How to style your hair for a special date

When you are headed out on that special date, the best thing that you can do for your hair is make it irresistibly touchable. You will want your hair to be clean and shiny, but you will also want it to move and be free.

We're lucky to be living in the 21st century, because technology has made beauty much easier. Not only are there shampoos, conditioners and styling products for every type of hair texture know, but there are now amazing appliances like ionic hairdryers and irons that allow us to style freely without the fear of frying our hair. These appliances produce negative ions through ceramic or tourmaline, and the negative ions will add softness, shine and manageability to your hair. My favorite iron is the True Ceramic Pro (www.trueceramicpro.com). Its plates are narrow, so it's easy to create lots of different styles with it, plus its temperature gauge allows use on every type of hair -- from delicate color treated to coarse, resistant curly hair.

So here we go: For this occasion I think the simpler your hair, is the better it is. Let's start by shampooing and conditioning your hair, and then quickly blow drying it, preferably with an ionic blow dryer. Many different companies make these now, check out your beauty supply store to choose from a selection.

For speed, don't focus too much on the blow dry, with the exception of your hair around he face. In this area, you will want to use a round natural bristle brush to smooth out the hair and give it some direction. The real styling will be done in this next step.

Now, section off your hair by taking a U section on the top of your head -- say from the outside corners of your eyebrows to the crown -- and then clipping it out of the way.

Starting with the hair in front of your ear on one side, take your iron and run it smoothly down a 1-inch section of hair. Continue this by working around to the back center of your head, pulling the stands forward to make it easier for you to style. Then repeat this process on the other side.

Next, take the top section and smooth the crown area first, working your way to the front hairline.

Feel free to turn the ends under or flip them out -- whatever suits your personality. The key is to keep your hair touchable, so when you are done styling, leave it product-free. You will be amazed how shiny your hair is and how well it will hold.