If your hair is straight or wavy:
Gently towel-dry your hair by patting moisture out, being careful not to rub your hair with the towel -- this will create frizz. Next, roughly dry just the ends of your hair until it is only slightly damp. Divide hair into manageable sections (about three should do) and clip away all, but one section. Using a round brush (Buckett likes Spornette Prix, $19.99), lift hair at the roots and pull taught to stretch the sectioned hair smooth as you direct your dryer from the roots down the hair shaft to the ends of your hair. Spin the brush over or under when you reach the ends to seal the cuticle for a polished shine, says Buckett. Continue until all sections are smooth and straight. Finish by rubbing a small amount of shine serum like Neutrogena Triple Moisture Healing Shine Serum, $5.99 through your hair.
Next: See blow drying tips for coarse or curly hair
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Blow drying your hair -- coarse or curly hair
If your hair is curly or coarse:
Once out of the shower do not towel dry your hair as the curlier and coarser your hair is, the wetter it should be before you start to dry it, says Dickey. Apply a smoothing cream like Nexxus Sleekstyle Calming Smoothing Creme, $13.99 and clip into manageable sections. Using a flat paddle brush, pull hair taught and stretch the sectioned hair smooth as you aim hot hair at the roots and down the shaft of the hair towards the ends. Use a nozzle attachment to direct the heat and airflow for more precision, says Dickey.
Warning: Don't blow dry your hair every day. Dickey warns that "over-exposure to heat will totally dry out your hair," especially if you have coarse hair, and therefore a porous texture. Doing so will cause irreparable damage. Not even the best of professional blow outs can hide unhealthy, heat-damaged hair.
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Trick 3: Curling 101
If you have naturally straight or slightly wavy hair, you've most likely lusted after someone's luxurious curls at some point (Sarah Jessica Parker, anyone?). Knowing how to properly curl your hair will help you during those envious moments.
Tip 1: Choose a curling iron that is ceramic, advises Buckett, as it "heats hair from the inside out." Make sure it has adjustable heat settings too -- so you can find the right temperature for your hair type (try Conair 1-1/4" Hydro Silk Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron, $20.
Tip 2: If you are starting with wet hair, Dickey suggests applying a lightweight mousse like Hair Rules Wavy Mousse, $20 to clean, wet hair and drying hair with your hands upside down for added texture.
Next: See how the pros curl hair
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Pro tips for curling
Starting with the hair near the nape of your neck, take one-and-a-half-inch sections of hair and wrap them down around the barrel of the iron. Dickey suggests leaving the last half-inch of hair unwrapped from the iron to keep the finished look modern. Curl the rest of your hair this way. When you reach the top section of your head, create your desired part and continue to curl -- making sure to change the direction you wrap your hair around the iron for a more haphazard look. Finger comb curls for a more natural finish or leave as is for defined ringlets.
Finish by misting hair with frizz-fighting flexible hold hairspray like Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray, $7.
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Trick 4: Straightening 101
If you have naturally curly or wavy hair you shouldn't feel stuck in a ringlet rut. Being weary of straightening iron damage is normal, but with the right product prep and responsible use, a flat iron can be your secret weapon for beautiful, shiny hair.
Tip 2: Before adding serious heat to your strands from a flat iron, prep hair with products that will start the straightening process and protect your hair from thermal damage. Wash hair with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner like Sunsilk Straight to Perfection Shampoo, $4.99 and Conditioner, $4.99. Then spray hair with a thermal heat protectant like Shu Uemura Iron Design, $28.
Next: See how the pros straighten hair
Whether or not there are universal truths in the world is a topic of hot philosophical debate. Science tells us that there are many occurrences in the natural world that remain unexplainable or relative, therefore theories are constructed to explain, predict, and master phenomena. We know what you are thinking: how is all this science mumbo jumbo going to help me get beautiful hair every time I try and style it? Ahh, great minds think alike. So now is when we shall impart upon you a hairstyling truth we hold to be self-evident: there are certain methods and no-fail tricks to hairstyling that professional stylists use in order to create beautiful hair every time they touch it and we think every woman should know these tricks. Skip to see the hairstyling tricks now.
Just like the famous astronomer Edwin Hubble once wrote, "Equipped with his five senses, man explores the world around him and calls the adventure Science," we say, "Equipped with her seven must-know styling tips and techniques, woman explores the world of hairstyles around her and calls the adventure Beauty." Are these words of wisdom as profound as Mr. Hubble's? Maybe not. Are they as true? Abso-hair-flippin'-lutely. Knowing how to properly do the basics of hairstyling is important for achieving beautiful hair or "mastering the phenomenon," if you will. Every time you reach for that flat iron, blow dryer or fine-toothed comb, you should feel confident that you are using the right techniques to style your hair. While you may think you know "Hairstyling 101," everyone can learn a thing or two from a professional stylist's theories on beautiful hair methods.
The wise professors of hairstyling -- aka the celebrity hairstylists we picked up our styling tricks from are Dickey, founder of the Hair Rules salon and product line who has worked with everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker to Rihanna, and Tommy Buckett from the Marie Robinson salon in New York City. With their help, these two experts of styling will give you a Master's in hairstyling. See the seven tricks that they think every woman (who wants beautiful hair) should know.
