THE REAL REASON WHY YOUR WASH AND GO SUCKS

I missed my curls.  Plus, my PJ was itching to try some new ish.  So here we are.  Yesterday, I unfurled the bun again and re-visited my summer wash and go.  Before I started with the stretched bun a few weeks ago, I was experimenting with my various wash and go techniques.  Remember the Tracee, The Pippi (longstocking, that is) and the Unicorn? Yeah, those.  Yesterday morning, I combined the best aspects of those three routines and came up with something that may make a difference in your life... on some real levels.

he real reason why your wash and go sucks, is because...

... you're not doing it on damp hair. That's the key. You'll enjoy less shrinkage, less frizz, and better definition. At least if you have fine, highly porous strands like me!  It'll also last 4-5 days.

I know, I know.  I've shared the magic of damp styling in the past... for fluffier, chunkier twist-outs and even for chunkier, more defined wash and gos.  But you really have to try this. 

Here's what I do-
1.An hour before the shower, apply a deep conditioner/oil to dry hair and don a plastic cap. To generate heat, wear a beanie, towel or microwavable heat cap
2.Hop in the shower and rinse.
3.Thoroughly saturate hair with water and divide into two (left and right).
4.Cleanse hair with co-wash or mild shampoo. Rinse thoroughly. 
5.Generously apply Aubrey GPB or Trader Joe's Nourish Spa or Aussie Moist or FUBU's Deep Conditioner and Co-Wash, to both sides in a smooshing motion.
6.Pass head back under the water stream for a second, for better distribution and added slip.
7.Add even more conditioner.  Basically, use all the conditioner.  
8.Clip the hair up and out of the way to complete shower rituals.
9.Finger detangle the right side, then the left (using the shower stream to help things along) 
10.Rinse thoroughly!!! Get out of the shower. 
11.Place each side in one large, two-strand twist (*optional* apply a little castor/coconut oil to ends)
12.Gather the two twists low, at the nape of your neck, and place a t-shirt over your head and secure in the back, like THIS.  
13.Lotion and thangs... and after 20-30 minutes head to the mirror, remove the t-shirt and gently unravel the twists.
14.Apply product(s) of choice in 4 sections (2 in the back, 2 up front), smoothing or raking and finger curling for extra dopeness. 
15.Air dry that joint.  It won't take long.  
16.Once your hair is fully dry, hit the roots with a warm blow dryer (w/ air concentrator) to add volume and stretchage.  

HAIR CARE TIPS

1.Brushing hair
Daily brushing results in shinier and smoother hair.

2.Caring for dry ends
Before washing your hair. massage some oat Replenishing Treatment into the ends and leave for five to ten minutes.
3.Washing hair
A scalp massage while washing your hair supplies the roots with the nutients they need.

4.Using a conditioner 
Using the oat replenishing conditioner promotes the natural regeneration of dry and damaged hair.
5.Drying hair
Using too much heat can damage the hair.dry your hair and scalp with a towel before using a hairdryer.

6.Massaging scalp
Massaging the scalp with the revitalising hair tonic inbigorates the scalo and encoursres hair growth.

Natural Hair Care

The main principle of natural hair care for African Americans is embracing the hair's natural texture. This doesn't mean that you can't braid or style your hair; what it means is that you will avoid techniques such as chemical relaxers, straightening techniques, and extensions.

                                   www.luvmehair.com

How to Manage Your Hair Naturally

Especially for women who have spent a lifetime in the salon chair enduring lengthy hair treatments, learning how to manage natural hair will involve a lot of study. Even the New York Times recently reported on the difficulties experienced by African Americans when it comes to reestablishing their natural hair.

