The ALTERNA My Hair. My Canvas. Easy Does It Air-Dry Balm

 

 

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

 

I have tried to limit the use of hair dryers and straighteners to keep my tresses in better condition.

When 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.

Now I can embrace my natural texture because with The ALTERNA My Hair. My Canvas. Easy Does It Air-Dry Balm (£24.49, feelunique.com) I did not look like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards. The result was natural movement with bounce. I am hooked.

 

 

 

 

Laced with a cocktail of hydrating ingredients including botanical caviar (the company says it helps to improve moisture retention and smooth the cuticle) this lightweight balm controls frizz and smells divine.  

Also in this vegan haircare range is The ALTERNA My Hair. My Canvas. Me Time Everyday Shampoo (£26.49, feelunique.com) and Conditioner (£26.49).

Using the same brand of shampoo and conditioner will give the best results because they are designed to work together.

By Daralyn Danns

 

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 

Making the transition from brunette to silver

 

It is now been 10 months since I stopped colouring my hair. The good news is that the condition has radically improved. Soft and silky has replaced the straw-like texture.

I have been able to let it dry naturally (thanks to my wonderful hairdresser Michael Charalambus and his fabulous cuts) so it goes into curls and waves helping to disguise the mix of hues.

Two months since my last cut, I am now back with Michael sitting with faded ends. “It needs cleaning up,” he says.

 

 

 

Michael adds more layers for more body and shapes the sides to get rid of those non-flattering reddish bits at the ends.

“I am going to blow-dry your hair straight so I can check the cut. You should let it dry curly and, this time, wear it behind your ears,” says the hair god.

He goes on to tell me that since lockdown, more and more people are embracing their natural texture. Many turned to straighteners and curling tongs to help them handle their hair when hairdressers were closed. The result was damaged, dry, brittle hair. 

 

 

 

 

 

“Another mistake people make at home is using the hairdryer on too high temperature. You should keep it on a medium setting and keep the dryer at least 15cm (6 inches) away from your hair,” he adds.

He also suggests wrapping it in a towel for no more than 20 minutes to get rid of excess moisture before you start blow-drying. Always use a heat protectant.

In no time at all I was transformed with another new look. I am not going to pretend that the transition period is easy. But Michael’s creative styling has made it much easier. The old and the new colour now seem to blend harmoniously.

As I have come to expect from a cut from the maestro, I leave yet again looking glamourous.

And the verdict from friends has been a thumbs up!

 

Happy holidays!

 

By Daralyn Danns

 

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