Heading into spring

A new season and a new hair style. Even just styling your hair slightly differently can give you a completely different demeanour. 

“This spring, hair should look not so done,” says hair guru Michael Charalambous. “It should look more natural with very little wave. It should be much straighter than what we have previously been seeing.”

Michael, whose salon in Sloane Square is a magnet for all the top fashion and beauty press, divulges the secret to this look is having a technically good haircut. 

After looking at my hair, he decided to give me a blunt cut (each strand is made to fall one length).  When the ends have a straight edge, hair looks thicker. Also the weight will help prevent it from going frizzy. When Michael wields those scissors you know you will get a work of art. And that is what I got.

Extensions, according to the mane man, are not as popular as they once were. Instead his clients are turning to hair pieces as they are more practical. He also adds that hair clips and accessories are becoming more popular.

As for colour, blonde is back. “Women want to be lighter especially for summer,” he says. “Colourants are now formulated so that they don’t damage the hair as much. You also won’t get that straw look if you use Olaplex. This treatment works to repair the broken disulphide bonds caused by colouring and lightening so that the hair’s overall condition is dramatically improved.”

If you are a brunette, Michael suggests going slightly lighter and opting for cleaner colours.

My hair looked amazing. It shone like pure silk. Here's hoping my lottery ticket soon brings me a big win so I can have my hair styled every day by this great man.

By Daralyn Danns

For more information visit www.nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon

Spotlight on Zelens Power C

Zelens is the brainchild of Marko Lens, a plastic and reconstruction surgeon and an expert in skin ageing.

Zelens Power C Treatment Drops (£125, zelens.com) which contains 20 per cent vitamin C is a new addition to the range and promises to help firm and brighten the skin as well as offering strong antioxidant protection against free radicals. 

This product feels lovely on the skin and just applying it makes you feel good. In my books that means it is working. I have been using it a few months, and despite having gone through a rather stressful period in my life, my skin looks great. Without Power C my complexion probably would not have looked in such a good condition.

By Daralyn Danns

How to style your hair sleek and smooth

There is an array of products out there that promise sleek, smooth hair and aim to banish frizz. Some work better than others. But, the secret to getting your hair to looked polished and chic is in the way you blow-dry.

When the hair cuticles lie flat moisture, which causes the hair to frizz, is repelled. The level surface reflects more light so hair appears shinier. 

Hairdressers make working with a round brush look so easy. When you are styling your own locks trying to hold a hairdryer in one hand and a brush in the other can be difficult.

I found a really good trick to create tension, without using a brush, is to take each section of the hair and pull it taut with your hand. Hold it at the bottom then point the nozzle of the dryer downwards. Then repeat until all your hair is almost dry. 

My favourite ghd Oval Dressing Brush

Hold the dryer at least six inches away from the hair and take care to not to hold the dryer in one spot for too long. When the dryer gets hot, switch to a lower heat setting. My hair comes out looking shiny and glossy without any fluffiness in sight. 

In the areas I want extra body, I first lift the hair on the root area with my favourite ghd Oval Dressing Brush (£20, ghdhair.com) in the opposite direction I want it to fall. 

To finish off, I take my ghd brush again and slightly bend the ends under. I like the fact that it has a non-slip handle and is made from bristle which is a natural fibre so will not create static which plastic tends to do and, I find, it grips the hair better. It also helps to distribute the hair’s own oils so it is good for grooming.

Not only does my mane look better using this drying method, it also saves me time.

By Daralyn Danns