How to Style Asian Hair

Keep your sleek bob looking chic by going in for frequent bang trims. Eye-skimming and eye-covering are two very different looks.

Use a color-enhancing shampoo to keep dark locks glossy.

Use an anti-frizz serum before drying hair so hair doesn't get too bushy.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

COLOR ENHANCING SHAMPOO like Ultimate Brunette Shampoo with Vibrant ColorComplex, $4.99.

ANTI FRIZZ like Suave Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream, $2.99.

SMOOTHING CONDITIONER like John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Lustrous Touch Smoothing Conditioner with Satin Finishers, $6.49.

Use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to keep your single process from fading away and looking dull.

Use a volume mousse right at the roots and dry hair with a nozzle attachment to focus air right at the roots.

Drop the brush and shake out your hair as you dry so you get extra oomph all over.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
COLOR PROTECTING SHAMPOO like René Furterer Color Protective Radiance Shampoo, $23.

VOLUME MOUSSE like TIGI Catwalk Extra Strong Mousse, $12.

COLOR PROTECTING CONDITIONER like Phyto Phytomist Instant Hydrating Conditioner for Color-Treated or Permed Hair, $26.

Spray hair with a volumizer like at the roots. Re-dry the front section with a round brush, pulling hair up and back.

Take that section and twist it back, securing it with a bobby pin so you get a lot of lift in front. Keep the ends in a messy loop in the back of your head.

Run a tiny dab of shine serum through the ends of your hair.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

VOLUMIZER like Redken Volume Spray Foam, $13.99.

BOBBY PINS like Scunci Comfort Curved Bobby Pins, $1.69.

ROUND BRUSH like Conair Performers Round Brush, $9.99.

Start with a volumizing shampoo to get some life in your locks.

Run a mousse through your roots and blow-dry while running your fingers through your hair.

Use a nozzle attachment to focus air right at the roots for extra lift.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO like Pureology Volume Shampoo, $26.

MOUSSE like Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse, $3.99.

HAIR DRYER like T3 Micro Hair Dryer, $200.

Run a styling cream through hair before blow drying. If your hair is super straight veering towards flat, dry hair without a brush and then smooth with a styling cream when everything's dry.

Flip hair over and mist with shine spray for extra gleam.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

STYLING CREAM like Pureology Nanocream Styling Glaze, $33.

HAIR DRYER like Conair Infiniti Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Styler, $39.99.

SHINE SPRAY like Sunsilk ThermaShine Detangling Shine Spray, $4.49.

Use a moisturizing shampoo to add shine and fight static.

Run a little mousse through damp hair to get extra oomph when you blow dry.

Use a round brush and dry hair on low heat to cut down on flyaways, making sure to turn brush under to get a bounce at the ends.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO like Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Shampoo, $11.

MOUSSE like Redken Full Frame Protective Volume Mousse, $16.

ROUND BRUSH like Sephora Medium Round Brush, $16.

To keep hair from getting too oily, use a clarifying shampoo before styling so you're not layering new products on top of product buildup.

Keep product away from your scalp and work it through the rest of your hair.

Dry hair without using a brush, on a high power and heat. Use a tiny bit of pomade on your ends.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

CLARIFYING SHAMPOO like Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo, $9.99.

SHINE SPRAY like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Shine Glossing Spray, $10.92.

ROOT LIFTER like Frédéric Fekkai Root Lifting Spray, $19.50.

If you have chemically treated hair you want to constantly replenish oils with deep conditioners that contain shea butter, olive or almond oils at least three times a week to avoid breakage.

Heat styling is a must if hair has been chemically relaxed, but don't overdo it since your hair is fragile. Only iron what is absolutely necessary, like face-framing strands.

Spritz hair with a moisturizing shine spray for heavy-duty gleam.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

DEEP CONDITIONER like Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, $55.

FLAT IRON like Babyliss Pro Natural Ionic Flat Iron, $169.

SHINE SPRAY like Biosilk Shine On, $13.

Run an anti-frizz and leave-in conditioner through wet hair.

Wrap your whole head in a towel to get rid of excess water without creating frizz.

After leaving your hair cocooned in terrycloth, unwrap your head and let everything air-dry the rest of the way. The result: Naturally sexy waves that are practically effortless.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

ANTI FRIZZ like Suave Professionals Healthy Curls Anti-Frizz Cream, $2.99.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Sexy Hair Concepts Healthy Sexy Hair Leave-In, $11.

SUPER ABSORBANT TOWEL like Aquis Microfiber Towel, $18.

Condition hair overnight so ends stay healthy-looking. Rinse hair in the shower in the a.m.

