A visit to Errol Douglas

With a hot date planned for the evening, what better occasion could I have than to put my tresses in the hands of Knightsbridge’s mane man, Errol Douglas? One of the industry’s most respected stylists, the award-winning Errol is renowned for his superb trend-led styling. He is also the brand ambassador for Morroccanoil.

As the weather was rather humid, this was a good opportunity to put the products to the test. I am already a fan of the oil, but Errol told me that to get full benefit I should wash my hair with the shampoo and conditioner from the range.

Errol spent a lot of time talking to me and looking at my hair before he got me shampooed. This, to me, is the mark of a good hairdresser. So many salons don’t spend enough time discussing the client’s hair.

After washing, the Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Conditioner was “cocktailed” with the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask. Errol believes in mixing products together. He also told me that it takes around six to seven weeks for hair to get used to a new shampoo and conditioner.

“Women often use too much conditioner,” he says. “Start with small amounts and work it through all the hair, not just the top layer. Use a treatment once a week, or every fortnight, if your hair is fine and use a lighter conditioner in-between.”

He also cautions on overloading your tresses with product. “Put a small amount of your finger and work through mid-lengths to ends.” On my hair, Errol used Moroccanoil Frizz Control mixed with the oil.

Errol decided to bring out the movement in my hair, so he styled it using a round brush. After doing each section, he rolled it up and pinned it. Once  the hair had  cooled down,  he loosened the curls. A spritz of hairspray and I was good to go. My hair looked great and it actually kept for four days, pretty impressive.

By Daralyn Danns

Errol Douglas (www.erroldouglas.com)

 

Hair oils

It seems we can’t get enough of hair oils. SP Luxe Oil from Wella Professionals (£24.99) is one of the latest in this genre to transform dry, brittle hair.

Generally, consisting of essential fatty acids, vitamin E, anti-oxidant rich argan oil and silicone, these elixirs penetrate the hair so it is protected and nourished. They also help to smooth the hair and fight frizz leaving your locks looking shiny. 

Oils help protect the hair when brushing

Formulations vary. Some are heavier than others. For example, Moroccanoil The Original Treatment (£30.45) tends to be more suited to coarse hair – though I love this in humid conditions and when my hair needs cutting even though my hair is fine – while the Wella is a lighter formulation. They all can be used on wet or dry hair.

Some women shy away from these products  as they are concerned about putting silicone on their hair and turn to oils such coconut, olive and almond instead. But, are they really better for your hair?

Chairman of the Institute of Trichologists, Marilyn Sherlock, thinks not. “Manufactured oils don’t go rancid and are much better for the hair than using oils such as natural coconut or olive,” she says. 

“Silicone is not a problem. Maybe, 30 to 40 years ago it was, but now it is highly refined and can easily be removed from the hair with water and/or shampoo.”

Marilyn also points out that these oils help protect the hair when brushing and combing and also protect it from the elements, especially if you have fine and flyaway European hair. They can also be good for African hair. “For the best results, you need to find one for your specific hair type,” she adds.

Natural oils, according to Marilyn, can adhere to your tresses, especially if you have European hair, making them difficult to remove.

For black hair, Marilyn recommends trying small quantities of safflower oil to deep condition the hair as it is light in texture and not greasy. “If you want to use coconut oil, use it in small quantities. Almond oil makes the hair look shiny, but may not penetrate the hair shaft. The last two can go rancid whilst on the hair and smell horrid,” she adds.

She goes on to explain that most natural oils do not penetrate the hair shaft, they simply coat it, helping to retain the natural moisture in the hair and make it shine. Those that are chemically refined may well have a small enough molecular structure to penetrate the hair shaft.

If you are wanting to use your oil to tame your frizz, the first step, according to Marilyn is to define the root of the problem. “Is it happening because you have new hairs coming through? Or is it broken or damaged hair causing the trouble? If your hair shaft starts to kink when it is damp outside, you may be better just to use a leave-in conditioner and not an oil,” she explains.

By Daralyn Danns