Hair's the Scoop

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Beyonc� Knowles chose a rather questionable coif for the World Music Awards, held in Monte Carlo recently.

It was crimped but not defined. Monotone in color (well, aside from those roots), and fried at the ends. Voluminous, but not in a good way... What happened?

Our (generally) glamorous diva looked great otherwise — it's just her hair that was a right mess.

Am I alone, or this look just wrong? 

Source: Tony Barson/WireImage

I grew up idolizing Julia Salinger (a.k.a. Neve Campbell), and envied her ability to carry off a cropped cut and still look absolutely feminine. Her shiny, frizz-free locks were perfect for the time and framed her fame beautifully.

Fast forward 14 years, a few forgettable films, and the former hair muse is now popping up all over the radar ... with a look that doesn't quite scream "comeback." Where does one start? The frizz, the poodle curls, the cut, the lack of shine? It's all shockingly bad, and so sad because she has such wonderfully thick hair (and a charming face) to work with.

My Rx would be to reduce the volume, opt for tousled curls (a la SJP) or straight hair, and boost/gloss her color with a glaze.

What do you think Neve should do to fix this awkward 'do?

Image Source: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Q: What are Sedu hairstyles exactly? I hear about them all the time and have no clue what they are ... –Rhomella L., New York

A: Not a worry! I've had many people ask me what "Sedu" is, and it's actually a brand of flat irons and styling tools that aim to provide smooth, sleek hairstyles (much like the ones that Jennifer Aniston made popular). So "Sedu hairstyles" are simply looks created by using a Sedu brand styling product.

What makes this particular brand so special is/was their use of cutting-edge technology. Sedu flat irons were one of the first to reach their max temperature within seconds (reducing styling time), omit negative ions for protection, and use special plates that could provide frizz-free results without catching or breaking the hair.

If you'd like more information on the Sedu product collection, or to view how-to videos, visit SeduBeauty.com.

Source: Pixland/Jupiter

To most of us, frizz is known as an evil spirit that moves in and out of our tresses without warning (and at the worst possible time), bringing with it volume fit for an Einstein convention. But what's actually happening is that when we change environments with different levels of humidity (like going outside), the water vapor disrupts the hydrogen bonds in our hair (a.k.a. the smooth, sleek finish we spent so long creating) and it returns to its natural state ... which is actually frizzy for many people.

So, to find out how we can manipulate our tresses to be smooth through rain or shine (humidity or heat), I turned to Lesley Bride, a hair care expert and senior scientist at Pantene. Her five ways to effectively fight frizz:

1) Start with healthy hair. The healthier the hair, the less susceptible it is to frizz. Tips for healthy hair: frequent cuts and conditioning. Also, let your hair air-dry when possible, and minimize the time you spend brushing and combing.

2) Wash with a frizz-fighting shampoo and conditioner such as Pantene Restoratives Frizz Control Collection. After gentle cleansing, the conditioning agents in the formulas fight frizz by reducing the flow of moisture into the hair, thus minimizing the “Gets Frizzy” effect.

3) Don’t skip a wash. Some will say that washing dries out the hair and makes it look frizzy, only the contrary is true. The sebum (natural oils) can only condition the hair right near your scalp. They are not effective conditioners for your mid-shaft and ends, where you get the frizz. Proper daily shampooing and conditioning can leave your hair in better condition.

4) Leave-in treatments: These are key for friends with big frizz issues. Frizz-control balms not only make hair soft and silky, but some even have gentle stylers to hold the hair in its smooth place.

5) Hairspray at the end of your styling, and don’t mess with it. A good (medium to strong hold) hairspray will help protect against humidity for the day. The secret is to let the hairspray set up for several minutes without touching your hair or the bonds will be disrupted.

Have any of your own frizz-fighting tips or techniques? Do share!

A girlfriend of mine, who models professionally, has hair that expands exponentially in the presence of any humidity- so you can imagine the reaction it had to New Orleans, where she was on location for a recent photo shoot. Taming her tresses was a challenge for the entire hair team, who tried every prestige product available with little success. As soon as she'd step outside and onto set, her hair would take on a life of its own. That is, until she introduced them to her secret weapon...

When she first told me about White Rain's amazing anti-humidity hold, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. How could it be better than my beloved luxury sprays and serums? But it is, and I've been converted. I now rely on White Rain whenever NYC's muggy weather proves to be too much for my (naturally curly) locks.

White Rain Hairspray, $1. See WhiteRain.com for additional product information, or Walgreens.com to purchase.

Image Source: Brand

If your locks could use a little pampering after a summer of sun & surf (or heat styling and chemical processing...), pick up a tube of this fabulous hair masque by Soap & Glory. It's fantastic.

Haven't heard of Soap & Glory? It's the creation of Bliss mastermind Marcia Kilgore, and has the same playful packaging and delicious scents as her premier range- without the prestige price tag.

Now that you know a bit more about the brand, let's get back to my current obsession (soon to be yours, too!). Hair Supply is a gloss-giving radiance and repair treatment that works wonders for all hair types. The gel-cream formulation helps hydrate your tresses and tame frizz, without weighing them down, so you're always left with healthy-looking hair.

I love using this product once a week, root-to-tip for 5-10 minutes, but you could also use it as a daily conditioner (focusing on the lower half of your hair) if you're in need of some serious hydration.

Soap & Glory Hair Supply, $9.99. Available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com.

Source: Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage, Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

An (almost) undone braid.