One of the most common beauty queries we've heard from readers is this: Why can't I find a great black hair salon in D.C.? If you don't believe us, just take to Yelp and Google to see for yourself. Whether your hair is natural, pressed, relaxed, or somewhere in the middle, finding a person you trust, who really understands your hair, is essential. And finding that person can be tough.

So, we took it upon ourselves to track down four local hairstylists who really get it — they've earned reputations for being savvy with all types of textured hair — and jumped at the chance to pick their brains for the dos and don'ts of their trade. The result? Our first-ever pros' guide to styling, protecting, and maintaing your gorgeous tresses, no matter how you wear them. Just click through for tips straight from the stylists, as well as the scoop on all their fave must-have products.

There are a few key phases of life when time goes by so slowly, you'd swear the earth had stopped rotating: when you're anticipating a first kiss, waiting to hear back after a job interview, or counting the days until a loved one returns. Another stress-inducing period that fits the bill? When you're growing your hair from a short cut to something shoulder-grazing or longer. It can take months until your mane is legitimately long enough to pull off an elegant updo. But don't panic—and don't do what we've done many times, and reach for the scissors in a moment of weakness. (Impulsive bangs have never helped a bad situation.)

Instead, click your way through our handy tutorial to create three so-easy (and super-cute) hairstyles for medium-length hair. We collaborated with Jacqui Davis, stylist and partner at Metro Center's PR at Partners salon, to whip up some classic looks that you can master in minutes, with only the bare minimum of supplies. The great thing about these styles? They're meant to appear a little messy, so it's okay if you've got a few loose strands or regrettable layers to grow out. Plus, each ultra-versatile 'do can take you from work to weekend, no sweat. So, grab a can of working spray and get styling!

By this point in the season, your locks have been through a lot — dozens of updos and blowouts for holiday parties, painfully drying heat styling, and luster-zapping winter temps. But all is not lost! We've got some expert tips for maintaining the prettiest hair possible, thanks to Jeremy Buchanan, co-owner of one80 salon. Here's what you need to do to redeem your healthy tresses:

1) Get Your Locks Out of the Winter Doldrums
"Warm up your color. For example, go with an amber brown or butterscotch blonde instead of golden highlights. With cool hues, slightly darken the roots and middle, then lighten the ends so the color goes from dark to light but still keeps the same cool tones."

2) BFF: Banish Flakes Forever
"The key here is getting your scalp really clean. My tip for salon-like results at home is to apply conditioner to ends first and then apply shampoo to roots with the conditioner still in the hair. Make sure to use enough shampoo to thoroughly coat your scalp. Massage and let sit for 3-5 min. Then rinse both shampoo and conditioner thoroughly. Shampoo formulations these days are typically very gentle and take time to work."

3) Fight the Frizz
"Moisturizing is critical to getting you through the winter. Use a daily leave-in conditioner (or if you already do, upgrade to a cream leave-in for extra moisture in the winter). If you are already using a cream leave-in and you still feel like your hair is too dry, increase it a quarter-sized amount at a time. Also, don't towel-dry your hair — squeeze and pat with a towel instead, and use an ionic dryer."

4) Delay a Day With a DIY Trick
"If your scalp is really clean, you can go an extra day without shampooing — this is also a good trick to keeping dryness in check. Make your own dry shampoo with equal parts baking soda and baby powder. Take a container of baby powder, pour half into another container to save for later, then fill the baby powder container to the top with baking powder. Add a few drops each of yellow, red, and blue food coloring. Shake well and remove top to dry. Wait 24 hours and it will be ready to use."

When it comes to winter hair woes, there are a few things we can't do — we can't counteract the force of gravity and banish hat-head forever, and we're not exactly qualified to experiment with electricity (static electricity, that is). But what you know we can do? Pull together some truly amazing hair accessories, from wild-child headresses to simple-but-chic pins, that will upgrade your locks from everyday lovely to quite possibly life-changing. Whether you're updating a ballerina bun with a femme flower or channeling an Indian princess à la Chanel's Métiers D'Art, we've got plenty of little pretties to tide you over until it's time for beachy waves again.

You know that effortlessly cool girlfriend with the perfect beachy waves and the flawless cat-eye liner (the one you secretly wish could come over every morning and help you get ready)? Well, imagine a salon filled with just those types of gals, where the atmosphere is a femme take on man-cave, with a killer soundtrack on loop. And ta-da! Your fantasy is coming true.

Local besties-turned-business partners (and industry vets) Melanie Amoss and Lisa Rittiner just opened Smitten, Arlington's newest hair and beauty salon, with the aim of combining high-end beauty services with a distinctly mom-and-pop vibe.

With exposed brick interiors, crystal chandeliers, a color palette involving some hot pops of raspberry, and an endlessly looping indie playlist, the space really does feel like your girlfriend’s enviable room. And that dynamic duo you’re aching to chat all things beauty with? They’re at your get-gorgeous service. Want to learn how to apply false eyelashes? They got you. Itching to try ombre hair? Done. Craving something you can't articulate? Leave it to these ladies. We’re smitten with Smitten, to say the least, so we asked Amoss and Rittiner some of our burning questions about the salon, their fave winter hair trends, and the worst beauty faux pas they've seen. Read on to learn their pro secrets — they could potentially change your morning beauty routine forever!

Where: Smitten, 3000 Washington Boulevard, Arlington; 571-527-0200.

Photographed by Jane Pierce