How to have timeless tresses

Know the signs

A recent survey conducted by TRESemmé found that 77 per cent of New Zealand women don’t know the first signs of ageing hair, other than colour. However, the ageing process isn’t just about how many flecks of grey you have. Indicators that your hair is lacking youth include locks that are dry, brittle, dull and thinning.

Watch the way you wash

According to Uros Mikic, creative director of Matrix Australia, washing hair every two to four days is ideal – any more and you can strip the hair of its natural oils. “Your scalp will then produce more to try and counterbalance the oils you are removing,” he says. Use a shampoo and conditioner suitable for your hair type, or for severely damaged locks, try Matrix Biolage RepairInside Shampoo, $30, and Conditioner, $30, with arginine for protein and soy to strengthen hair and restore shine. “I also recommend shampooing twice; the first shampoo to lift the oils and dirt, the second to remove it,” says Uros.

Magic masks

Treat hair with a moisturising conditioner or mask at least once a fortnight. This will also protect against damaging environmental aggressors such as the sun, wind and pollution. Pureology Colour Fanatic Instant Deep-Conditioning Mask, $43, features vitamin E and UVA/UVB filters to nourish, restore and protect hair. For optimum results, shampoo, rinse and apply, leave for two to five minutes, then rinse again

Frizz-free

Frizzy hair doesn’t reflect light, so it doesn’t shine, and being more sensitive to daily damages such as humidity, it becomes messy… and ageing! You can retain a more youthful softness with a Keratin relaxing salon treatment, or try TRESemmé Youth Boost Shine Lotion, $14.50, designed to combat the signs of ageing hair with omega-3 and antioxidants. It can be applied to wet or dry hair.

Add volume

Thinning hair is a concern for many women. While it is normal to lose about 100 strands a day, Uros says, “as we age, the hair shaft starts to thin, making you feel like you have less hair.” Enhancing volume is one way to combat this. Add instant pouf with Matrix Style Link Height Riser, $21.50 – squeeze it into the roots and gently tease.

Use the right tools

As ageing hair starts losing nutrients, it becomes more prone to damage, so take care when brushing or using heat-activated products. Stylist Nicky Jenks, from the Kérastase creative team, suggests when using a dryer, blow down the hair shaft to smooth the cuticle. Her number one rule? “Comb wet hair, brush dry hair.” Try the Hairbrush with bamboo pins, The Body Shop, $29 (bottom), to gently groom and massage your scalp. We also love this heat-retaining Bamboo ceramic styling brush, The Body Shop, $37.

Up the antioxidants

Nicky points out that as we age, hair is exposed to oxidative stress – whereby molecules produced by breathing overwhelm our natural repair processes. This results in the disappearance of cells that produce melanin – ‘melanocytes’ – meaning hair starts to go grey, with a resultant loss of vitality. “Upping products with powerful antioxidants to protect the melanocytes will help restore and nourish the hair to create youthful shine and radiance,” says Nicky. Try Kérastase Densifique Sérum Jeunesse, $90.

Shine on

Lacklustre locks become more prominent as we age, however using a lightweight oil to boost shine and moisture will offer a quick fix. Joico K-PAK Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil, $32, has a trio of lush oils – argan, manketti and evening primrose – that provide moisture, nourishment, strength and shine. Apply a little to wet hair at the ends, then a little more once dried – as with serums, oils only need a small amount to pack a big punch.

Don’t be afraid to transition

To grey or not to grey? That is up to you. If you do embrace the grey, Patrick Canivet, technical director for L’Oréal, says it’s better to go all-over grey or white but remember to protect it, as no more melanin production means no UV filter. “Under the sun with humidity, the white may turn yellow. To avoid that, you need to protect it.” And if you are determined to hide the greys? “It is better to start with a delicate tone- on-tone colour and then, over time, go for a more visible colour,” says Patrick, “particularly if you have never coloured your hair before.” L’Oréal Paris Excellence Age Perfect Hair Colour, $25.50, has been specially formulated to adapt to the pigment levels of mature, grey hair.

Watch what you eat

Just as skin can be susceptible to the food we eat, so too is our hair. “A good balanced diet is the best way to healthy hair,” says Uros. “Fish oil is a good source of omega-3, which helps with the health of your hair and gives it shine.”