Q I'm a student with mid-length hair. For special occasions such as parties, how can I give my hair that glam factor without busting the bank?

A The simplest way to go about this is to get your hairstylist to recommend one product that can give your hairstyle a glamorous lift. Have him teach you how to use the product so you can get the desired effect on your own.

One idiot-proof product you can consider is the Wax Smoothie ($30, call 6738-3113 for salons that carry it). A creamy gel-wax that comes in a spray, it is from L'Oreal Professionnel's play ball line. Just spray some in your hands, warm it up with the hairdryer and scrunch through your hair for better definition and hold.

Another of my current favourites is label m's Sea Salt Spray ($42.80, from Toni & Guy salons), which gives even thick, heavy hair a very natural tousled texture.

Bear in mind, though, that your hair needs to be healthy and your basic hairstyle flattering for any styling to look good.

Patrick Canivet, the China-based Asian technical director for L'Oreal Professional Products Division, suggests that anti-humidity haircare products should be 'at the top of the list' for those living in humid parts of Asia.

'Ingredients like silicon, ceramides and oil micro-emulsions are very helpful in the battle against humidity,' he says.

Humidity, he adds, is 'the first enemy of hair'.

'Hair gets rougher easily as a result of the rapid oxidation process brought about by the combination of UV rays and water molecules in the air.'

Finally, don't just style your hair for special occasions. Make it a part of your daily routine.

'Generally, Asians use more masques and treatments compared to other markets in the world,' says Canivet. 'But very little is done before Asian women leave their house every day.'

Given that Asian hair is coarser and thus more unmanageable, 'styling should be a necessary step,' he advises.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Jan 16, 2009.