Spotlight on L'Occitane Balancing Hair Care

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

The new Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo (£19) is free from sulphates and silicone and being laced with essential oils of lemon, orange, rosemary and chamomile and lavender, it smells lovely.

I used it with the matching conditioner which is light and is ideal for those with fine hair as it will not weigh it down.

By Daralyn Danns

Tips for combating frizz

This is not a paid post.

All the rain we are having may be great for the gardens but it certainly is not good for those of us who suffer with frizzy hair.

The more porous the hair, the quicker it will soak up moisture from the air and before you know it you have a mop of fuzz.

I got so fed up, I decided to try the ghd Glide Professional Hot Brush (£139, John Lewis). While it calmed the frizz for a couple of hours, it also took all the body out of my hair and left it dull and lacklustre. The next day my hair was a complete mess.

Styled to perfection

So, I explained my predicament to mane man, Michael Charalambous whose salon in Sloane Square, London attracts a diverse range of clients from royalty to regulars who want the best haircut in town.

“Forget straighteners,” says Michael. “They only damage the hair when used on a regular basis. If you colour your hair you will find regular usage will make it fade more quickly.”

He advocates using a good round brush instead as it is less harmful to the hair. “You would have to go over the same section of hair at least five times with a brush to use the same amount of heat that one swipe of the straighteners will use”, he explains.

Before you style your hair, use a leave-in conditioner to help combat the frizz.

“An umbrella will not give you enough protection when it is raining. You should cover your head with the hood of your coat or with a scarf wrapped loosely round your head to help keep it smooth.”

I now always pull my hood up if I feel there is the slightest chance of having a frizz attack and I can say it has worked. Hats can flatten your hair.

Michael also advises keeping your crowning glory in good condition. “Diet is important,” he says. “Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and have plenty of protein. You also need to ensure you eat foods containing biotin (also called vitamin H or vitamin B₇) such as egg yolks and salmon as a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to hair loss.”

Another tip is not to go mad with highlights or over colour your hair. Michael points out that this will only make it frizzier.

If you have a special event, go and get a blow-dry. It will help keep your hair in place for longer.

By Daralyn Danns

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

Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift, £58

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

A fact of life: as we age our once smooth, firm faces begin to sag and lines plus wrinkles seem to appear from nowhere. If, like me, you do not want to go down the Botox or filler route (in my opinion, we do not know enough about the long-term effects of the stuff that is being injected into the skin), I decided to give Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift (£58) a try. 

Loaded with plant extracts, this facelift in a bottle helps to make your jowls look firmer and reduces puffiness. It certainly feels as if it is tightening the skin. 

Originally formulated for Asian skins, it seems to make a difference to any skin type. For best results you need to apply it using the Clarins draining and sculpting method, as per the instructions. 

By Daralyn Danns