The Big Chop or Transitioning

Some women who decide to go natural choose to cut off all the hair that is relaxed, straightened, or chemically altered. This can result in a very short haircut and is often called 'The Big Chop.' Others, however, take it slower and trim off previously relaxed hair in stages. This is referred to as transitioning. There is no right or wrong way - but there are things to keep in mind with both methods. The Big Chop is a drastic change and not all women are comfortable with it. Those who transition, however, should keep in mind that it can be hard to find styles to support two different hair textures. The area where the relaxed hair ends and the natural hair begins may also be weak so extra care is needed when washing, styling and detangling.

Basic Care

There is no one-size-fits all method to taking care of natural hair. However, there are some ways to make basic care easier.

Cleansing: Apply a pre-shampoo oil to keep hair from drying out. Use gentle sulfate-free shampoos or those designed specifically for curly hair. Many women alternate shampooing with water washing or conditioner-washing (also called co-washing). Some women also conditioner wash exclusively. When washing hair, divide the hair into sections and gently wash one section at a time, starting at the scalp.

Protecting Hair During Sleep: Another source of damage often occurs while sleeping, so extra care is needed. Sleeping with a hair bonnet or on satin pillow case can help reduce the risk. For women with longer natural hair, piling or pulling hair gently up on top of the head can help reduce tangles and night damage.

Tips and Tricks

Natural hair tends to grow up and out rather than down. Depending on your hair type, tangling will also be an issue. For styling natural hair, try the following tips and tricks:

• Keep your hair style short and allow it to grow as it will. Use curling or anti-frizz serums to control its texture. This is particularly important for coarse hair types that may become unmanageable past a length of three or four inches.
• Do wash as necessary to keep your hair healthy. Applying almond and jojoba oil or hair oils post-washing and during bedtime can restore moisture, shine and manageability. Jojoba oil is also ideal for detangling.
• Clips, headbands, and barrettes can dress up your natural look and add a touch of femininity.

How to Do a Hair Part

Parting your hair

Parting your hair can change your appearance, not only with your hairstyle but with your whole look. It is one of the simplest ways to quickly change your usual look without having to do anything drastic like getting a whole new haircut. Whether you have long hair or bangs the way you part your hair makes a difference.

Different styles

Before you start parting your hair you should know about the different kinds of parts you can try. Some of the basic kinds of hair parts are listed below.

• Center parts

Hair that parts right down the very center this is a very classic look. Was also very popular with the hippie look. This is a very good way to part your hair if you have a heart shaped face or an oval shaped face. You can still try out this part even if you have a different shape though. Center parts can even work with bangs you can part the hair behind the bangs or part the bangs also.

• Deep or left or right side parts

This is a very popular way to part your hair. This is because it is so flattering to so many face shapes. Ovals, rounds, oblongs and even squares. This looks especially nice with side swept bangs. You can also have a deep side part with or without bangs.

• Zigzag parts

This style of part looks good on everyone! It especially looks good on faces that look better with lots of angles and volume. This is great for a heart shaped face. I would really recommend this part to anyone who is looking for something a little more fun and light hearted. This is my favorite style of hair parting.

What you will need

You dont need very much to part your hair but the list of what you will need is listed below.

• A comb with a point at the end
• A mirror so you can see what you are doing
• A spray bottle to dampen (Optional best used for hair that doesn't want to stay parted)
• Hairspray (optionalFor difficult hair that does not want to stay in place)

How to do to it

Now that you know how you want to part your hair and what you will need we can get started.

• Brush hair as usual
• Dampen the top of your head with a spray bottle of water
• Take the point on the end of your comb and press down firmly but not enough to hurt
• Slowly move the comb across your scalp creating the part you want
• This would be a straight line for a center part or a long diagonal line for a deep side part.
• After you create this line use the comb to comb the rest of your hair into place and take care of strays.
• Now spray your hair with hairspray to keep in place.

Why Hair Breaking Off?

