Professional coloring is worth the splurge, according to celebrity hairstylist Tabatha Coffey.

Back in the ’90s, we once sported a haircut similar to reality star Kate Gosselin’s — and considering tart-tongued scissor wizard Tabatha Coffey’s take on the style, we know we made the right decision to grow it out. Coffey, formerly of Shear Genius fame, recently landed her own show on Bravo, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, which airs Tuesdays at 10 pm. The Australian-born hairstylist, 43, gave us some great tips for maintaining our current ‘do.

First, she tells us, you have to know what’s worth paying for and where you can save. “Splurge on getting your hair colored professionally,” advises Coffey, who regularly fixes home-color mistakes. Coffey also recommends using a moisturizing conditioner to protect hair from environmental and heat damage, as well as the restoration products K-PAK Color Restorative Styling Oil by Joico ($19.95) and Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream ($26), and the anti-humidity treatment Pureology NanoWorks ShineLuxe ($32) to combat frizz.

More worth-it splurges? A good bristle brush and a flat iron. “CHI has one with a coating that protects the hair from the heat,” notes Coffey, adding that professional ionic dryer can smooth hair and dry it faster.

You can save on inexpensive hairspray and wide-tooth combs from the drug store, where Coffey suggests picking up biotin, “a great vitamin that really helps your hair,” and Velcro rollers, good for adding volume, movement and texture to fine or straight hair in creating the ’40s-inspired styles that are big this fall.

According to Coffey, the biggest mistake women make is getting caught in a hairstyle rut. “With a really good haircut and the right products it can be five minutes” to style, she notes, suggesting that long-hair lovers try soft layers. “They’re always flattering and will frame and give lift to the face and movement and bounce to the hair,” she says. “It can be very attractive and age-appropriate.” Coffey also recommends highlights, and not just for blondes. “They add texture and dimension, and if you’re gray it will buy you a couple of weeks to get your retouch done.” Need to cover your roots ASAP? Coffey swears by waterproof mascara in a pinch.

Do you have a great hair care tip? Share it with us!

Photo credit: Brian Kersey/Bravo

Tags: Biotin, Brian Kersey, Hair, Hair care, Hairdressing, Hairstyle, Kate Gosselin, restoration products, Series, Shear Genius, Tabatha Coffey, Television, USD