Spotlight on Redken No Blow Dry Air Dry Stylers

This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.

When colour supremo Josh Wood was announced as global colour creative director of Redken, it made me sit up and take notice of the entire brand. I know Josh would never put his name to something that was not a stand-out line.

It is not just hair colourants that Redken excel at, as I discovered, when I put its No Blow Dry Air Dry Stylers through their paces.

Since I had highlights in my hair which ruined it, I have tried to limit the use of hair dryers and straighteners to keep my tresses in better condition. And it has worked. Apparently, according to Redken, I am not the only one. About half of women in the UK are limiting their use of heated appliances. While more of us are embracing our natural textures.

When time is tight or it is too hot to battle with a dryer, it would be wonderful to wash and go. But in reality not many of us are blessed with hair that does not need a helping hand.

So, I was rather intrigued to try Redken No Blow Dry Air Dry Stylers (£17.50, redken.co.uk). There are three formulas, one for each hair type: fine, medium and coarse which have air-tex technology with flexible polymers which control but still allow movement.  

I started with the one for fine hair. You simply scrunch a small amount of the cream into your hair and leave. I tried it on a hot day. My hair did revert into its natural wavy state but without too much fluffiness. Next time I mixed a small amount of the one for coarse hair with the fine and that produced an even better result.

After I applied the No Blow Dry, I pushed my hair behind my ears to create a softer wave and then let it air dry.Usually I only leave my hair like this when I am travelling but I think even in London on scorching days I can “wash and go” because with these creams I did not look like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards. The result was natural movement with bounce.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting ahead with Josh Wood

The journey of getting my hair the perfect hue has been a living nightmare. I have visited all the top salons and most of the so-called colour specialists with mixed results.

I decided to learn the theory behind it and discovered the shades that worked for me. So, I was beyond delighted when the world of beauty’s most beloved colourist, Josh Wood, told me I had got it right. I could not have a better compliment.

Olive bronde by Josh Wood

Getting an appointment with this man is virtually impossible, as he has clients clamouring for him. With VIPs flying him all over the world, constantly being called on to help on fashion shoots and creating looks for the catwalk, not to mention running his eponymous salon, it is a wonder that this man has time to breathe, let alone spare time to speak to you. Yet, when you talk to him, you really could not wish to meet a nicer person. He is intensely passionate about colour and the hair industry and is only too willing to help with your hair dilemmas.   

I asked him why I have had such trouble with my colour. He told me that so many colourists work to a formula which seems to travel from salon to salon as they move around and they do not look at the individual in question.

One of my pet hates is salons that insist on putting a lighter colour around my face. Although I understand that it is right for some, some colourists only know what they are taught and seem unwilling to adapt. 

“This will not work for you,” Josh exclaimed. “You need something more dramatic. What you have now is right.”

Highlights ruined my hair, I explained, and now have a single process (applying one colour or toner at one time). He was honest enough to tell me that there would be people in his salon that would not be right for me but there would be somebody. He agreed finding somebody that gets you and your hair can be difficult.

Smoky bronde by Josh Wood

I told him that, in my opinion, Wella offered the best range of colourants for brunettes. Obviously, he would agree as he is the Wella Professionals global creative director of colour, but I know he would not put his name to anything that was less than perfect.

My burning question was how to keep it looking good without getting build up. I really do not want to look like I am going for an interview to be Morticia from the Addams Family.

Josh told me to have the roots done every time and only do the ends every other time. His choice for the ends is Llumina Color. This 5-minute glossing service enhances depth and tone. 

“It keeps everything light so you will not end up with a heavy one-tone look, he explained.”

Colour Fresh & Perfection is a good choice if you just want to revive your colour in between full appointments. Some salons will sell it to you so you can do it yourself in between visits at home.

If you like following the trends, according to Josh, for autumn/winter 2016, the story is Bronde Luxe. There is a wide range of colours to suit almost any hair shade and type so a unique look can be created especially for you. Even brunettes and those with black hair can have silvery, violet tones added, if they so wish.

Spending just a short period of time with Josh I learnt so much and was comforted greatly knowing that I had got the right formula at long last.

By Daralyn Danns

For more information visit www.joshwoodcolour.com and wella.com/professional/en-UK

Hair straight from the catwalk

You and I might not get to strut the catwalk, but we can walk out of the salon looking as if we could be about to.

Hair supremo Alessandro Jottini at the highly-acclaimed Josh Wood Atelier Lansdowne is now back in the salon fresh from styling models at the recent round of fashion shows in Milan, London and Paris. 

So what kind of hairstyles can we expect to be wearing for spring/summer 2016? “Super soft and simple,” says Alessandro. “Hair, even updos, should look natural as if you did it yourself at home.”

These styles work well with the feminine yet sporty looks that adorned the catwalks. While you may not always want to push the boundaries and wear the extremes, there are always one or two trends that you can incorporate into your wardrobe to keep you looking updated.

 

My hair was simply, yet elegantly styled

One of Alessandro’s favourite shows was Gauchère. This luxury, contemporary brand has been slowly building momentum in the fashion world. A melange of tailored and fluid pieces, the clothes are easy to wear. Hair was pretty and relaxed and looked easy to replicate at home.

According to the maestro, you will want your layers to be long. “With visible or invisible layers you can create texture,” explains Alessandro. “As for length, we are seeing hair touching the collarbone. There are a lot less short cuts for next season.”  

If you have long hair, wearing it straight will always look chic. “To make it look contemporary, keep some movement in the ends,” advises Alessandro.

Alessandro Jottini styles model at Gauchère
Photographed by Alessandro Jottini

For those with frizzy or curly hair, Alessandro’s tip is to use a radial bristle brush to smooth out the hair. This will make styling easier as you can create more tension with this kind of brush. Ceramic brushes hold the heat and are better to use on straight hair for creating movement.

Before styling, Alessandro recommends using a heat protector. A favourite brand of his is the Oribe haircare product range. (Oribe is a highly-regarded international and influential stylist based in the US.)  If they are being used in Josh Wood’s salon whose client list reads like Who’s Who, you can bet your life that they are good. 

My hair was simply, yet elegantly styled. No puffy hair, which I hate, just really glossy, natural hair. Catwalk hair for reality. Once finished, Alessandro squirted a light coating of Oribe Dry Texurising Spray to give texture and just a hint of volume. 

It kept for days and that is a mark of a good hairdresser.

By Daralyn Danns

For more information visit joshwoodcolour.com