Hair's the Scoop

Source: Creatas Images/Jupiter

According to reports, "one-third of women [in the U.K.] would prefer to eat less than cut their beauty spending."

Of course, this study was conducted before the world economy took a tumble. Whether you're residing in a prestigious penthouse or living with multiple roommates in a suburb somewhere, the current state of things has likely changed the way you spend your beauty funds.

Lucky for our locks, however, cutting costs doesn't have to mean sacrificing style or hair health. Swapping products, at-home treatments, and extending salon-styled 'dos are all great ways to be frugally fabulous.

See below for links to some of my favorite tips and tricks from top celebrity stylists:

> Edward Tricomi shows us how to achieve a salon-style blow-out at home.
> Straightening ethnic hair has never been easier, thanks to Ted Gibson.
> Sally Hershberger discusses why budget-friendly haircare products are where it's at.
> Ace at-home hair color with tips and techniques from Rita Hazan.
> Jeanie Syfu explains how to achieve a red carpet-worthy updo for under $10.
> A MIZANI expert shares his secrets for long-lasting curls.

Congratulations to the myLifetime.com member who won the previous Sedu giveaway!

Now for your chance to win...

One lucky HTS readers will be gifted with a basket full of luxurious, ethnic haircare products from MIZANI.

Included in the prize:

Spradiance
A featherweight, long-lasting and lustrous high gloss serum that seals and smoothes hair without the greasy build-up.

Theramastrength
A heat-activated style serum formulated with patented advanced strengthening and anti-breakage ceramide technology.

Confiderm Scalp Oil
A light, luxurious oil that relieves drying commonly associated with chemical treatments.

H2O Intense Night Treatment
A night-time treatment designed to increase hair strength, reduce the formation of split ends, enhance moisture retention, control dryness and frizz without weighing the hair down.

Rose H2O Treatment
An enriched hairdress containing natural oils and botanical extracts formulated to replenish moisture and add a soft, silky sheen to dry, dull hair and scalp.

Renew Strength Fotifying Shampoo
A gentle cleanser that fortifies with strengthening protein and ceramides. Formulated with moisturizing olive fruit oil to maintain optimal moisture protein balance.

Renew Strength Reconstructing Gelee
Designed for quick absorption to strengthen and smooth damaged hair. Wheat proteins, AHA and cationic polymers help reconstruct the hair strand from the inside out.

Professional Holding Spray Light
Provides flexible hold, excellent curl memory. Ideal for maintaining styles between services.

Masters Line Foam Wrap
A light, non-flaking foaming formula that balances ceramide technology, with shea butter, nature’s finest moisturizing ingredient, for creating the ultimate luxurious wet set.

Masters Line Setting Lotion
Mutli-level hold formula creates luxurious wet sets while ceramide and panthenol permeate the hair shaft for deep conditioning.

Shimmer Reflects Gel
An alcohol-free, medium hold gel formulated with advanced resins for non-flaking hold. It contains glycerin, a humectant that adds moisture, and gold mica that adds sheen.

Shimmer Reflects Spritz
A light hold spritz formulated with panthenol for conditioning hold. It contains surface-coating silicone which enhances shine, and meadowfoam oil to help prevent dryness and flaking.

Silkening & Curling Wax
Formulated to protect the hair during thermal styling while adding a silky shine. This unique formula provides superior curl definition to enhance style memory, while providing a shield of protection against humidity.

Silk Finishing Gel
This wax-free pomade is fortified with botanical oils and vitamins formulated to hold, control and define style without build-up or flaking.

HRM (Humidity Resistant Mist)
Helps protect against the formation of split ends and frizziness. Protects against surface damage caused by chemical treatments. Provides weightless hold with protective UV filter for hair.

For a chance to win this fabulous MIZANI prize package (valued at over $265), simply leave a comment on ANY post on this blog. The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on December 15, 2008, with one lucky winner chosen at random from the eligible entries. Click here for a full list of rules & regulations.

Source: Victor Chavez/WireImage

Q: I am a black woman, and I wear my hair braided all the time because I can't seem to do anything with it myself. I go to the salon, but then my hairstyle only lasts one day (if I sleep on it, that's it), it can't take heat well, and breaks constantly. Please help! My husband doesn't like me wearing my hair in braids all of the time, but I'm not sure what else to do. - Marie B.

A: Thank you for writing in, Marie! I've asked Darico Jackson, a MIZANI hair care expert, to help answer your question best:

I hear that complaint often and understand your pain... My solution? Roller sets! It may sound a bit old fashion, but with a little creativity and a few modern techniques, you can achieve a beautiful hair 'do that lasts (much more than one day).

For tighter spirals, try having your stylist roll your hair in perm rods (sideways) using Mizani Foam Wrap combined with Mizani Setting Lotion, then sit under the dryer for about 45 minutes. Finish with a glossing serum of your choice, and that's it!

For a smoother, bouncier look, ask your stylist to roll your hair on the biggest rollers your hair will hold, add Setting Lotion, dry your locks, and then remove the rollers. Next, have them use a vent brush to smooth the hair around the circumference of your head, then cover your entire head with saran wrap, and have you sit back under the dryer for approximately 15 minutes. Once cool, the wrap can be removed and they can proceed with styling.

Either of these methods should allow for a smoother, longer-lasting look that will help reduce the damage caused by excessive heat styling.