Jessica Alba

Even though the stunning actress is burning up the theaters with her sizzling portrayal as stripper Nancy Callahan in Sin City, most people know her from television's 2000 Dark Angel Sci-Fi hit series. As the gorgeous, genetically enhanced, super-human heroine Max Guevara, Jessica kicked some serious enemy butt. Her character was famous for sporting a bar coded tattoo. Sadly, Dark Angel only lasted until 2002.

The 24 year old Taurus derives her exotic beauty from a French-Danish mother and Mexican, Indian and Spanish father. The mixed parentage has posed some acting challenges for the rising star due to ultimate confusion about her ultimate ethnic heritage.

Although you might not believe it from looking at her, Jessica is challenged by a pesky cowlick and fly-away frizz. She keeps both at bay with the help of a hair wax. She also prefers wash and wear hair, putting her newly washed hair, when it is longer, "up in pigtails, braids or a ponytail" and using her fingers to tousle it dry when it is shorter. Letting her short crop air dry is actually healthier than using a hot blow dry that might strip the color or dry out her tresses further.

Step 1: Jessica's hair has been heavily highlighted and colored for years. This tends to make hair dry and prone to the fly-a-ways and frizz that Jessica experiences. To protect bleached, blonde highlighted or colored tresses, start by rinsing hair completely with lukewarm water. Keep in mind that hotter temperatures will speed up fading and dry hair even further. Select a super moisturizing shampoo formula or one designed for colored hair. For ultra dry or super fragile strands, use the dilute the shampoo* for extra gentleness.

*To dilute shampoo mix 1 part of your favorite product in a freshly washed container with 8-10 parts of warm water. Shake until the mixture forms a suds. Drizzle the suds over the top of your crown and pat into wet strands. Gently drizzle some of the sudsy formula down the length of your strands. Pat carefully. Apply only one shampoo application. Rinse well with lukewarm water. If your hair is very prone to extreme dryness or frizz, consider adopting a treatment program for dry hair or for fighting frizz.

Step 2: Gently squeeze excess water out of the strands. Apply your favorite leave-in conditioner with your fingers. Match the conditioning product to your hair type, texture and condition. Work the conditioner into the driest parts of your hair. Leave on for up to five minutes. Rinse well. Finish with a cool to cold water rinse.

Step 3: Towel blot your strands to remove excess drippage. Apply your favorite detangling product or leave-in conditioning product based on your type, texture and current condition of your strands. Keep in mind that if you have fine or thin strands, you will want to use a very light detangling spray. For medium to thicker strands, use a heavier conditioning product. If you are prone to frizz, experiment with frizz fighting formulas.

Step 4: If you want to go for Jessica's sleek straight style, be sure to either apply a defrisant product or a straightening balm. Distribute a dime-sized dollop of the product of your choice into the palms of your hands and mix well. Use your fingers to work the product completely through your tresses.

Step 5: Separate your hair into 2" sections and blow dry with a large round brush, starting near the back of the head and working around to the front on either side. Beginning at the back of your head, blow-dry hair in half-inch pieces using a large round brush. To create extra volume, hold brush in the hair near the scalp until the hair cools (about five seconds), then move the brush down and through to the ends of the hair.

Step 6: To create a super straight finish, use a hot flat iron to touch up any sections that require a smoother texture.

Step 7: If desired, spray lightly with the hairspray of your choice. Finish with a shine serum or spray. Apply to the palms of your hands and lightly brush across the surface of your hair.

If you prefer to go with Jessica messy, choppy bedhead look, follow all of the steps above until Step 5. Skip the blow drying and let tresses air dry instead. Use your fingertips to tousle the ends to get that edgy look.

Source: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip11031.htm