Every woman has a bout with self-esteem issues, whether major, or subtle and minor. I, for instance, experienced my breakdown as a teenager when I realized I was a very late bloomer (thanks to my classmates, I was reminded of this daily). To overcome it, I started reading self-help books (go ahead ... laugh) and after months of research, I came across some savvy advice. The tip read, "To love yourself more, look in the mirror and pick what your favorite physical quality is, then really focus on accentuating it."

The quality I chose was ... my hair. And since then my long, thick, wavy hair has gone through a lot. It's been permed (from the late '80s to mid '90s), dyed more times than I can count, cut short, feathered, layered, bobbed ... you name it, I've probably done it -- well, except a pixie cut or going platinum.

And because my hair has miraculously stood up to all the various torture treatments I've put it through, I've become a semi-pro at styling it. But, one issue remains, one that constantly leaves me feeling defeated. What is it? Frizz. I absolutely can't go an entire day with perfectly sleek, smooth strands -- unless I have my hair done at a salon, of course.

So a year ago, I decided to ask my hairstylist for suggestions on how to tame my frizz beast once and for all. His first suggestion was to get a Brazilian Blow Out (otherwise known as a Keratin treatment). It's a chemical treatment that smoothes the hair shaft to make it easier to blow out and straighten for a few months at a time. Read the facts about it here.

But because I wasn't ready to go-steady with the Brazilian just yet, he gave me these frizz-fighting tips:

TIP 1: Have your hair trimmed regularly to minimize split ends -- they make hair frizz up.

Tip 2: When blow drying your hair straight, always apply a smoothing hair product like Chi Straight Guard Smoothing Styling Cream, $24.50 and use the nozzle attachment your hairdryer came with. Also, always point your hairdryer downward so your hair dries flat and smooth.

Tip 3: If you plan to let your hair air dry -- DO NOT touch it until it's completely dry. After washing your hair, lightly towel dry it and apply a de-frizzing product like Frederic Fekkai Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme, $25. Then hands off, especially if it's a humid day.

Tip 4: Keep hair hydrated (dry, over-processed hair equals frizzy hair) by not washing it every day (cleansing too often strips hair of natural oils) and limiting heat styling to a few times a week. And use a deep conditioner once a week to restore moisture.

These tricks have kept my frizz in check -- and my favorite physical quality looking fabulous. Bet those awful classmates wouldn't tease me now ...