HOW TO SELECT HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners Good for very dry hair. Restore moisture lost in blow-drying. Products containing aloe, seed oils or shea butter are especially rich. Generally too heavy for oily or fine hair, though can be used just on the ends-to get rid of that dry look the ends tend to have.

Clarifying Shampoos or Conditioners; Buildup Removers Clean hair that's dulled by too much build-up. Help greasy hair if used periodically. Can be drying; limited use recommended. Special anti-dandruff shampoos are far more effective for flaking or itchy scalp.

Color-fading Shampoos and Conditioners Gentle, moisturizing; won't strip color or natural oils from hair. Easy to confuse color-protecting products with color-boosting or color-enhancing products. The latter two deposit color (and can stain highlights if you have them-even natural ones)and thus might be more than what you bargained for, especially on dry or processed hair.

Regular Conditioners Panthenol is a cosmetic coverup found in most grocery store products. Look for dimethicone, a mineral emollient, which helps smooth and straighten a mop of thick hair before blow-drying. A light conditioner tames static and detangles normal to oily hair. Deep, rich conditioners help dry or damaged hair. Using too much can flatten thin, fine or oily hair, so use on midshaft and ends. If hair is very fine, use very little to create shine and smoothness.

Leave-in Conditioners and Reconstructive Detanglers A light leave-in conditioner is great for creating shine and body to straight hair and for taming. Also tames frizz and defines the curls in wavy hair.

Hair Masks, Hot Oil Treatments, Deep-conditioning Protein Packs Restore softness and shine by penetrating into the hair shaft and filling in "pockets" of missing protein. Indulge yourself and your hair with a 20-minute treatment that rejuvenates and replenishes lost moisture, protein and shine.

Volume-enhancing Sprays and Root-lifting Products Apply to damp roots, then again when dry to add volume to flat, limp, thin or very straight hair. Not for bushy or thick curly hair;unless you are trying to get bushy thick curly hair

Hair Gels and Cremes Add texture and shape. Good for defining curls; holding styles. Cremes can be softer and lighter; gels are harder and stiffer. Use sparingly and experiment with the different effects.

Styling Cremes or Pomades Stop staticky, flyaway hair. Tames frizz when worked into dry curls with fingers. Can be too greasy and weigh down hair. Best to start with coffee bean-size amount and add more later if needed.

Shine-enhancing Gels or Sprays; Glossing Cremes Calm curls and fix frizzies on dry, processed (colored or permed) or curly hair. Add shine. Look for silicone in ingredient list to help hair reflect light and look shinier. Too much product will weigh down oily hair. Use very lightly or just on ends. Sprays are the least oily; spray on hands and smooth over hair.

Hair Balms Handy to carry around for touchups on frizzies or flyaways. Is a cosmetic coverup and doesn't restore moisture, but gives a much healthier look to hair. Just remember that less is better.

Straighteners, Spray Relaxers, Relaxing Cremes Straighten all hair types for people of all skin colors. Can transform curls into waves. Temporary products often contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, coconut oil and some plant extracts. Permanent straighteners and relaxers are serious business and should always be applied by professionals. Use at-home products sparingly and monitor how they affect your hair.

Hair Sprays Tame flyaways, add volume, seal coiffure. Try spraying on brush, then brush through hair. Use light varieties for natural-looking hold. Firm-hold sprays can give a bulletproof, rigid look. Use as much as you like. If you find yourself using a light hold and having to touch up during the day switch to a medium or stronger hold.

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