Shecky’s

Problem: dry, cold winter weather has started to wreak havoc on your hair, but you haven’t got much dough left over from all the holiday presents you just purchased! How to save your strands without dropping major money? Celeb stylist Gregory Alan weighs in on how to rescue tresses with stuff you have at home and the best products under $10, $5…and a buck!

With the simple things every woman has at home, what can be used to correct dry winter hair?

Here’s a list of household stuff most people have in their kitchen cabinets and cupboards that actually do work!

Mashed Ripe Bananas/Avocado: Sounds like a strange combination, but when applied to the scalp and hair shafts and left for one hour, the fruit enzymes actually condition the hair, leaving it silky and smooth.

Beer: Have some beer in a spray bottle. On toweled-dried hair, just before you’re about to blow-dry, apply throughout your hair. Then blow-dry; you will not have any odor, but what you will have is beautiful, shiny hair!

What is the #1 product under $10 that a woman needs to buy for her hair? Under $5? Under $1?

A product every women needs under $10 would be Salon Grafix 450 Maximum Heat Protect Spray ($7.99 on drugstore.com). I know people love to take blow dryers and flat irons to their hair daily, which results in major damage (dull and dry!). This product can be found in most drugstores and actually protects the hair from any heating tool up to 450 degrees! Once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why it’s a necessity.

A great under $5 product is olive oil. When your hair feels battered and damaged from daily styling, take some olive oil and warm it so it’s pleasing to the touch. Then apply it from scalp to ends and wrap your hair in a bun. Take plastic wrap and let it soak for about 15-30 mins. Apply heat to really make that oil absorb and rinse thoroughly. Then shampoo and condition; your hair (especially the ends!) will thank you.

A product every women needs under $1 is a travel hairspray. It’s an excellent way to do touch-ups when on the go. You can easily tuck it away in your purse or handbag and lock and secure a hairstyle anytime, anywhere!

Do you have any strange but simple tips to prevent damage from heat-styling tools?

Heat-styling tools (curling irons, blow dryers, flat irons, etc.) are excellent, but when used incorrectly can leave you with major damage. So use these tools on clean, washed and dry hair. Build-up of products and oils can scorch the hair and fry your ends!

Also, use a heat-protective spray on your hair beforehand. The more you protect your hair, the easier it will be to grow it healthy and long.

When you hear the words “winter hair,” what problems immediately come to mind? How can women fix these?

To me, winter hair means love and attention. Hair has been stressed from a summer of sun and activity; swimming, sunbathing and just daily life. You desperately want to really care for and nourish your hair over these winter months. Do some hot oil treatments, conditioning treatments that will help protect your hair, maybe even try a keratin treatment.

The keratin treatment is a great way to reduce your need of heat-styling tools, because it takes frizz down 70-80% so you don’t need to be a slave to an iron. Your styling time will be cut dramatically!

Tips by Gregory Alan of ididthehair.com

Gregory, commonly known as a “trendsetter extraordinaire,” received his license for cosmetology in Los Angeles in 2006. He credits his mother, a hairstylist as well, with the inspiration, drive and determination to succeed in this business as he literally soaked up everything growing up in her Bay City, Michigan salon. He showed great initiative at a young age, even experimenting on himself at times. Gregory eventually decided to move westward and went on to work in some of the most sought-after, high-end salons in Beverly Hills where he stood out as a bright young talent. It was in this beauty Mecca where he mastered the skills to create amazing trends!

An avid traveler but never a tourist, Gregory explores each new place he goes through connections with the people who live there. Whether going to South America, Europe or the Middle East; Gregory leaves home with an open mind and returns with cutting-edge trends. He can honestly say that he has clients, friends and fans in all corners of the world.

GIRL TALK TIME: What do you think of these tips? What are your tricks to keeping winter hair looking great?