QUICK...I NEED ADVICE! (Before 9/27)

Well, first off, healthy hair is about more than just failing to color or perm it (although that goes a long way!). Long-term, I'd suggest not blow-drying as one important thing. Make sure you condition well, and if that still doesn't solve the problem, try a deep conditioner periodically. Make sure you trim split ends - and these don't occur just at the ends of your hair, or even just at the ends of individual strands; they can happen along the length of a hair as well, although they are by far the most common at the ends of the hairs.As for instant gratification - well, I like Aveda's Phomollient, which I guess would be categorized as a mousse. It doesn't have a lot of hold, but it really helps with detangling and seems to make my hair smoother and easier to control. Since you don't mention what texture your hair is, it's difficult to say whether it would work for you or not. I'd definitely recommend an intense conditioning treatment of some type tonight - you could just try leaving your regular conditioner on extra-long, or you might try some type of warmed oil (jojoba is my favorite).Good luck! Have fun at your party.Laura Janelswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu

Hi Jaye,Laura Jane and Jen had great advice.I definitely would try the Aveda Beautifying Composition oil. It is wonderful. I have so many great stories to tell about that product.Anyway....apply the oil to the ends and the middle and then wrap in a shower cap or towel and try to leave it in while you sleep. Use a really good and gentle moisturizing shampoo in the shower with lukewarm water. Hot water can make the hair dry or frizzy.Use a good conditioner and then do a final rinse of cool/cold water which closes the hair shaft and makes the hair so much easier to control from the frizzy viewpoint.Blot your hair dry with the biggest and thickest towel you can find. Be carefrul not to rub your hair which will irritate the hairshaft and make it more prone to frizz.After you have blotted your hair dry, carefully detangle and pick out your hair. I would recommend a good detangler like Aveda's Curessence Spray or Joico's Intergrity of Bain de Terre's Herbal Conditioning Seal.If you are going to blow dry your hair, use the coldest setting, keep the dryer as far away from your hair as possible, dry on the slowest setting and dry your hair upside down blowing the air down the hair shaft (from roots to ends). Use a good leave in conditioner which will actually soak into the hair shaft and prevent heat damage.If you want a "quick fix" I recommend just a few drops of Bain de Terre's Recovery Complex oil which you apply while your hair is just a little damp and then finish blow drying. It does have "cones" but they never seem to make my hair gummy or sticky and it is a "for special events" only type of solution. The Recovery Complex oil is fabulous and gives my hair so much shine it is unbelievable. Aveda has a similar product but I do better with the Recovery Complex.I agree with all the advice that Laura Jane gave you and recognize that this is for emergency measures only.Another secret is to give yourself a lot of time to do your hair before the party. Rushing seems to somehow alert the hair that something is up and then it seems to misbehave, at least in my humble experience. :-). But seriously, give yourself extra time and be sure to layer all the products to get the full impact.Have a great time at the party.If you hair fails you...have a backup style ready like a Nape Knot or little bun to slick your hair back.Best wishes,Karen> Dear Jaye,> A good dose of Aveda Beautifying Composition overnight> usually takes care of my frizzies. I buy it at a good> price through the World Wide Beauty site... you can> find it on this board's Links page. Good luck!> Jen