Things we love: Chris Rock, his new documentary “Good Hair,” which hits theaters tomorrow, and, um, good hair. Here are our top tips on how to get good hair, whether you’re straight-up or a curly girl.
Problem: Styling straight hair
Solution: The “Gossip Girl” hairstylists exclusively use Hot Tools irons — they wrap 1-inch pieces of hair around the iron to create waves. That’s the secret to big, beautiful waves: wrapping, not clamping. We’re obsessed with this Hot Tools 11/4-inch gold iron ($40 at rickysnyc.com).
Problem: Split-ends and fly-aways
Solution: Clint Wilson, creative director at Sassoon Salon (7 W. 56th St.; 212-535-9200) suggests a trim every six to eight weeks and a weightless serum like Sebastian Taming Elixir ($17 at sebastianprofessional.com). “Use a paddle brush when blow-drying,” he suggests, “and apply a leave-in conditioning treatment for 20 minutes once a week.”
Straight-up product pick:
BioSilk Silk Therapy 17 Miracle Face and Body Hydrator ($24 at overstock.com) leaves hair glossy, sleek and ultra-manageable.
Problem: Limp locks
Solution: Tabatha Coffey of Bravo’s “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover” recommends Velcro rollers and Bumble and Bumble’s Thickening Spray ($25 at bumbleandbumble.com). “Spray each section with hairspray, put in the rollers, blast with dryer for a few minutes and take out the rollers,” she says. Finish with a finger-combing to avoid flattening your new ’do.
Problem: Styling curly hair
Solution: Here’s the must-have secret for any curly girl: An FHI Heat Nano Salon Pro 2000 blow dryer ($195 at fhiheat.com) with detachable diffuser is key in keeping your curls perfectly springy all day long. Dry your hair completely before leaving the house, finishing with a light mist of hairspray to hold it together all day long.
Problem: Dry ends
Solution: Get wet. Battle dryness by applying a generous amount of Bed Head Ego Boost split-end mender on wet hair ($15 at drugstores) from the root to the ends, combing through your hair with your fingers. Follow with a little bit of gel to shape curls before drying your hair with a blow dryer.
Problem: Frizz
Solution: “Frizz is caused by two factors: friction and humidity,” says Dr. Robert Langer, an MIT professor and co-founder of Living Proof, the latest curly hair product craze. “‘No Frizz’ coats the hair fiber with an extremely thin vapor barrier, preventing moisture flux in and out of the hair and it coats the cuticle to reduce friction between fibers.” Plus, the technology also works to repel dirt, which means you get extra days between washings. The brand’s shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner ($14-$24) launched this month at Sephora.
Curly girl product pick:
“Shampoo as infrequently as possible,” advises Leonardo Manetti, co-founder of ION Studio. “It isn’t gross. Once a week is fine, especially if your hair is dry.” But condition every day. Swap out your usual conditioner for Davines’ NouNou Pak ($26 at ION, 41 Wooster St.; 212-343-9060). Five minutes with the green stuff on your hair, and your locks will be shiny and happy.