Your alarm goes off and you press snooze no less than six times before you realize that your bio lecture starts in ten minutes. With hardly enough time to get to class, showering is the last thing on your mind. But as soon as you look in the mirror, you realize you’ve got a much bigger obstacle to overcome than making it to your 9 a.m.: dealing with your hair. Have no fear—we talked to real collegiettes and hair stylist Riccardo Maggiore of Flatiron Salon in New York City to gather all the tips and tricks you need to make your hair more manageable.
1. Give in to dry shampoo
Whether you swear by it or you’re too scared to try it, you can’t ignore the buzz that surrounds dry shampoo. “I have thin, straight hair, but I know dry shampoo works for other hair types too,” says Elizabeth Huebsch, a junior at Davidson College. “If I skip a day washing my hair and it gets greasy at all, I use my foundation brush to put a little dry shampoo on my roots and it reduces the appearance of oil.”
Maggiore confirms that this is the way to go. “If you have oily hair, the best thing to do is wash it with dry shampoo as it will absorb extra oil,” he says. “This will create movement to your hair and the resulting look will be soft.”
Carly Griffin, a freshman at the University of Michigan, has had similarly positive experiences with dry shampoo. “I only wash my hair every three days because washing it can actually make it more oily,” she says. “Batiste is my favorite brand of dry shampoo, and I spray it on right when I go to bed so it rubs in as I toss and turn in my sleep.”
“Dry shampoo is a great time saver because it allows you to add texture, which makes it easier to style, freshen up, and restyle your hair without washing it,” says Maggiore. “However, make sure you use it properly by spraying at least six inches away from the roots and waiting at least ten minutes after before styling.”
If you’re unsure of what kind of dry shampoo is best for your hair type, talk to your hair stylist about the difference between powder and aerosol dry shampoos. If you’re still unable to find a brand that suits you, you can check out this recipe for homemade dry shampoo.
2. Try a leave-in conditioner
If leave-in or dry shampoo isn’t enough to tame your mane, there’s also the option to use leave-in conditioner. These conditioners are recommended for women with curly or frizzy hair who want a more sleek, shiny, controlled look.
“I have curly hair that can be super frizzy, so I always apply leave-in conditioner,” Carly says. “Garnier makes a great one that I apply to wet hair just to keep it in lock.”
If you find your hair feeling dry or dehydrated as well, using leave-in conditioner or a conditioner with extra moisturizer can help to restore shine and protect your hair from harmful chemicals.
“If you are swimming during the summer or swim regularly, wet your natural hair before going into the ocean or pool,” Maggiore says. “Then apply a leave-in treatment to seal the hair. This will help minimize the amount of salt water or chlorine that gets into your hair.”
However, protecting your hair from chlorine isn’t the only precaution that you should take during the summer months. “Remember that the sun can have damaging effects on your hair as well, so always choose products with SPF,” says Maggiore.
3. Experiment with an oil treatment
If you’re still having trouble taming your frizzy mane, and you’re looking for a product that goes beyond the typical shampoo and conditioner set, you may want to try an oil treatment to combat the dryness you face from constantly blow-drying, straightening, or applying other methods of heat to your hair.
“I apply the Garnier oil treatment when I get out of the shower, or even on the ends of my hair if it’s dry,” Carly says. Instead of reaching for the blow-dryer as soon as you get out of the shower, try air-drying your hair and applying an oil treatment instead. Not only is this process healthier, but it will also save you tons of time in the morning.
However, we understand that sometimes there’s no way around using a straightener or curler when you need to style your hair. “Just remember to always use styling products (such as oil treatments) that protect the hair before flatironing or using a curling iron,” says Maggiore.
Hair elixirs also work similarly to oil treatments to help you fight frizz in dry and curly hair.
4. Keep dryer sheets handy
That’s right, collegiettes—dryer sheets are no longer just for the laundry room. According to Courtney Klauber, a senior at Rowan University, using dryer sheets can help combat hair static throughout the day.
“I always have dryer sheets on me for when my hair gets too static-y, which happens to me a lot, especially in colder temperatures,” Courtney says. “I just run the dryer sheet over my hair, and bye-bye static!”
Why not stash a few dryer sheets in your purse or bag next time you go out? Who knows—they just may come in handy!
5. Switch up your part
When styling their hair, many collegiettes don’t put much thought into how their part falls. However, adjusting your part can turn your entire look around if you’re running late and don’t have time to shower—let alone straighten—your messy mane.
“Try switching up your part,” says Maggiore. “If you normally wear it on the left side, try parting it on the right. This will disguise any oily strands while adding extra volume.”
If you’re still desperate for a last-minute look, don’t count out tried-and-true options like the classic braid. “Braids and ponytails are always great options for on the go,” says Maggiore. “No matter how much or how little time you have put into styling your hair, you can always look pulled together and gorgeous by keeping a brush, bobby pins, and hair ties on your hand for quick, on-the-go hairstyles.”
Whether you’re fed up with frizz, sick of your straight hair, looking for better curls or for a way to control your oily scalp, there’s always something you can try to make your hair situation a little less stressful. Stay positive, collegiettes—good hair days are on the way!