Embracing my natural hair colour, which is a melange of black, slate and silver, has been liberating. I am now enjoying the benefits. I have silky hair on my head instead of a lump of straw.
Besides having more money in my wallet, life does not have to be planned around colouring appointments and I also do not have to worry about colour fade.
As far as make-up goes, less is certainly more. Far from washing me out, it brightens my complexion. Mascara can look too harsh, so on most days I replace it with Vaseline which makes my lashes look thicker and gives them a lovely glossy sheen. A sweep of blusher and a slick of lip balm and I am good to go.
I have had lots of compliments about my new hue so for me there is no turning back. My amazing hairdresser, Michael Charalambous at Nyumba, has been persuading me to accept my hair’s natural texture and learn to live with it.
He has cut a reversed-angle bob. The layers help to bring out the curl which give my locks more volume.
The cut, so many people have told me, is lovely and the shape flatters my face. It takes time to adjust to a new style. I was not used to having so much of my face on show. But I have to admit I am now feeling more edgy. One young guy told me my hair is “so cool”.
When humidity strikes, my hair goes curly and is less frizzy as it is more hydrated and not damaged.
This sultry weather is not just an enemy of hair, it can also play havoc with your skin. If you wear a mask you may find your skin has become problematic. You may find your complexion drier and/or rashes appearing or spots forming.
Flora Antoniou, Nyumba’s beauty expert, says she has seen quite a few skin problems among mask wearers.
Pores can become more easily blocked due to an increase of bacteria, oil and dirt developing on the skin. So if you are going to wear a mask, skip the foundation. She also stresses the importance of making sure that if you are using a cloth face covering, it is washed and clean before each use.
Too often people do not remove their make-up properly which exacerbates the problem. She recommends double cleansing in the evening to ensure your skin is really clean, whether you are a mask wearer or not. Then apply your moisturiser.
And the best tip to hold back the years: wear sunscreen during the day even if you are masking up.
By Daralyn Danns
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