Insiders' Guide.

Insiders' Guide

Holiday Special: Tips on getting what you really want, personalizing a gift, and more.

How to make a blowout last

An Interview With Serge Normant Normant is co-owner of the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City and regularly works with Julianne Moore and Sarah Jessica Parker. During the holidays, when the parties are back to back, who has time to wash and restyle each day? If you take a few precautions, you can extend the life of your blowout for days. **Make a fresh start. Tell the stylist you want your style to last. The scalp and hair should be shampooed and rinsed thoroughly so hair feels clean -- not slippery. Work a dime-size blob of conditioner through the ends only; heavy moisturizers weigh hair down. **Choose products wisely. Creamy pomades and shine serums should be used sparingly. If you must use a silicone serum to tame frizz, apply it to the hair shaft rather than the roots. It's fine to use mousse or volumizing spray near the scalp -- these contain alcohol, which can actually help absorb excess oil. Use half the amount you normally would to avoid buildup, which can make hair look dirty. **Protect yourself. When you are washing your face and applying creams, pull your hair back off your face tightly to ensure that skin-care products don't touch the hairline. **Perk it up. At the first sign of grease, spray your part and hairline with an aerosol dry shampoo. Brush the product through your hair vigorously, because it can leave a white residue. To boost limp hair, spritz a volumizing spray at the roots, then blast with a blow-dryer for lift. Tame strays with a straightening iron. * Skip the gym. I'm the first person to say that women shouldn't be slaves to their hair. But if your goal is not to restyle your hair for a few days, avoid working out, because your roots will get sweaty.

How to get what you really want

An Interview With Adeena Karsseboom Karsseboom owns the Lux Company, a gift-buying service in Los Angeles. Some people are shy about letting their friends and family know what they want …