Stores Selling John Freida products

The Question:Dear Belinda,I have wavy hair which tends to get frizzy and poofy if left untamed. I spend a good hour each day smoothing my hair out with the flat iron and am beginning to see the damages this is causing to my hair. I also don't like having to spend so much time straightening my hair everyday. I know there are some alternatives out there, but I'm not sure what I should do. Please help!Sincerely,Spends Too Much Time On HairBelinda Says...Dear S.T.M.T.O.H,There is a lot of buzz when it comes to hair straightening methods and, if you are determined to have straight and smooth hair, it's crucial that you consider all of your alternatives and their effects before making a final decision. As an advocate of natural beauty, my first and foremost advice to you is to put the styling tools on hold every once in a while and let your hair be. I know, frizzy, poofy hair is not my idea of a great hairstyle either, but your hair needs a little vay-cay every now and then. The good news is that you can control the frizz with great styling products like anti-frizz straightening creams and glossing sprays.Additionally, summer hair will soon be on the radar and there's no better time to let your wavy locks be themselves. Summer is the season of beach waves (and I'm not talking about the ones you surf), so put your flat iron on hiatus and get yourself a great wave-enhancing spray that will help define your hair's natural texture. This will certainly cut back on your hairstyling time everyday. Going au naturel saves time!Now, if you truly wish to keep your locks straight and smooth, there are various options to consider. Some of the most popular are the Brazilian Blowout, Ion Hair Retexturizing and Thermal Conditioning. While effective, these methods are costly and require retouches as soon as new hair begins to grow out. However, if you're looking to eliminate an hour's worth of flat-ironing each day, then a hair straightening method such as these will save you lots of time. Talk to your hair stylist about these options and their advantages/disadvantages before making a final decision. But remember heat and chemicals are all strenuous on hair. So the best way to save hair from damage? Keep it natural! Happy stylin'! :)All the best,BelindaHave a question for Belinda? Send an email to belinda [at] smarter.com with all of your fashion inquiries. I may not be able to answer everyone’s questions, but I will try to get to as many as possible. Be sure to stay tuned for next week’s Ask Belinda Column, the next one may be yours! ... more