Best Hair Secrets from America's Top Salons

Straightening Strategies and Beautiful Hair Secrets

Frizz control. When blow-drying your hair straight, be sure to get it completely dry. Any moisture left in the hair will cause it to expand, resulting in frizz. Says who: Salon Capri, Newton Highlands, MA

Lock in shape. When straightening hair with a round brush and blow-dryer, allow each section to cool a second or two while it's still wrapped around the brush to lock the smoother shape into the hair. Says who: Attitudes Hair Studio, Langhorne, PA

Iron in a sleek finish. The speediest way to straighten hair? Use a flat iron. How-to: 1. Blow-dry hair, smoothing it with your fingers. 2. Once hair is dry, brush it out with a flat paddle brush; apply shine-enhancer or heat-activated spray. 3. Working up from the ends, flatten 1/2-inch sections with the iron; doing bangs last. Hair will stay sleek for two or three days. Says who: Zano Salon, Batavia, IL

More shine, less shampoo. Don't wash your hair every day unless it is oily. Daily shampooing can strip away the natural oils needed to coat the hair shaft and reflect light. You can let hair go two days without lathering up if hair is dry, damaged or color-treated, and one to two days if hair is normal. Refresh your style without shampoo by rinsing with warm, then cool water. Says who: Salon Beauchesne, Manchester, NH

Best blow-dryer. The Super Solano, a 1,600-watt dryer, has the power to dry hair fast but controls the airflow so the heat won't do damage. The motor also outlasts most standard blow-dryers ($109.95; to order, call Zitomer, 888-219-2888). Says who: Euphoria Salon, Charlotte, NC