A bad hair day can make us feel miserable and have an effect
on our mood all day. We spend a fortune on products and potions promising us
thicker, smoother, shinier locks.
I watched a programme on TV the other week about haircare
which left me with more questions than it gave answers. I caught up with hair
supremo Paul Windle whose award-winning salon Windle & Moodie attracts
people from all walks of life and all ages.
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| Courtesy of Windle & Moodie |
Not only does Windle & Moodie specialise in editorial
photoshoots, it also has its own range of styling tools and a product line.
So, who better to get answers from than Paul – after all he
has had over 30 years’ experience in dealing with hair.
If you really want to see what effect styling tools have,
especially if you are addicted to straighteners, Paul suggests drying your hair
naturally and taking a picture. “Use your straighteners every day for a month
and take another one and compare the difference,” he says.
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| Courtesy of Windle & Moodie |
Straighteners, especially if you are consistently using them
at high temperatures, can actually make hair frizzier and drier in the long
run. “Think of a branch of a tree,” says Paul. “When it is green and full of
moisture it will not break when you touch it. If it is brown and dry when
somebody comes along and applies pressure it will break.”
If you want to use straighteners, Paul advises starting out
with the lowest temperature you can and only edge it up if need be. You do not
want to keep going over the same section. Reportedly, you should use a temperature
below 180C as any heat
over that can cause damage. Also use a heat protector and make sure that your
hair is bone dry before use. Bear in mind, if you are ironing your hair every
day, you can still end up with frazzled tresses, particularly if you have
coloured hair and or/fine hair.
A lot of buzzwords are marketing hype he cautions. For
example ionic. Among the claims are:
dries hair faster, reduces frizz and static and boosts shine.
Your hair has negative and positively charged ions. Wet hair
is positive. The technology works by using negatively charged ions, which are
created by passing air over an electric current. The negative ion makes the
water molecules divide into smaller ones which evaporate quicker so you dry
your hair faster. But, Paul says the difference between using a dryer with
ionic technology and one without is marginal.
He should know.
He did plenty of research when he bought out his own range.
So, if you are not somebody who blasts their locks on high temperatures and
speeds, you may not notice any difference.
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| Kent Pebble |
When it comes to products, Paul says some ingredients can be there simply for marketing
purposes. “For example, you may see a shampoo contains antioxidants.
It is hard to know how much needs to be in the formula to have any effect. The
only way you are going to know if it works is to try it on your hair,” he
advises. “Also just because clinical studies have been carried out on
an ingredient, it may not
be relevant as these tests are often carried out in specified conditions not
when a product is actually used.”
For best results, always buy the right shampoo and
conditioner for your hair type. Do not expect miracles. No shampoo or
conditioner will change the texture of your hair. You get frizz due to how the
hair follicle is arranged and that you can put down to genetics. Humidity will
only exacerbate it.
Is it worth paying more for salon products? Paul says that as everybody’s hair is different,
you will only know what works for you by trial and error.
You should wash your hair as often as you feel that it is
necessary. If your hair is extremely dry, it will last longer between shampoos
than if it were greasy. One good wash should be sufficient to get it clean. Too
frequent washing can cause your hair colour to fade quicker which is not what
you want after spending a fortune to get it done.
Avoid wearing your hair in a tight ponytail or in an updo
regularly as it can may result in bald patches. Brushing too much can also lead
to problems. “Run a brush along the back of your hand, if it scratches it could
damage your hair,” says Paul.
Plastic bristles tend to be blunter and smoother than
natural bristles. Try a brush such as Kent 9 row, rubber pad, nylon quill,
anti-static hair brush (£8.25, stockists: kentbrushes.com) for regular use. The
recently-launched Pebble (£7), is ideal for getting rid of tangles and can be
used on wet or dry hair as it is so gentle.
Hair is dead once it leaves the scalp so treat it like a
delicate fabric. Paul suggests
always conditioning it to keep it soft and subtle. Try a good cream such as
Windle & Moodie Invisible Day and Night Cream (£21, windleandmoodie.com)
which will moisturise your locks and leave them with a lovely shine.
Go into haircare and styling with your eyes open,” says
Paul. “You may not mind if your hair is slightly drier if you are happy with
the style.”
By Daralyn Danns
