24 stylists share their best-ever hair advice

pro tips on how to have a good hair day, every day:

amika’s stylist collective

from sal salcedo, on leaving your hair appointment happy:

“one of my favorite pieces of advice to give clients who are seeking a big hair transformation or a new style is to come in with visuals of what you wish your hair to be! equally as important is bringing images of what you don’t want. let’s be real: a lot can get lost in translation; new trends and hairstyle names are happening too fast and can be challenging to keep up with. so, make it simple for yourself: be clear on the route you want to take and help your hairstylist create that with you and for you in mind. it’s all about having a clear vision to work from! this is where true hair dreams are created.”

from eric vaughn, on achieving maximum hair volume:

“it’s all about new rising star volumizing finishing spray! spray it on your entire hairline for maximum volume and root-lifting boost.”

from yene damtew, on her all-time best hair advice:

“the hair advice i give all clients is to find a stylist they trust to work with. even if they don't visit the salon regularly, they should see a stylist at least quarterly to assess their hair and get the best product recommendations for their hair type and concerns.”

from jes jewel, on toning at home:

“dilute bust your brass shampoo with your favorite everyday shampoo using a 1:1 ratio. this allows you to customize your tone for a softer neutralization of warmth!”

from pekela riley, on her best hair advice ever:

“no one is you and that is your superpower. when it comes to your hair, my best advice is to understand your personal "why." it's important to be true to your personal style and what makes you feel confident. i also recommend starting with the end goal in mind—think about where you want to be with your hair in the long run. from there, we can tailor your hair care regimen to lead you towards your desired look. consistency is the most important piece to hair care. when you work together, you can map out a regime that aligns with the goals that will keep your hair healthy and fabulous!”

pros you ought to know

from michaela harroun, on styling:

“this is so simple but i always see a lightbulb go on when i tell clients to let your curls cool before touching, fluffing or combing through them, whether they be round brush or curling iron curls. then, when i'm round brushing their hair, i tell and show clients how to use the cool shot on their blow dryer. simple tip but very effective! my favorite post-heat curl product is supernova moisture and shine hair cream.”

from adrienne warner, on curly hair:

“curly hair is generally drier than straight hair, sometimes you just need to add moisture to your routine to minimize the frizz for luscious curls!”

from stephanie picazo, on styling freshly clean hair:

“I always tell my guests you’ve got to get your hair a little gritty in order for it to cold style. my favorite go to is spritzing the hair with a little perk up with an overlay of undone for some extra grit to help get those curls in place when hot tool styling. most importantly, don't forget your heat protectant before picking up your hot tool! go in with the shield anti-humidity spray to protect and help with frizz, too.”

from elizabeth patterson, on extending wash days:

“a tip i tell my clients that always seems to blow their minds: apply perk up to your roots on freshly washed hair!! instead of absorbing oils, prevent them!”

from sparrow fox, on your best hair while sleeping:

“I advise clients to always spritz perk up original on their roots before they go to bed! even if they use a bonnet or silk pillowcases. it keeps the hair from being oily in the morning and your pillow is always fresh!”

from tori w. on blonde maintenance:

“do not overuse purple shampoo! over time, the tone in the purple shampoo can cause the hair to look one-dimensional and drab. purple shampoo is meant to be used sparingly and to neutralize unwanted yellow tones in the hair, not as the sole source of toner. the tonal deposit in purple shampoo is one dimensional and cannot provide a long-term result for neutralization. using bust your brass once every 2 weeks should be efficient in taming warmth. if that isn't enough, it's time to head back to your stylist for a toner.”

from derek thomas viers, on pesky flyaways:

“spray flexus with the grain of your hair growth (away from the part) and smooth with a comb or roll the can over. use perk up dry shampoo on clean dry hair to extend your wash days. don’t wait until your hair is dirty.”

from derek thomas viers, on curl care:

“moisture is key! cocktail hydro rush leave in conditioner for detangling and curl corps gel for a non-crunchy hold to get the perfect diffused curl day. don't be afraid to lean over into the diffuser of your blowdryer on low speed and low heat.”

from dan williams, on build-up free hair:

“clarify your hair every 3-4 weeks.”

from lindsay jo, on extending wash days:

“apply dry shampoo around your hairline before you work out to help absorb the sweat. it will make your style last longer after the gym!”

from brooke hocmanksi, on hair that’s oh so fresh + clean:

“double cleanse with shampoo!”

from rebekah williams, on brushing your hair:

“brush from ends to roots only!”

from iris studio, on detangling hair: 

“detangle your hair before you shampoo!”

from aurey, on getting the most out of your mask:

“squeeze out excess water from your hair before putting in conditioner and your hair mask.”

from kaelin, on healthy-looking hair:

“mask once a week and get monthly trims!”

from adrienne warner, on air-drying waves: 

“my favorite combo is water sign, hydro rush leave-in, and curl corps cream. i start with damp hair, prepped with the hydro rush leave in, not too drippy, and then i cocktail a fair amount of the curl corps cream for the size of the section i am doing and a tiny pump of water sign. then i emulsify and apply to the section, making sure to work the product in, and just repeat the process for each section. i give it a gentle shake and scrunch up the ends with my fingers and call it done. for a refresh the next day, i use a little bit of the curl corps cream and either h2o or dream routine and loosely scrunch it in on the ends and gently rake through with my fingers from mid to ends for a little definition.”

from alicia layne, on a healthy scalp + hair:

“I like to use the reset charcoal cleansing oil on dry hair before i shampoo. massaging it in first helps to better remove all the buildup from dry shampoo & oils as well as exfoliate so your scalp can be in a healthy place for your hair to grow.the biggest thing for healthy hair for me is heat protecting. i love blockade heat defense hair serum because it's easy to use wet or dry. my favorite way to use it to mix a pump or two into a styling product to create my own blow dry lotion that is also a heat protectant. i love adding it into supernova moisture and shine cream!”

from beverly clay, on a frizz-free blowout:

“I use a combo of amika velveteen dream cream and the shield anti-humidity spray for a frizz-free blow out. i use the shield when my hair is still wet and a good spray after it's dry, too. it keeps that blow out smooth even in the summer heat!”

from monroe hair studio, on at-home styling:

“when clients say “I wish I could get my hair to look like this at home” I always respond with "you totally could!!" and the way is by finding the right products! it’s key to work with your stylist to find professional products that work for your strands.

(and a little advice for stylists, too): think about a realistic routine for each client! i have regulars and i use products that i know they have at home, and i'll sprinkle in new ones from time to time that i genuinely think they will benefit from. if i have a client who is new to professional products, i don't want to overwhelm them, so i'll typically offer them the 3 things i think they'll benefit from the most.”