be style savvy

Minimise the stress of growing out last season's cut with a two-step approach. "Firstly, you need to let your stylist know that you're growing it out, so that they can ease the transition," advises Diva Poulos, international stylist ambassador for Sebastian Professional. "But while you're waiting, take the opportunity to experiment with a variety of up-dos." Poulos also concedes that unwanted fringes can be particularly tricky to work with, and suggests experimenting with new-season hair accessories or opting for a modern quiff.

fix your fringe

Kate Moss's chic blunt fringe is the new "it" style, but such edginess comes at a price as it can be difficult to manage. "If your fringe is stubborn and not sitting the way you'd like it to, chances are it's cut too short or layered too much," explains Sydney hairstylist Anthony Nader. Try running hot irons over it to encourage smoothness. Nader also suggests experimenting with a different look, like sweeping the fringe to the side and securing it with a clip or bobby pins.

deal with dirt

If you haven't yet discovered dry shampoo, it's destined to become your new best friend. Simply hold the can 20cm from your head and spray onto the roots, then massage through with your fingers to reduce any trace of grease. Alternatively, Poulos suggests embracing the oiliness and working with it. "Pull your hair back into a sleek style, like a bun. Unwashed hair has the added benefit of not having nasty fly-aways!" she says. A greasy fringe can be a little more difficult as it's much trickier to hide. "If you're pushed for time, just wash and dry your fringe - it'll give your whole look a boost," suggests Errol Douglas, Matrix Global Design Team Member UK.

look second-day sexy

Just because you don't have freshly blow-dried hair, doesn't mean your only option is the trusty ponytail. "To wear your hair out, simply turn your head upside down and shake with your fingers, or simply blast the roots with a blow-dryer," suggests Douglas. "Curling it with tongs is also a great fast fix to give definition and bounce." Alternatively, Nader suggests a chic chignon: "Simply gather hair loosely at the nape of your neck and secure with a snag-free elastic. Then, divide the ponytail into two sections and loosely braid each. Pull the braids apart slightly, twist around each other and pin into a chignon with bobby pins. Don't be too concerned about messiness as this adds to the feminine, ethereal feel."

brighten up

If you're between colour appointments, but your shade is in desperate need of resuscitation, you have a few options. Wash your hair with a tinted shampoo and conditioner designed to impart a hint of colour, or give yourself a gloss treatment, like John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze, $19.99, at home each week. Also look out for styling products with shine-boosting ingredients that will help add life to your look.

control your cowlick

Anyone with a cowlick will appreciate how difficult it can be - no matter how much you want your hair to go in one direction, it'll always spring back the opposite way. But, according to Nader, you can tame the kinks. First, ask your stylist to keep extra weight in that section of your style - which unfortunately rules out a fringe - and secondly, you'll need some prowess with the blow-dryer. "In the mornings, blast the section with hot air in the opposite direction you want it to sit. Then, push your hair back into the desired style, add a shot of cool air to set it and the cowlick should be tamed," says Nader.

hide regrowth

Avoid severe parts that exaggerate the problem and opt for a not-so-perfect zigzag part instead. Nader also favours volume over a sleek look. "Giving your hair extra oomph will help make your regrowth less noticeable," he says. "Create movement and texture with tongs, hot rollers or hot irons." For dark tones, conceal greys along your hairline with Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up, $12.59. Or for blondes, Nader suggests Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $14.50. "Spray it onto the roots, brush out and you're left with shiny, fresh hair with a gorgeous texture," he says.

tame your curls

While natural waves look gorgeous, they can also be hard to manage. The secret, according to Douglas, is hydration and styling restraint. "It's difficult to avoid frizz, but moisture is the key," he explains. "Invest in curl-enhancing products, such as creams and activators, always apply them to damp hair and then don't touch it too much. Move your curls into place and dry them either naturally or use a diffuser."

add oomph

You need only three things to create luxurious volume: a round-barrel brush, a body-boosting product and a blow-dryer. If you're working with wet hair, apply a volumising product, like Matrix Amplify Root Lifter, $23.95, to your roots. Blow-dry your hair, section by section, with a round-barrel brush, making sure you lift the hair at its roots, then follow with a shot of cool air. Or, to add body to your style the next day, put velcro rollers, like Lady Jayne Medium Self-Hold Rollers, $7.49 for a pack of six, through your crown, blast with a blow-dryer and let them cool completely before removing.

fight frizz

With summer just around the corner, the season of frustrating fly-aways is about to begin. "Combat frizz with a good serum, anti-frizz balms, and anti-humidifying products," advises Douglas. "The secret is to add products before styling, while the hair is still damp, rather than on dry hair afterwards." Poulos also recommends the use of ionic styling tools, like Bio Ionic iDry, $249, to reduce frizz. If you still have a few fly-aways after styling, spritz a hairspray, like Pantene Pro-V Stay Smooth Hairspray Flexible Hold, $6.99, onto your hands and gently run your palms over your hair to smooth.