Make the cut: Letting go of long hair
Is your long hair your crowning glory or your security blanket? Or does having long hair just make you feel feminine?
Whatever the reason, a lot of us struggle to get the big chop. But it’s time to be brave.
Co-founder of Dry & Tea salon Louise Pilkington says, “Letting go of long hair doesn’t always have to mean going really short. A lob is a good length – not too long but not too short. It looks modern and is long enough that you can still put it up for yoga. Lots of people keep long hair just so they can put it up to work out but your hair can still be short and easy to pull back into a pony if needed.”
Let it grow: Putting off that fringe
Blunt fringes can be tough to work with, which is why we’re loving the new grown out fringes – known as ‘gringes’. Style icon Alexa Chung has been sporting one for a while now.
“A grown out fringe is a great way to transition into a fringe as it is versatile and opens up options for styling, from a middle part to the on-trend swoop. You are still able to include this into your high pony or pin it out of the way,” says Zoe Clark from Dry & Tea salon.
Most salons offer complimentary fringe trims to their cut clients so if your new fringe or gringe is getting in the way, make sure you visit them for a quick trim.
Alexa Chung is our go to hair inspiration for the grown out fringe – known a ‘gringe’
Clean up your act: Craving washed hair every day
You might feel like you need to wash your hair every time you hop in the shower but you don’t. “As a general rule of thumb, ideally you should avoid washing every single day if you can,” says D&M co-owner Danny Pato. “What’s more important than frequency, however, is making sure you’re using products designed specifically for your hair.”
Of course, how often you need to shampoo depends on your hair type. Those with fine hair will need to wash hair at least every second day, while those with thicker hair could potentially get away with not shampooing for almost a week.
So how can you stretch out the time between washes?
Pato explains:
Step 1: Make sure you’re using the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. When you do wash your hair, don’t overdo the conditioner.
Step 2: If you’ve got finer hair, make sure you’re using a lightweight conditioner, and you’re applying it only to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots.
Step 3: When you rinse your conditioner, use cool water. This will help close the cuticle to make the hair shinier, and to lengthen the time between washes because hot water can stimulate oil production on the scalp, making hair dirtier quicker.
Step 4: Use serums sparingly, avoiding the roots. If you’re trying to tame frizz, use a little hair spray.
Step 5: On non-wash days, a shower cap can be your best friend. Also invest in a good dry shampoo.
From left to right, try Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray, $30. Davines Hair Refresher, $30.50. Davines Essential Haircare DEDE Conditioner, $37, which is delicate enough to be used often without weighing the hair down.
Take control: Fear of hairspray
Sometimes hairspray is given a bad rap. Yes, it can make your hair unmanageable and crunchy, but only if you apply it wrong. Hairstylist Hannah McKenzie from Rodney Wayne says you should make hairspray your friend. “Once you use the right one, you’ll have a lifelong relationship with it,” McKenzie says.
If you want your hair to stay put and have a hardened finish then by all means choose one with maximum hold. But if you still want your hair to have movement and not feel slicked down then select a more workable hairspray with a softer hold.
Try L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Fix Anti-Frizz, $34, for a softer hold. Redken Control Addict 28, $36, for maximum hold.
Ditch the tongs: Embrace the curl
So many of us have become reliant on our straighteners – not feeling ‘done’ until we’ve run them through our hair in the morning. But overuse of straighteners can be damaging for your hair. Instead it’s a good idea to embrace the undone look.
You can do this by applying a lightweight oil like Kérastase Elixir Ultime, $50, to damp hair, twisting sections of hair and then blasting them with the hairdryer.
Ann Garrett from Protégé Hair Design says it’s a good time to make the most of what you have, and even curls can be managed with the right products. To keep curls in good condition, keep them hydrated with a good hair oil to help tame fluffy flyaways. Try L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil Colour Glow Oil, $38.
Words by: Sarah Murray
Photos: Thinkstock Images, Bauer Media Studios and Supplied.
