It's hard to get your hair to look frizz-free and shiny. So what's the secret? Hair expert John Barrett lets us in on his simple technique in this excerpt from Universal Beauty: The Miss Universe Guide to Beauty (Rutledge Hill Press).

Even as more and more crown-bound women are embracing their natural hair textures, plenty continue to blow-dry their natural curls and waves into smooth submission. John Barrett shows us how it's done.

Step 1: Prepare

After blotting the hair dry with a towel, lightly coat strands with a styling product: mousse for soft hold or gel for sleeker, stronger hold. Save any silicone serums until the end.

Step 2: Relax

Rather than reaching for the blow-dryer the minute you step out of the shower, let the hair air-dry for a bit first. "One of the biggest mistakes women make is starting when hair is too wet — you'll just get tired and fed up by the end," he says. Instead, chill out and wait until tresses are only damp before cranking up the hot air.