Hair & Care

You needn't spend hours grooming your hair or spend sleepless nights counting the number of hair strands on your pillow, nor spend hundreds at a salon every month. A smart hair cut (chosen with your lifestyle and personality in mind), 10 minutes of daily fuss-free grooming and some diet changes can promise you hair that looks chic. Here's some expert advice.

5 commandments

•Keep your hair clean. Shampoo every day if need be but remember to rinse it off carefully

•Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type. If in doubt, consult your hair stylist.

•Use a wide-toothed comb and comb the hair in parts. Don't comb from the roots downwards, but start from the strand ends and gradually move up, detangling the hair length.

•Experts now say that you try to should use a conditioner whenever you shampoo your hair. It's best to use a separate conditioner rather than a shampoo-plus-conditioner.

•Have plenty of fruits and water, and a vitamin E capsule for 15 days every month.

Long and curly

Choose it because: Long curls look great when layers grow out, allowing you enough time between trims.

Quick tip: When the hair is 80 percent dry, apply gel, hold a part of your hair and squeeze it with your hands. Scrunch all the hair in a similar way.

Great for: Curly and wavy hair.

Salon commitment: A trim every three months is enough to get rid of split ends.

Choose it because: The length flatters the neckline and the face-framing layers enhance facial features.

Long Straight Hair

Quick tip: Clasp the semi-dried hair with a clutch clip away from the face. When you take off the clip, this gives the hair a natural bounce.

Great for: All textures, but best for straight hair.

Salon commitment: Trim every 8-10 weeks and setting with heated rollers for special occasions.

Classic Bob

Choose it because: It's a wash-and-go style and so is easy to maintain. Add extra dimension to this sleek silhouette with highlights.

Quick tip: For an instant bounce, put your head down and brush down your hair.

Great for: Straight and wavy hair.

Salon commitment: A trim after your hair reaches the shoulders; highlights 3-4 times a year.