Standing behind the chair doing color for many more years than I care to admit, I have heard about hundreds of hair myths. Most myths were handed down through the generations from grandmother to mother to daughter. Some of these are based on fact, others contain half-truths and many are total fiction. Many rational people hold these hair myths to be true even if they make absolutely no sense. I wrote a previous blog entry addressing some of the most common hair myths. Today we will examine 10 common beauty myths and determine whether they're fact or fiction.

MYTH: Never shampoo your hair right before you have it colored.

FACT: When your hair is dirty it is harder for the colorist to determine the exact color of your hair, whether it has oxidized, and if subtle changes might have occurred during the course of the touch-up. Clean hair enables your colorist to have a clearer picture of the proper adjustments that need to occur to keep your color perfect. Hair color also takes better on clean hair. If you do have a sensitive scalp and are worried about a reaction to the coloring process, gently wash your hair. Do not scrub your scalp.


MYTH: Your hair can get used to shampoos and conditioners.

FACT: Shampoos and conditioners tend either to either be light and clean or heavy and conditioning. If you use one product line exclusively, your hair can become overly clean and fly away or excessively conditioned and weighted down. It is best to have a couple of different hair care lines in your shower so you will always be prepared for your hair needs.


MYTH: Lemons lighten your hair.

FACT: Lemon juice will minimally lighten your hair, but only if you go out in the sun. Lemons will lighten fine hair best. If your hair is a light brown shade or darker, lemons can turn your hair orange. Instead of lemons, it is best to use over-the-counter hair color. Hair color contains toners and conditioners that will consistently keep your color in check and hair in great condition.


MYTH: Beer adds body and shine.

FACT: Warm flat beer in a spray bottle is a great setting lotion that adds shine. The scent of beer dissipates as the hair dries, leaving you with a smooth and glossy finish.

Talk about the old one-two punch. The news of the last two weeks started with the chant "time for change" at the Democratic convention. There was a small intermission that was filled with the terror that New Orleans could potentially face from hurricane Gustav. This was immediately followed by the Republican convention. A feeling of deja vu occurred as both John McCain and Sarah Palin also were chanting about the need for change. As I was thinking about their call for change, I realized that I, too, am constantly asking people to consider making a change. I hope I am not sending a subliminal message that I think everyone needs a makeover. My call for change is not because I think you look terrible. I only suggest change to keep you aware of all your options. These changes do not have to be radical or extreme. In fact, what I usually suggest is a series of small changes to keep you looking your best.

I think that most people intuitively know when they need to make a change in their look. They just don't know what to do. Unfortunately, this can paralyze or slow down the change process. Here are some easy tips to keep you looking great and up to date.

1) The easiest way to figure out what you need to be your most beautiful is to ask your hairdresser for advice. If you are not satisfied with your hairdresser's advice, go to other salons for a consultation. It's always a bonus to have someone look at you with fresh eyes. Consultations are usually free and are a great way to stimulate change. Always be sure you understand your hairdresser's vision. The best way to do this is to bring pictures to your consultation. Photographs will prevent any miscommunication.

2) Going through a tough life moment is never time for a new look. I have had many women ask me for a radical new look when they suspect their mates are cheating or they are going through a break-up. I always do my best to slow down this change. It's best to make changes when you are not in an emotional state. Better you should treat yourself to a weekly salon blow dry or have your makeup professionally done.

3) Keep your eye out for great new looks. Watch movies and TV. Comb magazines and newspapers. Surf the web. You will be surprised by the fashion sense you will develop by keeping your eyes wide open.

4) Accept your hair's texture. Always be sure that your new hair style is compatible with your hair texture. Fine hair separates if it's too long and can break if it has to be constantly colored. Curly hair blown straight every day can begin to look dull.

5) Keep what you like, change what you don't. If your hair doesn't look great, change it. When you look at your hair, notice what you don't like. Is your hair too long? Is it doing nothing for you? Then it's time for a new haircut. Is your color faded and oxidized? Is it dull or over bleached from summer sun? Then it's time to color your hair.

Change is good only if it's a good change. A good change is one that makes you look better. Look in the mirror and decide if a change is right for you!

