All about Hair and Hairstyles at UK Hairdressers

Menu

• Home Page

Professional Links

Discover the transformational power of hair extensions

Special Offers

Hair Tools Thermo Straightener
Now with Solid Ceramic Plates
Only £29.95

CAROL'S
COLUMN

Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW - that a flakey scalp is not always dandruff? Dry flakes and a tense scalp can be caused by stress, too harsh shampoos or insufficient rinsing, and a major offender is overuse of hairspray!

TRIED AND TESTED

Body Building Shampoos

If lank hair is your problem, see if a bodybuilding shampoo can make a difference. The ones tested were -

L'Oreal Elvive Shampoo for Fine,Thin & Fragile Hair.

This was excellent for adding body and shine to dull, lifeless hair. Only needed one wash and results were instant. Good value for money at around £1.99

Rated 5 out of 5

John Freida Instant Shine & Bodifier

Good volumising effect that lathered well, with a really gorgeous fragrence. Around £3.50 a bottle.

Rated 4 out of 5

Aussie Haircare Real Volume Shampoo

This really smelled of chemicals but did do the job. Also left hair tangle free, reasonably priced at around £2.99.

Rated 3 out of 5

Superdrug Citrience Volumising Plus

Priced at around £1.99 this made the hair soft and shiny but it was still necessary to use some mousse for extra lift.

Rated 3 out of 5

Boots Botanics Volumising Shampoo

Left the hair looking visibly thicker but left behind a bit of a residue and made hair feel a little sticky. Priced around £2.50

Rated 2 out of 5

Bobs Your Uncle

The simplicity of a bob can give you a multitude of different looks. For sheer elegance blow dry hair straight and dress with a shining serum for a sleek smooth finish. For a more romantic finish add a little curl. Spritz hair with setting lotion and set on heated rollers. Once cool, remove rollers and gently loosen curls with fingers. Try to work with your hair's natural movement - if your hair wants to turn under encourage it that way, if it has natural wave try to follow it's natural line when curling. And remember a good bob needs precision cutting - keep it that way with regular trims every 6 to 8 weeks.

Curls For Girls!

• Curly hair is naturally dry so always use a rich conditioner.

• Regular cutting is essential to trim away dry ends, even if you're growing it

• For extra conditioning and managability don't rinse conditioner off too thoroughly. The extra oil content will help to seperate and define each individual curl.

• Over shampooing curly hair will dry it out further so try to keep washing down to twice a week.

• Add volume at the roots by using a diffuser attachment on a cool setting.

• To define curls in between washes, first spray with water then gently rub in a small amount of your regular conditioner and leave to dry naturally.

Views & tips from your side of the counter........

Straight Hair KnowHow

Don't get stressed by trying to curl very heavy straight hair. There's little you can do to stop the weight pulling down the curl in a very short time. If you're determined it's curls you want, you have to consider a perm.

For short to medium length hair, it's best to add temporary curls with tongs. A hotbrush will also help add movement.

Try a volumising spray at the roots when you blowdry to avoid that 'hanging' look , or try a root perm that will add lift without adding curls.

If your hair is one length or blunt cut keep the hair regularly trimmed as split ends look more obvious on straight hair.

Condition only the ends of straight hair and mid length if long. Conditioner at the roots will simply make it look limp.

Curly Hair KnowHow

Naturally curly hair always looks curlier when left to dry naturally. Don't blot excessivley with the towel after shampooing - better to wrap the towel around your shoulders and allow to 'drip'

For extra rootlift, tip head upside down, tousle crown gently with fingerips and spray with a product such as Wella High Hair Finishing spray for volume & control. Tip head upright and don't disturb until dry.

As curly hair is often delicate, especially when wet, always, always use a good conditioner and taming serum.

If your hair is apt to grow 'widthways' have some layers cut into the top - roots will look fuller, sides slimmer. Hair will look altogether better proportioned.

Hairspray may hold curls for longer but remember it can be very drying so don't overdo it.

Product Build Up?

Over use of mousse, gels and hairsprays can leave hair looking dull and lifeless. To combat this use a specifically designed shampoo once a month to give hair a break. Try Hair Repair Build-Up Remover from Swiss Formula St Ives range, which is gentle enough even to use once a week if you're really heavy handed with the hairspray. Smell gorgeous too. Available at most supermarkets priced at around £3.50.

Dying To Try - Spoolies! Heated curlers from Philips that are supposed to create curls and waves with ease by curling hair around the stem then locking down the easy-clip dome. Priced at around £30.

Contact me

Other Articles