Get Great Hair
START IN THE SHOWER
If you have flat, fine hair, sudsing up with a volumizing shampoo is half the battle, says Chris McMillan, Living Proof celebrity hairstylist and the man responsible for Jennifer Aniston's luscious locks. These formulas "aren't going to make your hair huge," he says, but they'll "make the styling process easier." Look for the same hydrating ingredients found in products to plump your skin, such as hyaluronic acid, which increases water content. Why? "When you remove moisture from your hair, it shrinks, becomes static, and goes flat," says Kevin Mancuso, a stylist and creative director of Nexxus Salon Hair Care. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Power Moisture Hydrating Shampoo, $7.49, lorealparisusa.com and Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo, $9.99, nexxus.com. When it comes to conditioner, focus on your tips only. Pantene Pro-V Advanced Keratin Repair 60 Second Therapy Ampoules boost shine while helping to stop dry, split ends in one minute flat.
MAXIMIZE LIFT AND BOUNCE
"The more product you layer on your hair, the limper it is going to be," cautions hairstylist Oribe, who is known for creating voluminous styles on star clients like Jennifer Lopez. Of all the tubes and styling products crammed in your medicine cabinet, mousse is the one that experts swear by for soft allover shine and bounce. "Mousse helps you achieve a fullness that looks natural and sexy," says Murenu. Add body to wavy strands by combing Kérastase Paris Boucles d'Art Curl Defining Mousse through wet hair before blow-drying. For smoother styles, try Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse and Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse, $26, livingproof.com.
To further enhance volume, rough-dry your hair upside down, McMillan says. But don't use an ionic dryer, advises Mancuso, since it can "make the hair too soft and flat." Once your hair is about 50 percent dry, blow it out with a round brush to finish the ends. "I like using two round brushes," says Murenu, who, after drying a section, leaves the hair wrapped around the brush as a roller to add volume. For those in need of more oomph at the crown, try back-combing Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Teasing Dust into roots with a teasing brush.
DON'T FEAR A CHOP Fact: The longer your hair, the flatter it will be to your face. "It's the law of gravity," says Touroul. Having your stylist cut long layers will "produce more bounce," he says, but the best way to create the illusion of thicker hair is with a shorter 'do. "Blunt bobs are fantastic for fine hair because they add thickness and fullness at the bottom," explains McMillan. Note: If you have curly or coarse hair, consider a salon keratin smoothing treatment before making a drastic cut, says Mancuso.
FAKE IT The five-minute solution when fighting thin or lifeless strands is simple: Add more hair. Stylists agree that the new clip-in extensions work wonders for increasing fullness when and where you need it, and they're virtually foolproof. For the most natural look, go for human hair versions in a color and texture that mimic your own. Best buys: Balmain Hair Couture Clip-Ins, from $650; balmainhair.com, and She by So.Cap USA Hair Extensions, from $395, 877-855-4247. Each offers in-salon consultations and fittings to help you find the ideal length, color, and texture. If you're not completely satisfied with the hue, ask your colorist to darken the roots of your clip-ins (a technique popular with celebrities, says McMillan), since hair is naturally darker on top and lighter on the ends. Placement of your extensions is also crucial. To keep long and loose styles looking real, distribute them evenly in the back and on the sides and crown so thickness stays uniform. Equally sexy: a voluminous bun or twist. Securing your hair with a metallic pin like one from Ficcare will do the trick.
CLICK THROUGH TO SHOP GREAT HAIR MUST-HAVES.
Ficcare Chrome Bobby Pins, $30 each, and Gold Hair pins, $45 each, ficcare.com.
Pantene Pro-V Advanced Keratin Repair Ampoules, $14.99 for six, pantene.com.
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Teasing Dust, $23, sephora.com.
Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse, $35, oribe.com.
Kérastase Paris Boucles d'Art Curl Defining Mousse, $36, kerastase-usa.com.
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