Autumn is here and I have my much-needed appointment with my amazing hairdresser, Michael Charalambous.
Although my hair needs a good cut, the condition is remarkably good. No dry, brittle ends that I used to get when I coloured my hair. Michael’s tip of washing my grey hair in warm water rather than hot has definitely helped.
Blow-drying using heat protectants containing silicones left my hair feeling crunchy. I decided to experiment and use products that do not contain them. I also tried sulphate-free shampoos. My hair is much better for it.
Switching may not work for everyone. If your hair is like mine, fine, grey and dry, it may suit you. If you want to see if your tresses could benefit, without breaking the bank, start with baby shampoos which tend to be sulphate-free. You could also ask your hairdresser to wash your hair with a similar product on your next appointment.
If your hair is delicate, check out conditioners formulated for children. They can be gentler on the hair. Johnson's Shiny Drops Kids Conditioner (£3, Boots) was impressive. It left my hair soft and silky. It does not contain silicones. Before buying any product, I recommend checking the ingredients as they can change.
Michael advised me not to rinse out all of the conditioner. Leaving a little bit in the hair will help to protect it and prevent frizz.
Although a lot of people learned to embrace their natural texture during lockdown, I was not one of them. But given that my fluffy, fine hair has some curl in it, I am happy to wear the “hair flip”. My locks like to kick out naturally, especially when there is lots of humidity in the air.
Flicked-out ends were popular in the 60s and were given an edgy vibe back in the 90s. It seems now the flip has been once again been updated and is back on-trend.
Cut to sit on top of my shoulders, Michael parted my hair to the side. Yes, side-partings are back again. Blow-dried with lots of volume, the “midi-flick” with face-framing layers, which I seem to have naturally, is soft and flattering to the face. Best of all, it is low-maintenance.
I left the salon extremely happy with my new look.
By Daralyn Danns
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