COSMO's fabulous junior beauty editor, Deevya Vasson, gives you her top hair tips.
1. Find a stylist you can talk to. While it's great if you can chat about your boyfriend issues, if you're too scared to tell him/her that you're not happy with the cut or you feel bullied into buying products - end the relationship and keep looking. You'll eventually find The One.
2. Ponytails are lifesavers - for those days when you've overslept and just don't have time to wash your hair.
3. Dry shampoo is your best friend, especially if your roots tend to get greasy quickly. It not only saves you time, but damage from extra heat styling. Simply spray and massage into your roots. (
TRY: Batiste Dry Shampoo, R59.99)
4. Invest in a clip-in hairpiece. Kim Kardashian's long locks are probably as real as her lovely long lashes, so stop obsessing. Throw away those hair growing pills and potions and just clip in and go! (
TRY: Nicci G Clip-In Hair Extensions, from R2 200. Available at
www.hairco.co.za).
5. Find your magic formula. You know those days when the hair Gods are feeling generous and your hair turns out fabulous? Trace your steps and remember what shampoo and conditioner you used, how you styled it and if you used any styling products.
6. Mix and match. It's not necessary to use matching shampoo, conditioner and styling aids from the same brand. I can hear hairdressers gasping, but seriously, there's no harm done in using a cheaper shampoo with a more high-end conditioner. In fact, it's a thrifty move too.
7. Do look after your ends. There's nothing worse (for me) than standing behind a big bad bush in a shopping queue. Regular trims and masking at home are integral. Ask your salon to do a treatment before your cut or ask about keratin and collagen treatments as a long-term smoothing option. (
TRY: La-Brasiliana Keratin Treatment With Collagen, call 011 463 9912 or visit
www.la-brasilianasa.com for more details).
8. Love your hair and work with what you've got. If you have a style that needs flat-ironing every day, it's not working for your hair type - and neither is your hairdresser. And if...
9. ...you walk into a salon and notice everyone walking out with flat-iron happy, super-straight hair (including the hairdressers), chances are you'll end up with a high-maintenance cut! Turn on your heels and run.