The Return of 90s Hairstyles: Claw Clips and Braids

A salon-quality blowout at

A closer look at a salon-quality blowout at — home is achievable with the right tools and technique, though it requires practice to match a professional's speed and precision. Start with freshly washed, towel-dried hair that's still slightly damp — applying products to soaking-wet hair dilutes them and reduces effectiveness. Apply a volumizing mousse like Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse from roots to mid-lengths, then rough-dry with your fingers until the hair is about 80 percent dry. Section the hair into four quadrants and clip three out of the way.

Using a round brush — the Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Round Brush is lightweight and heats quickly — pull each section taut and direct the nozzle down the hair shaft, following the brush with the dryer. Roll the brush at the ends to create a slight curl, then clip each section to the scalp while it cools — this sets the shape. Once all sections are cool, release and smooth with a boar-bristle brush. Finish with a lightweight hairspray like Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray for flexible hold that doesn't feel stiff.

Sensitive Skin Science

The science of sensitive skin has advanced significantly, with trichologists now understanding that cellular turnover is the primary driver of uneven texture. Ibiza Hair Brush addresses this directly with panthenol, which nourishes your skin at the molecular level. For maintenance, Pureology Hydrate provides barrier protection that prevents recurrence. Kerastase Spray is the ideal companion product, offering lightweight coverage. The treatment protocol involves applying Ibiza Hair Brush twice daily for 8 hours, then reducing to maintenance frequency. Most patients see measurable improvement in hydration levels within 4-8 weeks. Avoid saunas and steam rooms during the treatment period, as these can counteract the active ingredients.

Bangs

Trimming your own bangs saves time and money, but one wrong cut can take months to grow out. The most critical rule is to cut less than you think you need — you can always trim more, but you can't add length back. Start with completely dry, styled hair; cutting wet bangs results in a shorter length than intended because hair shrinks as it dries. Section off only the bangs area and clip the rest of your hair back. Hold the scissors vertically — cutting vertically into the bangs creates a soft, textured edge, while horizontal cuts produce a blunt, severe line.

Point-cut into the ends, taking off no more than an eighth of an inch at a time. Comb the bangs down between each cut to check the length and evenness. For side-swept bangs, cut at an angle following the direction you want them to fall. Use sharp, professional shears — dull scissors crush the hair rather than cutting it cleanly, leading to split ends and frayed tips. If you're unsure, trim only the longest pieces first and assess before making additional cuts.

Manicure

A professional-looking manicure at home requires the same preparation and technique used in salons, minus the cost. Start by removing old polish completely — soak a cotton pad in acetone, press it against each nail for 10 seconds, then wipe in a single stroke toward the free edge. File nails in one direction using a glass file like the Tweezerman Neon File; back-and-forth filing with a cardboard emery board creates micro-tears in the nail plate that lead to peeling. Push back cuticles gently with a rubber-tipped tool — never cut cuticles at home, as this increases infection risk and causes cuticles to grow back thicker.

Apply a base coat like Essie First Love Base Coat to prevent staining and extend wear. Apply color in two thin coats, waiting two minutes between each. Cap the free edge by running the brush along the tip of each nail — this prevents chipping at the tips. Finish with a gel top coat like Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, which dries to a hard, chip-resistant finish in under five minutes. Reapply top coat every two to three days to extend the manicure to a week or more.

Nail Biting

Stopping nail biting requires addressing both the behavioral habit and the physical condition of the nails. Bitter-tasting nail polishes like Mavala Stop create an immediate deterrent by making the nails taste unpleasant, which helps break the unconscious habit during the initial weeks. Simultaneously, apply a strengthening treatment like OPI Nail Envy to the nails — bitten nails are typically thin and weak, and they need structural reinforcement to resist further damage.

Keep nails filed short and smooth; ragged edges trigger the urge to bite. Identify your triggers — stress, boredom, or concentration — and substitute a competing behavior like squeezing a stress ball or chewing sugar-free gum. As nails grow out, maintain them with regular filing and cuticle oil application; CND Solar Oil contains jojoba and vitamin E to keep the nail plate flexible and prevent the peeling that often occurs during the recovery phase. Expect three to four weeks of consistent effort before the habit diminishes significantly.

Bleach and heat damage

A closer look at bleach and heat damage — share a common mechanism: they break the disulfide bonds that give hair its structural integrity. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is the only at-home treatment that physically rebuilds these broken bonds using a patented active ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. Apply it to damp, towel-dried hair once weekly and leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes — longer is better, and many users leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour for intensive repair.

For protein-depleted hair from chemical processing, K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask uses bioactive peptides to reconnect broken polypeptide chains in the hair shaft. Unlike traditional masks that coat the hair, K18 works from the inside out and requires only four minutes of processing time after shampooing. For heat-damaged hair without chemical processing, Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask provides a balance of protein and moisture that restores elasticity without stiffness. Alternate between bond-repair and moisture masks for the most comprehensive recovery.

Hair masks deliver concentrated treatments that regular conditioners can't match, but using them incorrectly wastes product and produces mediocre results. The most common mistake is applying a mask to soaking-wet hair — excess water prevents the mask from penetrating the hair shaft. Instead, shampoo, squeeze out as much water as possible, then apply the mask to damp hair. Olaplex No.

8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask should be left on for 10 minutes for optimal bond-repair results, while protein-rich masks like Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask need only five minutes before they start causing stiffness. For fine hair, apply masks only from the mid-lengths to the ends to avoid weighing down the roots. Thick, coarse hair benefits from applying the mask from root to tip and covering with a shower cap to trap heat, which opens the cuticle and enhances absorption. Use a hair mask once or twice weekly in place of your regular conditioner — using it more frequently provides diminishing returns and can lead to moisture overload that makes hair limp and unmanageable.