How to Tackle Three Common Hair Concerns With Products From Ulta Beauty's Gorgeous Hair Event

Here, at Allure, we’re constantly being asked how to tackle different hair dilemmas by friends, family, and readers alike. Our go-to advice is always the same. Get your hands on the proper products and tools and you can solve most hair quandaries that come your way. It's the simple truth, and to prove it, we partnered with Ulta Beauty ahead of its Gorgeous Hair Event — a one-of-a-kind sale offering beauty steals every single day for 21 days straight — to show how it's done.

We took three common hair concerns — curl shrinkage, color fading, and dullness between wash days — and demonstrated how to address each of them using super-discounted products from the beauty giant's big fall sale.

If you're curious to know how you can combat said issues and save major moolah while you're at it, just keep on scrolling. And, of course: Don't forget to shop Ulta Beauty's Gorgeous Hair Event, which runs from October 6 through 26 and features amazing deals from brands rarely ever on sale.

How to Stretch Out Your Curls

STEP #1: Use a curl-boosting shampoo or co-wash.

If your goal is to achieve bouncy, springy, beautifully-conditioned curls — and that is the goal here — then your first order of business should be cleansing with a shampoo or co-wash that specifically caters to curly, kinky, and coily hair types. Curlsmith's Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash (50 percent off on October 24) is an excellent option as it helps retain moisture which combats curl shrinkage, and it also doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or soaps that strip natural oils from the hair. The two-in-one wash goes to work on buildup and grease, yet still leaves curls soft, shiny, and bouncy thanks to ingredients like shea butter, coconut, and avocado oil.

STEP #2: Apply a moisturizing mask.

After removing excess dirt and grime from the scalp and giving strands a gentle cleanse, it's time to pack as much moisture into the hair as possible so that your curls stay hydrated and malleable. Run a generous dollop of a deep conditioner like Macadamia Professional's Nourishing Repair Masque (50 percent off on October 16), which is chock-full of moisturizing oils), through your hair until it is completely coated.

STEP #3: Spritz on a leave-in spray.

Next up, continue on the hydration train and apply a liberal amount of a conditioning spray, such as SheaMoisture's Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Multi-Action Leave-In (50 percent off on October 9), which contains a blend of strand-softening ingredients, including shea butter and mafura oil. Repeat after me: Moisturized curls equals happy curls.

STEP #4: Use a curl-defining gel.

When it comes to hair gel, some people might think of a product that's crunchy, gloopy, and sticky, however, that's not the case with DevaCurl's Arc Angel Gel Maximum Hold No-Crunch Styler (50 percent off on October 7), which feels slick and weightless. It moisturizes your hair with glycerin and castor oil, leaving curls shiny, smooth, and frizz-free. Apply a liberal amount before blow-drying and you'll be amazed at how healthy and defined your hair looks once it dries.

STEP #5: Dry two ways.

When it comes to blow-drying, those with curly hair types should use a diffuser attachment first as it helps to minimize frizz and lift any stubborn curls that may want to lay flat. Paul Mitchell's Express Ion Turbolight+ Hair Dryer (50 percent off on October 13) is gloriously lightweight as the name suggests, couldn't be easier to use, and features infrared technology that aids in eliminating frizz, as well as increasing shine and volume.

Once your hair is roughly 99 percent dry, then use the nozzle attachment to blast the roots to stretch out your curls and nip shrinkage in the bud.

How to Keep Your Hair Refreshed In-Between Washes

STEP #1: Dry shampoo, stat.

First things first, apply a liberal amount of dry shampoo such as the Allure Best of Beauty-winning Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk (50 percent off on October 15), to sop up excess oil and gently cleanse the scalp. With just a few spritzes, your hair will look and feel cleaner and more refreshed.

STEP #2: Apply a texturizing spray.

One of the fastest and easiest ways to add body and bounce back to hair that's been slept on is by using a texturizing product like Drybar's Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray (50 percent off on October 6), which offers instant volume and grit in all the right places. It also happens to be perfect for all hair types. Spritz from mid-lengths, or hit the roots for even more oomph.

STEP #3: Use a flatiron for definition.

Refresh second or third-day strands in seconds with a straightener like T3's SinglePass Luxe 1'' Straightening and Styling Iron (50 percent off on October 6), which features five adjustable heat settings and can be used to straighten, wave, or curl hair effortlessly for a salon-style effect. Simply curl away from your face and hold for two to five seconds depending on the intensity of the curl desired.

STEP #4: Set hair with a lightweight finishing spray.

After styling, set and refresh hair with a multi-use product like Paul Mitchell's Flexible Style Super Clean Spray Finishing Spray (50 percent off on October 13), which adds texture and volume, and increases the longevity of your style all at the same time.

STEP #5: Apply a lightweight oil.

If your hair is on the drier side — or if you simply want megawatt shine — use an oil-infused spray like Sebastian's Dark Oil Silkening Fragrant Hair Mist (50 percent off on October 23), which contains jojoba and argan oils for an ultra-sleek and shiny finish.

How to Keep Color From Fading

STEP #1: Wash with a color-extending shampoo.

A foolproof measure you can take to ensure your hair stays fresh and vibrant is to use a shampoo that helps prolong your color. A fan-favorite option worth checking out from Ulta Beauty is Kenra Professional's Platinum Color Charge Shampoo (50 percent off on October 19), as it's infused with an innovative, "fade-fighting" technology that works by locking color pigments inside the hair's cuticle. It's also suitable for all hair types and colors, which is certainly a plus.

STEP #2: Try a semi-permanant glaze.

Rev up your color (minus a trip to the salon), with a temporary dye-infused hair glaze, like dpHUE's Gloss+ (50 percent off on October 25), which comes in 11 pigmented shades and features a deep conditioning base that intensely nourishes the hair, too. It gently enhances natural or color-treated hair and leaves behind a shiny, healthy-looking finish. To use, slather it onto clean, damp hair and wait about 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly — you should see visible results right away.

STEP #3: Use a damage-reversing treatment.

Color-treated hair gets put through the wringer, which is why it's crucial to give it extra TLC in the form of both in-salon and at-home treatments. A professional quality product that gets the job done is Joico's K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor (50 percent off on October 21), as it actually aids in rebuilding the structure of the hair with a blend of 19 essential amino acids, a.k.a. the "building blocks" of hair. You can either apply it to damp hair and rinse after five minutes — or, if your hair is extra parched, use a dollop as a leave-in, allowing it do its thing throughout the day or overnight.

STEP #4: Boost color and shine with a frizz-fighting straightener.

If you want to show off your color on straightened hair, use a ceramic straightener like Eva NYC's Spectrum Far-Infrared 1'' Iron (50 percent off on October 17), which protects the cuticle and helps to lock in moisture with its far-infrared technology that heats from the inside out. This is a healthier way to use heat on your hair that’s ideal for folks who hit the salon often, as it reduces the amount of damage to the hair. Before you so much as touch that hot tool, though, be sure to use a solid heat protectant — hairstylists swear by Redken's One United Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray (50 percent off on October 6), as it also works to fight frizz, detangle, add shine, and more. Spoiler: It's not lying when it says it's "multi-benefit."


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Originally Appeared on Allure