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We may be beauty editors, but our hair is just like everyone else’s—it gets frizzy, falls flat, and resists attempts at quick blowouts. But because we’re lucky enough to spend our days interviewing beauty experts and testing new products, we’ve stumbled upon a few hair tricks that are just plain amazing. Here, our favorites.

How to: Make a blowout last
“My hair is parched from years of highlighting, and I’ve learned that shampooing frequently makes it even drier. Now, I wash my hair every three days and use these tricks to keep it looking fresh.” —Colleen Sullivan, Beauty and Fashion Editor

Always wear a shower cap.
“On days that I’m not shampooing, I pull my hair into a ponytail, secure it with a soft scrunchie (hair elastics can leave dents), then pop on a shower cap before I shower. Without it, my hairline gets frizzy from the steam.”

Freshen up with dry shampoo.
“Three days after a blowout, my hair looks limp. (If you have oily hair, this might happen sooner.) So, before my shower, I flip my head upside down and spray the roots with Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray ($21) as I tousle them with my fingers. Then I shower with a shower cap, and when I take my hair down afterward it has more volume and the oiliness is gone.”

Keep things smooth.
“If I notice that my hair is looking greasy or frizzy, I neaten it up with a flat iron. Rather than sliding the iron down the length of my hair, I just pick up small sections of the top layer and tap them with the flat iron, opening and closing it a few times near the roots or anywhere else that’s messy.”

Next: How to: Prevent hair damage

Laura Doss

Check out the latest beauty and fashion tips for guaranteed glam! View the slideshow.

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Learn more about our expert shopping panelists:

J. Nick Baird, MD, is the chief executive officer of the Alliance to Make US Healthiest, a nonpartisan organization of national and grassroots efforts focusing on healthy initiatives for individuals, communities, industries, and on the government level. He is also a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director’s Advisory Council.<

Elaine Buxton is the president of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA), the largest professional trade association using anonymous resources to improve retail services. She is also president of Confero Inc., a national firm that measures customer experience.

Marianne Wilson is the editor in chief of Chain Store Age magazine, a monthly publication that analyzes trends, news, and strategies in the retail industry.

 
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Sure, you know to slather on sunscreen any time you leave the house, but I’m banking on the fact that you slip up every once in a while. I know I do. So I need something to help reverse my carelessness while keeping my combination skin moisturized during the harsh winter months. Kiehl’s newest line, the Açai Damaging-Repairing Collection (kiehls.com; $24.50–$48), promises to do just that.

The chemists at Kiehl’s took a high concentration of organic açai and combined it with aloe vera, lavender, and rosemary essential oils to help repair the visible effects of physical and environmental skin damage. Clinical tests found that 88% of women felt a natural tightening effect on their skin, and 84% said their skin appeared brighter. I’ve been trying out the line for the past two weeks and the tightening effect feels instant. My favorite product is the lightweight repairing system, which is the perfect pick-me-up when my skin looks tired or stressed. The moisturizer is thick and creamy, and while I prefer to slather it on at night given its heftiness, gals with dry skin will love that it keeps their skin hydrated well throughout the day.

Açai berry was one of the hottest superfoods—and biggest health controversies—of the past year. It was packed into diet supplements, purees, and even Popsicles. It’s gotten a bad rap thanks to some diet scams, so I was hesitant to jump back onboard the açai wagon. But I’m happy to report that Kiehl’s line lives up to its hype. It won’t help you lose 30 pounds in 30 days (like some açai distribution companies claim), and it probably won’t help you look 30 years younger, but I’m betting your skin will look significantly brighter and tighter. Plus the line is organic, paraben free, and eco-friendly, so you’re helping out the earth and your reflection. It’s the best of both worlds, right?

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Beauty and Fashion Editor

Best Winter Tip: “To smooth your feet when they get rough in the winter, you have to get rid of the dry skin before you put on foot lotion. I love the Dr. Scholl’s micro file (page 40). You just rub it over your feet, and it gently sloughs off the rough stuff on your soles.”

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Jennifer Goldstein
Beauty and Fashion News Editor

Best Winter Tip: “My skin looks better in summer when I eat lots of antioxidant-rich berries and fresh fish, which has omega-3 fatty acids. Since I don’t consume those as much in winter, I keep my skin glowy by taking an omega-3 supplement and spiking my water with an antioxidant drink.”

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Melanie Rud
Beauty and Fashion Assistant

Best Winter Tip: “Heat up a pair of dry cotton socks in the microwave for 7 seconds, slather Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($5.49; drugstores) on your hands, then slip the warm socks on your hands for 10 minutes. It’s like one of those spa paraffin treatments, but it costs a lot less!”

 
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Need help with that dry, itchy, winter skin? We have got just the products you need. See what Health’s beauty editors rely on to get through the winter. View the slideshow.