---

More from Louis Licari

• Try on new hairstyles from Louis Licari with Makeover-o-Matic
• Get more info from the Today show on iVillage

I am at the airport waiting for yet another flight. The TV is on CNN. The talk is all about the elections. Everyone is trying to guess who will be the democratic candidate for president. Both candidates look better than they ever did. Hillary has softened her look through the campaign. She still uses about a half can too much of hairspray and is a bit over highlighted, but looks much softer than she did at the beginning of her campaign. Barack looks as much like a GQ cover guy as a presidential candidate. Chelsea looks like she had a "Ambush Makeover". Her hair is now blonder with bold streaks of color around her face, accenting her long layered cut. She is now officially a pretty woman. Michelle Obama always looks good and totally together. Both candidates realize the importance of looking good and the edge it can provide for them in the election. I am not saying you have to look like a movie star to become president. I am saying that looking the best you can makes you look like a winner. The candidates realize this and have tweaked their looks over the last year. This immediately creates the illusion of confidence, success, and in this case, hopefully a presidential aura.

I realize that very few of us will ever be running for office, but we live in a very competitive world. Looking good can help us land that dream job or help us in social situations. Looking good requires effort for almost all of us. The rewards of paying attention to our appearance can result in a much more fulfilling life. Once taking a few extra moments every day to look your best becomes routine you will wonder why you waited so long to make the effort. The first step to looking good is to start with a small change. Don't try to make dramatic changes all at once like we do on the Today Show. Dramatic changes can be difficult to handle even when they are beautiful. It takes most of us a while to process and appreciate change.

The clock is ticking. Five minutes until we are live, showing the reveal of this week’s "Ambush Makeovers" on TODAY. The room is humming with the sound of a blow dryer. The hairstylist is giving the makeover her final touches. Everything is coming together. There are…5, 4, 3, 2, 1 seconds left, and it's show time!

 A great blow dry is the key to any makeover. A good blow dry can make fine hair look full, hold full hair in shape, and add shine to dull looking hair. You can look like a makeover every day if you perfect your blow drying skills. You can and should know how to blow dry hair like the hottest stylist in town.

Here are some INSIDER TIPS for a perfect blow dry:

1. What's your problem, lady?
   Look at your hair and figure out what you need to do to make your hair look better. Do you have fine, wispy hair? Do you have thick, out of control hair?
   
   Realizing this will help you decide which styling product is best for your hair. Picking the right styling products will help you to have a better blow dry and provide protection from heat of your blow dryer.
   
   Use lighter products like mousses, gels, or root lifting sprays, on fine hair. You want products that will add volume without weighing your hair down. Heavier hair creams and liquids work best on thick hair. They will add control without making hair look stiff or frozen in place. Silicone products are the perfect solution for frizzy hair.


2. Get organized!
   After shampooing, blot excess moisture from hair. Never blow dry hair that is dripping wet or 100% dry. Totally wet hair takes too long to dry. Blow drying hair that is completely dry will easily damage and burn your hair.
   
   Gently detangle your hair, using a wide tooth comb. Part your hair and comb in the direction you want your hair to fall. Clip the top half of your hair on top of your head. Now you can start to blow dry hair at the nape of your neck and work towards the top of your head in 1"-2" sections.


3. Round is best!
   Use a round brush to give hair lift, control, or fullness. The size of the brush is determined by the length of the hair: The shorter the hair, the smaller the brush. Using a larger round brush works best on most hair. They can make curly hair straight or add movement to straight hair.


4. Hands up!
   Lift your blow dryer high so you can aim the dryer pointing down. This will make it easier to control your hair dryer and help to prevent frizz. Never over dry your hair. This will make your hair look dull, dry, and fried.


5. Own it!
   Now is the time to make the final adjustments to your hair. Brush it through for a more controlled look or use your fingers to comb through or place hair for a softer look. The old “head flip” with a pinch of hair spray is an easy way to add support and extra volume and fullness.


6. Practice makes perfect!
   Don't become frustrated if your hair isn't perfect. You will become better with every blow dry. If your blow dry just isn't working at home, talk to your stylist when you go for your next hair cut. Your stylist will probably tweak your hair cut to make it easier for you to manage.

I want to give special thanks to last week’s makeovers, Beth and Evelyn. They are two great looking women who became more beautiful in just a few hours time. I'm wondering if they are at home practicing their blow drying.

Learning the perfect blow drying techniques...

Wowing the Plaza with her voluminous hair!

Another "Ambush Makeover" is happening tomorrow in the Plaza! Will Louis choose you? Come on down to TODAY with your homemade signs for a chance at a makeover!

