We always hope the next hairstyling product we buy will be the miracle we've been searching for -- something to make our flat, frizzy, or unruly hair look full, smooth and fabulous.
But, more often than not, it doesn't perform the magic we were banking on. And here's why, say stylists: No matter what the label promises, no one hair product will make your hair dreams come true. The reason? Hairstyling products need to be paired together for that straight-from-the-salon effect.
When your stylist mixes different creams or serums in the palm of her hand, she's creating a custom concoction so that you walk out of the salon with perfect hair.
To take the guesswork out of this tricky concept, we asked our go-to stylists to share their favorite, no-fail hair cocktail recipes. Here, their secret concoctions for swoon-worthy hair.
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The Look: Hair That's as Sleek and Shiny as Karlie Kloss'
Mix a heat protectant blow dry cream + argan oil
A heat protectant can prevent damage and make blow-drying your hair a heck of a lot easier, but what most are missing is that glossy finish. That's why celebrity stylist Angelo David recommends adding in a bit of argan oil. He says this product pairing "makes your hair smoother and frizz-free while locking in shine." To apply, David suggests mixing a dime-size amount of both products together in your palms. Then run the hair cocktail through your damp hair and blow dry.
Mix a detangler + a volumizing spray
Volumizing sprays are great, but you still want your hair to have movement with that height. That's why celebrity stylist Mitch Stone says you should add a detangler, which will bring out your natural texture without weighing down your hair. To apply, first spray your hair all over with the detangler. Next, apply the volumizing spray only to the roots of your hair. Finally, blow dry.
Mix a volumizing hairspray + a styling wax
Creating piece-y texture that lasts doesn't take hours of tweaking or a "Jersey Shore" amount of gel. Mika Fowler, hairstylist at the Kim Vo Salon in Beverly Hills, recommends a combo of volumizing hairspray and styling wax -- especially for girls with limp, fine hair, or those with frizzy hair.
Fowler says to work with 1-inch sections of damp hair. Spray the volumizing hairspray to the back of your hair, then blow dry. Dip your finger in the styling wax and apply to the ends of your hair and to any flyaways. If you want a firmer hold, apply the styling wax to wet hair before you blow dry.
Mix a leave-in conditioner + a styling wax
If you've got thick hair, creating beachy waves that don't look wildly poufy within two seconds of leaving your house can be quite a challenge. That's why Stone suggests skipping the sea-salt spray and instead opting for a leave-in-conditioner, which will help create that slightly curly texture, and a styling wax to keep the frizz at bay.
Blend together a dime-size amount of each product in your palms, then run the combo through your hair. If you'd like a more textured look, Stone suggests using the leave-in conditioner first, then applying the wax to the ends of your hair.
We always hope the next hairstyling product we buy will be the miracle we've been searching for -- something to make our flat, frizzy, or unruly hair look full, smooth and fabulous.
But, more often than not, it doesn't perform the magic we were banking on. And here's why, say stylists: No matter what the label promises, no one hair product will make your hair dreams come true. The reason? Hairstyling products need to be paired together for that straight-from-the-salon effect.
When your stylist mixes different creams or serums in the palm of her hand, she's creating a custom concoction so that you walk out of the salon with perfect hair.
To take the guesswork out of this tricky concept, we asked our go-to stylists to share their favorite, no-fail hair cocktail recipes. Here, their secret concoctions for swoon-worthy hair.
