Elegant and chic – without the price tag

“Simple, yet elegant sums up the best look for you and your hair,” said Emma Mitchell, who in my books, is one of Daniel Galvin’s star stylists.

Emma explained what women want now is to look classy and chic without having a  price tag. “It is all about effortless hair and clothes that look expensive and tasteful, without flashing a label,” she said. “People are not now so trend led,” she added.

A couple of days later I was speaking to the PR at Lancôme who told me that the house would not be bringing out an autumn colour story, which is the first time that has happened in years. I have also noticed that my friends and I are not as preoccupied with Fashion Week as we once were.

It looks as if more and more women no longer want to be caught up in the heady world of fashion. I wholeheartedly agree with Emma’s sentiment that fashion and style do not necessary go hand in hand.  I have always believed that style is far more important. 

Fashion is usually associated with a trend related to a particular moment of time. Style is about how you put yourself together with your own distinctive stamp. It is about self-expression, wearing what makes you feel good so that you radiate confidence and paints a picture of who you really are. The stylish woman adapts trends that will work with her lifestyle to suit her and ignores the rest.

Coco Chanel is reputed to have said: “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” Think of Audrey Hepburn who celebrated her own uniqueness. Style is not something you buy. Anybody can go into Chanel and dress themselves head to toe, providing they can pick up the tab. Style is about making the most of yourself and knowing how to create a presence.

Whatever the occasion, if you are dressed in Prada or Primark, if your hair is a mess then you look and feel a mess. Whether you are in the jungle or walking along the King’s Road in London, as this blog is called, it really is All About Hair. 

This is a sentiment Emma echoes. She is the hairdresser to have on speed dial.

By Daralyn Danns

Summer sun takes its toll on hair

Even if you haven’t yet been away over the summer, I’m sure you have noticed that  as you go about your everyday life your hair changes colour in the sun. 

Just a slight difference in your hue can have an effect on your complexion. One day my hair was fine and the next, it had too much yellow coming through which didn’t exactly compliment my skin tone. 

So, it was off to see the wonderful Daisy Twyman, at the Daniel Galvin salon, whom I hadn’t seen for around seven weeks. That my hair had lasted so long was a testament to her prowess. 

How your hair will lift depends lots of factors including the dye you are using and the natural colour underneath so a good colourist will have to adjust your “prescription” on each visit.

Daisy also suggests, if you are spending time outside even in this country – September can have plenty of sunny days – to use a product such as Philip Kingsley Swimcap (£11.50, Daniel Galvin). “This cream will help to protect against sun damage,” she said. “Don’t just think of these things for holiday.”

Dependent which lighting you are in, your hair will also appear a different colour. Another fact to remember is that summer light is warmer than winter’s so that is another key consideration when dying hair.

“Your hair needs to be cooler this time,” Daisy said. “We will do the usual colour on the roots and then tone the rest with a shade that will take down the yellow tones.”

Daisy diligently checked the toner every couple of minutes to ensure that we got the right result. Then it was off to see stylist, Emma Mitchell. As she started blow-drying, I could see my hair once again looked a gorgeous rich hue.

At an event that I was attending a couple of hours later, a lady whom I had not seen for a year, came up to me and said: “Your hair looks amazing. It is darker than I remember, it suits you much better.

Well, I have the dream team, as I am now calling Daisy and Emma, to thank for that!

By Daralyn Danns  

Daniel Galvin (www.danielgalvin.com)

Spotlight on Parlux 385 PowerLight Mint

A good hairdryer is a must in the battle to achieve a much better finish to your blow-dry. Parlux, an industry favourite, produces some of the best on the market.

When buying a dryer you want one that has good power and a variety of heat settings. A cold shot button is good for smoothing the cuticle after you have styled your hair.

The Parlux 385 PowerLight, which now comes in a gorgeous mint shade, may have a hefty price tag (£135, hairtools.co.uk) but it is a superb tool. Eco-friendly, not only is it 2,150 watt, ionic and ceramic, it is also quiet and extremely light, so you can (well, almost) achieve that salon look in a matter of minutes.

It is easy to hold at an angle when you want to get those fine frizzy bits at the front. Tip: best to style them when they are wet. Hold them taut with your fingers. I use the narrow nozzle for this. (The dryer also comes with a wider one.)

Another plus is that it doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase. A good hairdryer on holiday is a blessing as so many hotels – even the top ones – fail to get this right. My hair is never as smooth and soft when I have to resort to using them.

When it comes to her tresses, the Parlux 385 PowerLight is definitely a girl’s best friend.

By Daralyn Danns