How to achieve *every* hair goal

Achieving I-woke-up-like-this movement can be a little more complex than it looks, but it’s important to remember that less is more when it comes to styling products, advises hairstylist Richi Grisillo of Acadèmie Salon in Sydney. Start by making waves with the ghd Platinum Styler — Grisillo uses a combination of both large and small sections of hair when curling, as this will prevent lengths looking over-styled. To finish, spritz on Joico Beach Shake. Perfect for medium to thick hair types, it boosts body and creates a naturally tousled texture sans any sticky residue.

The best way to tackle fly-aways is to start at the cleansing stage, advises Grisillo. Oribe Cleansing Crème for Moisture & Control “smooths the hair cuticle and banishes excess frizz prior to styling—and before you start layering multiple products that may weigh down your hair”, he says. “[While blow-drying], maintain tension with your brush, ensuring that your hair is set straight,” he continues, adding, “alternate between the hot and cool air settings on your dryer—a blast of cool air will help prevent frizz.” For touch-ups on the go, we love the portability of Ouai’s Anti-Frizz Hair Sheets. Swipe the sheet from root to tip to smooth and nix static.

The introduction of Olaplex technology in salons has changed the way stylists approach hair colour, says Grisillo, as the in-salon treatment can prevent damage during the colouring process. However, you still need to keep up a thorough at-home regimen, “as any chemical service will cause some alteration to the condition of your hair”, he warns. Take a two-pronged approach with both protection and colour treatment: use a shampoo and conditioner, such as A’kin Colour Protection Shampoo, which uses pro-vitamin B5 and quinoa to reduce fading as it repairs damage. Then, try Kérastase Reflection Touche Chromatique in Cool Blonde or Cool Brown — the colour-reviving product deposits a subtle tint that not only tackles brassiness, but also maintains the intensity of your colour between salon appointments.

Heads up, wavy ladies, your hair needs more love than most. “Curly hair textures are prone to dehydration, which can cause unruly curls that refuse to be styled,” says Grisillo. After washing with a smoothing cleanser, such as Goldwell DualSenses Just Smooth Taming Shampoo, “towel-dry your hair using a scrunching motion, moving it back and forth towards your scalp. This will encourage the curl to bounce, reducing unnecessary friction that can break apart the texture and destroy any beautifully bundled curls.” Pre-heat styling, use a cream-based leave-in product, such as Davines Love Curl Cream, which will hydrate without weighing things down, and give a soft, touchable finish.

You’ll be hard-pressed finding a woman who doesn’t want a glossy mane, but it requires 
a helping hand from some clever beauty buys. The aim is to get things looking luxurious and 
not oily, says hairstylist Anthony Nader of Raw Anthony Nader in Sydney. Invest in a cleansing, sheen-boosting duo, such as Keune Care Satin Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. Infused with baobab and maracuja oils, they work to strengthen, condition and smooth strands. Apply a shine spray to finish, such as R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray, “on the mid-lengths and ends of damp hair”, he says. “By using it on damp hair it absorbs the product more effectively than when applied on dry hair.” The result? A-list lustre.

Going green with your routine continues to be a popular beauty trend, and if you’re thinking of making the change, search for products that are free of parabens, sulfates and harsh fragrances. Just be aware of the shelf life of your products, advises Nader, and ensure you are selecting those that are suited to your hair type, concerns and texture. Start with the basics and opt for a balancing duo, such as Sukin’s Natural Balance Shampoo and Conditioner, which turns to botanical extracts and oils to boost hydration. For a nourishing treat, try Sodashi’s antioxidant-rich Deep Conditioning Hair and Scalp Mud.

Begin by lowering the temperatures of your shower and heated styling tools, says Nader. “The hotter they are,
the more your hair will produce natural oils.” Then, use
the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo Mask to soak up grease and provide a deep cleanse. When it comes to styling, Nader recommends a sea salt spray, which adds volume and texture while simultaneously warding off oil—we love French Girl Sea Spray.

If thinning hair is a concern, the trick is to keep strands hydrated without weighing them down. Spritz Christophe Robin Hydrating Leave-In Mist on the mid-lengths of damp hair—the leave-in formula is enriched with aloe vera gel to replenish moisture. On dry hair, try Nioxin Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser, which absorbs oil and leaves hair looking healthy. A trip to the salon can help, too—Nader suggests a trim every six weeks to banish wispy ends, and a hint of colour: “add one or two shades to your natural base—each strand will ‘plump up’ due to the colour pigment in the hair.”

Scalp irritation and sensitivity are common concerns, with flaking and itching some of the regular symptoms. Unfortunately, the condition can be tricky to control—you don’t want to over-wash your hair (even though
that’s exactly what you’ll feel like doing), but you should also avoid multiple applications of dry shampoo, which can result in excess product build-up. Give your scalp a thorough cleanse with The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Refreshingly Purifying Cleansing Hair Scrub, which uses green tea to gently clean the scalp. You can also consider a treatment-based product to balance your scalp, such as Phyto Botanical Scalp Treatment. Infused with essential oils to calm and soothe, apply it section by section on dry hair prior to washing for the best results.

Fine-haired types, this one’s for you. If you have noticed your strands looking weak and brittle, it’s time to stock your arsenal with protein-based treatments, such as John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore Advanced Protein Volumizer. Applied on damp hair, the daily treatment creates temporary bonds to prevent breakage and build strength. Follow with a volume-boosting mask, such as David Mallett Mask No.2 Le Volume, once a week. Grisillo offers a simple style tip: “While blow-drying, wait until the hair is almost dry, then start smoothing it in the opposite direction it would naturally fall to encourage height and volume.”

For more hair tips from InStyle, check out instylemag.com.au

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