Hair breakage can be a serious problem whether or not you're trying to attain length. If your hair is breaking off faster than it's growing, it may seem like your hair isn't growing at all. Unless you have a medical condition, your hair is growing, but retaining length is important for seeing this growth.
Look at where the breakage is occurring. Is it at the ends of your hair? Or is the breakage at the crown of your head? Depending where the breakage is can help you determine the reason.

the answer is : 
Dry ends: If you notice a lot of breakage on the ends of your hair, they could be excessively dry. This can be due to too much heat styling. If you flat ironor hot curl your hair too frequently, this can explain why your ends "pop" every time you comb them.
Another reason your ends may be extremely dry is lack of conditioning. Do you condition your hair after every shampoo? Do you deep condition on a regular basis as well as use a leave-in conditioner? Black hair needs moisture to thrive.

Also, are you using a comb with widely spaced teeth? If your comb has teeth that are too close together, they may be pulling on your tangled ends and causing breakage.
Solutions for dry, breaking ends include regular deep conditioning, daily conditioning with moisturizing treatments, using a comb with teeth wide enough to work through your hair (particularly natural hair) and easing up on heat styling.

Styling issues: Maybe you notice breakage in the crown area. This may have more to do with styling techniques. Are you wearing tight ponytails or are you using elastics with metal pieces? The wrong type of hair accessories can "catch" and break your hair off. Styles that are too tight can also cause breakage.

To solve this, try using ponytail holders with no metal parts or covered elastics. You should also try different styles, especially ones that don't pull too tightly on your hair.

Overlapping chemical processes: If your hair is relaxed and you touch-up more than the new growth, overlapping the relaxer onto previously relaxed hair can cause breakage. Touch-ups are a tricky area for many people.

Hair color can also cause breakage, if used too often or on top of other chemical processes that leave your hair dry. Hair colors that involve bleaching before depositing new color onto the hair can be especially harsh on hair that's already relaxed or texturized.

If possible, you should see a professional for relaxer touch-ups, even if you can easily maintain your hair on a daily basis. While hair rinses are generally safe enough for anyone to use at home, complicated color processes should also be done by stylists.

5 Reasons You Need Water In Your Hair Care Regimen

I love water. Always have. I love drinking it, playing in it and giving my hair life from it. Even as a kid it was my favorite drink. Back when I was little we didn’t have a ton of options like kids do now with every juice known to man and sodas at the ready 

My sister and I had the basics. Water and milk. You think I’m kidding? Ask someone over 35 years old and watch them smirk and tell you the same thing! Don’t even let me get started on drinking out of the water hose. OK, let me get back on point.

Water is essential to sustain life. All life and especially the life of our hair. I’ll even go so far as to say water is your hair’s best friend. It pains me to remember (not too long ago either) that most black women kept away from it as much as possible because of our hair.

It was a reverser of our tresses so we ran from it when it rained, we sat on the sidelines of pools throughout hot summers for fear of it, and we dared not exercise too much so the sweat would not destroy our precious hairstyles. Black women have been slaves to our hair and it’s limitations for decades and honestly for no good reason. 

Many who have decided to embrace their natural tresses have learned just how vital water is but there are still some holding onto old beliefs. The bottom line is whether relaxed or natural, we all need water in our hair care regimen although naturals may use it more.

Despite where you are in your journey to healthy hair, (relaxed, transitioning to natural, or natural) I’ve got 5 indisputable reasons why water needs to be a major component in your hair care needs.

Water is the #1 Moisturizer Water is the absolute best moisturizer around. Every moisturizing agent in your favorite product contains some amounts of water to help hydrate the hair. Check all your favorite moisturizing products and most likely they will have water within the top 5 ingredients.

An even better way to hydrate your hair would be to use steam. Steaming your hair allows the hair cuticle to lift so the other ingredients can penetrate the hair. You can get that steam from your shower but there are steamers that many naturals purchase to get deeper steaming sessions. Sealing after is crucial to keep the moisture in that your hair has obtained.

Cool water rinses seal your cuticles and will add shine

I know it seems odd but after you have opened up that cuticle and gotten all the moisturizers in you now need to seal it to keep it in and allow the hair to have shine. Rinsing your hair with cool water constricts the cuticle layer of the hair and when it lies flat the strands are smoother and more reflective.