Run a leave-in conditioner through your hair and take one- inch pieces and twist them, creating a ringlet curl that goes about halfway up.

Diffuse the ends to the mid-shift so you get conditioned bouncy curls.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

OVERNIGHT TREATMENT like Phyto 9 Day Cream for Dehydrated Hair, $26.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like EO Conditioner in French Lavender, $8.59.

DIFFUSER like Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Diffuser, $13.99.

A strong bang is so chic — and achievable if you have naturally thick hair. A quick flat iron with a tiny, bang-friendly version keeps them in line daily.

Run a conditioning styling cream through your hair and blow-dry halfway to cut down on frizz. Let hair air-dry the rest of the way so you get a smooth but imperfect texture.

You can skip shampooing the next day and refresh your style with a botanical conditioning mist.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

MINI FLAT IRON like Warren-Tricomi Hot Iron, $90.

CONDITIONING MASK like Garnier Fructis Deep Conditioning Mask, $6.99.

REFRESHING SPRAY like Nexxus Moisturizing Leave-In Spray, $10.99.

CONDITIONING MOUSSE like Dove Volumizing Body & Lift Mousse, $4.29.

Add volume to second-day, unwashed hair by running a curling iron through the ends.

Warm up a dab of texture pomade in your palms and then rake hands through your hair.

Flip hair over and blast with a cool shot of air from your dryer. The result: Sexy, polished bedhead strands.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

CURLING IRON like Conair Satin Finish Ceramic Curling Iron, $19.99.

TEXTURE POMADE like Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Defining Pomade, Texture & Shine, $4.49.

HAIR DRYER like Chi Turbo Hair Dryer, $135.

Use an overnight conditioning serum-getting ready in the morning will go a lot faster. Just rinse your hair in the shower (skip shampoo and just give your scalp a good massage).

Then, apply a styling cream — thanks to the overnight deep conditioning, your hair will be so much more manageable.

A long, layered cut allows your hair to air-dry brilliantly — no heat-styling needed. So you get great style and healthier locks.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

OVERNIGHT TREATMENT like Ted Gibson Replenish Goodnite Hair Serum, $200.

STYLING CREAM like Kérastase Creme Nutri-Sculpt , $29.99.

ANTI FRIZZ like Dove Therapy Frizz Control Taming Cream, $4.49.

Work a rich leave-in conditioner through damp hair to smooth the cuticle.

Spritz in some spray gel to control puffiness and frizz and diffuse on a low heat.

Twirl hair around your fingers to shape curls in front for a more polished look.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like TIGI Bed Head Ego Boost, $15.50.

SPRAY GEL like Clairol Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel, $3.99.

CURL SHAMPOOO like Samy Curls Shampoo, $5.99.

Create a quick half-updo by gathering hair loosely back to softly frame your face.

Fasten with a small barrette and pull hair out so it's loosely framing the sides of your face, adding volume and softness.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

Rough up ends with a little TEXTURIZING SPRAY like, Ted Gibson Build It $28, so the style looks refined but sexy.

HYDRATING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER keeps hair healthy. Ojon Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, $18.

SCULPTING WAX like Terax Hair Care Sculpting Wax, $16, gives you an undone texture.

Deep-condition hair at least once a week and stick to minimal shampooing. If your scalp or skin is oily, use a gentle shampoo just on your roots and leave your ends out of it.

Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair while still in the shower.

Cocktail some leave-in conditioner and anti-frizz and run through wet hair. Allow it to air-dry so you get smooth, well-behaved curls.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
DEEP CONDITIONER like Ouidad Deep Treatment, $33.

WIDE TOOTH COMB like CurlMart Cricket Ultraclean Big Time Comb, $3.49.

LEAVE IN CONDITIONER like Charles Worthington Results Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave-In Conditioner, $5.99.

Use a leave in conditioner as an overnight treatment.

In the morning, rinse hair thoroughly and shampoo just the roots.

Work a texture spray through damp hair and blow-dry on a cool setting. You should get a straight but modern looking result.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Sebastian Laminates Detangling Milk Leave-In Conditioner, $9.99.

TEXTURE PASTE like Min New York Texturizing Paste, $20.

MOISTURE RICH SHAMPOO like The Body Shop Honey Moisturizing Shampoo, $15.

Wash hair with a gentle shampoo and conditioner for dry/damaged hair — you get the benefits of a conditioning mask without weighing your hair down.

Run a straightening balm through your hair and let it air-dry.

Once it's dry, use a tiny dollop of mousse and scrunch into the midshaft for a face-framing tousled look.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
SHAMPOO like Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo, $6.99.

