The plethora of viral hair memes that cohabited the hilarious and the horrifying while isolated under the influence of COVID-19 told a universal truth: Ready or not, we are all in this hair tie together (open in new tab). Prepared or not, we are all in this hair tie together. (opens in new tab) The next time something happens, whether it's a bustling social calendar, a missed appointment, or a new financial priority, we want you to be prepared to miss this fun styling professional. To that end, our top salon pros will instruct you on how to get scrappy with your hair skills.

Solutions to tanned scalp, burnt ends, and everything in between.

Scalp care may not sound sexy, but many hair problems start at the roots. Hairstylist Lacey Redway, whose clients include Tessa Thompson and Yara Shahidi, loves Nexus Clean & Pure Invigorating Detoxifying Scalp Scrub (open in new tab) ($20): "It's formulated with proteins to deep clean hair and deeply cleanses the hair," she says. For dry, irritated, or sunburned scalp, try Dr. Barbara Sturm Scalp Serum (open in new tab) ($100); for a DIY scaling solution, try the apple cider vinegar, water, tea tree oil combo as a pre-shampoo tonic.

The satisfaction derived from cocktailing ingredients to create your own hair fix is unmatched. Redway suggests coconut oil (which studies have shown to prevent protein loss) and essential oils such as lavender and rosemary for a hot oil treatment. Mix pantry oil and essential oils, heat on stove or in microwave for 20-30 seconds, and allow to cool. Work the oil into hair from scalp to ends. Cover head with a shower cap or plastic wrap and a silk scarf or beanie to trap heat for 30 minutes before shampooing.

If you can't get a ready-made mask, go to the kitchen. Says Redway, "There are many variations of active ingredients, depending on your hair type and texture." For thick or color-treated hair, olive oil, avocado, and honey are recommended for repair. For fine hair, replace olive oil with argan oil to lighten it. For dry hair, mix coconut oil, honey, and apple cider vinegar for shine and softness.

Great hair color can start in the bathroom at home.

Dirty hair is not a bad thing. In fact, "The more you wash your hair, the faster the color will fade," explains Zoe Deutsch and colorist Tracy Cunningham of Priyanka Chopra. 'Try to lengthen your blow-drying time. This will look different for everyone, depending on your lifestyle and the amount of natural oils your hair produces, but a good dry shampoo like Redken Deep Clean (open in new tab) ($24) is key to bringing hair back to life on day three or four." To refresh, spray dry shampoo into the roots of your hair the night before styling. When you wake up in the morning, brush it out before styling.

Sometimes, all your hair needs is a quick and easy boost to stave off under-blooming and fading. Using tone-care products like Redken Color Extend Blondage (opens in new tab) ($23) or Brownlights shampoos and conditioners (opens in new tab) between glosses means you're at home. Cunningham says, "For blondes, it means working to extend color at home. For blondes, it means staying bright and brass-free. For brunettes, it means making sure the red or orange undertones don't show through." If you tend to brass up quickly, use a toning product every time you wash your hair. Otherwise, alternate between your regular shampoo and conditioner. Nikki Lee, a hairstylist and colorist who works with Emma Roberts and Selena Gomez, also recommends using a color fixing treatment 14 days after applying hair color and every two weeks thereafter to prolong vibrancy. Her top pick is Garnier Neutris Color Reviver (opens in a new tab) ($7), she says, because "it restores smoothness and works great for freshness of color and shine.

If the urge strikes you to color your own hair, take a second to think about it, then think some more. Most experts insist that dramatic shade changes should be left to the professionals. Avoid making major changes without understanding the hair coloring process," Lee advises, adding that you should avoid dying your own hair two shades above or below your natural hair color. Redway suggests natural ways to satisfy the creative urge. She says, "You can temporarily dye your hair with tea or coffee if it's a safe alternative that will last for two or three washes. Simply mix brewed coffee or tea with conditioner and apply after shampooing." The lighter the hair color, the easier it is to dye," she says."

Whatever the texture of your hair, you can achieve a shiny, hassle-free style.

If you want to wake up with the waves you've always wanted, visit ...... Try Redway's Overnight Set: start with clean, slightly damp hair. Playa Monoi Milk Leave-In Conditioner (open in new tab) ($24) is a favorite. Sleep with this style or let it dry naturally for a few hours. When removing braids or twists, finger comb each section to shape. If you're prone to frizz, apply a moisturizing hair oil like Briogio's Moisturizing Hair Oil like Strengthening Treatment Oil (opens in new tab) ($30) to your fingertips. Use a wide-toothed comb only at the roots to smooth out the waves so they don't lose their shape.

Although difficult, conceal hot tools and style hair using your hands along with strategic products and use strategic products. Redway recommends watching YouTube videos to learn new braiding, twisting, and updo techniques. 'When using hot tools, use the lowest temperature setting on your hair to curl or straighten it. That way the damage is minimized, but it will take longer to style. And be sure to use a heat protector like Oribe's Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray (opens in new tab) ($69).

During the summer months, Redway is a fan of protective styles for natural textures, like box braids and twists that keep your hair tucked away and minimize daily maintenance. To improve hair health and make protective styles last longer, sleep with silk pillowcases instead of cotton. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will moisturize your hair. For textured, color-treated hair, "use an ultra-moisturizing color shampoo and conditioner. "And be best friends with a moisturizing leave-in. Doing so will keep your hair shiny and manageable, no matter the season.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Marie Claire.

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