Were all too familiar with a bad hair day - the frizz, the coarseness, the uncontrollable kinks. And, chances are, all three happen just when you need sleek, shiny hair the most. Well worry not; follow these tried and tested suggestions and wave goodbye to bad hair forever.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
Unknown
Best for: Styling Addicts
Phyto PhtyoKératine Reparative Shampoo, £10.50 and Conditioner, £13.50 contain a botanical keratin that is similar to the protein that makes up our own hair - in effect it plugs the gaps in the hair fibre which have come about from damage caused by heat and chemical styling and environmental factors. They also contain hyaluronic acid which helps to hydrate and plump the hair, botanical ceramides that coat the cuticle making it smooth and shiny and, finally, pomegranate extract that infuses the hair with antioxidants to protect it from free radicals. There’s not much this combo can’t do.
Brazilian blow dries have been around for a while. They are fantastic at reducing frizz and making hair appear healthier. However the process can give off some nasty fumes leaving you in tears (quite literally) and the fact that they contain formaldehyde has been (rightly or wrongly) a topic of concern in recent months. Now there is another option. Zoltan Vargyai at Compton Hair has introduced his new system, Amazon. It’s formaldehyde free and uses a combination of amino acids and Guarana extract to reduce frizz and inject a healthy, glossy shine. It doesn’t irritate eyes and the results last just as long as a regular Brazilian, but its greatest advantage is that you can wash your hair the same day as having the two hour treatment rather than having to persevere with product heavy, unwashed hair for three whole days.
Weak and dull hair is often a sign of a nutritional imbalance. Imedeen Hair & Nails, £23.49 for a two month supply, contains silica and biotin which together help with hair growth and follicle formation. Likewise Nourkrin Maintain, £39.99 for 60 tablets, is clinically proven to reduce hair loss and thinning and to promote growth with a combination of marine extracts, proteins, silica and vitamin C. Get popping.
Imedeen and Nourkin are both available from Boots.com
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
Unknown
Best for: Glossy Shine
Hair oil has become a permanent fixture backstage because there is nothing else like it when it comes to giving shine. Kerastase Elixir Ultime, £33.50 is an ELLE favourite. It uses maize, argan, camellia and pracaxi oils to make hair silky and glossy. Rub a small amount between palms and smooth over hair to tame flyaways, or work a larger amount through ends and leave on for 20 minutes before shampooing to moisturise hair further. For an intensive treat, we swear by leaving it on overnight. It smells great and hair is transformed into silky, manageable locks by morning.
Enq: 0800 316 4400
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Unknown
Best for: Neglected Scalps
The key to gorgeously glossy and healthy hair is to begin with the skin as the condition of your scalp will affect the overall appearance of your hair. An oily scalp leads to greasy hair and a dry scalp leads to unsightly dandruff. Try Carita Haute Beaute Cheveu Revitalising Scrub for Scalp, £32, which contains roasted sunflower seeds and jojoba to exfoliate, eliminating impurities and dead skin. Follow with Carita Haute Beaute Cheveu Caritrix Tonifying care for the scalp, £37.50, once or twice a week - it contains floral essences which cleanse and rebalance the scalp.
Sticking with the whole ‘treat your hair as you would your skin’ philosophy, why not treat it to a ‘facial’? Aveda’s Botanical Hair & Scalp Therapy, £60, begins with a scalp and hair analysis so your treatment can be tailored to you. Balancing treatments are applied before a steaming session that helps all the goodness to be absorbed in to the hair. The scalp is massaged to stimulate circulation and everything is rounded up with a sleek, and bouncy blow-dry.