STRAIGHTENING BALM like Faroux Systems Straight Guard Styling Cream, $13.99.

MOUSSE like Samy Mucho Mousse, $5.99.

Start with the right cut: long front angles swept to the side. When your hair is partially dry, spritz it liberally with texturizing spray, flip your head over and scrunch your hair. Pull it back into a low, messy knot and secure with a few bobby pins. A quick mist of hairspray will lock in the style without making it look too perfect.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
TEXTURIZING SPRAY like Charles Worthington London Big Hair Salon Shine Texturizing Salt Spray, $5.99

BOBBY PINS like Scunci No-Slip Grip Bobby Pins, $2.62

HAIRSPRAY like Alberto VO5 Extreme Style Hairspray, $3.49

Naturally straight hair looks gorgeous with long layers and not a lot of fuss. Before you dry, mist on some thickening spray to create volume and a fortifying spray to prevent split ends. Then, use your fingers to tousle the strands while you blast them with the blowdryer. Let your part happen naturally, and tuck your hair behind your ears — the result will be easy, casual and very pretty.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
THICKENING SPRAY like Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray, $22.95

SPLIT-END SPRAY like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-in Fortifying Spray, $5.99

BLOWDRYER like the Infiniti by Conair, $38.49

A deep part elevates a simple, straight cut. Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner that won't weigh down your hair. Then, let it air-dry — this gives you more texture without much product — and create a dramatic line, sweeping your hair across one eye. A drop of anti-frizz serum makes it look ultra-glossy.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO like Kiss My Face Big Body Volumizing Shampoo, $8.29

VOLUMIZING CONDITIONER like Herbal Essences Body Envy Conditioner, $6.99

SERUM like FX Silk Drops Hair Serum, $4.49

To turn fine hair into an amped-up bob, start with a volumizing shampoo and just a small amount of a conditioner that won't weigh down your tresses. Use a comb to create a dramatic part and side-swept bangs. After your hair is dry, use texturizing paste on the ends and dry shampoo on the roots to toughen up the style even more.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO like Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Shampoo, $30

TEXTURIZING PASTE like Got 2B Magnetik Texturizing Pomade, $6.29

DRY SHAMPOO like Klorane Shampoo Dry, $12.98

Chunky, highlighted bangs elevate a basic, straight style, making it edgy and fun. Remember to use a color-preserving shampoo to keep blonde shades from turning brassy and a conditioner specifically for fine hair. Let your hair air-dry but use a blowdryer on your bags. Pointing downward, quickly move the dryer back and forth to create texture.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
BLOWDRYER like Elchim 2001 Professional Hair Dryer, $99.95

SHAMPOO like L'Oreal Professional Vitamino Color Shampoo, $28

CONDITIONER like Dove Volume Therapy Conditioner for Fine Hair, $4.75

Get this shaggy, layered cut to turn your naturally straight hair into a sexy, tousled style. Start by air-drying your hair; then, mist in some surf spray and scrunch. To make your bangs look more finished, roughly blowdry them. If you still need oomph, wrap large sections around the barrel of a curling iron — twisting some forward and some backward for an intentionally messy effect. A dab of shine cream on the ends finishes off the look.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
SURF SPRAY like David Babaii for WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray, $9.99

CURLING IRON like Hot Tools Jumbo 1" Professional Curling Iron, $20.99

SHINE CREAM like Pureology StylingLotion Support Hold Shine, $21

Exaggerate your smooth, wispy texture with an angled cut and bangs. Then, make it look professional by styling with a flatiron. Use a heat protection spray to minimize damage. Pull the iron straight down through small sections, beginning at the crown. Bend the ends of your bangs under slightly. Then, to make the look even more modern, finish it off with mattifying spray.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
HEAT PROTECTION SPRAY like Chi 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray, $11.99

FLAT IRON like T3 Tourmaline Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron, $69.95

MATTIFYING POWDER like Schwarzkopf OSiS Dust It Mattifying Powder, $13

To get more body, mist volumizing spray at the roots of your straight, fine hair. Flip your head and blowdry, using your fingers to create lift near your scalp. While your hair is still damp, mist with a curl spray and wrap sections of hair around hot rollers. Pin them in place. After the curlers have cooled and your hair is just about dry, mist with hairspray and remove rollers, pulling downward to create waves.

MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
VOLUMIZING SPRAY like Kérastase Spray Volumactive, $34

CURL SPRAY like L'Oréal Studio Tightly Wound Curl Boosting Spray, $4.99

HOT ROLLERS like Remington All That Quick Curl Set, $14.99