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 nyumbasalson.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