---

More About Blow Drying on iVillage:

• How to Use Blow Dryers and Attachments
• Shop for the Perfect Hair Dryer
• Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!

The big question I am asked every year is "How is everyone wearing their hair?” Long? Short? As I predicted in June's blog "trend alert!" short hair is showing up everywhere. Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Ellen Barkin, Jenny McCarthy, and many more are all sporting the new bob. Honorable mentions must be given to Vogue's Anna Wintour for making this chicer than chic styles her trademark.

BEAUTY NOTE - Anna's hair style is the same, but her hair color has gone through a metamorphosis. Anna Wintour is now a "no doubt about it blond."

That is all news but it is not the hair headline. The mane story this year is big hair is back. Full sexy hair is the look. Whether it is long or short, wavy or straight, doesn't really matter. This is the year to plump up your hair. Volume is key to update any style. Penelope Cruz, Eva Mendes, Kate Moss, Hayden Panettiere, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, Emmy Rossum, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Gisele Bundchen are all celebrities that have opted for big hair. Even the short trend setting bobs are worn full. The reason why so many have tossed their flat iron is simple. Big hair is soft and sexy. It makes almost every one look beautiful.

A little height in the hair is flattering to everyone. It is the instant way to add a touch of "sex kitten" to your look. Before you run to the drugstore for an industrial size can of hair spray please finish reading this blog. Big hair this go-around has a new look and feel. It certainly is not like it was in the 60's, 80's, or even the early 90's. It moves when you do, and it is soft and touchable. The body and volume is throughout the hair, not just the crown of the head. Hair looks fluid, never like it's has been frozen in place.

TIPS FOR "BIG HAIR" 2007-2008!

1. Light products are essential. Hair should look clean, not product heavy. Use a shampoo, conditioner, and styling products that are appropriate for your hair texture. Hair should never look coated or weighed down. Styling products must give body but never make the hair look stiff. I must shamelessly give my Louis Licari Root Lift Spray a plug here. It gives just enough hold and is never sticky. The added bonus of root lift products is they give lift to the roots and leave the ends of the hair with its natural texture.

1. Blow dryers, round brushes, hair spray, and even rollers are back. They never actually went anyplace. I must tell you that I have never been to a shoot where the hair dresser did not use these tools. No matter how the model's hair ends up looking the hairdresser always starts out with a blow dry and then a set of velcro rollers. This is a sure fire way to give hair lift and body even if it is to be worn straight. Hair styled to be worn straight hair also requires the use of a paddle brush.

TIP - Flip head over and concentrate on straightening the ends of the hair with a paddle brush. This will give you a straight hair look and maintain body and fullness throughout your hair. The smallest amount of hair spray used after the comb out is the last part of the hairstylist ritual.

TIP - Give your hair a quick mist of hair spray while it is still in rollers for extra body. By the way, I think that hair spray is the closest product that both professional and amateurs use. Fess up! I know you have your favorite spray hidden someplace. This gives body to the finest hair. Don't worry, if you only use a fine mist you won't look like a dowager.

3. A great cut with long layers is the foundation for big hair. This gives the hair easy lift for fullness. This works on all textures of hair. If your hair is very fine barely layer the ends. This will maintain fullness and provide movement.

4. If your hair has waves, show it off! Emphasis the wave with a large barrel curling iron. Place the curling iron in the same direction as your wave. This will result in a glamorous wave and not little girl curls.

5. I know that women with fine hair are thinking, "Great! What am I suppose to do this year?" Fine hair can look fuller too. The tip here is to not overdo your hair. This will make your hair look like a stiff and teased hair style from another era. Modern hair should always look free and easy. Start with a good cut with barely-there layers. Blow-dry your hair, using a volumizing root lift, with a round brush lifting the hair off the scalp. Very gently back-comb the root of your hair. Lightly use hair spray for extra support. These steps will give your hair maximum fullness. If hair is very fine you must keep your hair very short.

Short styles give the illusion of fullness to the finest hair. If longer hair is your fantasy you should consider a hair piece or extensions. I am sure that celebs like Sharon Stone's and Paris Hilton's long hair styles have been attached in a few hours rather than grown for years.

WARNING - Woven or glued extensions on delicate fine hair can lead to some hair loss. Clip-on falls and extensions are gentler to the hair.

This is the year of glamorous and feminine hair. Hair should look effortlessly styled. Think big, live large, and look beautiful!

---

More from Louis Licari

• Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!