Get Sexy Waves The Easy Way

Flowing, textured hair is one of the season's hottest looks. But when the temperature soars, the last thing you want to do is spend hours under the hairdryer trying to achieve the perfect curl. We asked stylist Dario Cotroneo of Dario Cotroneo Salon, Darlinghurst, NSW, for the simplest solution to create this look.

"A fast, effective way to style your hair is to separate it into five large sections when dry - two on either side of your face and three at the back." He recommends running a comb through each section, then spritzing them with a setting lotion, such as ghd Creation Spray, $35.

"Twist each section from the roots to the ends, roll up into buns and secure with bobby pins," he says. Now take a hot iron - Cotroneo uses a ghd IV Styler, $299 - and clamp each bun with the iron for three seconds, before allowing to cool for 15 minutes. Release buns, tip your head upside down, tousle and spray with hairspray - we like Pantene Pro-V Style Curl Lock Hairspray, $6.99 - before flipping your head back to show off tousled waves.

Choose A Foolproof 'Do

A popular style at the spring/summer 09 shows, the half-up, half-down look is big right now. "This style is great for formal events as it's dressed up enough to feel special and most women feel less exposed with the back of their hair cascading down," says Brad Ngata, of Brad Ngata Hair Direction, Sydney. "It's also a winner for outdoor events, as the front of the style is secure should there be a breeze." Get the look by combing a little mousse, like The Body Shop Guarana Berry Volumising Mousse, $17.95, through damp hair. Blow-dry roughly first, then again using a round brush to add shape, or add a few large velcro rollers through the top section, blast with the dryer, and leave to cool. Next, take the front section and pull it back from your face, securing with pins or an elastic that matches your shade. Finish with a spritz of L'Oréal Professionnel Play Ball Anti-Frizz Fizz, $26.95.

Invest In Seasonal Shampoos

You might think it just cleans your hair, but the right shampoo can go a long way to getting the most from your style. Choices include a range of treatment benefits that are tailored to specific hair types and conditions, and it's a good idea to choose a couple of different options and alternate them for optimum effect. For summer, we suggest using a solar protection shampoo to guard your hair against sun damage and replace lost moisture, like Joico K-Pak Sun Therapy Nourishing Shampoo, $25.95. Then, consider a clarifying option that works to remove product build-up, salt and chlorine from strands to leave it squeaky clean. Try Aveda Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser, $39.95, or Schwarzkopf Seah Hairspa Detox Bath Shampoo, $33.95.

Protect Your Investment

Why spend hundreds of dollars on a cutting-edge colour only to have it fry in the summer heat? "The sun has a major impact on the health of your hair," warns Cotroneo. "It can fade colour and drain moisture, leaving it dull and lifeless. Just like your skin, you need to protect your hair from sun damage." Ngata agrees, adding, "If you are a beachgoer, invest in a solar-care spray. These are spritzed onto the hair for UV protection and to reduce fading."

If your strands are fine, a light mist, such as Fekkai Summer Hair Sunshine Shield Spray, $36, is your best option. Or, if dryness is a problem, use a sun-protection lotion to impart more moisture. We like PPS Silk Moisturiser, $3.10 each, and Redken UV Rescue Shimmering Defense, $26.

Care On The Go

Hot-weather haircare doesn't have to be hard work. A quick mist of leave-in conditioner can make all the difference to your 'do. "With our busy lifestyles, leave-in treatments are perfect for those who are short on time as they will restore protein and moisture with little time and effort," says Cotroneo. Spray onto damp hair and comb through prior to styling. "You can combine leave-in conditioners with styling products because they have different purposes. Leave-in conditioners penetrate your hair to improve its health, compared to styling products that are about complementing your hairstyle, and sit on the surface of the hair," he explains.

Beat The Heat With A Bun

"The high bun is a great option as it pulls all the hair up and away from the nape of the neck, making it a cool and easy style to wear," says Ngata. "The upward energy of the look is great for elongating the neck, drawing attention to the eyes and, with a tousled bun, gives the appearance of a chic style with a modern, casual feel." It's also a perfect look to try if your hair is dry, as you can comb through a leave-in treatment before styling, such as Sebastian Originals Potion 9 Wearable Treatment, $48. Next, scrape your hair into a high ponytail and fasten with an elastic, then twist your lengths around it, securing with fringe pins. A mist of hairspray, like L'Oréal Professionnel Elnett Satin Hairspray, $19.95, will fix the look, but don't try to smooth down loose fly-aways - the added texture keeps it current.

Treat Yourself

"At-home treatments are vital for keeping your hair in top condition," states Ngata. And with so many now on the market, you'll be able to source the right one for your styling concern. "Protein-based products are ideal for damaged, weak hair, as they replace the strength that has been stripped through chemical processes, such as highlights and straightening," explains Cotroneo. We like Matrix Biolage fortthérapie Cera-Repair, $24.95 for five tubes, and Kérastase Resistance Forcintense, $54 for three treatments. "Moisture-based options are designed for dry, coarse hair, which is caused by sun exposure, or forgetting a heat-protection product when using thermal styling tools," he says. Feeling lazy? Simply spread an overnight treatment through your strands before bed and wake to soft, moisturised lengths. We like L'Oréal Paris Elvive Re-Nutrition Night Elixir, $10.95, and John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Repair Formula, $23.99.

Steal A Stylist's Secret

Sea salt spray can do more for your hair than impart a "been at the beach" appearance. It's become a key product in every professional hairstylist's kit. Cotroneo uses it to modern effect by flipping the head upside down and misting hair with the spray, then tousling to create natural-looking, matt waves. Ngata is also a fan of this versatile buy, saying, "Sea salt spray is an effective way to put texture into clean hair, making styling much easier as the hair has grip. I love using it to encourage natural texture for a casual feel, or as a foundation for styling hair up." Sold? Here are three options to try: Garnier Fructis Style Surf Hair Texturising Spray, $8.49; Wella High Hair Ocean Sprizz, $22.50; Fudge Salt Spray, $17.95.