4 Tips to Care & Style Your Hair Like a Pro

July 16th, 2026

Whether it's protecting your hair while having summer fun, or learning what blow-drying techniques suit your hair type, these tips straight from our Master Cosmetologist, Elsa Diaz, are sure to help you level up your hair game.

Luckily, there’s an easy fix to prevent this…just apply conditioner before swimming! 

By saturating your hair beforehand, you create a barrier for your hair that reduces the chlorine and salt water penetration! If you don’t have conditioner on hand, even just soaking your hair in clean tap water helps reduce the amount of salt or chlorinated water that gets absorbed!

Washing your hair as soon as possible once you’re done swimming can also help mitigate these negative effects. And consider applying a deep conditioner to restore your hair’s moisture- just ask any of our stylists for recommendations and we’ll find the perfect one for your hair type!

Washing strips your hair of its natural oils which can leave it in a brittle delicate state, so it’s important to re-hydrate it afterwards. Leave-in conditioners are by far the best option for leaving your hair moisturized thus preventing breakage. 

For an easy guide when applying products post-shower, we recommend:

• Towel or blow drying your hair until it is about 60-70% dry.  Since many products are water soluble, having your hair on the dryer side when applying them can help the products work their best

• Using a dollop or quarter sized amount of  leave-in treatments or serums at a time. You can always add more, if needed later

• If using your hands, evenly spreading your products on your palms and fingers before gently applying it to your hair

• If using a comb to distribute product, opt for a wide tooth comb to avoid tugging the hair too hard while wet

For best results, focus on the ends of your hair, as that’s the area most prone to breakage and damage.

For short hair, avoid just chaotically blow drying from every direction as that can make shaping the hair more difficult later. Blow-drying it in the direction you want it to lay when dry is essential. 

Conversely, if you’re after volume, try drying it against the direction your hair naturally grows in for extra lift. You can further increase this effect by working a small amount of styling product–like clay pomade or texturizing spray–with your fingers or brush while blow drying. 

For medium to long hair, while the tips above definitely apply as well, using heat protectant before blow drying is crucial to limit the heat damage to your hair since longer hair = longer blow-drying sessions.

To efficiently blow dry your hair, split your hair into several sections and then blow-dry your hair while pulling the pieces through a round brush at a 90 degree angle from your scalp. Brushing inward or outward can make a big difference depending on what look you’re trying to achieve so experiment and see what you like or consult your stylist during your next visit!

For curly or wavy hair, reaching for a diffuser instead of a standard dryer boosts volume and curl pattern.

The force of a regular blow dryer pulls the wave or curl downward, stretching out the pattern before it has a chance to set. Whereas, a diffuser dries hair gently without disrupting the natural shape of the waves or curls. 

Simply cup a section of damp hair into the diffuser bowl, lift it to your scalp, hold for about 30 seconds, and release. Repeat to the rest of your hair until your hair is dry.

The natural bristles evenly distribute natural oils from root to tip which adds shine and softness to your hair. They also support healthy hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the scalp and face for those with beards. Not to mention that natural bristles are gentler to your hair and scalp than plastic or metal ones.

For those sporting beards, a classic military-style boar bristled brush is your best bet. The brush functions like a sponge to the natural oils produced by your skin acting as a free deep-conditioning treatment that fights dandruff build up. 

Since beard hairs often like to twist, curl, or grow sideways. Another tip for maintaining a smooth beard is to brush right after a warm shower when the hair is pliable. Consistent daily brushing actually “trains” follicles to lay down in a specific direction over time!

Still have questions about what hairstyle and products are right for you? 

We can help! With over 40 years of combined expertise in the hair-care industry, Angie & Elsa's recommendations are sure to make you feel and look great!

Scheduling a visit at our Gilbert, AZ salon is as easy as clicking on the "Book Appointment"  button below! We hope to see you soon!