Hair Care Questions

Q:What is the best brush to use while blow-drying to get straight hair?

A:"A large round brush is your best bet," says Dickey, creative director of Louis Licari Salon in New York City, who loves the Conair Large Round Thermal Brush. Here's the catch: It's not the brush choice that matters so much—it's the technique. "If you have fine to medium textured hair, blow it dry before you blow it straight," he says. "Leaving too much water in your hair risks making it look flat. If it's medium to thick, straighten right away, as it benefits from the extra water weight." And to get your hair truly straight, you need at least a 1,500-watt hairdryer and a nozzle attachment.

Q:Relaxing treatments never seem to last long on my hair (I'm African American). Is there anything I can do?

A:"The first problem is with your relaxer; any treatment should last you at least three to six weeks," says Marvin A. Carrington, stylist at New York City's Jelani salon. Between visits, shampoo and condition with moisture-replenishing products, like Aveda Shampure, a gentle cleanser that doesn't dry hair, and Pantene Pro-V Oil Cream Moisturizer. And use leave-in conditioner: Carrington likes Sebastian Potion 9. "It's the greatest thing to coat your ends with," he says. "It repairs damage and prevents breakage."

Q:I have light blondish brown hair, and want to bring out my natural blond highlights without getting them done professionally. What do you recommend?

A:I have a similar natural hair color, and though I do have some professional highlights, I like using shampoos that keep them bright and shiny. I recently started to use Artec White Violet Shampoo and it made an immediate difference. The shampoo neutralizes dull yellow tones, while keeping the blonde tones bright. If you've never used violet shampoo before, know that it's a brilliant, metallic-looking purple and looks like it's going to stain your fingertips and tub. It doesn't, and it works! If you want to opt for something more low-key, John Frieda Sheer Blonde shampoos and conditioners are effective, and keep hair healthy and moisturized. There are many varieties, each formulated for a particular shade of blond (i.e., platinum, honey, champagne, caramel). And, a tip to tuck away for warm weather: John Frieda's Beach Blonde Lemon Lights Highlighter is a very effective gel filled with real lemon pieces that you apply to your hair before you go out in the sun. It's not pretty to use—the gel gets hard and the little lemon pieces are visible—but it works. Just use it in the privacy of your own backyard or rooftop.

Q:My hair gets greasy very quickly. Is there a product I can use to cut the oil?

A:There are two things you can do. The first involves a little prep work in the shower: Start with shampoo that's slightly more astringent or made for oil-prone hair, and rinse. We like Rene Furterer Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Melaleuca for Oily Scalp. Next, apply conditioner, but only to the ends of hair. Kevin Martin, a senior stylist at New York City's Aveda salon, says that people often make the mistake of rubbing too much conditioner into the scalp, creating an oily effect later on. If your hair begins to look greasy mid-day, a quick remedy is dry powder. You can use a special hair powder, but we've found that baby powder works just as well. Sprinkle a little in your hand, flip your head upside down, and comb it through with your fingers. Johnson and Johnson's Baby Powder Original is our favorite, but even scented body powders do the job—and give your hair a pretty scent at the same time.

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