Pretreat Your Locks
Before doing any sort of heat styling, make sure hair is pretreated with heat protecting and moisturizing products. "If you wash and condition your hair, use protective products and use a mask, hot tools are OK twice a week," says Warren. "If you have weak or damaged hair, talk with your stylist to get your hair in shape before proceeding with regular hot tool usage."
He singles out Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo, $35, and Moroccan Gold Series My NuDo Rejuvenating Shampoo, $60, to help increase hair density and to strengthen hair as well as a mask like the Moroccan Gold Series Truffle Mask, $44. "I also recommend Shu Uemura Blow Dry Beautifier Thermo BB Cream, $39. This multi-benefit heat protectant blowdry perfecting BB cream is a leave-in hair treatment that weightlessly coats thick hair. The Kérastase Keratine Thermique Blow Dry Primer, $37, reduces hair breakage and is a heat protectant with 450 degree Fahrenheit thermo-protection."
Hershberger says she applies Sally Hershberger 24K Liquid Assets Daily Conditioning Remedy, $32, which is fortified with keratin proteins that help to strengthen and repair hair while protecting from heat, on damp hair.
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Tools of the Trade
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $399.99, is a favorite of Sabit Hantal, owner of SH Fifth Avenue, because it's temperature controlled and fast. "It doesn't get as hot as other dryers, meaning less heat damage to the hair. The best part is that it somehow still manages to dry hair faster than other dryers."
The BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Spring Curling Iron, $49.99, is another Hantal favorite because it gives perfect waves with less heat damage. "I've been using these irons for years. The way it heats, you don't have to hold it too long on the hair and it still holds all day."
Hantal singles out another Dyson tool, the Dyson Corrale Straightener, $499.99. "The Corrale has flexing plates that actually gather and hold the hair, which allows you to take larger sections of hair therefore running it through your hair less resulting in less heat damage. I love it because it makes my job easier and works great. Doesn't leave lines in the hair, cuts down on time and it's cordless."
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