Now, it’s seen much easier on straight hair but that does not mean curly hair cannot shine. It can show sheen and shine by combating the frizz and the cool water will help to repel frizz by laying down that cuticle. 

DIY Hair: How to Take Care of Extensions

If you're still in the what-sort-of-extensions-should-I-get stage, take a gander at my hair extension guide. If you've already got some hair that you plan to add to your own mop, these tips will help you keep it all healthy.

1. Brush

This is incredibly important, whether your extensions are on your head or being stored. Brush them daily, or else you'll end up with some weird, temporary dreadlocks. This is particularly true for the extensions closer to the nape of your neck. If you're seeing dreads while using reusable extensions, there's a chance you may not be able to reuse them at all!

So, brush in the morning. Brush if you feel tangles. Brush before lunch. Brush before bed. Just be sure that you're gentle - which we'll discuss later - because pulling can cause your hair to break. If you're feeling snarly, take it slow and brush working your way from ends to roots. Hold on to your roots, where the extensions attach, and use a soft bristle brush. It can go a long way in preserving your extensions, and maintaining some sexy ass hair.

2. Condition

I am a HUGE fan of conditioning, all the time. It's good for your normal hair, and great for your extensions!! Hair serum, detangling spray, and conditioner are all possibilities for synthetic and human hair extensions.

I always use leave-in conditioner, working a bit into my damp, post-shower hair (hint: you don't have to buy specially marked "leave-in" - just use a bit of your normal conditioner). This is something you should do whether your extensions are in or out. If you can't handle having long and beautiful hair all the time, make sure you remember to occasionally condition your extensions. Then they'll still be ready for you once you decide to take the jump again.

3. No Poo!

By poo, I'm referring to SHAMpoo, of course. But please don't put any other sorts of poo in your hair either. It probably goes against your instincts to not shampoo, but the chemicals in it can actually serve to dry out and irritate your scalp and hair.

Here, you're presented with two options: to join the no poo movement, or to just lighten up on your shampooing. Use a mild, baby shampoo, and shampoo less frequently. You shouldn't be doing it daily anyways, as it strips your hair of the natural oils that keep it looking and feeling healthy.

4. Keep them Braided!

If wind, sleep, or other activities that are rough on your locks are in the forecast, opt for some braids. This'll help keep your extensions from tangling and matting. You should braid your extensions every night before sleep, since you'll be rubbin' all up on that pillow. Also avoid speed boats and convertibles.

5. Minimize Heat Use

Another good tip to keep in mind when caring for both your extensions and your own head of hair is to minimize its contact with heat. Look for alternative ways to curl your hair... Maybe use rag rolls, or go full-granny with curlers. Let your extensions dry naturally, rather than using a blow dryer. If you absolutely must use heat, at least be sure to spray on a heat protectant first.

I know it's hard to break up with your straightener and curling iron, but they've just got to understand. Your relationship is starting to become dependent and unhealthy, and you just can't keep giving when all they do is take. Wipe your tears away and look at this as an opportunity to be more creative with your styling methods!

6. Be Gentle

Everything you do, do with care. Wash and brush gently, to prevent shedding. Don't get into any cat fights, because someone always gets their weave ripped out. Over your extension journey, some hair will undoubtedly fall out. However, you can slow it to a large extent if you're careful in everything you do.

7. Reduce Exposure

Exposure in this sense refers to many things. Sun, chlorine, nuclear radiation, these are all things to avoid. If you find yourself outside a lot, opt for a hat. If you're a lap swimmer, wear a swim cap! If you're in an area with nuclear radiation, well, I'm not sure what to tell you. Just don't be.

More Hair Help

I hope you'll treat your extensions right, so that they can last for the longest amount of time possible! They're expensive, so save yourself some money by spending a little more time on them. If you're looking for more hair things, check out some of my other articles!

