A visit to the Errol Douglas salon

Mane man, Errol Douglas is not only one of the most professional hairdressers in the business, but he is also one of the most charming. I caught up with him recently at his Belgravia salon.

From pretty waves, short, blunt bobs to a punk-inspired undercut (may not be for the faint-hearted), today anything goes Errol told me. 

“Whatever style women choose, they want softness,” he says. “A statement fringe will soften a short crop. Curls have been replaced by waves and spiral curves. An injection of colour can freshen up a look. Experiment with temporary colour glosses or add hair wefts.”

Errol decided to that I should go for the poker straight hair (albeit with a little body to stop it looking too hard). After prepping my hair with Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream, Errol blow-dried my hair smooth using a round bristle brush. “If your hair is prone to frizz and static, don’t tip your head forward. Work in horizontal sections instead,” he advised me. 

As it was raining, Errol went over my hair with his new straightening irons which he will be launching in the spring. 

My hair looked like silk. It was stunning. Even though it was damp when I left the salon, my hair stayed straight and lasted a good couple of days.

But would I have expected anything else from this mane man?

By Daralyn Danns

The Errol Douglas salon (www.erroldouglas.com)

T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron

Poker straight hair is back on-trend, so it could be time to treat yourself to a pair of straighteners. Although, I would never advocate using them every day, they are great for the occasional use. Be sure to always use a heat protective spray before you start styling.

They are so many irons out there but, in my books, the T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron (£125, Selfridges) stands out from the crowd. It has tourmaline-infused ceramic plates which help lock moisture into the hair, eliminate frizz and static electricity. The bevelled plated edges don’t snag the hair. 

The T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron is incredibly light. It heats up quickly and retains a constant temperature and so heat is dispersed evenly into the hair. The power button and adjustable thermostat are on the inside of the irons, so you have to be careful when using them. For areas where hair is finer such as around the face and fringe you should use a lower heat setting so you don’t fry your hair. Another great plus is that it comes with a heat resistant mat. 

One pass should be sufficient to straighten your hair. Putting it through several times is really not good for your tresses. Read the instructions carefully before you start using them. If you don’t use them correctly, your beloved straightners could turn into your hair’s worst enemy by ravaging it.

While some other expensive leading brands on the market, have left my hair looking flat and lifeless, the T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron didn’t strip it of all its body. In fact, it looked really natural and soft after using it. After several uses it hasn’t frazzled my locks.

I like the fact that you can achieve curly and wavy looks as well. It is also ideal for flipping the hair, which is also a great look as it is softer than dead straight hair. It also comes with a two-year guarantee, so be sure to complete your warranty registration.

For tress-perfecting, T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron is hard to beat.

By Daralyn Danns

Finding the perfect bra

The right bra can not only make you look better, it can also make you feel sexier and more feminine as I found out on a recent visit to Marks & Spencer, Marble Arch, London.

Being small (30 back and a C cup), I find it hard to get bras to fit as the choice is so limited. More often than not I have one option and that may not be perfect. As women are tending to get bigger, it has become a mammoth task to find a pretty bra that works.

I explained my dilemma to Julia Mercer, technical manager and Marks & Spencer’s bra guru who stared at me in disbelief when I told her that I had even had to resort to the teenage bra ranges. “You should not be wearing those as the straps will not offer you enough support!” she retorted.

She told me that I have an inverted sternum and narrow shoulders plus a cleavage that kisses. “A plunge is the perfect shape for you,” she explained. “It supports the bust from the side, pushing it inwards creating a cleavage effect. 

The Sumptuously Soft Plunge T-shirt Bra

Apparently, most bras can be divided into two main styles: plunge or balcony. The latter has wider cup straps and suits those with pigeon chests – that is more up the top. They lift from the bottom of the cup giving you an uplifted effect. Full cups suit all women.

Julia put me in a new M&S creation, the Sumptuously Soft Plunge T-shirt Bra (£18, which comes in black, white and fawn). I couldn’t believe the difference. I had a good bust, which made if feel more womanly and even though the bras had an underwire, it was incredibly comfortable.

The Sumptuously Soft Full-Cup T-shirt Bra

The straps were perfectly secure and not too tight. The under band was sitting comfortably against the middle of my back and not riding up – If it does your bra is not right for you – and the wires were not digging into any breast tissue. The centre front of the bra was also sitting flat against the chest which it should do. It also fitted perfectly on the first hook so that as it stretches you can adjust it. The bust was also contained fully within the cup – another mark of a good fitting bra.

It is recommended to have a bra fitting approximately every six months as you can change shape.

Julia believes women should have a wardrobe of bras that are suitable for day, evening and sports as well as a strapless one. If you want to buy a bra that goes with a special outfit, she recommends taking it with you.

As for me, well a wardrobe of bras seems a long way off. I’m just thrilled to find one that fits perfectly and to discover that M&S are catering for petite women and are introducing more 30 backs into its ranges. 

However, when I told Julia I had never had a strapless bra, she thinks it won’t be long before that situation is rectified. You can always rely on good old M&S to be inventing something new. 

By Daralyn Danns

For more information on bra fittings at M&S visit www.marksandspencer.com