“I can never style it like you” is one of the most common things stylists hear. The truth? You absolutely can recreate your salon look at home. You just need the right prep, tools, and technique. Here are our favorite stylist-approved tips to help you maintain that fresh-from-the-salon look.

1. Prep Properly Great styling starts before you ever pick up a styling tool. Always begin with a heat protectant. This step is non-negotiable. Protecting the hair preserves strength, shine, and longevity of your color and style. Heat protectant recommendations: Genesis Thermique and Chroma Absolu Thermique. Next, choose products based on the look you’re trying to achieve:

• For volume and fullness: Opt for a mousse or foam for hold and a root lifter for lift.
• For smooth and polished: Choose a lightweight smoothing cream.
• For soft waves: Use a flexible styling cream with light hold.

Volume favorites include Raise the Root, Extra-Large Mousse, L’Incroyable styling lotion and Mousse Bouffante. Pro tip: Always start with less product than you think you need. You can build product gradually, but you can’t remove excess without starting over. Protip: shampoo and conditioner also affect the style you may be trying to achieve. Consider the line you are using when styling.

2. Let the Style Set In the Florida heat and humidity, longevity matters. After blow-drying or curling, allow the hair to fully cool before touching it. Heat shapes the hair, but cooling locks it in.

• Use the cool shot on your dryer.
• Pin curls up to cool before brushing out.
• Let waves sit untouched until completely cool.

This one small step dramatically increases how long your style lasts.

3. Avoid Flat, Clumpy Curls If your curls tend to blend together and fall flat, try alternating the direction of each curl. Instead of curling every section the same way:

• Alternate toward and away from the face.
• Keep front sections styled away from the face for openness.

This creates separation, movement, and natural-looking volume. Pro tip: if you like a beach wave leave 1-2 inches at the bottom of the strand straight for a loser wave.

4. Use the Right Tool for You If a round brush and dryer feel overwhelming, simplify. Many clients love multi-styling tools like the Dyson Airwrap or a heated round brush. These allow you to dry and smooth simultaneously, making at-home blowouts much easier. Another simple “mock blowout” technique:

• Use a 2-inch curling iron.
• Curl away from the face.
• Let cool, then brush out.

The result? A soft, bouncy blowout effect with less effort.

5. Finish with Intention Finishing products are just as important as prep.

• If curls don’t hold: Use a texture spray for grip, then layer with hairspray for hold.
• If volume falls flat: Lift the hair upward and spray hairspray at the root to lock in height.
• If hair feels dull: Apply a lightweight finishing oil to enhance shine without weighing hair down. (Gloss absolu drops are perfect for lightweight shine)

When it comes to finishing, less is more. Remember to build gradually.

Important Reminder: Heat Matters Never skip heat protectant — especially if you style regularly. Also remember: not all hair types require the same temperature.

• Fine hair typically styles best between 320–350°F.
• Medium to coarse hair may require slightly higher heat.
• Always start lower and increase only if needed.

Using excessive heat doesn’t make styling better — it just increases damage. Recreating your salon look isn’t about being a professional. Knowing the right tools and techniques for your hair go a long way. If you’re unsure which products or tools are best for your hair type, ask at your next appointment. We’re always happy to customize a styling routine so you can feel confident styling at home.