How Often Should I Wash My Hair? It All depends….

Determining how often you should wash your hair is no easy task.  There is no “one-size-fit-all answer.  Certain hair types and textures only require washing once a week, where others work well washing 2 to 3 times a week.  Different factors, from your schedule, to your lifestyle should be considered when determining how often to wash your hair.

Your daily activities should be factored in when considering your wash schedule.  For example, if you work out, you will need to wash your hair more often than a natural that doesn’t.  Because sweat buildup on the scalp can cause a boat load of unnecessary problems with the scalp, it’s better to be safe by washing your hair more frequently than not.  For some naturals, a wash once every 8-9 days may be sufficient.  However, the gym head might find it necessary to wash her hair every 5 days.  Of course with washing her hair so much, she would definitely have to be on her moisturizing game.  Otherwise, she poses the risk of drying her hair out and causing breakage

If you are like me and you are a product junkie (I can’t help it), and you frequently use products, you also might find that a more frequent wash is necessary.  Product buildup on the scalp can have very similar consequences as sweat buildup on the scalp.  I have to use styling gel for my bun.  I know that after removing my bun, I have to wash my hair.

Finding the time to wash is a completely separate issue, in and of itself.  With so many of us and our busy work schedules, class schedules, having to take the kids to daycare, or the husband to work, it is very difficult to find 2-3 hours to wash.  Yes, 2-3 hours—wash, moisturize, seal, twist, braid, etc.  You know the routine.  I suggest waking up extra early on a Saturday or Sunday to get a head start on the day, or even to handle your wash routine.  Either way, it has to be done, and finding time can be an arduous task.

Whenever you decide is your wash day, keep in mind that your hair picks up soil from the environment as well as the products you put on it. Even if your routine is minimal and you don’t use a lot of product, it still gets dirty. Natural hair needs moisture, including moisture from water that you take into your body as well as water that you put on it.

Also remember that when you shampoo, your scalp should be your main focus, with your hair following coming in at a close second.  Buildup, oils, products and dirt buildup should be washed and rinsed away.

What I love the most about being natural is the versatility and freedom that comes along with it.  My choices in styles, colors, are almost limitless – many choices.  However, don’t feel pressured to choose a wash routine that doesn’t fit your life because someone “told” you that you should wash your hair once a week.  Remember to consider all factors listed about and then make a sound decision.

7 Amazing Hair Miss for you best smelling hair ever..

We all want to have hair that smells incredible and with the right hair mists, you can do just that! Think of hair mists as perfume that’s been specially designed with your hair in mind. There’s always the trick to spray your hair brush with your perfume before you brush, but with hair mists, it gives you all the fragrance you want without weighing your hair down and some even help protect your hair. If you have a favorite fragrance, you might want to check and see if there’s a hair mist available so you can literally wear it from head to toe!

1. AQUOLINA PINK SUGAR HAIR PERFUME

A few years ago, hair mists weren’t as prevalent as they are now and Pink Sugar was one of the few you could buy. If you like sugary, cotton candy scents, you will love this! It really leaves you smelling like sugar and feeling so fresh. Some people say the scent is not very long lasting, so if you really like the scent, you might want to layer it with the regular perfume

2. THIERRY MUGLER ANGEL HAIR MIST

Angel is Mugler’s very first fragrance and much like Alien, Angel is a very sensual and luxurious. This is designed to be a lighter version of the perfume and if you’ve ever smelled Mugler’s perfumes before, you know that they’re quite heavy so this hair mist lasts a long time. The bottle might look small, but you don’t need much to have your hair smelling heavenly

3. TAYLOR BY TAYLOR SWIFT HAIR MIST

If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift or her perfume, this hair mist is the perfect finishing touch after you style your hair. It’s light, fruity and blended with florals, making it a very feminine and fresh scent. Use this to make hair smell nice in between washes, after the gym or lightly spray it on your belongings

