33 Ways to Salvage Bad Hair

This multi-day, at-home hair treatment temporarily mimics the effects of a salon keratin treatment.

$9.99; drugstore.com.

The secret to updo staying-power is to have a solid base. Amature stylists should secure hair into ponytails before working on chingons, top-knots, or buns.

Chances are, if you're making out with Ryan Gosling, you won't care about getting wet. But if you're not preoccupied with a hunky actor, apply a leave-in conditioner to wet locks when you get indoors (your conditioner will wash out first) and pull hair into a glossy nape-of-neck bun.

Even if your flakes aren't caused by dandruff (some skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can also result in scaly scalps), you can use a dandruff-reducing shampoo with ingredients, like zinc pyrithione (which reduces fungus) or selenium sulfide (which slows cell turnover) to prevent additional shedding. Use the shampoo at least once a week if you want to be wear dark tops with peace of mind.

We like Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo, Dry Scalp Care, $7.79; cvs.com.

Use his styling products (in moderation). Most men's grooming items are created to give a lot of oompf with the smallest amount of product. Lightly dab your fingers with his pomade or cream and pull hair back into a sleek ponytail or bun. Extra points for double duty items like this one that contain SPF.

We like Axe Buzzed Look Cream with SPF 15, $6.99; walgreens.com.com.

Chlorine and mineral deposits in water can cause hue-changing results to porous, color-treated hair. Invest in a filtration system like this one to flush out abrasive agents.

Switch your part for instant volume. One of spring's best runway looks (from the Michael Kors show to Prabal Gurung's catwalk) was a face-flattering, serious side part.

First step: relax (we know it's hard!). After getting a terrible cut, the general rule of thumb is to not do anything else drastic to your strands for the first few days (except for washing and styling it on your own). If you still don't like your new 'do, go back to your stylist and explain what you don't like about the look. Remember: he or she is professional hairstylist—not a mind-reader. The more you articulate your grievances and hesitations, the easier it will be to come up with a better alternative.

Sparingly apply a volumizing powder to roots and brush through hair (it gives locks instant texture and hold). Then, secure strands into a high top-knot for hours of stress-free dancing.

We like Got2B PowderFul Volumizing Styling Powder, $5.99; got2b.com.

Invest in a better brush. Pricier features like longer brush handles, natural boar bristles, and ergonomic design all add up to faster, better, easier blowouts.

We like Philip B. Round Hairbrush, $75; philipb.com.

Ask a pro for help. If your highlights turn out too streaky for your tastes, ask your stylist to use a toner to even out your hair color.

Due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, and traction alopecia (when hair starts to fall out after years of repeated abuse) hair can thin out overtime. Prevent this by diligently taking prenatal vitamins if you're expecting and giving yourself a weekly stimulating scalp treatment. This increases blood circulation which promotes hair growth.

We like Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Intensive Restoration Treatment, $5.99; drugstore.com.

You might love swimming laps, but you hate what it's doing to your hair—constant chlorine exposure dulls color and texture. Use a clarifying shampoo after each dip in the water to remove green, brassy tones immediately.

Keep a snazzy flat iron at your desk. It might seem excessive—until you're called into a last-minute meeting. Plus, the more stylish your iron is, the more your co-workers will covet it.

We like Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth Iron, $160; paulmitchell.com.

"When hair is very dry, the cuticle is open and strands feel rough—like a piece of Velcro," explains Michael Duenas, founder of Hair Room Service (a deluxe service that provides hairstyling house-calls to celebs). Use a deep conditioner with ingredients like Omega 7 and Vitamin C to hydrate hair.

We like Amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask, $40; loveamika.com.

Celebrity colorist Lorri Goddard Clark (Reese Witherspoon is one of her many A-list clients) recommends soaking a cotton ball with witch hazel and running it along the oily hairline and part before spot-rinsing hair with water. You can then blowdry and restyle the face-framing pieces as needed.

