How to Achieve Salon-Quality Hair Styling at Home

If you’re looking to achieve a salon-worthy look at home, try these hair styling tips. You’ll be surprised at the difference a little know-how can make!

Hair is more than a style; it’s a statement of who you are and creates a vibe. Knowing your face shape and hair texture can help you determine which styles suit you best. For example, bangs can be ideal to frame your forehead and accentuate your jawline while a bob line can elongate your neck. A ponytail can be sleek and sophisticated or more carefree and youthful.

Experimenting with non-permanent options is also a good way to test out a new style. For instance, if you want to add a touch of color to your hair but aren’t ready for a full-on dye job, opt for a temporary hair tint instead. These products can be applied at home and come in various shades from subtle to vivid.

If your goal is to have a more voluminous and dramatic look, a volumising mousse or wax is a great option. A small amount of these products can be rubbed between your palms and spread into the roots of your hair for an instant lift. If you have shorter hair, you can use a nourishing pomade that can help define curls and coils or add some texturising to fine or flat locks.

To keep your hair healthy, it’s important to use a quality heat protectant. If your hair tends to frizz easily, a lightweight oil or spray is also a good choice. Humidity is your hair’s mortal enemy, especially when it comes to styling. Moisture in the air adds weight to your tresses, causes them to frizz and dilutes any hair product you may be using. To combat this, choose an anti-humectant hair pomade such as this one from Aveda or keep a hydrating hair spray in your bag to give yourself a quick spritz when needed.

The tools you’ll need for at-home hair styling are a high-quality blow dryer (one with multiple heat settings and a nozzle that gives you control), styling products that match your desired look (such as a volumising, texturising or thickening spray, mousse or wax) and a finishing product like a hair serum, cream or mist.

Tip: Hairstylists often recommend that you skip washing your hair the day of a special occasion when planning to wear an updo. Dirty hair is easier to mold and hold a style.

A good hairstylist isn’t just a technical skill set; they can inspire you and offer ideas you might not have thought of. So don’t be afraid to bring in inspirational photos or ask for feedback from friends and family members on the look you’re trying to achieve. And always be open to the suggestions of your stylist as they will likely have insight into the style that will be most flattering for your head shape, length and texture. They will also have the best knowledge of what works with your current coloring or any growth patterns you may be experiencing.