4. BATH AND BODY WORKS ENDLESS WEEKEND WAVE AND SHINE HAIR MIS

Bath and Body Works knows what girls like and you can’t go wrong with one of their fragrances, especially when it’s called Endless Weekend! This wave and shine hair mist not only smells amazing, it also helps enhance your hair’s natural waves and adds shine. When you smell this, you’ll think of exotic fruits, vanilla and sugar

5. VIKTOR & ROLF FLOWERBOMB HAIR MIST

For a while there, everyone and their mother was wearing and raving about Flowerbomb. I personally never fell in love with it like a lot of other people, but that doesn’t mean you won’t! Flowerbomb is described as an “explosion of flowers that has the power to make everything seem more positive.” Sounds like the perfect thing to wear on a Monday morning because you know we can all use some positivity then. Also, the hair mist is less than half the price of the perfume so if you want the perfume but can’t afford it, there you go! 

6. FEKKAI HAIR FRAGRANCE MIST MINI COLLECTION

Fight frizz and add shine while leaving your hair smelling like energizing citrus and mint, fresh rose or vanilla cream. These luxurious hair mist minis make a fantastic midday pick-me-up for you and your tresses. Use it to freshen up second day hair or lightly mist it on for those days you just want to feel extra fabulous and confident.

7. NARCISO RODRIGUEZ FOR HER HAIR MIST

Good things come in small packages and For Her hair mist a perfect example of that. This hair mist is a lighter version of the velvety, sensual perfume. Spritz this on after you leave a smoky club or bar or anytime you’ll be in close proximity to someone special, so they too can enjoy the soft, seductive scent.

10 Must Do Hair Care Tips

While everyone's hair is different and you need to take proper care of it, the best hair care tips apply to all hair lengths, styles, and textures. By following these dos and don'ts, you can keep your hair healthy and beautiful.

Hair Care Dos

Doing the right things for your hair will protect it from damage and keep it healthy and vibrant even under stress.

• Eat right: Eat a proper diet for healthy hair that includes the right vitamins, minerals, and proteins for hair growth and strength. Drinking plenty of water as well will help keep your hair moisturized from within.
• Get regular trims: Even the healthiest hair can develop dry, split ends, and regular trims and cuts will keep your style sleek. You should schedule a trim every 6-8 weeks, though you may need more frequent maintenance for a very short style.
• Use better products: While most inexpensive shampoos will effectively clean your hair, they generally use synthetic, harsh chemicals to do so. Choose higher quality hair products and use natural hair products whenever possible. If your budget can't afford salon products daily, alternate using them with cheaper alternatives.

• Use conditioner: The sun, wind, temperatures, humidity, pollution, and other climate factors can quickly dry your hair, making it dull and lifeless. Use a good conditioner regularly to restore sheen and keep your hair soft and supple. Well conditioned hair will also have more movement and vibrancy, showing off your style.
• Get a flattering style: The best thing you can do to keep your hair looking its best is to enjoy it. If you have a flattering hairstyle and you are pleased with how it looks, you will be more likely to do what is necessary to keep your hair healthy and beautiful.         Hair Care Don'ts
• Knowing what not to do to your hair is just as important as knowing what you should be doing. Overprocessed, stressed hair will be limp, dull, and damaged, and if you can avoid these things you will be able to enjoy your hair even more.
• Strong chemicals: Harsh styling chemicals and treatments can dry out and damage your hair, causing even more problems when you want a certain look. Minimize your use of perms, hair color, relaxers, and heavy styling products. If you need these types of treatments, space them further apart and choose the gentlest possible options.
• Stressing your style: Some hair styles, such as braids and tight updos, are more stressful than others. Avoid hair styles that pull on the scalp and tightly twist or pull the hair, since these styles can cause breakage and hair loss. Instead, choose looser looks or only wear the stressful styles on rare occasions instead of frequently. Before choosing such a style, be sure your hair is as healthy as possible so it can withstand the strain
• Bad accessories: Hair clips, pins, and ponytail holders can be very usefulhair accessories, but avoid any accessories that pull or tug on your hair. As a general rule, if there is broken hair clinging to the accessory when you remove it, you shouldn't be using that type of accessory or you are risking greater hair damage and breakage.
• Turning up the heat: Heat styling, such as hair dryers and curling irons, can damage your hair with repeated use. Instead, opt for natural styling methods such as air drying or overnight curlers, but if you must use heated tools, keep the heat as low as possible to achieve your style and apply a leave in conditioner to protect your hair.
• Daily washes: Unless your hair is extremely oily, you most likely do not need to wash it daily. Too much washing will strip the natural oils from your hair, causing it to dry out more quickly. Instead, wash your hair every other day, or at least skip washing on days when you don't have any need for a perfect style.