Skin sensitivities don't just stop at the face—the scalp can be affected too. If your scalp looks or feels dry, try switching to sulfate-free care products, which won't strip natural oils like sudsier options. Extra bonus: sulfate-free formulas are gentler on color-treated hair, meaning more time between dye-jobs.

We like L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Deep Replenishing Masque, $8.99; drugstore.com.

Wait until next season to tame your mane. This spring, frizzy hair was one of the most popular runway looks (the model pictured here was at Marc by Marc Jacobs). While you embrace your hair's natural texture, experiment with styles like half-up, half-down looks to show off your features and trendy spring makeup.

If you don't want to clip back bangs that are too short—or too blunt—sweep them to the side and secure the look with a cute clip, like the models at the Spring 2011 Rodarte show. For thinning out super-thick bangs, like Sandra Bullock's hair at the 2011 Golden Globes, talk to your stylist about the best strategy for regrowth.

Apply an overnight treatment on wet hair and start to see results as soon as the next day. Look for options that are more technology-based than regular leave-in-conditioners, like this cream that contains keratin amino acids which help bind broken cuticles back towards the hair follicle.

We like Nexxus Pro-Mend Overnight Treatment, $8.99; ulta.com.com

Whether you had your hair done professionally or got carried away at home, prom hair (aka overstyled, pageant hair) still happens to adults. If your ringlets are too uniform, flip your head over and finger-tousle strands until you feel the hold loosen. For hair that's still too voluminous, lightly dust ends with quick spritzes of water to break up product build-up.

Opt for at-home dyes that contain pigment-enriched care packets like this one which will refresh color without abrasive chemicals—studies show that hair fades the most two weeks after coloring.

We like Natural Instincts Vibrant Permanent Color, $8.99; drugstore.com.

Cover up curly regrowth between keratin treatments by straightening strands with a small flat iron that is designed to grab hair at the root. We like this one.

When you need to refresh extremely tousled strands (aka bed head) in a jiffy, use hot tools to give your look instant polish. Work with the natural texture of your hair and wrap two-inch sections around a medium-barrel curling iron (it should be no smaller than one-inch in diameter). If you're short on time, focus on pieces around your face which will garner the most attention.

Lightly spritz a body oil on windblown strands and scrunch for instant texture. If you use too much oil, twist locks into a mermaid-esque side-braid. Look for oils that contain SPF for extra scalp protection.

We like Australian Gold Bronzing Dry Oil Spray , $8.99; australiangold.com.com

It's easy to overdue it when taming tresses with styling products. Before spritzing hairspray or applying gel, avoid shellacked clumps of hair and apply product to your hands first. Clap your palms together to reduce excess and ensure more even application.

Spritz dry shampoo at the roots and brush through. While there are many new options for oil-absorbing sprays and powders on the market now, we prefer clear formulas that reduce flaking and will blend well with all hair colors.

We like Marc Anthony 2nd Day Clear Dry Shampoo, $9.99; marcanthony.com.com

Try hot rollers. (Yes, really.) Reincarnations of the 1980s hairstyling sets now incorporate easy to use clips for minimal setting-time and ionic technology for healthier-looking results. We like these ones.

Even princesses can't fight the elements. If you find yourself in a wind tunnel (or, in this case, in the middle of a blustery day in Ireland), protect your strands under your jacket to prevent more tangling. When the weather dies down, calm flayaways with a brush spritzed with hairspray.

This color-matching, super-precise root spray was created by celebrity colorist Rita Hazan (Oprah trusts her with her tresses). It targets gray-growth, covering it instantly with a camouflaging blend of paraben-free ingredients.

$24; sephora.com.

Also, check out the makeover story we did with Rita here!

Use clip-in hair extensions. Celebrities have utilized them for years (including Reese Witherpsoon at the 2011 Oscars). Simple updos are the perfect place to start—clumsily-placed clips are easier to hide under buns and pony tails.

Pre-wet beachy manes. Hair can only absorb so much water, so the more you saturate strands with leave-in conditioner before hopping into the salty sea, the softer your locks will be afterwards.