Top Hair Products & Tools for Effortless Hairstyles | Expert Picks

Lynda Churilla

Make Waves

These texturizers will give you a sexy I-woke-up-this-way look.

1. For Curly Hair: Tame frizz and define ringlets by applying Aveda Be Curly Style-Prep ($24, aveda.com) to damp strands. It contains wheat protein and macadamia nut oil to keep tresses touchable, not tacky.

2. For Wavy Hair: Give tousled curls some hold — and shine galore — with nonsticky Shu Uemura Art of Hair Yokan Craft Texturizing Melt ($33, shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com).

3. For Straight Hair: Spritz on Redken Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray ($17, redken.com for salons), which uses sea algae and aloe vera to add volume.

4. For All Hair Types: Part gel, part cream, Bumble and bumble Bb.Texture Hair (Un)Dressing Creme ($26, bumbleandbumble.com) gives hair instant texture, movement, and body.

Lynda Churilla

Power Tools

The right gear can make or break your strands — literally. Here, our high-tech choices for different styling needs.

WANT: To dry without damage

GET: The heat emitted by Remington T-Studio Pearl Ceramic AC Professional Hairdryer ($40, Target stores) transfers conditioners to hair as you dry, leaving it soft, not strawlike.

WANT: To pump up the volume

GET: The curved center of Conair Color Contours Brush ($12, Pathmark stores) keeps locks in place for maximum control and lift while you dry.

WANT: To curl or straighten

GET: Umberto Beverly Hills ICU10 Ionic Ceramic Styler ($80, target.com) easily achieves any look, thanks to its rounded edges.

WANT: To fend off flyaways

GET: RickyCare No-Frizz Combs ($6 to $8 each, rickysnyc.com) are made of an olive oil-infused plastic that smooths and adds shine as you comb.

Lynda Churilla

Color with Confidence

No need to worry about goof-ups. These at-home dye kits have mousselike formulas that are simple to use.

The Perfect Hue

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour ($13, drugstores) comes in 20 different shades.

No-Fuss

Clairol Nice 'n Easy Color Blend Foam ($10, drugstores) has built-in highlights, so your tone looks natural.

Oops-Proof

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Mousse by Healthy Look ($10, drugstores) spreads on evenly and flawlessly.

Lynda Churilla

Speed-Dry Your Hair

New products claim to slash minutes from your styling routine so you can get out of the locker room fast. FITNESS staffers put them to the beat-the-clock test.

1. Blow Ready Set Blow Express Blow Dry Lotion ($21, ulta.com)

Time saved: 5 minutes

"I usually let my hair air-dry while I'm getting dressed and then blow-dry it. This lotion cut my drying time in half!"
— Christie Griffin, digital director

2. Matrix Design Pulse Thermo Glide Express Blowout Creme ($14, matrix.com for salons)

Time saved: 4 1/2 minutes

"I was able to dry my long hair in only nine and a half minutes. It made my style supersilky."
— Lauren Kukafka, assistant art director

3. Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care Go with the Blow Thermal Styler ($13, Ulta stores)

Time saved: 5 minutes

"My hair dried quicker, but it wasn't as frizz-free as usual. I'll probably pair it with a smoothing cream next time."
— Kristen Diederich, senior Web editor

4. Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Blow Out Balm ($20, tigihaircare.com for salons)

Time saved: 11 minutes

"My drying routine went from 25 to 14 minutes! This balm also gave me a nice wave, and my hair felt ultrasoft."
— Argy Koutsothanasis, fashion director

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, April 2011.

Watch a how-to video to do the perfect blow dry