Back-to-Basics Beauty Tips and Tricks

Hair-Care Tool Kit

Shampoo and conditioner: Whether you choose products that are color-protective (for tinted hair), hydrating (for dry), or deep-cleaning (for oily), keep in mind that you may have to switch formulas periodically. Your hair’s needs can change depending on the weather and how much you’ve been heat styling, which can sap moisture from hair.

Leave-in conditioner: While you may not require extra hydration daily, this styler can also double as a detangler and a heat protector.

Dry shampoo: Besides absorbing oil from unwashed hair, it can add body and texture to clean hair.

Flexible-hold hair spray: The newer, lighter formulas keep an updo in place and also tame frizz and give hair some lift.

A good hairbrush: Boar-bristle brushes tend to be best at distributing natural oils, but they’re often expensive. If they’re out of your price range, look for a combination of boar and plastic bristles.

A hair dryer: The most important tool to invest in. An ionic machine with a high wattage (at least 1,200) will help reduce damage by speeding up drying time. And less damage equals more shine.

A flat iron: Sure, it can straighten. But even people with straight hair can use it to help seal cuticles and amplify shine.

Real Simple Picks for Your Hair-Care Tool Kit

Clockwise from top:

T3 Featherweight 2 dryer, $200, sephora.com.

Cute as a Button bobby pin by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry, $14, emilyelizabethjewelry.com.

Klorane Conditioner With Pomegranate, $14, drugstore.com.

Blowpro Tress Relief Leave-In Conditioning Treatment, $22, ulta.com.

Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Dry Shampoo, $18 at drugstores.

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Color Vibrancy Nourishing Shampoo, $5 at drugstores.

Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Extra Hold Hairspray, $3 at drugstores.

Titanium one-inch straightening iron by Gold ’N Hot Professional, $40, folica.com.

Fan small bobby pin by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry, $14, emilyelizabethjewelry.com.

Lucy hair ties by Twistband, $10 for six, thetwistband.com.

Goody ColourCollection bobby pins, $3.50 at drugstores.

Janeke white-marbled hairbrush with gold-tone pins, $56, zitomer.com for info.

Pick up more easy tips in these quick how-to beauty videos.