STYLING frizzy, curly or wavy hair is sometimes like trying to crochet - incredibly tedious, frustrating and you're still left with a bunch of knots! As a result, you're probably overworking the hair dryer and own a paddle brush collection that could take up the entire Prince of Wales Museum!

Rebellious hair is a problem that most of us face... for some strange reason, specially on Mondays. Your hair texture gets difficult to manage, the volume is out of control, and it appears dull, wiry and fragile. And of course, the humidity often totally destroys the time and effort spent to obtain a smooth blow dry effect. Styling such hair takes a great deal of time and it needs constant attention. It's now proven that most women with curly wavy hair want straight and smooth hairstyles. And voila, where there's a demand there's a store full anti-frizz haircare and styling products (anti-frizz shampoos, masques, serums, sprays, smoothening treatments, bonding sessions, and what have you!)

Just For Now
For short-lived solutions, there are haircare and styling products that offer temporary solace to the grieved lot. But remember to choose products that will nourish the hair while giving it the necessary smoothing and humidity protection.

John Frieda's built an empire over treating frizzy hair. Try Frieda's Frizz Ease series of shampoos, conditioner, serum and gels. From L'Oréal Professionnel, you can choose: Série expert Liss extreme shampoo, masque and leave in conditioner. They mositurise the hair to give smoothness and control. For all-day control, try Tecni.art Liss control, Liss control+ and Fix anti-frizz spray.

You can also try the Pantene Moisturising Curls Shaper Anti-Frizz Crème and Redken Outshine Anti Frizz Polishing Milk. The Joico K-Pak Protect and Shine Serum's Triamine Complex helps reconstruct throughout the day. It protects hair from free radical damage, UV light and environmental pollutants. Also helps prevent split ends and frizziness. It's alcohol-free and adds incredible shine.

Schwarzokpf's OSIS Magic Anti-frizz Gloss Serum works on all hair types, gives sensational shine and smoothness. The sunflower seed oil in it adds pliability and elasticity to the hair.

No More Bad Hair Days
For a permanent solution, head to your salon. Between bonding and high-tech smoothening treatments, permanently sleek, smooth and shiney hair is just a credit card payment away! Consulting the hairdresser for what's good for you is very important. Ask her about any of the following:

Ionic Bonding: The Ionic bonding technology, available in select salons across the country is an expensive choice not many can afford. This technology assures straight hair, hassle free day-to-day manageability. Service cost could vary from Rs 6,000 to 10,000.

Experts say that hair that is bonded is extremely straight as all the hair bonds are flattened. Such hair tends to be limp. Colouring hair that is bonded is not always very easy as the result can be patchy. Lancel, Ford Matrix are a few of the technologies available.

Relaxing: Popularly referred to as straightening, by hairdressers. In this process, 30 to 40 per cent of the original bonds of the hair are straightened. This service gives you straight hair for six to eight weeks, after which hair goes back to its initial shape. Relaxed hair needs intensive after-care as it tends to get fragile. Service cost varies between Rs1,500 to Rs 3,000, depending on the hair length (Wella, Glatt)

Smoothing: It's a new generation technology that offers to smooth curly and frizzy hair. This technology gives you straight hair, lasting smoothness, softness and shine. It straightens about 40 to 50 per cent of the original bonds. L'Oréal Professionnel's X-tenso uses the cationic auto control technology to ensure that the hair fibre is not damaged during the process. The hair feels healthy and bouncy post the service.

It can cost your anywhere between Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 depending on the length of hair. Schwarzkopf's Strait Therapy harmonises active substances complementing each other during the therapy treatment. It first prepares and protects the hair for the treatment, then a straightening cream works with thermo bonding and straightening iron. A fix stabilises the hair, and lastly a final gloss restructures the hair from the inside.

Meet Your Stylist
Whatever service you choose, consulting your hairdresser is vital. She will also recommend an after service haircare regime to keep your locks shiny and smooth and make the treatment last long.

After Care
• Regular deep conditioning is a must on hair that is chemically relaxed.Plan on doing a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week
• When possible, limit the use of hot blow dryers and styling tools. If you must use a blow dryer, use on the coolest heat and deep condition your hair first.
• Some experts suggest a fortnightly hot oil treatment Heat enough almond or olive oil to saturate your hair. Make sure it is just warm to the touch and not too hot. Dab the warm olive oil on the roots of your hair with a cotton ball. Cover with a hot towel and wait for at least 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse.