Hair's the Scoop

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Is it just me, or is Hilary Duff's hair looking a bit limp at the crown and fried at the ends?

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Do you have fine, thinning tresses? Create the illusion of a fuller mane with these top tips,
courtesy of superstylist Garren:

—Keep your hair shoulder-length or shorter, and with a blunt cut.

—Side-part your hair for more coverage over the crown.

—Coloring your hair can actually make it appear fuller because it makes the cuticle swell. (Ask your colorist for the gentlest formula possible—single-process dye without ammonia is best.) But don't go too dark—the contrast with your white scalp will make thinning areas more obvious.

Have any tips/tricks of your own? Do share!

Redken's new Sheer Straight 06 is a smoothing styling gel that helps those with fine, wavy/curly hair (like me) achieve straight hairstyles sans frizz or residue. Hair is left looking soft, shiny, and full.

Highly recommended.

Redken Sheer Straight 06, $12.99. To find a stockist near you, visit Redken.com.

Need a lift? Check out this brilliant tutorial on how to revive limp, lifeless locks, courtesy of Allure magazine.

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Click here to see what Allure has to say about Shampoo's other half.

Inspired to switch things up? Or will you remain loyal to conditioner "til death do you part"?

Could your tresses use a pick-me-up?

If so, my latest obsession is soon to be yours, too.

Part of a patented 4-step system, this continuous-release treatment works to stimulate and nourish the scalp, resulting in thicker, fuller, more healthy-looking locks in 90 days or less. (I noticed a difference in just two weeks.)

Fekkai More Nighttime Follicle Boosting Treatment, $35. Available online at Drugstore.com.

Are your locks limp and lifeless? Could your updos use a bit of a lift?

If so, you'll want to stock up on this new volumizing spray from celebrity stylist Neil George. It's amazing.

Just a few spritzes and fine hair is infused with body, bounce, and loads of shine.

Highly recommended.

Neil George Volumizing Spray, $24. Available online at NeilGeorgeSalon.com.

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While dirty tresses hold a styling advantage, there's a fine line between a healthy-looking sheen and an Exxon-Valdez situation. 

5 ways to lift limp, oily locks:

KEEP IT SHORT.
Resist the urge to keep your locks at a length longer than your shoulders, as oily hair can separate and look stringy. Oily hair also tends to be fine, so be sure to layer your look for body and movement.

LATHER UP.
Oily hair should be shampooed daily, but try to avoid aggressive cleansers as they can dry your scalp and kick-start oil production. Instead, opt for gentle, naturally-based shampoos and remember to only condition your ends.

AVOID THE IRON.
Think of a flatiron as a spotlight, and use it wisely. A board-straight— or slicked-back— style can make oily hair appear even more so, so keep your tresses textured and loose. Also, you might want to consider air-drying your hair, as heat activates your sweat and sebaceous (oil) glands.

CHOOSE WISELY.
For oily hair, it's best to avoid shine serums, pomades, and heavy styling creams. Instead, opt for products that help balance your hair type. Thickening sprays, lightweight gels, and volumizing mousse are all great options to experiment with.

SOAK IT UP.
As a quick fix, dry shampoo (or a small amount of talcum powder), blotting papers, or even translucent facial powder at the roots can help lift excess oil. Just be sure to apply sparingly, and brush out any evidence.

I'm out sick today so, naturally, I made a point of indulging in the one guilty pleasure that comes with staying home on a weekday — daytime TV. Just as I was flipping though the blur of court cases and love triangles, I happened to land on a Rachael Ray beauty segment featuring — you guessed it — Bumpits. The name alone made me want to drop the remote and attempt to focus through my medicated haze.

What are Bumpits exactly? According to the brand, they're "volumizing plastic hair inserts [that] take your hair from flat to fabulous in seconds without the use of heavy creams or gels. [You can] simply place the piece underneath hair at the crown of your head to instantly transform your look."

Now I'm all for a lift, but these plastic pieces seem to better fit the age of Marie Antoinette or The Ronettes than the modern day. Hair should have movement, which is why I tend to prefer extensions, fillers (made of natural/synthetic hair) and styling products to these sorts of rigid inserts. But then again, I haven't tried a Bumpit, so perhaps I'm terribly mistaken ...