tips

If I had a pound for every time a client asked me to teach them to do a fishtail plait, I’d be a very rich stylist that’s for sure! It has got to be the most requested quick-style of the moment, but it can be a little intimidating for those new to up-dos. Trust me though, braids and plaits are some of the easiest styles to get right once you’ve had some practice. I thought I’d give you a quick tutorial of how you can achieve this simple but gorgeous look at home, in just 5 steps.

Step 1:

Create a Ponytail. To begin, gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck. Use a throwaway elastic band - one that you can snip away with scissors at the end.

Step 2:

Divide Your Ponytail. Next, split your ponytail evenly into two sections. Unlike the classic plait, a fishtail plait only requires two sections.

Step 3:

Begin Weaving. Use your finger to separate a small section of your hair from the outer edge near the elastic and cross it over to the opposite side (overlapping just like you would if you were doing a standard plait). Re-grip your hair to tighten plait, still holding two sections. Repeat with a small section from the other side.

Step 4:

Maintain Evenness. Continue overlapping pieces from both sides of your ponytail, all the way down to your ends. Be sure to pull small sections from underneath to cross over, and try to grab the same size (about a half inch) sections from each side.

Step 5:

Finish Your Look. Once you've woven your hair down to the ends, secure the fishtail plait with another elastic band. Then, use scissors to carefully cut out the elastic at the base of your ponytail. Finish your fishtail braid by gently tugging on your braid with your fingers to loosen it for an effortless look.

It really is that simple.

Still not feeling confident? Take a look at the time-lapse video from the salon to see a demo of how us pros do it!

xoxo

We always talk about how important your cleanser and your moisturiser are to your skincare regime and how they can be the key to healthy and glowing skin. One thing we rarely touch on is the importance of exfoliation. Exfoliation goes hand in hand with your moisturiser as it prepares the skin for optimal moisture absorption. As your face is an area where your skin is thinnest and most delicate you need to be careful not to use anything too harsh that could cause irritation. So you can see why, when it comes to exfoliating, there are lots of factors that we need to think about to make the right choice for your skin.

So why should you exfoliate?

If you find your complexion looks a little dull or lacklustre, it can sometimes be a result of poor diet, lack of sleep, stress or hormones. What many don’t know is that poor exfoliation habits can cause a dulling complexion too. Exfoliation is key to maintaining a healthy glow that makes your skin radiate as it’s essential to remove dead skin cells to prevent pores from becoming blocked and spots forming. Without it, dead cells build up on the surface, trap oil and sebum, and cause a vicious circle of blemishes, dullness and uneven skin tone. So pretty important I’d say people.

So how do you go about finding the right product for you?

When it comes to exfoliators, there really isn’t a one size fits all approach. Depending on your skin type and condition, you need to choose the right products that will give you the best results.

Skin type: Normal and/or Sensitive

One of the best exfoliators for normal skin types is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. It is gentle enough to be used daily, but powerful enough to rid your skin of dead cells and leave you with a glowing complexion. This rice-based exfoliating powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter.

Skin Type: Dry/Dehydrated

This is a skin type that benefits the most from a good exfoliation routine. Dry skin leads to a build up of dead skin cells, oil and impurities that need to be cleansed away so your skin can begin to heal itself. I recommend Thalgo Softness Exfoliator. This product uses jojoba oil micro beads to make sure your skin is cleansed but still maintains its natural protection. The deep cleansing lotion removes dead skin cells to leave your face looking fresh and feeling healthy.

Skin Type: Acne Prone

For acne prone skin types, you want to opt for a non abrasive formula that is more chemical based. You don’t want to irritate any blemishes or cause scarring, but you still need to remove any impurities. I opt for Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant. This baby dramatically improves skin texture with this two-in-one masque/exfoliation treatment. Its non-abrasive formula contains Lactic Acid and Hydroxy Acid to help detach dead skin cells, increasing cell renewal while improving texture for dramatically smooth skin.

Let’s face it, the combination of heat, sun, sea water and humidity can lead to a Summer of bad hair days. We dream of beach waves and sun-kissed highlights…but it never quite ends up that way does it? Never fear, take a look at these Summer hair hacks to make sure your hair is looking stunning all Summer long.

Fight the fringe fatigue:

Fringes and hot weather…never a good combo. Top tip: Keep a dry shampoo in your handbag and lightly spritz the roots throughout the day, making sure to brush the product up and into your hair to absorb excess oil. I love Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo 250ml

To smooth a frizzy fringe:

Forget your hairdryer and instead use a medium sized Velcro roller, strong enough to smooth out your hair when rolled in firmly lifting up at the roots. Spritz a light mist of hairspray and leave in whilst doing your makeup. Gently remove the roller and dress into place.

Taming frizz:

The secret to this is all in the preparation. Make sure you use a moisturising, smoothing balm or oil through freshly washed hair and comb through evenly from the mid lengths to ends. Blow-dry smooth or leave to dry naturally for controlled waves. I reach for Moroccanoil Oil Treatment 100ml

Remember, hair becomes instantly drier in heat. A heavier conditioner or treatment such as Kevin Murphy LUXURY.RINSE 250ml will help to ease frizz. If you are blow-drying your hair make sure it is 100% dry before a day in the heat. Any moisture left in the hair will be prone to frizz. Look for a light hair oil like Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment 100ml - it’s a saviour in humid weather. Work one drop through the mid-lengths and ends to smooth and nourish the hair.”

Keeping cool:

Up-dos don’t just look good but they help keep necklines fresh and cool. Braids are the go-to style of the moment. I absolutely love a fishtail plait and it’s the easiest braid to do yourself as there are only two sections to work with. The biggest mistake people make is not dishevelling it at the end. Once plaited and secured with a hairband, put your thumbs to the centre of the braid (where it crosses) and pull out, work up and down the braid using this technique until you have a wider loose braid. Use a light serum like Tecni Art Liss Control + Serum 50ml to smooth flyaway hairs.

Improvising new hair heroes: 

It’s amazing how the contents of your handbag can be used in an emergency! Vaseline is great for slicking back stray hairs, just be sure not to overuse it and wash it out at the end of the day. Talcum powder is also great around the hairline and also great for removing excess oils. Who knew?!

xoxo