air dry

With the summer months approaching, it can’t just be me who always looks to change up the way I style my hair. I’m not sure what it is about summer, but I always feel the need to tone down my beauty routine and take it back to basics. I opt for a CC or BB cream instead of my usual foundation, I’ll make sure to moisturise my body for a change and I always try to give my hair a break from the constant styling and heat that I expose it to daily. That said, I still want to look good and feel put together, not just like I’ve made no effort at all. If I’m honest though, I usually cave and go back to my heated styling tools after a day as my hair just won’t air-dry without making me look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge. This year things are different though as I’ve got a secret weapon. Enter Redken’s new No Blow Dry Stylers. 

Whether you just don’t have enough time or energy to heat style your hair, or like me you want to take a break, Redken’s No Blowdry Stylers offer the ability to achieve a frizz-controlled style on the go. Like me you might be feeling a bit sceptical and swear you’ve heard this all before, but what makes Redken No Blow Dry different from other leave-in’s is Redken’s Air-Tex Technology; a system of flexible polymers for control and movement and quick dry polymers that help speed up drying time. The range consists of three creams, Airy Cream for fine hair, Just Right Cream for medium hair and Bossy Cream for coarse hair types, so there really is a version for everyone. Redken’s No Blow Dry creates an effortless style which both look great and feels great, plus it smells amazing and keeps that ‘just washed’ hair smell going for longer. I’m sold.

The secret with these products is to know how best to use them to help you create your ideal no heat styler. Here’s a few of my tips and tricks to help:

1. For loose beach waves

Apply No Blow Dry to damp hair. Create one loose braid and let your hair air-dry. Undo braid, and shake out hair to perfectly waved tendrils.

2. For tighter beach waves

Apply No Blow Dry then create two or more braids, depending on your hair thickness. Let your hair air-dry, then undo braids and shake out.

3. For a soft, face-framing bend

Apply No Blow Dry then clip your hair behind your ears and allow it to air-dry. Unclip, then gently tousle.

4. For bouncy waves with root volume

Apply No Blow Dry then twist hair into a high topknot, and allow to air-dry. Undo the topknot and gently brush through.

5. For enhanced natural texture

Apply No Blow Dry then scrunch hair and allow it to air-dry.

6. For defined natural curls

Apply No Blow Dry then gently twist curls into shape using fingers and allow to air-dry.

Have you tried the new #NBD stylers yet? I’d love to hear your tips on how best to use them. Get sharing!

xoxo

Now we can officially say that Winter is behind us, it’s time to start thinking about revamping your hair routine and refreshing your hair kit for the new Spring season. Spring it on! (see what I did there…)

Step 1. Deep clean your brushes

When you see more than 10 clients per day like I do, brush and tool hygiene is a must obviously. Very often though, we forget about our brushes at home, after all, it’s only us that uses them right? Now let’s have a think about the amount of hair and dead skin cells that inevitably start to clog up that brush…yep, it makes me want to scrub my brushes immediately too. I recommend washing your brushes and combs at least once a week. Pull out any matted hair from the brush and wash under warm water using a shampoo to really get into the bristles. Old toothbrushes work really well for this too.

Step 2. Don’t forget your heated tools

If you find that your hairdryer is over-heating it could be due to a clogged air filter/vent at the back of your dryer. You can easily get rid of any visible dust or hair by removing the vent and using tweezers (just make sure your dryer is unplugged when you do this!). It’s essential to clean straighteners and hot curling tools too as any excess product can encourage split ends and prevent you from getting a smooth finish.

Step 3. Remember your dates

You might remember my previous blog all about skin product expiry dates. Sadly, hair products are not immune to expiry dates either and should be checked regularly to ensure that it’s still in date. You should see an open lid symbol and the letter M which stands for months and a number, such as 12. This tells you how many months after opening you can still use the product. It’s only a guide, but you wouldn’t eat gone off food, so maybe don’t put gone off product on your hair eh?

