Philip Pelusi is a hair stylist at a new salon and art venue in New York City's Meat Packing District.

Q:I recently washed my hair in specialized soft water and my hair turned out way less frizzy. Does plain old water affect how my hair looks?

A: If the water is soft, curly hair will come out softer because soft water has a lower Ph, which flattens the cuticle and smooths the hair. For baby fine hair, soft water is the enemy. City water has a higher Ph, raising the cuticle and creating more volume. However, if the Ph is too high, the cuticle will become too raised and actually dry the hair. For hard water, alternate a good clarifying shampoo with your usual shampoo to remove minerals. For soft water, use a texturizing conditioner so it doesn't soften but creates body instead.