fake it, 'TIL YOU MAKE IT

THE MOTTO 'FAKE IT 'TIL YOU MAKE IT' 

can work wonders on unwashed, untrimmed, chemically-challenged, out-of-control hair...

Beyond what you've told you at least a zillion times before—to use a rich conditioner regularly—these tips will fake healthy hair until it actually becomes healthy again.

1. Split ends are a dead giveaway of damage. To mend them temporarily, rub a dab of non-liquidy styling cream between your fingers and pinch it over frayed pieces. Hand cream also does the trick; if you've got nothing else, conditioner will work, but only use the teeniest-tiniest dab or your ends will look stringy.

2. When your roots are oily and there's no time to shower, nothing sops up the sebum as well as dry shampoo. Powders are less sticky and a bit easier to apply than sprays, but they can result in white patches on your scalp. To ensure an even application, sprinkle the powder onto a fine-tooth comb, then rake it through your roots.

3. If you have broken hairs around your hairline, get  a fringe. It will also make fine hair look fuller. Just be sure to ask your stylist for a thick, not wispy, set.

4. Flatten out flyaways: Mist a little hair spray between your palms or onto a clean toothbrush, then smooth over. The result won't be as greasy as with a cream or serum, especially if your hair is fine. For really stubborn strands, add a second layer of spray and blow-dry flat on low speed.

5. An at-salon glossing treatment leaves hair with the kind of lustre you see in shampoo ads—and lasts longer than ordinary shine spray (through several shampoos versus several hours).
Bonus: It also helps camouflage grey roots and fading highlights.