Step 4. Mix up your products

Swap your blow-dry cream for an air-dry lotion. Take advantage of the warmer weather and embrace a heat-free blowdry. I love Kevin Murphy Motion.Lotion 150ml as it gives great movement for a smooth but natural looking finish.

Try a lighter conditioner. Replace your nourishing and intensive conditioner with a lighter formula such as Kevin Murphy Staying.Alive 150ml which hydrates your hair without the heaviness of a masque or deep conditioner.

Add an SPF to your routine. SPF can help protect your hair and prevent static, frizz and dullness. I’m in love with L’Oreal Solar Sublime Conditioning Spray 125ml which helps provide protection to the hair whilst in the sun and conditions the hair whilst also adding shine.

So, spring clean your hair routine. You’ll give yourself healthier hair…and it’s much more exciting than spring cleaning the house. You’re welcome.

It has to be said, as women, we do tend to abuse our hair a bit. From heated styling tools to backcombing, we probably wouldn’t put our skin through half the stuff we expect our hair to put up with on a daily basis. But, just as skin suffers if you don’t take care of it, your hair will too. That’s when breakage and split ends rear their ugly head. If there is one question I get asked every day, it’s ‘how do I avoid split ends?’. So here’s my top 10 tips to keep split ends at bay.

1. Learn to work with second day hair.

Washing your hair every day strips your hair of natural oils that, instead of making your hair greasy, actually help to keep your hair healthy and nourished.  Washing your hair every other day allows your body to repair hair with its natural oils, leaving your hair silky, smooth and protected.  Sulphate free shampoos are the best, as they don’t remove too many of those natural oils when you do wash your hair. I recommend Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo.

2. Brush wisely.

For daily brushing, choose a cushioned paddle brush with flexible bristles. Always brush from root to end, tackling any knotting by holding the hair away from the scalp to avoid any tension that could cause breakage. Try Tangle Teezer Elite. Oh, and I don’t have to tell you to never brush wet hair, only comb or use your trusted Tangle Teezer.

3. Shampoo only your scalp.

Let your hair sit normally once wet and simply lather your shampoo onto your scalp, then let the ends of your hair experience the second hand suds as you rinse the shampoo through your hair. This will avoid stripping any natural oils from the ends, causing them to become dry and brittle.

4. Condition your ends.

This one is a no brainer; always use conditioner! Be sure to apply conditioner directly to the ends of your hair and then give it a couple of minutes to work it’s magic. When you rinse your hair, leave a small bit of residue. Make sure to avoid the root areas though, otherwise you’ll struggle to work with your hair.

5. Let’s talk towel drying.

Do not scrub and rub a towel all over your head like a maniac, as this can cause damage. Instead, wrap a towel around your hair and simply squeeze different areas to draw the moisture out.

6. Wide tooth combs with wet hair.

Invest in a wide toothed comb for use in your shower to lightly glide through your hair and loosely manage your locks without causing as much breakage.

7. Blow-drying.

When blow-drying, do your best to avoid placing direct heat on the ends of your hair until absolutely necessary. Most people only think to use a heat protector when using straighteners or tongs, but your hair dryer produces a hefty amount of heat. Make sure you apply a heat protector to your hair before you start. I go for .

8. Straightening.

When straightening your hair, always use a brush or comb to guide your hair through, to avoid straightening a strand in a creased or bent position, which can lead to breakage. And don’t repeat the same section over and over. Oh and remember my words about heat protection people.

9. Curling.

Instead of beginning the curl at the ends of your hair and winding all the way up, begin at your roots and guide hair through the curling iron as you twist up. This way, your ends will only take in as much heat as needed to hold the style.

10. A trip to your hair stylist.

To maintain hair condition, it’s vital to keep your visits to your stylist as regular as possible, every 6-8 weeks. This way they can remove any breakage and make sure your healthy hair has the best chance possible. Don’t avoid us, we can help!