Winterising my hair colour

Over the last six weeks, since I last saw my colourist, José Molino at Neville Hair and Beauty, my hair turned slightly brighter due to being in the sun. However, I’m pleased to report that the shade wasn’t brassy, just a tad too light for my liking and, as I had been travelling, I had to go longer than I normally would without visiting the salon. In all honesty, the roots weren’t really that bad which I put down to José’s skill at using a variation of colours throughout my hair.

As there is less sunlight in the winter and we tend to wear richer and warmer colours, José said I needed to tone down the brightness in my hair and make it slightly richer and darker to give it more dimension.

“We’ll put in a few highlights in biscuit beige and do the roots in a dark sandy blonde. We will also add in some darker chunky slices and a few thinner pieces to add lift and depth to the hair. This will warm up your complexion for the winter,” said José.

“Having a variation of colour throughout the hair will make it low maintenance.  Regrowth will be less noticeable and, overall, your hair will be in better condition as you are colouring less and not having as many highlights which can be drying on the hair.”   

Over the winter, José suggests going for more natural shades and giving the hair a rest from too many highlights which will improve the condition. “Darker shades make the hair look healthier and require less upkeep,” he said. José’s tip is to start using a deep conditioner from the next time you wash your hair: “Don’t wait until your hair is dry. Prevention is better than cure.”

My hair is the best José has done so far. Eventually, the reddy tones, which I so hate on me, are almost gone, and have been replaced with more flattering sandy golden shades.

The best compliment that a colourist can get is having his work praised by other hairdressers. I have recently been receiving a lot of good feedback. The god of colour is certainly deserving of his title.

By Daralyn Danns

Neville Hair and Beauty (www.nevillehairandbeauty.net)

Hair Extensions

Hair extensions

When I started looking into the world of hair extensions I discovered it is a minefield. Yes, they can give you the thick, glossy long hair you have always desired or the chance to try a new colour or add a fringe to freshen up your look. But good ones don’t come cheap. Prices start from £300 for thickening and £500 for lengthening. I also realised it was a bit like choosing a colourist; you go to somebody who is known for their skills rather than the brand they use.

Types 

Wefts, strand by strand and clip-ins. Human hair is the most natural. Choose Remy hair which has the hair cuticle intact and lies in one direction like your own hair. There are two types of Remy hair: single-drawn – 80 per cent will be the same length and double-drawn which is all the same length and is the most expensive. According to Chris Hinchliffe from the Lucinda Ellery Consultancy double-drawn can create an unnatural finish as the ends have to be cut away which can be wasteful.

Ethically sourced “temple hair” from India is one of the most popular. As it is thicker than European hair, it may not work with fine hair.

Neville Tucker from Neville Hair and Beauty advises against buying extensions yourself. “You should get a certified hairdresser to buy them for you, as they will not only be able to match the colour correctly to your hair, but they will know which ones are more suitable for each individual.”

To ensure a good colour match, Leo Bancroft, resident hairdresser on ITV’s This Morning, suggests holding them next to your hair in natural light.

How? 

The two professional methods are: prebonded (uses an acrylic based adhesive) and polyamide (has a waxy feel). Clip-ins are good for experimenting with different looks, but must be taken out at night.

Research

Always check your technician’s credentials as badly applied extensions can damage your own hair, while too many can cause a strain on the scalp. Extensions must be applied using a good amount of natural hair per connection and be a suitable size for your hair type.

Go for at least a couple of consultations. Check what training the technician has had. Ask about maintenance. Also you should ask to see examples of their work.

Care is needed when styling extensions. Avoid using conditioner near the roots or any oil-based products as this may break-down the adhesive.

They must always be carefully removed. You may need to have breaks from using them – the technician should be able to advise you. You may experience some discomfort in the beginning. They are not always the easy option you think they are.

Where to go

Lucinda Ellery Consultancy (www.lucindaellery.com)
Nyumba (www.nyumbasalon.com)

 

By Daralyn Danns