3 Ways to Do Your Hair While You Sleep

Most women know how a bad hair day feels (unless you have perfect hair, which in that case, we're super jealous). And no matter how late you are for work or class or your coffee date, it’s almost impossible to get out the door until you’re satisfied with the situation on top of your head. To help you add those precious minutes spent fighting with your reflection back into your morning routine, we asked the experts to share some foolproof tips on how you can do your hair before you even go to bed. That way, it’s almost completely styled and ready to go when you jump (or, on most mornings, crawl) out of bed to start your day.

If You Want: Bombshell Volume

To get hair voluminous overnight, such as clean hair and then blow dry. “Then whack a few big hot rollers in it, and kick back and watch 'Grey's Anatomy,' ” says Livermore. Right before bed, take out the rollers and wrap your hair loosely in a high topknot with a cloth elastic (to prevent creasing).  When, you get up, shake it out and apply  Thick Dry Finishing Spray.

If You Want: Straight StrandsFor long straight, sleek hair come morning, Edward Tricomi of Warren-Tricomi Salonssuggests blowing out your hair the night before—but don't flatiron it. Then, gather hair into a ponytail. But make sure to follow Tricomi’s surprising (yet so genius) trick: Stretch out one or two cotton balls and wrap them around to “pad” the part of your hair that will be touching the elastic. “This will keep your hair from getting the ponytail crease overnight,” he says. When you wake up, take out the ponytail. Prep hair with aheat-protecting product,and go over quickly with a flatiron. Yes, this will take a few moments in the a.m., but the reason you didn't do this the night before, Tricomi explains, is to avoid unnecessary damage by flat ironing twice.

Gerard Caruso, celebrity hairstylist and artistic director of RUSK, suggests another way to keep strands sleek while you sleep (if you’re not into the cotton ball method) is to wrap into a loose bun after blow-drying and secure with large bobby pins. Then, wrap a silk scarf around your head to keep hair smooth and in place. Spritz with a finishing spray. Caruso recommends Rusk Thermal Shine Spray.

If You Want: Beachy WavesThe key to beachy waves? Braids. Tricomi recommends washing hair at night and then rough drying a little bit, but not all the way through. Then, either French braid your hair or split hair into two and do two separate braids. Your hair should dry overnight, so that when you wake up and take the braids out, you’ll be left with pretty waves. Flip your head over and blow dry a bit to add some volume. True Grip and mix it in your hands with L'Oréal Professionnel Volumetry Root Spray and then loosely run through your hair adding volume and texture. “If your hair is straight and you want to wake up with waves this is the best way to go!” Tricomi notes.

If you have natural wave, Livermore says to first smooth a little oil For Style into damp hair right before you go to bed. “When you wake up you'll have a cool lazy wave that might be distorted in a few places,” he says, so fix the worst pieces by quickly wrapping them around a curling iron that’s the same diameter as your waves. Then, with a salt spray such as Nuance Salma Hayek Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, spray up into hair from the ends while you shake it around. “You'll have super easy, sexy waves and be out the door in five minutes flat,” says Livermore. Sounds like a good deal to us!