze: This lightweight jelly (lighter than gel), is applied to towel-dried hair. Use it to hold hair firmly in place and style carefully, because it holds firm.
– Grease: It’s thick and slick and can go on wet or dry. But it’s messy, sticky and good only for wet-look styles.
– Hair spray: Think of it as fine, quick-drying varnish, and spray it on styled hair from at least 10 inches away. It holds, but use sparingly, because it dries hair out.
– Finishing spray: This is a light oil sprayed on to styled hair to make it look healthy and shiny. It’s great for sleek styles or slicked-back looks. (There are also lots of new finishing sprays called laminators, which control frizzies.)
– Hair gloss: Smooth this on damp hair to keep it in place and add shine. But keep in mind that a gel-based gloss gives stronger hold, and an oil-based gloss adds shine (especially to curly hair).
