Celebrating curls

“You were born with curly hair, not straight! You have to embrace it,” says my wonderful hairdresser, Michael Charalambous. 

Well, I am listening and I have. He approves of my curly look as he examines my hair before my regular trim. Working with my natural texture means I have more body and volume than when I wear it straight. I have the look of the moment without any effort. It is that lived-in look which French women are renowned for.

A sleek bob is always chic, but it can look too severe on mature faces unless you have plenty of volume. Letting my hair air-dry softens my appearance. Michael also says that my hair is in better condition as I am not constantly straightening it with a round brush and using lots of heat.

Straight with a little movement, blow-dried by Michael

Working with my natural texture means that I don’t have to worry about every  strand being in place when I walk down the street. Frizz and flyaways are more noticeable when you wear your hair sleek, especially in humid conditions. It also goes flat quickly.

As hair turns grey the texture changes. It becomes drier and coarser. Excessive blow-drying can exacerbate dryness and frizz. Forcing your hair straight needs more manipulation which is not good for its health. 

In the summer I tend to let it dry naturally. I have recently discovered Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Cream (£8.50, Boots). As it is hard to find a leave-in conditioning cream, I decided to try it. My hair seems to like it. It makes it so silky and soft. I use a little as my hair is fine.

Michael says apply product to wet hair and leave it. Do not touch your hair until it is dry and then break up clumps of curls with your fingers.

Dried naturally

When I want a more polished look, I use a dryer. I bend my head forward for the first couple of minutes, which Michael says helps with volume. When my hair is about 50 percent dry, I bring my head up and dry my hair the way it naturally falls. I keep some movement in the ends and also leave a bit of moisture in it so I'm not over-drying my strands.

You can also use your fingers to help style it. When your hair is almost dry, take large sections and wrap them loosely round your fingers (as if you were using a roller). Begin at the root. Once you reach the bottom, slide your finger out and release.

Michael dries my hair sleek so he can check the cut. I love it when he styles it because I get the look I love. However, since I want healthy hair, I will listen to what he tells me and work with my natural texture in-between salon visits.

By Daralyn Danns

For inspiration, visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon

Silicones are back on the menu

As humidity strikes, so does the dreaded frizz. Like most women, I hate puffy hair and want to try and manage it as best I can.

Last time, I saw my sensational hairdresser, Michael Charalambous, he suggested trying silicone-based products again. Silicones create a barrier helping to seal moisture in the hair. “This will assist in taming frizz. They also add shine and make hair more manageable,” he said.

I played with oils, but found they sat on top of my fine hair and made it greasy.  Leave-in conditioners without silicones did not make any difference. The oil-based ones were too heavy and weighed my hair down.

As I happened to be in Boots, I noticed Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek 3 Minute Miracle Rich Conditioner for Frizzy, Dry Hair, which was on offer for £3.30. It contains bis-aminopropyl dimethicone which, reportedly, has good conditioning and smoothing properties. Also, I am using John Frieda Frizz Ease All-in-1 Lightweight Serum (£9.10). 

Did they work? Well, I got caught in the rain the other day and my hair was not as frizzy as usual. I am also trying to limit my use of humectants in high humidity. Ingredients such as glycerine and propylene glycol draw moisture from the air making the hair shaft swell. The cuticle lifts and you are left with an unruly mess. 

If you have the same problem, check the ingredients. If you find any humectants in the top five, look for something else.

Michael said my hair was in good condition. He said the chin-length bob is working well for me as I can wear it straight or curly. 

When I style it, I prefer to leave in movement. Constant straightening with a round brush is not good for the hair. 

Michael always makes it look amazing. However, when you do it yourself, it is hard to get the volume. Without it, my locks can look too severe. Having some waves and curls gives added softness and fullness and is more flattering against my face.

A great haircut is essential if you want low-maintenance hair.

By Daralyn Danns

For inspiration, visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon

Is your hair ageing you?

 

As we age hair becomes thinner and drier. You may also find that the texture also changes.

“Long hair can be ageing,” says hair guru, Michael Charalambous. “If the ends are wispy and dry, they will not enhance your appearance. Choose a style that works with your face shape and natural texture.”

He also points out that the pigment in your skin lightens as you get older. “Colour that is too dark or too heavy, especially around your face, will wash you out.

“A small style tweak can make all the difference,” explains Michael. “Each time you go to your hairdresser, they need to evaluate your hair. Seasonal changes can affect your crowning glory. Hot and humid weather can cause frizz, while cold weather can make it dry and increase shedding.”

It is spring. and I have a lot of new hair coming through which is good. However, these small hairs can make it look fluffy. Michael suggests going shorter. “A chin-length bob, with a thicker fringe, will make it look fuller,” he says.

Fringes are great for highlighting cheekbones and bringing out your eyes, In addition, they can hide lines on your forehead.

He advises me not to have a weekly professional blow-dry. “It will damage your fragile hair,” he adds.

Michael goes on to say that regularly exposing hair to high heat, at any age, will result in brittle and frizzy locks. In my case, he suggests working with my natural texture (it has a natural kink) and air-drying my locks as much as possible or quickly rough-drying them with the hairdryer.

I am thrilled with my new look. Beautiful and sleek. As the humidity kicks in, my hair falls into waves. It is relaxed with a textured slightly tousled look, perfect for summer.

 

By Daralyn Danns

For inspiration visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon 

 

 

.

 

 

 

The perfect bob

 

The classic bob has always been my favourite hair style. Trends may come and go.  This cut is highly versatile and can be customised to suit your hair type.

Over the last few months, I have been experimenting with the length. As my hair got longer, it lacked volume.

My amazing hairdresser, Michael Charalambous, took one look at my strands and said: “We need to go shorter!”

Hair tends to become thinner, frizzier and drier as you get older. This makes it harder to manage.

"Cutting your locks shorter will make them appear more voluminous and make the face seem as if it has been lifted," says Michael.

Since my hair is fine, a one-length bob keeps the ends chunky. “The best length is below the chin and above the shoulders,”  he says.

Michael does not believe in following hair trends. “It is important to have a cut you like and works with your hair type. You also have to take your face shape, your height and lifestyle into consideration. Your cut should be created with you in mind," he says.

There is a name for every kind of bob. It is not always the cut that makes it different, it is how you style it.

An easy refresh is to move your parting. It changes your look dramatically. Wearing it on the side gives me more lift at the roots and softens my features.

Michael blow-dried my bob with the ends slightly curled under. It was amazing!  Sleek, polished locks can be difficult to get at home. He suggests, when I style it myself, going for a more relaxed look.

“Enhancing your natural texture can help to give body and movement, making it ideal for those with fine hair,” he adds. “If yours doesn't look good air-dried, add a little texture through the ends using your hairdryer and fingers.”

I have the perfect bob.

By Daralyn Danns

For inspiration visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon