No More Bad Hair Days‏

It's one of the few drawbacks of summer: Hair sometimes gets annoyingly out of control. The season's major threats — sun, heat, and humidity, not to mention chlorine and salt water — challenge all hair types, from curly to wavy to straight. The hair pros' secret to lowering the hassle quotient? Make the most of what you've got. That means not forcing tight ringlets to relax, or trying to coax waves out of stick-straight strands. Here's your personalized plan for a summer of carefree hair days.

Your hair is ... curly
THE CHALLENGE
It's keeping curls under control — even when humidity swells the cuticle, causing curls to look frizzy and frazzled. Curls are also more prone to dryness, since they're exposed to the elements from all angles. That's why you'll need heavier conditioning to stay soft and fuzz-free.
THE PLAN
In the shower: Space out shampooing or use conditioner alone, since even the gentlest suds can be drying. "Your hair will look healthier and less frizzy the less you agitate it," says Los Angeles hairstylist Stephanie Pohl. When you lather up, use a shampoo with a smoothing ingredient like silicone (or any ending in "-icone"). Try Kérastase Bain Oléo-Relax ($32, kerastase.com). Follow up with a curl conditioner like Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Curls Conditioner ($4, drugstores), and don't rinse it out fully to give hair a mini leave-in treatment.
Styling secrets: Gently towel-squeeze hair to remove water, then mix up this "stylists' special": three parts anti-frizz cream and one part serum. Use your fingers to twirl it down the hair shaft to the ends, working in one-inch sections. Dab a little at the hairline and roots, then air-dry. Try Dove Frizz Control Therapy Taming Cream ($3.78, drugstores) mixed with Göt2b Smooth Operator Smoothing Satin Drops ($8, drugstores). For frizzier spirals or on supersteamy days, use an anti-humidity cocktail of equal parts leave-in conditioner, medium-hold gel, and serum instead, suggests Los Angeles hairstylist Jonathan Hanousek.
In the salon: Be sure your stylist is a curly-hair specialist — most salons have one or more. And keep hair at least shoulder-length, with long layers: "You need length and weight to prevent hair from looking too puffy or mushroomlike," explains New York City salon owner Lisa Chiccine. Short layers, or none at all, add to the puffiness problem. It's also a good idea to have your hair snipped when it's dry, so your stylist can see exactly how your curls lie and what happens to them after each pass of the scissors. (Curly hair shrinks dramatically as it dries, so wet cutting ups the chance of too-short surprises.)
Emergency fix-it: "There's no better way to combat out-of-control curls when you're on the go than hand cream," says Hanousek. Simply rub a dollop between your hands and run them lightly over your 'do to moisturize hair and smooth flyaways.
Next: Wavy Hair, Tamed

Your hair is ... wavy
THE CHALLENGE
Although you have the tousled, beachy texture everyone covets, you also experience the summer gripes of both curly and straight types: frizz and flatness. Luckily, neither tends to be extreme, but you have to play to both sides.
THE PLAN
In the shower: Think of wavy hair as curly hair light: You get the same fuzzy flyaways, so you need moisture, but you want less of it so you don't weigh down your tresses. Use a conditioning shampoo specifically for wavy hair — no more than three times a week. Try Sally Hershberger Supreme Head Shampoo for Wavy Hair ($9.50, Walgreens). Follow up with a light conditioner like Charles Worthington Big Waves Conditioner ($6, drugstores).
Styling secrets: Gently dab-dry hair with a towel (rubbing encourages frizz), then coat damp strands evenly with a light gel cream like Sunsilk Waves of Envy Gel & Cream Twist ($3.69, drugstores) or a texturizing spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($21, bumbleandbumble.com for salons). To finish off, twirl small sections around your fingers to perfect the waves, then just let your hair air-dry.
In the salon: You can't go wrong with a shoulder-length, long-layered cut, but if you want to try something shorter for summer, consider a layered bob like Katie Holmes's. Worn naturally wavy in summer, it's low-key and easy to maintain; come fall, you can blow it straight for a sleek, smooth look on special occasions. But whatever your length, Pohl suggests, start the season off with a trim so you'll be less prone to breakage and split ends.
Emergency fix-it: Anytime your waves look flat, revive them by dampening and then braiding your hair. Blow-dry on a low setting or air-dry, then undo the braids.
Next: Giving Life to Straight, Fine Hair

Your hair is ... straight and fine
THE CHALLENGE
Your issue is the opposite of frizz: "The minute you walk into humidity or start to sweat, your straight, fine hair goes limp," says Hanousek. And while body and curl may be lost, all hope is not. Good technique and the right lightweight products can really pump up the volume.
THE PLAN
In the shower: Look for clarifying or volumizing shampoos, and avoid those with silicone or deep conditioners, which can weigh hair down. Try Joico Re:Nu Age Defy Fullness & Body Shampoo ($22, joico.com for salons). But don’t skip conditioner: Too-dry hair leads to flyaways. Choose a volumizing version that’s light enough to use after every wash. Try VO5 Extra Body Conditioner ($1, drugstores).
Styling secrets: After washing, lift top sections of your hair and apply two or three pumps of mousse directly to the damp roots. Massage it in like shampoo, then run it down the length of your hair. Try John Frieda Luxurious Volume Bountiful Body Mousse ($6.49, drugstores). Blow-dry immediately — hair can go flat if it air-dries. Lift strands with a natural-bristle brush so you can aim nozzle at the roots and create more height. While hair is still warm, lock in the style with a fine mist of aerosol hairspray. For extra sheen, finish up with a touch of shine spray: Spritz into the air and walk through the mist, says Hanousek. Try Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Mist ($2.50, drugstores).
In the salon: Short styles are made for fine textures. Blunt bobs or supershort pixie cuts are great choices; the flatter they get, the more they shine. If you crave a lot of volume, ask your stylist for a short cut with spiky layers. When it comes to color, try highlighting only your top layer. The darkness underneath gives fine hair depth and creates the illusion of fullness, says Ceron, a hairstylist at Jose Eber Salon in Houston.
Emergency fix-it: Apply dry shampoo (keep a purse-size one in your bag) to your roots at the crown, then tease for instant volume. Try Buttercream Cosmetics Shampowder ($16, buttercreamcosmetics.com).
Next: Protection for All Hair Types

Sunscreen for hair?
That's right — ultraviolet light can damage hair, says Andre M. Puleo, senior project scientist for Unilever, leading to split ends and breakage; it can also affect hair color. To protect your tresses, try Fekkai Summer Hair SunShine Shield Spray ($22, Sephora) or Citré Shine Shine Miracle Aerosol Shine Serum ($6, drug­stores). More critically, "scalp skin is vulnerable to cancer, especially along your part and anywhere hair is thin," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. If wearing a hat isn't an option, spray your exposed scalp with a nongreasy sunblock like Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Continuous Spray SPF 30 ($9.79, drugstores) before a day at the beach or poolside.