There's a misconception that you have to spend a fortune for the best hair care products -- so not true. Yes, there's something glamorous about wearing Chanel lipstick and picking up some Kérastase hair care products while you're finishing up at the salon, but there are cheap hair products under $10 that yield shockingly similar -- if not better -- results.

Keratin treatments for straight, smooth hair has reached major popularity among our readers. According to Eric Rosado, Artistic Director at Ted Gibson Salon in New York City, keratin treatments are truly, "the best option for defrizzing and smoothing many textures of hair from curly to relaxed."

Of U.S. cities, which town is the fairest of them all? No, we're not talking waterfalls and flowers; we're talking people. And since beauty is pretty much in the eye of the beholder, we admit, it's hard to tell which town takes the title. There are so many qualities to consider: good looks (like having beautiful hair or clear skin), fit figures, brains, personality, charisma, sense of humor ... and everyone's preferences are so different. But just for fun, we put good looks way up there.

These days, it seems like there is an organic alternative for everything-- organic toothpaste, organic socks, organic mattresses. And with the word 'organic' being slapped on products left and right, it's beginning to loose its initial eco-friendly allure. So what does it really mean? And more importantly, when is it better to steer clear of the regular item and snatch up the organic alternative?

Because an estimated 50 percent of women (ages 25 and older) color their hair, we field an awful lot of questions about color-related concerns. To help get you the best possible answers, we went to color maestro Brad Johns, Color Director for Red Door Spas. Below, see his advice for five readers' most confounding hair coloring issues.

All I want for Christmas is shiny hair. Sure, diamonds would be nice and I certainly wouldn't look a gift car in the mouth, but, if you're listening Santa, I'd be delighted with a gleaming, glossy head full of hair.

If you have determined the right coloring process for your hair, it's time to find out how to maintain your color and your newfound healthy hair. Impossible, you say? We think not. Read on to get the best tips on how to keep your hair healthy and your color vibrant now.

You've tried every deep conditioner out there and you even got a haircut. But does your hair still look damaged? It's time to bust out the dye

We often forget that hair is made up of protein, and just like our skin cells, our hair needs care and protection to maintain its health and vibrancy. Without UV protection, the sun breaks down color molecules, fading color and causing dullness. Plus, sun damage makes hair follicles more porous, compromising the structural integrity of the follicles. Whether you have split ends, dry hair, or hair that's limp from product overload, it's time to repair the damage. To rejuvenate your hair, you'll need deep conditioners,and -- worst-case scenario -- a haircut. Go through each of the following steps to start the process of hair repair. Let's get started.

We all have our go-to brand. The one that makes just about every type of beauty product we could ever need or dream up, and makes them well. For many TotalBeauty.com readers, Suave is that brand. That's why we rounded up some of Suave's best products to share with you. If you're in need of new products like body wash or lotion this summer, now you'll know which goods to reach for in the beauty aisle -- especially if saving cash is important to you.

Aside from the obvious, superficial allure of shiny, healthy hair, there is a deeper, more anthropological explanation of why it appeals to men. Interestingly enough, one accurate indicator of health is hair. Healthy women have lustrous, shiny healthy hair, whereas the hair of sickly people loses its luster. So there you have it -- men prefer to procreate with healthy women (with shiny, sexy hair to boot).

In March, we put five real women up to a challenge -- create a hairstyle with lots of volume using Sebastian Volupt Spray, $19.95 to be judged by TotalBeauty.com editors and for a chance to win a trip to New York Fashion Week in September 2010. The bloggers styled their locks and submitted photos, and now we reveal their results (and the winner!) along with their step-by-step tutorials on how you can create the same 'dos at home.

Bye-bye, breakage; see ya, flyaway strands; so long, dull and lackluster hair. How do models and celebrities keep their hair looking so gorgeous? We went straight to the source: pro hairstylists, like Doug DiCiano, Marc Marcell, Danilo, Hallie Bowman and Mark Townsend as well as models from coast to coast. The result: 12 fabulous, fresh and easy-to-follow laws for getting and maintaining healthy, soft, shiny and strong hair.

See which celebrity you should take style cues from and get tips and tricks to make their looks your own

Are you having a good hair day? You probably are if you're living in one of these cities. (And, ahem, you're probably not if you live in one of these 13 worst-hair cities.) We looked at humidity levels, pollution, rainfall, average wind speeds, water hardness, demographics and the number of beauty salons per capita to find which cities have the best conditions for healthy, stylish hair. So did your town make the list? Let's find out.

Are you having a good hair day? You probably are if you're living in one of these cities. (And, ahem, you're probably not if you live in one of these 13 worst-hair cities.) We looked at humidity levels, pollution, rainfall, average wind speeds, water hardness, demographics and the number of beauty salons per capita to find which cities have the best conditions for healthy, stylish hair. So did your town make the list? Let's find out.