I wasn't a cheerleader. I was the chub-ette on the sideline with oily hair (see how to fight all sorts of embarrassing hair issues here) and a good sense of humor, but I do remember the cheer that got everyone in the bleachers all riled up:

Don't mess, don't mess,

Don't mess with the best

Cuz the best don't mess …

Remember that one? Well, it came to mind while I was chatting with celebrity hairstylist Dickey, who's worked with stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna (see her best hairstyles here). He was telling me that there are certain tricks and techniques that every professional hairstylist uses to create beautiful hair for their clients every time. Basically, what he was saying is that the best in the hair biz don't "mess" around -- they have no-fail hairstyling methods that work so they use them over and over again. So, as you can imagine, I immediately had to know what these methods were.

Thankfully he spilled and here are 7 of the best hairstyling tricks the pros in the hair business think we should all know.

Trick 1: Know your hair type

Before being able to style your hair to its best, there is one thing you need to know going in: what you're working with. Being able to properly assess hair type and texture will help you weed through hair products and allow you to make the best choices for the health of your hair when styling. While this may seem like basic knowledge, discerning hair type is a bit more complicated than you might imagine.

Find out how to diagnose your unique type and texture here.

Trick 2: Know how to give yourself a lasting blowout

This is an invaluable styling skill. Dickey says that it's one of the most important and useful beauty abilities a woman can have. While your blowout may never look quite as good as it does after walking out of the salon (remember, they are professionals that do multiple blow outs a day), it can look pretty darn close if you do a couple of things:

• Pick a high-wattage (anything above 1800) ceramic/tourmaline blow dryer in order to prevent frizz and create a shiny, smooth finish. A dryer like the Vidal Sassoon VS547 1875 Watt Professional Full-Size Ionic Dryer, $17.99 or the T3 Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer, $200 will have a high, steady flow of heat which will seal the hair's cuticle and get your hair dryer, faster.

• Blow dry your hair according to your hair type. See how to do that here.

Trick 3: Learn how to curl your hair the right way

If you have naturally straight or slightly wavy hair, you've most likely lusted after someone's luxurious curls at some point. (Sarah Jessica Parker, anyone?) Knowing how to properly curl your hair will help you during those envious moments. Follow these expert tips to get a professional looking curl:

• Choose a curling iron that is ceramic, says our expert, as it "heats hair from the inside out." Make sure it has adjustable heat settings too -- so you can find the right temperature for your hair type (try Conair 1-1/4" Hydro Silk Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron, $20).

• If you are starting with wet hair, Dickey suggests applying a lightweight mousse like Hair Rules Wavy Mousse, $20 to clean, wet hair and drying hair with your head upside down for added texture.

• Know how to hold an iron properly and how to make the style last. Find out how here.

Trick 4: Know how to flat iron, but not fry, your hair

Being weary of straightening iron damage is normal, but with the right product prep and responsible use, a flat iron can be your secret weapon for beautiful, shiny hair. Follow these tips to get your best straight hair:

• Choose a flat iron with ceramic plates as they produce gentle and infrared ionic heat that won't destroy your hair. Try CHI Turbo Ceramic Hairstyling Iron 1, $97.50.

• Before adding serious heat to your strands from a flat iron, prep hair with products that will start the straightening process and protect your hair from thermal damage. Wash hair with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner like Sunsilk Straight to Perfection Shampoo, $4.99 and Conditioner, $4.99.

Then spray hair with a thermal heat protectant like Shu Uemura Iron Design, $28.

• Know how to section off the hair and where to start the iron on the hair shaft. Find out here.

Check out the final three tips here.

By the way, the last trick has really helped me personally -- it's totally changed the way I use products.

• Now that you know the basic tricks, see three ways to update your hairstyle come this fall

• Haven't had your fill? See more secrets to salon perfect hair

• Get more hair care and hairstyling advice here

• Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and offers on beauty products here.

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