Hair Miracle Workers: 11 Quick Fixes for Blah Hair Days

Whether you're battling limp roots or split ends, try these fast solutions.

Blah Factor #1: Grown-Out Gray

Revlon Root Erase by ColorSilk    $4.50

Covering your roots either means spending an hour in the salon (and dropping a sizeable amount of cash to conceal a minor amount of gray) or making a mess of your bathroom with a DIY touch-up kit. But this drip-free sponge applicator and ammonia-free formula get rid of roots in 10 minutes. Plus, each shade seamlessly blends with at-home or salon haircolor brands—making the process foolproof.   

Blah Factor #2: Stick-Straight Hair

Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray   $35

This spray not only gives you that tousled, spent-the-day-at-the-beach look instantly (even if you're stuck in an office miles from the ocean) but also adds texture without any stiffness. Infused with an exotic root extract from Southeast Asia, this formula also protects your dye job from UV rays (when you're lucky enough to escape your desk and get outdoors).

Blah Factor #3: Fine Hair That Falls Flat

Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner   $24 each

Salicylic acid in this shampoo removes product buildup from your scalp to boost limp roots. The ultralight conditioner, infused with arginine (an amino acid derived from sugar beets and soy protein), improves elasticity and reduces breakage. Kukui nut oil in both adds shine.

Blah Factor #4: Out-of-Control Curls

Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Curl Defining Crème Gel   $12

This lightweight formula offers the best of two curl products: It conditions like a cream and defines shape like a gel (minus any crunchiness). A special blend of polymers fuses split ends together for a kink-free finish.

Blah Factor #5: Dehydrated Hair

Try one of these ultralight, spritz-on solutions:

The detangler: When the blue top layer of moisturizing silicones and clear bottom layer of softening polymers are blended in Pantene Pro-V’s Aqua Light Weightless Conditioning Shake, the result is an airy mist that moisturizes and eliminates knots. Shake and spray on damp hair to prevent breakage (caused by brushing) or heat damage (caused by hot tools).

$6.50

The beach-day haircolor keeper: The Davines Well-Being De-Stress Lotion—containing carnation, nutmeg and sandalwood essential oils—absorbs quickly into damp or dry hair, protects your dye job with a UV filter, and calms frizz on contact.

$25

The split-end softener: A pea-size drop of Dove Style and Care Nourishing Dry Ends Serum—when applied from the middle of the hair shaft down—subdues frizz.

$5

The flyaway tamer: Rich with omega-6 fatty acids, Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil can be used on wet or dry hair as a conditioning mask, heat protector and shine booster. (But avoid applying near your scalp—this concentrated formula can weigh down roots.)

$29

Blah Factor #6: Hot Yoga Frizz

Cutler Fly-Away Control Stick  $23

Toss this solid pomade into your gym bag. Tourmaline (to prevent static), eucalyptus extract, and shea butter, pistachio, coconut, sunflower and castor oils add shine and condition. For a slicked-back look, glide the stick all over your hair and then style, or warm up a tiny bit between your fingertips to smooth post-workout flyaways.

Blah Factor #7: Hair That Can't Make Up Its Mind

John Frieda Root Awakening Lift and Refresh Root Spray  $6.50

Eucalyptus and peppermint extracts in this volumizing spray refresh oily roots. Conditioning ingredients—like dimethicone and vitamin B3—moisturize dry ends without weighing hair down.

Blah Factor #8: Unpolished Waves

Goody Wave Creator  $30

Even those of us who are klutzes with a curling iron can get soft, beachy waves every time, thanks to this barrel's unique shape. Pointing the iron downward, wrap two inches of hair between each bump, hold, unwind and finger comb curls. This hot tool heats up to 425 degrees (the temperature of most professional irons) in 30 seconds.

Blah Factor #9: Day-After-Shampoo Hair (and No Time to Hit the Showers)

Alterna Bamboo Style Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo   $22

A few spritzes of this clear formula on your roots absorb oil and add volume without a trace of dulling white residue.

Blah Factor #10: Hair That Flops with the Forecast

Tresemmé Climate Control Finishing Spray    $3.50

A blend of olive oil, UV blockers and keratin shields hair from humidity, wind, static and sun—but doesn't make your style look (or feel) shellacked.

Blah Factor #11: Unruly Layers

Scünci Evolution Headwraps  $3 for 3

If all else fails and you need something stronger than gel or hairspray to keep your bangs brushed back or short pieces in place, slip on one of these snag- and slip-proof headwraps.Unlike plastic versions that often lead to a headband headache, the stretchy rubber guarantees a comfortable fit.