Word-of-mouth: the best source of advice are people you trust. If someone has a great cut, ask them who their stylist is and try them out for yourself.
Online: look at feedback forums or rating system sites if you’re nervous about trying someone for the first time. This will give you the pros and cons before you step foot in the salon.



A good stylist should have the following qualities:

• Good listener: hair disaster often happen because of a lack of communication—either the stylist isn’t listening to what the client wants, or the client isn’t letting the stylist in on her needs. This is a relationship, so there should be an exchange.
• Open-minded: Your stylist should be open to new ideas, and not always embark on what they want just because they are good at it.
• Up with the times: A good stylist should be up on the latest trends and cuts. He/she should also be able to tell in the wink of an eye if your facial features will suit a certain cut or style.
• Experience: An experienced stylist knows better than the client what will look best on you. He or she doesn’t need to have decades of experience, but a few years helps.
• Ambience: You should feel comfortable in the salon. This means that it should be a clean environment with welcoming and serviceable staff. If you don’t feel ‘at home’, chances are you won’t be getting what you came in for.

Photo: Rino Jasper

Brittle and fragile hair types need more frequent salon visits than most. If this means you, go ahead and get a trim every four to six weeks or so. Take advantage of your visit to purchase a moisturizing treatment, or if you can’t afford salon treatments these days, pick up a stylist-recommended product for home-use.





• Chemically treated and colored hair also needs more snipping more often, not to mention a color touch-up. Permed hair can open the door to split ends as well. Visit the salon at least every six to eight weeks if your hair falls into one or more of these categories.
• Short or geometrical hairstyles need to be trimmed more often, say every four weeks. A short, defined or geometrical cut that is left alone for more than a few months will soon look messy and won’t do anything for your face. Of course this depends on how quickly your hair grows, but don’t let three months go by before booking an appointment at the salon.
• Long hair needs less regular care (unless you have a sophisticated cut), but be on the lookout for split ends, especially if you tie your hair back a lot, as this can easily cause breakage. Visit your salon frequently.

Photo: Rino Jasper

To get the full effect at home here are a few things you need to know.

Your hair should be damp, but not dripping wet. Blow-drying and applying products to wet hair is a recipe for disaster. And don’t continue blow-drying hair that is already totally dry—this is not only counterproductive, but will dry out the hair shaft.
The perfect blow-out takes time, so don’t rush it. Separate your hair in several sections and work on one section at a time.





• If you’re going for volume, choose the right styling products and tools. A volumizer and/or mousse coupled with a round brush will give your hair more body. And if your hair is curly, a round brush will also do the trick to keep those bouncy curls.
  For a sleek look, a light-hold gel will work for thinner hair, or a wax for thicker locks. A flat, or paddle brush is ideal for styling straight hair.
• For increased volume, dry your hair upside-down. Brush and blow from the neck towards the forehead, from the roots down to the tips of your hair. Turn your hair from left to right and vice versa as you brush and blow to give it an extra kick.
• For that sleek look, especially for longer hair, position the blow-dryer above your head, directing it down the hair shaft. Sitting down will make this less tiring on your arms.
• Working with blow-dryer and brush at the same time takes patience. Remember, practice makes perfect!
• Finish off with a shot of cold air as this will seal your hair cuticle (which has been opened by the blow-dryer’s hot air) and give you shinier locks.

• Rinse your conditioner out well with the coldest water bearable. This will seal the cuticle of your hair, which gives hair a less frizzy appearance.
• Stay away from the blow-dryer as much as possible. Once you’ve washed your hair, wrap it up in a towel for a few minutes, without rubbing. Then air dry.
• Beware of split ends. As frizzy hair is dry, any styling products containing alcohol will leech moisture and are to be avoided at all costs.
• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Frizzy hair lacks moisture, so have your stylist recommend a quality mask and conditioner. Use a deep-conditioning hair mask at least once a week, and conditioner each time you shampoo.
• Apply an anti-frizz serum as a rule of thumb when styling.
• When you get it cut, avoid having too many layers, as this will give your hair way too much volume. Keep it simple.
• If your hair is extra frizzy, keep the hair brush at bay and use a hair pick.
• Don’t fight your curls! Straightening your hair dries it out even more and will more harm than good in the long run.

source

Tousle your hair dry with your fingers to give it some body.
Lift and smooth the front of your hair over each ear, and roll these sections into two big rollers on your head like a crown.





• Smooth back the rest of the hair to the nape of your neck with a bit of gel that you’ve heated in the palm of your hand (go easy on the gel, a few drops are plenty!) and make a ponytail with an elastic band. Now twist the ponytail into a bun and insert several bobby pins to secure the hair. (Choose the right color for your hair—black pins for brunettes and lighter shades for blondes or redheads.)
• Take out the rollers and make a part, either on the side or in the middle of your scalp, depending on your own personal style. Gently tease the hair at the root and smooth back with a flat brush. Pull back the hair delicately, not too hard; you want to keep a soft look. Gather the rest of the tips to add to the bun, while leaving a few strands loose to frame the face. Gently scrunch the roots of the hair as if you were applying shampoo and then lightly spritz on some hair spray.
• For fine or lifeless hair, you can work on hair that is not freshly washed, but not too oily either.
• For an extra-smooth look, apply a touch of hairspray to your hairbrush.

Claudie’s personal touch:
“Finish off your bun with a stylish rhinestone comb or barrette—now you’re a real trendsetter!”

source

source