Perhaps it’s the old “grass is greener” syndrome:  brunettes crave flaxen manes; curly haired Sues hypothesize ruler straight strands.  Perhaps it’s a form of expression:  pink streaks are punk rock; a short crop keeps it simple.  Or, perhaps, we liken our hair to any other accessory:  interchangeable with the seasons and our moods.   No matter how poetic our actions sound – clip, snip, trim, chop; cut, color, comb, curl – the combination of such can do some serious damage to the delicate tendrils that rest atop our heads.  The silver lining in the name of split ends is that I’ve learned a thing or two – from the best shampoo (hint: it’s not from a salon), the most fortifying conditioners, and what to do if you’ve just come from a photo shoot with hair extension glue, black spray dye and baby oil embedded in your scalp – throughout my own trials and tribulations down the hair hall of shame. Like always, The Vogue City will show you how – without spending a fortune.

Now, I’m a firm believer that with patience and practice, almost any beauty technique can be replicated at home with two exceptions:  highlights and eyebrows.  Both should be left in the hands of experts only.  This is where common sense coloring comes in.  If you can’t afford the upkeep, don’t go there in the first place.  Save a halo of blonde highlights for sunnier economic times.  It’s much easier to maintain a shade that’s au naturel than fork over continuous chunks of cash for touchups required every 3-5 weeks.  Not only are roots less noticeable, you’ll wreck less havoc on your strands that are begging to be left alone as it is.

However, should Fashion Week inspire you to test the peroxide waters and leave you with a case of Betsey Johnson-head, you must retreat, repent and repair.  I have to give props to Kerastase, the prestigious Mack Daddy of L’Oreal’s haircare line.  Masquintense, a rich deep conditioning treatment, comes equipped with a patented nutritive technology and will revive even the most frazzled, fried manes.  Priced at $60, it’s a splurge, but a little goes a long way. 

Kudos also goes to Neutrogena’s Triple Moisture Hair Recovery Mask, found in most drugstores for around $8.  The trick to any conditioner, regardless of price, is to work it from the bottom up, stopping two inches shy of the scalp, and to leave it on long enough for the conditioning agents to penetrate the follicle.   

Combined with city grit, product overload can leave hair duller and flatter than a bad first date.  Before you reach for a bottle of expensive clarifying shampoo, check your kitchen sink:  Dawn dishwashing liquid, tough on greasy lasagna trays, also works wonders on a scalp full of gunk.  It was the only thing that removed the aforementioned extension glue and baby oil after fifteen unsuccessful washes and two dry shampoos that left nary a dent in my venerable helmet head.  Be warned that a deep conditioning treatment is a must after any clarifying shampoo, which can strip the health right off the shaft.  Those who lighten - or darken - should proceed with caution and stick with shampoos formulated for color treated hair (check out Pureology’s line, good for both color treated hair AND the environment).  Brass is only sexy on doorknobs.

Above all, be kind to – and have fun with – your hair.  Breaking hearts is one thing.  Breaking the bank for lustrous locks is heartless. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Posted by karynpol at 06:00 AM BEAUTY , Expert Advice , Tips on how to Save $$$ , What women over 40 want , Bargain Guides , What women in their 30s want , What women in their 20's want , Hair care | Trackback | Print This Post

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