How To Rehab Your Hair

DONT WORRYWERE NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU BREAK UP WITH YOUR BELOVED FLATIRON (OR CURLING IRON, OR BLOW-DRYER). KEEP YOUR TOOLS AND USE THESE TWEAKS TO MAKE YOUR HAIR LOOK STRONGER AND SHINIER.

- Heather Muir Maffei

1 If you do this: Lather your hair from roots to ends

Try this: Suds your scalp only

It might be fun to soap your hair into a shampoo commercial-style turban, but sudsing the full length can dry out your hair, causing fuzzy ends and dullness. Instead, focus your effort right where you need it: your scalp. Wet your hair, apply shampoo, thoroughly massage your scalp, then rinse. You’ll reduce product buildup without stripping the rest of your hair.

2 If you do this: Rely on rinse-out treatments to define curls

Try this: Upgrade to a leave-in

“A rinse-out treatment is similar to a face wash—you only give it a minute to do its job,” says Melbourne, Australia–based hairstylist Kevin Murphy, who suggests applying a leave-in cream to damp hair for 24-hour benefits. Our pick: Pantene Gold Series Leave-On Detangling Milk ($8; target.com).

3 If you do this: Overdo the dry shampoo

Try this: Clarify with ACV