9 Secrets To Having The Hair You've Always Dreamed Of

"For the strongest wave, curl hair from roots to ends, not ends to roots. Hold the curling iron close to your scalp, open the barrel, and wrap a one-inch section of hair down the wand. Close, hold for a few seconds, and release."
-- Patrick Melville, co-owner of the Patrick Melville Salon in NYC

"If you've applied too much dry shampoo in one spot, hit it with a blow-dryer to help distribute the product throughout your hair. Then brush it through."
-- Harry Josh, John Frieda international creative consultant

"If you're going for volume, you don't want stiff roots and soft, flat ends. So before you blow-dry, use a thickening spray (like R+Co Dallas Thickening Spray) at the roots, but then comb it through your hair. Flip your head upside down and dry on the medium setting. When you're two-thirds done, flip your head back up, place your part, and use a round brush to finish the ends."
-- Garren, owner of the Garren salon in NYC and cofounder of R+Co

"The most versatile haircut has layers, which create movement and allow you to have a 'look,' whether you wear your hair down or pull it back with some face-framing pieces."
-- Juan Carlos Maciques, hairstylist at the Rita Hazan Salon in NYC

"A style that's just a touch longer in the back center section -- like a very soft U shape -- creates an illusion that you look taller and narrower."
-- Garren

"Toothpaste will remove dye stains along the hairline. It's drying, though, so apply moisturizer afterward."

"Don't shampoo your hair for 24 to 48 hours after dyeing. Detergents in shampoo can flush out color molecules."
-- Marie Leppard, senior colorist at the Julien Farel Salon in NYC

"In the same way that a hot clothes dryer can fade black and bright colors, heat-styling dulls your color. Before you blow-dry or use styling tools, apply a thermal protectant (like L'Oréal Paris Boost It Blow Out HeatSpray)."

"Avoid metal brushes, which get hot under a blow-dryer. They'll dry your hair in a flash, but you sacrifice the brightness of your color."
-- Kyle White, colorist at the Oscar Blandi Salon in NYC