If your hairstyle never looks like it did on the day your hairdresser created it, don’t be ashamed, you aren’t alone. Ninety percent of salon clients report that they cannot style their own hair to satisfaction.

These are some common mistakes made in ‘at home’ styling and some suggestions.

1. Styling Products. Are you using the correct products for your hair type?
   A general rule although not always the case, is:
   
   • Fine Hair: Use mousse, foam or spray gel. They work well for building body in fine hair.
     
   • Medium to coarse hair. Use gel or glaze as it offers more control and more strength.
     
   • Frizzy Hair Use anti-frizz and smoothing products and serums.
     
   • Unruly areas Special root lifters offer support for problem areas, such as unruly cowlicks and bangs that won’t stay back.
   
   Tip for applying mousse/foam or gel/glaze: For more body, wrap the hair in a towel for a few minutes after shampoo to draw out the excess moisture or allow the hair to air-dry somewhat before you apply the product.
   
   Are you using too much product or too little? Too much product and your hair will fell heavy and even oily. Too little will leave your hair feeling overly soft and wispy.
   
2. Hair Sprays
   
   • Use firm hold hairspray for styles that have to stay in place.
     
   • Use flexible hold hairspray for styles that can move and that you can rearrange during the day.
     
   • Use light hairspray is used for light hold in styles that require a minimum of control and for extremely fine hair.
   
   
3. Blow Drying - Using the force of the blow dryer in the wrong direction.
   
   • To keep your hair from frizzing, direct the airflow from the roots to the ends of your hair.
     
   • To smooth and flatten your hair, keep it close to your head as you dry it.
     
   • To add fullness and volume, lift your hair as you dry it. For long hair, flip your head upside down until the root area is dry, then flip it right side up to dry the ends.
     
   • If you have curly hair, use a diffuser or put away the blow dryer. Then let it dry on its own or use a heat lamp.
     
   • Pay attention to where the roots of your hair are directed as you dry it.
     Don’t expect them to go one direction when you dry them in another.
   
   Is your hair too wet when starting? If it is, you will become frustrated and tired of putting in the effort to style it.
   
4. See ‘Brushes’ 'Curling Irons', and 'Rollers'
   
5. The Finish. The most common mistake is over-working. Most styles can be created effectively by brushing lightly with a vent brush or simply running your fingers through it. Decide that your hair doesn’t have to look exactly the same every day.

Finally, if the style continues to elude you, request a training session. This is where you take your products and your implements to the salon and you do your own hair. Your hairdresser gets a much needed rest while watching you and can tell you where you are going wrong in your styling.