Shecky’s

Once upon a time, there was a little boy in his aunt’s wig shop, styling the faux hair for a dollar. Hop, skip and jump to present day, and that little boy is now the mastermind behind his own self-titled salon and hair care product line. Say hello to Paul Labrecque, a celebrity hair guru that knows everything about a coif from root to tip, inside and out.

It was inevitable that we would turn to our 2009 Beauty at its Best contributor to seek out the best ways to save your hair this summer. We picked his hair, er, brain to get all the details.

Shecky’s: Every girl wants to know the cure for frizzy hair. How do you suggest we tame our wild manes?

Paul Labrecque: If frizz is a serious problem, my clients flock to my salons for the Keratin Reconditioning Treatment, which reconstructs hair for a smooth, sexy look. The enhanced protein-rich Keratin formula instantly eliminates frizz, softens, smooths and adds gorgeous shine to your hair. The treatment cuts down styling time and the need for your morning blow dry. One treatment will last two-three month and grows out naturally with no visible root line. For day-to-day treatment, my Paul Labrecque Repair Lemongrass Hair and Scalp Treatment conditions and repairs damage that can cause frizz on those hot, extra-frizzy days.

S: We talk about skin protection during the summer; can hair get damaged from the sun? And how do we protect our hair every day?

PL: We treat hair like we treat skin. It is imperative to protect the hair with sunscreen, we put it in all our products. Before going to the pool or beach, you can add a few drops of sunscreen to a water spray bottle and spritz it on your hair before a full day of sun.

S: What’s the worst thing a girl could do to her hair?

PL: Color her own hair! At-home color may be convenient and low-cost, but can be very damaging if not applied properly and the results are not guaranteed. Keep a piggy bank and let a professional color your hair. If times are tough, I suggest coming into my salon as a model for my apprentices who take classes and are supervised by senior stylists for a cheaper cut and color.

WANT SUMMER HAIR CARE DOS FROM PAUL? CHECK THIS OUT:

S: Brilliant, where do we sign up? Now, what about necessary products to have on-hand everyday. What do you suggest?

PL: My favorite product for all hair types is my Paul Labrecque Repair Style Hydrating Hair Lotion. It is a protein-enriched, leave-in conditioning and styling lotion that rejuvenates dry, damaged lifeless hair. It contains aloe vera, seaweed extracts and lavender hydrate to soften, define and restore manageability.

S: What is the best no-fail hairstyle for the heat?

PL: The pony chignon is my favorite carefree ‘do. Make a low pony, twist it, and place a chopstick to hold it in place. It is carefree, yet can be elegant if needed. I also love a mid-head pony tail that is kept very sleek and very tight.

WANT MORE SUMMER LOOKS? Check out Paul’s easy how-tos for summer hair:

S: Let’s hit the pool! How can we prevent chlorine hair damage?

PL: Rinse it out as soon as you’re done swimming. When you get home, wash your hair with a hydrating shampoo like my Paul Labrecque Daily Shampoo Hydrating Hair Wash (which is my favorite!) or Repair Shampoo Restorative Hair Wash. That way the damage can be quickly fixed.

S: We don’t like a heavy burden when it comes to our tresses. What hair products won’t weigh us down?

PL: Most of my products are very light and not heavy on the hair. A favorite that will not only protect the color in the summer sun, but also add fantastic texture to the hair, is my Paul Labrecque Color Style Fade Prevention Foam. It is very light and specially formulated for color-treated hair. It builds body while leaving hair supple, moisture-rich, soft and easy to style.

-Kellene McCaffrey