Beauty Blog

These days we are so focused on making sure we have the right products for our hair, that we always forget to pay attention to which tool we are using. You can buy the best products in the world, but if you are using the wrong brush, you’ll struggle to create your desired style. With so many different brushes available though, it can be confusing. Let me show you the best brushes for your style.

Best for Detangling = Tangle Teezer

Tangle Teezer’s uniquely designed teeth flex and flick as they glide through the hair, eliminating tangles and knots on contact, minimising breaking, splitting and damage caused by mistreatment. It’s perfect for all hair types and is recommended for fragile or colour-treated hair, hair extensions, weaves and children’s fine tangle-prone hair.

Best for Long or Thick Hair = Paddle brush

A paddle brush is a wide, flat brush. They won't tame frizz, or create a shape in the way that a round brush will but, if you have thick, long hair and want to dry it straight, a paddle brush is a good way to rough dry it and take out most of the moisture before you style with a round brush. Try Moroccanoil PADDLE P80 Ceramic Brush

Best for a Frizz-Free Finish = Large Barrel Brush

A large barrel brush is a must for any straight style. A large barrel brush grips hair better to helps distribute the hair's natural oils and gives a smooth, frizz-free finish. The larger the barrel, the better. Make sure to look out for a minimum diameter of 55mm, like Moroccanoil LARGE C55 Ceramic Barrel Brush

Best for creating volume = Small Barrel Brush

If you want to create volume very close to the roots and it's easiest to do that with a smaller-barrelled brush. Natural bristles are best and a diameter of around 40mm. I recommend GHD Natural Bristle Radial Brush Size 3 (44mm Barrel)

Best for styling a sleek bob = Styling Brush

If you don’t need or want much volume in your style, such as a pixie crop or a bob, then a styling brush is for you. The plastic bristles tend to be closer together than those on a paddle brush, meaning they offer slightly more grip and the smaller head is better for controlling shorter styles.

Best for daily brushing = Cushioned Brush

The cushioned base allows bristles to gently massage the scalp, improving the blood flow to the area, resulting in healthier hair.

Bad hair days. We all have them. For some reason you wake up and your hair just isn’t playing the game. It’s frizzy, won’t hold a curl, limp, lifeless and seems determined to look anything but how you want it to. Before you resign yourself to a day looking less than your best, try these 5 simple tricks to help fix your bad hair day. You’ve got this.

Tip 1: Change Your Parting 

Changing where your parting sits is a quick and easy solution. Take it further to the side, the middle, go messy or even the opposite side, just change it from your usual. Once you have the parting in mind you want to create, dry shampoo is your saviour. I usually go for OSiS+ Refresh Dust Bodyfying Dry Shampoo 100ml. Spray close to the root through your new parting and grab your hairdryer. Using a gentle airflow setting, direct your hair in the new direction. Finishing with an extra hold hairspray such as Redken Quick Dry will make sure your new parting stays in place.

Tip 2: Embrace the Mess

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! The obvious thing about a bad hair day is that your hair is already a mess, so let’s embrace it and go for a messy updo. That way, it looks like the messiness was by design. You could go for anything from a messy top knot to a pulled apart fishtail braid (take a look at my tutorial here). Again, make sure to use your dry shampoo by simply spraying a light amount throughout the hair for added volume and texture. While getting rid of the oils, this will create a hold for any messy style you would like. For even more texture, try Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray 200ml.

Tip 3: Ponytails Fix Everything

If in doubt, go for a ponytail. The great thing about a ponytail is that it is so versatile and looks great for any occasion. You can go for a slick and classy ponytail for work and a high and messy ponytail in your downtime; make it your go to bad hair day style.

Tip 4: Accessorise

Sometimes, you might not have the time or patience left to try some of the above. In that case, accessories are your best friend. The variety of hairstyles you can create with one simple headband is endless, from accessorising a ponytail and top knot, it makes people think you’ve spent hours perfecting your hair.

Tip 5: Wash Sections

I’m sure you’ll have noticed that the biggest cause of a bad hair day is unwashed hair. This comes from excess oils weighing down the hair. If you’ve got long hair though, you and I both know you don’t have time to wash, dry and style your hair every day. If you have a fringe, try sectioning off just your fringe, securing the rest of the hair away from the face and washing the fringe section. This only takes seconds and it gives you a fresh canvas to work with. If you don’t have a fringe, section off the front section of the hair, from the top of the ear over to the other ear. Wash out that section then grab a large round brush and blow dry. This will add volume and gives you a fresh style to work with.

Chances are, if you’re off on holiday this Summer, you’ll be spending a few hours at least on a plane on your way to your destination. As lucky as we are to be jetting of to the sun, your skin is not always left in the best condition, thanks to the recycled air, pressurised environment and, if you’re in it for the long haul, a sleepless night. We all dream of stepping off the plane looking fresh as a daisy, so follow my simple 4 step in-flight routine to keep your skin looking and feeling it’s best.

Step 1. Gently remove any make-up. It’s unlikely that you’re usual in-shower cleanser will be the most practical here, so opt for a Micellar water that will get the job done, with as little mess and faff as possible. Top tip: to avoid having to decant your cleanser into a 100ml bottle, and to make things nice and easy…pre-soak your cotton pads in your Micellar water, so you’re left with a home made wipe, with all the handy benefits, with none of the harsh chemicals. Try Decleor Aroma Cleanse Soothing Micellar Water 400ml.

Step 2. Now that you have a cleansed base, it’s time to top up the hydration level in your skin. The recycled air on-board can be very drying. I would recommend a 2 step process. First, apply a serum or facial oil that will work in the deepest layers of your skin. I love Decleor AROMESSENCE NÉROLI Hydrating oil serum. Just 3 drops will keep your skin hydrated and give you a definite glow on the skin.

Step 3. Next layer your moisturiser on top. You’ll want to go for a hard working moisturiser that will provide maximum hydration throughout the flight. I like to pair Decleor’s Aromessence with their HYDRA FLORAL 24hr Hydrating Light Cream. Although this cream is this light it packs a punch and provides a long-lasting moisturising effect for dehydrated skin. For in-flight sizes of both of these products, try the Decléor Hydrating Starter Kit.

Step 4. Don’t neglect your lips. Your skin will dry out during a flight, and your lips are no exception. No-one wants to start a holiday with sore, chapped lips. Keep them hydrated with a balm such as Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm Hydrate. Apply every hour to replenish dry and irritated lips.

Step 5. Last and by no means least, treat your eyes. This will help you look fresh and awake when you leave the plane. Try Decléor Hydrotenseur Anti Fatique Eye Serum 15ml. This serum is an intense treatment, containing a high proportion of Hyaluronic Acid to rescue the delicate eye contour area. After use, your eyes appear rested, smooth and relaxed, as if after a good night's sleep. Winner winner.

So give this routine a try next time you’re jet setting and notice the results in your skin.

xoxo