expert advice: keep your hair frizz-free with these tips from Yves Durif

In less than two months, we'll see the start of summer and the onset the most frustrating hair season. Sun, humidity, sea-air, wind and humidity all contribute to an abundance of frizz. There are plenty of frizz serums out there but how do you know which to choose? Yves Durif, of the Carlyle, shares his tips for keeping hair frizz-free.

Prettyisprettydoes: What are the biggest mistakes women make when trying to de-frizz their hair?

Yves Durif: "They do not use a nozzle on their hair dryer to concentrate the airflow, they do not dry their hair completely or they use an incorrect product for their hair type. If you visit ProfoundBeauty.com, every woman can find their own personalized routine and select the products that are right for their specific hair concern."

PIPD: What can you do to avoid the frizz in the first place?
YD: "Using a defrizzing product like Profound Beauty Linear Serum or Hush Time-Out treatment before blow drying will help to eliminate frizz once the hair is dry. After blow drying you may want to add a finishing product like Profound Beauty's Design Paste to keep hair free of frizz throughout the day."

PIPD: What should you look for in a de-frizzing product to know that it will work?
YD: "You always want to look for a product that has conditioning elements in it. All products for eliminating frizz might not work on all hair types. Different hair textures need different products, for example the coarser the hair the stronger defrizzing agent the product should have. Again, log on to ProfoundBeauty.com to fill out your unique hair profile to find out what products are best suited for your hair type."

For more info on frizz control, log onto www.profoundbeauty.com. Stock up on these frizz-fighting products from Profound Beauty and you'll be set for summer.

treat your haircut right

No one ever looks as good when they style their own hair as they did when they walked out of the salon. HerCut is the first hair care line designed to cater to the needs of your individual hair cut.

Created to address the five major hair styles—the bob, the pixie, the shag, the blunt cut and long layers—HerCut employs “catalysts” that work on a molecular level to ensure that hair conforms to your cut, picking up where your stylist leaves off. The catalysts are customized to meet the specific needs of every cut (i.e., weighted, forward motion for bobs and controlled separation for shags) to maximize every style regardless of hair type.

Honestly, when I first heard about HerCut, it sounded like a bit of a marketing ploy. But I tried it anyway. First, I shampooed with the Dry Hair Shampoo ($22), designed for straight to wavy, normal to dry hair--which is me to a T! It smelled a bit soapy but left my hair squeaky clean. Next, I conditioned with the Medium Conditioner ($22), for medium-textured, single processed hair (again, my description exactly!). It improves elasticity and adds moisture (not to mention a silky feel!) while protecting your color.

But the real unique element to the HerCut formula is the catalyst. I tried the catalyst for Long Layers ($28), designed to keep my long layers full and give them a cascading feel from roots to ends. It has a Spring Polymer Technology that creates flexible connections between layers to give hair body and bounce.

I wouldn't have believed this for a minute if I hadn't seen it for myself. I dabbed a drop into my towel-dried hair and let it dry naturally, only to watch healthy, waves and lustrous layers magically appear. The style even held up nicely after I blew my hair dry, but I could have walked out without a stitch of styling and my hair would have looked great.

Don't take my word--see for yourself! Choose the HerCut products that are right for you at www.sephora.com.

breakthrough beauty: flower power

prettyisprettydoes

gives you

an exclusive preview

of today's

Breakthrough Beauty

feature...

as reported by Susan Redstone

on TV3 Good Morning Arizona

Some days, you just can't get into the right mood or frame of mind. Would it be great if a magic potion could fix all that? Try Lotus Wei Flower Essences ($22 each)--they're mood enhancing flower elixirs designed to adjust your emotional and mental levels, and balance your body and mind. Just select the flowers you are visually drawn to in order to find out what attributes you need more of. For example, if you pick the pink flower, you need more joy in your life so you should try Joy Juice for more laughter, playfulness and fun. Inner Peace makes you relaxed, calm and confident; Infinite Love lets you enhance and attract love; Quiet Time helps you dissolve tension, quiet your mind, and sleep soundly; Inspired Action helps you get things done, stay motivated, and be clear and decisive; and Pure Energy energizes, revitalizes, and protects you from the stress of others. In addition to the flower elixirs, there are body oils to add to the bath, misting sprays to spritz on your sheets, and other great options. Founder Katie Hess hand-collects exotic flower essences from around the world and infuses them into elixirs, organic skincare, and natural perfumes to awaken inner and outer beauty. Want to try them yourself? Get more info at www.lotusweiessences.com or stop by the Joya Spa (www.joyaspa.com) at the Intercontinental Montelucia (www.icmontelucia.com) in Scottsdale to purchase.

expert advice: brush up on your brush basics

We all do it, usually every day. But sometimes little things like brushing your hair can become so routine, we may forget the basics. TRESemmé celebrity stylist Mara Roszak helps us brush up.

