beauty addict

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The latest trends, techniques, and insider secrets—revealed.

Smooth Sailing
Just when you thought it was safe to abandon your flatiron, sleek tresses are staging a comeback. Learn how to get a safe, silky look.
By Jennifer Riley

We’ve split the atom, spliced the gene, and peered farther into space than our ancestors could’ve ever imagined. But a safe, easy way to transform unruly tresses into silky strands? We’re not quite there—at least not yet. While the daily blowout-flatiron regimen can be effective, it can also be damaging long term. And although Japanese straightening has proven a godsend for some, harsh chemical treatments aren’t for everybody. Granted, beauty gurus had been hailing a new wave of hassle-free hairstyles for several seasons. But straight strands didn't lay dormant for long; each model on the fall runways seemed to boast silkier, smoother tresses than the next.

The good news is that in real life, hair isn’t going to quite the same extremes seen on the catwalk. According to Riccardo Maggiore, of the Riccardo Maggiore Salon in New York City, “Even though the fall shows portrayed straight hair, it won't be stick-straight or flat. Hair has power, volume, and movement.” What’s more, “many women have learned not to get swept up in hair trends,” asserts Jet Rhys of San Diego’s Jet Rhys Salon. “Right now, the more important goal is to keep hair touchable, whether it’s straight or voluminous.” Richard Glass of Glass Hair Salon in Venice, California, concurs: “Soft tresses are the key to every style this season.” What that means for beauty addicts? We can embrace this season’s sleeker looks without compromising our hair’s condition.

Sleek Shortcuts
Although the perfect cut will depend on your face shape, style, and hair texture, most stylists advocate a layered approach for fall. But unlike the choppy looks of previous years, the goal is more subtly graduated. “Create long layers on top, but keep the rest all one length,” Rhys suggests. “Short layers around the face create the illusion of a single-length style while adding movement and volume.” How layered is too layered? “They should be no more than two inches apart,” Glass advises. In addition to getting a good cut, you’ll need to invest in a few products to stop split ends and dryness before they start. “Deep-conditioning is essential to keeping your hair healthy when heat-styling,” says Rhys, who recommends using a nourishing treatment, such as Davines Nounou Pak, once a week.

For further damage insurance, Maggiore espouses the virtues of heat-protective styling products: “Whenever you’re using hot tools, you should apply them,” he says. And all three gurus point to shine serums as the gold standard for keeping strands sleek post-styling. But even if you’ve created a sufficiently sleek style, making it last is another issue. First and foremost, “avoid moisture at all costs,” Glass stresses. As Maggiore explains, “Some girls will sweep damp hands over their hair to smooth it out, but this leads to frizz later on.” In addition, the experts urge their clients not to overwash. “Daily washing can lead to dry hair, which eventually causes split ends and frizz,” Maggiore says. “If possible, wash your hair every other day instead.” Another helpful hint from Rhys: “Invest in a satin pillowcase. It prevents frictions, tangles, and dents, and can extend the life of your style.”

Straighter Styling
The key to achieving this fall’s sleek styles is working with what you’ve got. Here, the experts share their secrets for mastering various hair types.
If you’ve got straight, thin hair: You’ll have no problem smoothing out your strands; instead, the challenge will be keeping your hair from looking limp and lifeless. “When your hair’s still damp from the shower, apply a nongreasy finishing product, such as Bumble and Bumble Styling Lotion, but keep it off the roots,” Rhys recommends. “Then, use your fingers to blow-dry, moving them in a zigzag motion, starting at the roots. If you use a brush, you’ll sacrifice any natural body your hair may have. For extra fullness, lift the roots up with your fingers, and blow-dry underneath.” Maggiore also recommends spritzing hair with a volumizing spray and brow-drying upside-down, while Glass points to another option: “Wrap your hair in the largest rollers you can find, and sit under a hair-dryer, or use a handheld one, until your strands are fully dry.”
If you’ve got wavy, normal hair: “There’s nothing like a fantastic blowout,” says Rhys, who adds that a blow-dryer can render wavy hair sleek in less time than a flatiron takes. “Before you dry, run a dollop of styling cream, such as Kiehl’s Crème with Silk Groom, evenly through your strands.” For a flawless blowout, Dayton, Ohio, hairstylist Gina Lepera-Murphy shares her secrets: “Clip up the top and middle sections, and add a concentrator nozzle to the dryer. Blow-dry one small section of the bottom layer at a time, beginning at the roots, working toward the ends, and gripping each section firmly with a good paddle or round brush.” During this process, “it’s imperative to keep the nozzle pointed downward,” she adds. Once the underside is dry, “use the same technique for the middle and finally the top layers.” If you have dry or porous hair, Rhys recommends finishing with a few drops of anti-frizz serum, such as Bumble and Bumble DeFrizz. But don’t overdo it: “Piling on serums will make your hair heavy and greasy,” Rhys warns.
If you’ve got curly, thick hair: You’ll probably find that pin-straight hair is a grueling project best reserved for special occasions. But when you do break out the flatiron, “make sure it’s a ceramic one,” Rhys stresses. “Ceramic tools conduct heat more consistently, while removing static and smoothing frizz.” Or, for soft, loopy waves without the fuzz, “Set your hair with ten Velcro rollers,” Rhys suggests. “When you remove them, use a brush to create flatness at scalp area, and use your fingers to coax the waves to dip into your face.” And for some curly-haired girls, Rhys cites a longer-lasting solution: “Chemical straightening can take up to six hours, but the results can last for up to nine months.” That said, the permanent route isn’t for everyone. “If your hair’s overprocessed or damaged, or you’re on certain long-term medications, chemical straightening isn’t a good idea,” says Maggiore.

Photo credit: Justin Horrocks

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