The benefits of a shorter bob with a centre parting

The bob has always been my favourite hairstyle. Recently, thanks to my trusted hairdresser, Michael Charalambous, I am learning to appreciate the shorter, jaw-length version.

This cut makes a dramatic statement. It frames the face beautifully, highlights the bone structure, and feels far edgier than my old chin-length bob.

To elevate the look, Michael suggested a return to a centre parting. “A centre parting is more forgiving with grey hair as it keeps both sides balanced. It also works better with the way your fringe is growing,” he explains.

This time, my baby hairs were growing downward, pushing the front section forward and resisting being swept to the side. “When they begin to grow sideways, we may have to adjust the parting again,” he adds.

Luckily, I have a sqoval face shape, a combination of square and oval, which means I can wear either a side or centre parting. What I have noticed is how different they are.

A centre parting creates symmetry and draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones. It looks sharper and makes more of a statement. 

The side parting creates volume on one side, which can make the face appear wider. In humid weather, it can also cause uneven weight distribution, leaving one side puffier than the other. It often means battling stubborn baby hairs that refuse to fall into place.

The combination of a jaw-length bob and a blunt fringe creates strong, graphic lines. A centre parting balances the overall look. With my natural kink, it also prevents one side from behaving unpredictably.

On grey hair, which already has plenty of movement, a side parting can feel excessive against a  strong shape.

I never thought I would like short hair as much as I do. It may not be suitable for everyone, so always have a consultation with your stylist before going for the chop.

As hair turns grey, the texture changes. It becomes drier and coarser. When worn long, this can make the ends look thinner and frizzier, which can be ageing.

Long grey hair can look beautiful, but only when it is in excellent condition. A shorter cut can make hair appear thicker and give the face more definition.

The key is choosing a cut that works with your natural texture. Make sure your stylist understands how your hair behaves so they can advise you properly.

Thank you, Michael, for taking me shorter. As always, you were right.

By Daralyn Danns

For inspiration, visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon 

Fall for thick fringes

 

“It is autumn, I am going to give you a thick fringe,” my amazing hairdresser, Michael Charalambous, declared as I sat in the chair for our pre-cut consultation.

Not only do thick fringes make a statement, Michael explained, they also make fine hair look more luxuriant.

There are plenty of other advantages as well. They can also make you look younger as they cover up lines on your forehead. Working with your face shape, your stylist can cut your fringe so that it emphasises your eyes and cheekbones.

I am always amazed at how Michael constantly finds new ways of updating my look. This latest update to my bob is stunning. I know I am reaping the fringe benefits by the amount of comments I have had. Small change, big difference!

By Daralyn Danns

For inspiration visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon 

 

A reversed-angle, grey, shaggy bob

 

Tired of colouring my hair, I decided that lockdown was the perfect opportunity to grow the dye out and enhance the grey. After all, it is bang on-trend.

I was happy that the condition of my hair had radically improved. Years of colouring had taken its toll on my locks. They looked and felt like a lump of straw.

 

Before

                                                                       
 

As I had loved my own natural hair colour (a gorgeous black/brown) finding a colourist who could actually achieve a good result was a no mean feat. I ended up with it being either too dark, too warm, too light or too dense. The colour fading, especially in the summer, was another problem. There were only a couple of colourists who got it right.

I was liking the natural hues coming through.The same cannot be said for the old dye which had now turned rather brassy. Thank goodness for hats and hairbands.

So it was with great relief, after almost five months, that I got an appointment with my beloved snipper, Michael Charalambous, based in London’s Sloane Square.

Like a lot of people, I felt it was time to try a new look. Michael already had a plan of action. I love the fact that he never lets me fall into a hair rut. He is constantly changing my image. He was the man who finally persuaded me to ditch the dye. 

 

 

A reversed-angle. shaggy bob

 

 

He set to work with his adept skills to create a reversed-angle, shaggy bob. “I am going to add layers to create lift and volume,” he said.

He softly curved the front adding soft pieces to frame my face. “You can part your hair in the centre or on the side,” he added.

After blow-drying, he razor-cut the ends to enhance my hair’s texture and movement. “This style will look great messy so it will be easy for you to maintain,” he pointed out.

Not having to spend hours on end styling my hair sounded like music to my ears.

 

 

A short, sassy cut

 

This was the first time in my life that I ever had a short, sassy cut. As I looked in the mirror, I felt like a completely different person. The silver complemented my complexion. It worked well with the style that Michael had created. His genius never ceases to amaze me.

I guess the effects of lockdown and the pandemic have changed most of us in some way.  So embracing a new look is the perfect way to start a new chapter.

On the way home, I bumped into a couple of neighbours who remarked on how great my hair looked.

The most telling remark was from a friend who had balked when I told him I was going to go au naturel. He retorted it would make me look older.

“It makes you look 10 years younger!” he exclaimed on seeing the final result.

By Daralyn Danns

 

For inspiration visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon 

Embracing your grey hair

 

 

I never thought that I could look glamorous whilst in the process of growing out coloured hair and embracing my greys. But my amazing hairdresser Michael Charalambous proved me wrong.

It has been eight months since I stopped colouring my hair. The good news is that the silver coming through is a great shade and also my strands are in a lot better condition that the rest of it. Overall, my hair is a lot softer and less brittle than it was after lockdown. I have also noticed that it is less frizzy.

 

 

 

 

 

“We need to add more layers at the back to get rid of that rigid line,” said Michael on inspecting my hair. “The grey strands will blend in better with the colour and it will bring out your natural curl making it easier for you to style. We are also going to change the parting from the side to the centre. It’s more modern and will look better with the colour.”

Michael set to work weaving his magic with the scissors and before long I had the most fabulous cut and blow-dry. As I have so much baby hair I also had a fringe which Michael tells me is bang on-trend. 

 

 

 

 

More shaped and shorter than I had been for a long time, I actually left the salon feeling fabulous. No mean feat when you are going through a transition of going grey from dyed hair.

What is more I received a lot of compliments on the new look (even one from a complete stranger in a shop) ranging from "you look five years younger" to "what a beautiful colour your grey is".

It feels liberating not having to go to the salon every seven weeks and having to use powders in between – I preferred them to the sprays which always made my hair look too matt and heavy – to cover up the roots.

The coloured strands fading over time will be an issue that l will have to deal with but, hopefully, as my hair grows fast it will not be too much of a problem. I also have the advantage of having Michael Charalambous as my hairdresser. He seems to have the solution for all my hair-related problems.

 

By Daralyn Danns

 

For inspiration visit nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon