Hair

Hair can take a beating during the warmer-weather months, whether it be from the sun, the chlorine in your pool, or your blow dryer when you try to wrangle your frizz. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep your strands in tip-top shape. Kim Vo shares his tips and secrets for keeping your hair healthy this season.

• Mist facial SPF onto your hair: To give hair "just a kiss of that sunshield," Vo says you should spray a facial SPF "and walk into it like a fine perfume." Be sure to try a product that's lighter and formulated for your face, though; this way, you won't be saddled with greasy hair. We like Philosophy's Here Comes the Sun Age Defense facial sunscreen ($30).
• Invest in UVA/UVB sprays: For another option, try hair spray with built-in protection. Just look for UVA/UVB filters on the label, and spritz on for instant defense.
• Seal the hair cuticle: Cuticles are the hard, rounded scales that create the outer layer of your hair, and they often take the brunt of the elements. Damaged cuticles stick up and make the hair look bristly, not to mention give your color a shorter shelf life. That's why Vo stresses the importance of keeping them flat with the proper cuticle-sealing products and tools.
• Accessorize your armor: Just because you're nurturing your hair doesn't mean you can't get a little stylish. Vo suggests tying a scarf around your head for a fashionable twist on sun protection. Or, embrace the wet hair look by using a leave-in product, slicking back your strands to keep them in good condition.

— Additional reporting by Jaime Richards

Ever wonder how stars go from dark hair to blond hair almost instantly? Allure spoke to the experts and got the scoop.

Whenever I talk to colorists about dyeing my naturally dark hair light blond, they act like I just decided to get a tattoo on my face. And both times I've tried it, the colorist has taken me on a six-month, multiple-salon-trip odyssey, by the end of which I didn't even want to be blond anymore. Maybe this is just how things are, but if that's true, then how is it that celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Lawrence are able to bypass the weird, partially highlighted phase and go from dark to light without destroying their hair? Get the answers from stylist Tracey Cunningham when you keep reading.

When you stop into the salon for a professional blowout, your hair just seems to behave better. Women with thick hair get the polished look they crave, while ladies with flat strands get the volume they desire. Save time and money with these at-home blowout tricks that won't have you blasting your hair with heat either.

Full-on volume: If you just can't contort your arms into the perfect position to get a great blowout at home, you're better off trying hot rollers. Roll large sections using medium to jumbo rollers. As they cool down, you'll get the same root-lifting effect of a round-brush blowout (without all the exercise). Opt for a flexible-hold hair spray and brush through with your fingers, so the curls fall out for a more natural bounce.

Sleek and smooth: Let your hair air dry until 90 percent of the moisture is gone, then blow-dry hair with a round brush until sleek. Use a flat iron to smooth roots, and spritz hair with dry shampoo like Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo ($20) as a finishing touch for the ultimate volume.

The topknot trend seems like it's going to be sticking around for a while, and it's not hard to see why. The style is easy enough for everyday wear, keeps your neck cool, and can transition to a casual night out with just the addition of some bold makeup. But like all styles that look like they're not hard to do (hello, beachy waves), the topknot can be a little tricky to master. For a simple step-by-step to get this chic yet undone bun, just keep reading.