Five easy hair tricks that transform your look

Ask for one of these refreshing hairstyles next time you go to the salon.

Trick 1:  Create Waves
“Waves instantly make hair appear fuller, softer and more youthful — and they work on every length,” says Kristjan Hayden, the creative director of Aveda Canada. A flat iron will best serve thicker locks, because it condenses your hair (so no giant ’80s do), while a curling iron gives texture to fine hair without reducing its volume. To get an unfussy, natural wave, twirl the first section away from your face, then alternate directions for each wave after that. And adjust the heat setting for your hair type: high heat for thick strands, low heat for finer ones.

Trick 2:  Cut a Fringe (Bangs)
There’s a reason that just about every woman has at some point flirted with bangs: They accentuate your cheekbones and provide an instant lift to your face. (Plus, you can just dampen and blow-dry them in the morning, leaving day-old texture in the rest of your hair.) “I cut transitional bangs here, so the ends are really soft and textured and gradually blend into face-framing layers,” Hayden says. That means that, unlike blunt bangs, they don’t need to be trimmed every few weeks and can easily transition into a side-sweeping fringe.

Trick 3:  Keep It Hydrated
A vibrant shine that’s not too oily can require a delicate balance. Stay away from shampoos that are overly aggressive (they may be listed as “cleansing” or “detoxifying”), which strip hair of its much-needed oils. Instead, opt for a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner — though if they contain silicone, be mindful of adding styling products with more silicone, since too much of the stuff will create buildup in your hair and leave it dull. “Typically, curly hair is drier than other types, so definitely stay on top of maintaining ends with regular trims,” Hayden says. A little shine oil or leave-in conditioner on the ends will banish frizz and give you a glossy finish.

Trick 4:  Add Layers
Playing with length in your hair is an easy way to make a big change — the key is to choose your cut. Fine hair will benefit from a few soft, face-framing layers that don’t reduce volume, while thick hair can take a more textured approach. “For that style, a razor is used to make vertical cuts, rather than horizontal ones, so you never end up with blunt edges,” Hayden says. To add more oomph to your do, spritz towel-dried hair at the roots with a booster and blow-dry, then throw in a few large rollers. (Even three at the crown make a noticeable difference.) Leave ’em in while you’re getting dressed and your hair is cooling for full, bouncy volume that showcases your layers.

Trick 5:  Hand-Painted Highlights
Sure, all-over colour has short-term appeal — it’s so easy to apply at home —  but hand-painted highlights offer major long-term gain: There’s no blunt line where dye stops and regrowth begins, which means you don’t have to have the colour touched up as often. (In fact, Hayden says, “a bit of regrowth is part of the look.”) Subtle contrasts of colours, like shades of blond or light brown, against your natural hue will create the illusion of a fuller head of hair.

This article first appeared on Chatelaine