PIPD: Why is it important to brush your hair?

MR: "It is important to brush your hair because everyday we shed a certain amount of hair naturally and if your hair isn't being brushed daily, some of that hair gets locked into the other hair and causes knots and tangles. It’s best to brush hair when it’s wet in or out of the shower to cause less breakage."

PIPD: How often should you brush?

MR: "Daily in the shower, preferably with conditioner to prevent breakage. Brushing dry hair can cause damage and breakage. Always brush starting at the ends and work your way up."

PIPD: How do you choose the brush that's right for you?

MR: "I always recommend metal brushes or brushes without the balls on the ends of the bristles, which can damage hair."

PIPD: What's the best way to clean your brush?

MR: "Clean your brush with a wide tooth comb by scraping it at the base of the brush."

For more great hair care tips and products, check out www.Tresemme.com.

shiny happy people

There's so much hype about this product--backordered for months--thar I just had to try it! A miracle serum, they say? Hmmm... Let's see. I smooth it on pre-shampoo to intensely hydrate and condition my hair and I also try it after blow drying as a shine serum with UV protection (just a drop will do to avoid the greasy look). When I style my hair, it looks chic, straight, and--yes!--it really shines. But I'm not the only one who thinks so. Chris McMillian uses it on Jennifer Aniston's famous locks. Sheryl Crowe, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kate Bosworth and Emily Blunt are also fans. It smells sweet (think camillia) too which makes you want to rub some on. The best part is that you get such a gorgeous shine, you instantly think you should save it for a special occasion but, the truth is, you can use it any day! To try it yourself, go to www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/styling/design-and-perfect/essence-absolue.htm and order your very own bottle.

hello spring!

This past weekend, I was finally able to indulge myself with a professional body scrub at my local Equinox Fitness Club (www.equinoxfitness.com). I had been dying to shed my skin of the ravages of winter and smooth things over in celebration of the new season. The esthetician used loofah gloves and a sea salt/aromatherapy oil mixture to exfoliate my skin from head to toe. I left feeling smoothed, soothed, revived and ready to show some skin this spring.

I also left wondering how I would maintain my silky smooth look and feel. Thankfully, I found Naturopathica Lemongrass Mimosa Body Scrub ($28). Its gently granulated formula features micro-ground bamboo to slough away outer layers while extracts of Sugar Cane, Citrus and Apple penetrate for deeper exfoliation. It has a zesty lemon scent (thanks to lemongrass, mimosa, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang), so if you work it into your AM shower routine, it will really give you the lift you need to get your day started. Check out www.Naturopathica.com and spas nationwide for more info or to purchase.

st. patrick's day beauty: go green

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, right? So if you want to get into the holiday spirit, but wouldn't be caught dead in a bright green dress or a shamrock tattoo, here's a more subtle way to celebrate. Try Sue Devitt's Hydrating Marine Minerals Eye Palette in Green Isles ($37.50).

No, it's not a throwback to the seventies--it's the 2010 version of eye shadow chic. With four glamorous shades to help you shade, highlight, line and define, the palette gives you long-lasting eye color and high-impact beauty.

But not only does it make your eyes look alluring, the unique formulation offers extraordinary hydrating and refreshing properties of the sea, designed to increase skin's moisture level and vitality. (Great for eyes that have started to show their age!) It contains Sea Butter, Shea Butter, Ceramide 2 and Hyaluronic Acid in addition to vitamins, minerals and proteins that help skin absorb water from the air while restoring skin's natural elasticity. So it goes on smoothly and stays on till the party's over!

I have always had a passion for green shadow--maybe because it adds life to my naturally green eyes--but have often been afraid to apply it. This palette offers options for the more timid as well as the more daring among us. For more info, go to www.suedevittbeauty.com.