Make tress distress a thing of the
past with our quick-fix solutions from top celebrity stylists
You’ve got an important meeting or
you’re running late for work, when out of the blue a bad hair day
strikes. Suddenly your hair products have lost their magic and your
usual styling routine fails to tame your lively locks. Fear not –
help is at hand with the following tips.
1. Get a smart cut.
The best strategy for coping with bad hair days is to prevent them
in the first place. London stylist, Nicky Clarke, explains, ‘it’s
the cut that counts, so get one that suits your hair type, face
shape and lifestyle.’ For example, a sleek Jennifer Aniston look,
for example, will be a nightmare to achieve if your hair’s naturally
curly – especially if battling against wet weather or high humidity
is a common occurrence. Likewise, there’s no point in getting a
high-maintenance style if you only allow yourself 10 minutes to do
your hair each morning. Combine a suitable style with regular trims
and you’ll be amazed at how much easier your hair is to manage.
2. Find the right shampoo
and conditioner. This sounds like a simple solution, but
products can make or break a bad hair day. Stylist Andrew Collinge
points out that ‘…hair products today are a lot more advanced to
cope with the specific needs of different hair types’. So, while his
Andrew Collinge Moisturising Shampoo (£3.50 for 200ml) is perfect
for dry hair, you’ll need a shampoo with oil control, such as Nicky
Clarke Hairomatherapy Supershine Shampoo (£3.99 for 300ml), if your
hair is greasy. When washing your hair, remember to rinse away
traces of conditioner, as any residue can leave hair matted, dull
and unmanageable.
3. Banish build-up.
Hairdresser Errol Douglas pinpoints product residue as one of the
major culprits of bad hair days. ‘It weighs hair down making it
difficult to style,’ he says. Douglas recommends using a detoxifying
product like Modern Organic Products Basil Mint Shampoo, £7.95 for
300ml, (01282 613 413), every few washes to solve the problem.
4. Don’t take the
heat. There are numerous ways of styling your hair, from the
good old blow-dryer to heated rollers, tongs or straightening
irons. The trouble is they all use heat that can cause hair to
become dry and brittle, so choose styling products that reduce
heat damage, such as Charles Worthington Results Stay Cool Heat
Protector Spray (£3.95 for 200ml) or Andrew Collinge Straight &
Smooth (£5 for 125ml). Make sure you take time to style your
hair properly, as this is crucial to prevent bad hair days.
You’ll want to make sure your hair is totally dry before leaving
the house, or else you risk it kinking or frizzing. If you’re
likely to be pushed for time in the morning, wash your hair the
night before – you’ll find it far more manageable than freshly
washed hair – and you can wet it just before styling.
5. Give your hair
some life. If dull, limp hair is your problem, treat
yourself to a deep conditioning treatment and try a final rinse
in mineral or cold tap water to flatten the cuticles and boost
shine. It’s also worth considering livening up your natural
colour with an all-over, semi-permanent tint that will coat and
smooth the hair shaft and give a really glossy sheen.
6. Combat the dreaded
frizz. To humble unwieldy curls, expert stylist Charles
Worthington recommends that you don’t ‘handle the hair too much
and avoid using a hairbrush.’ He suggests investing in a
wide-toothed comb or using your fingers to separate curls for a
more defined style. If you don’t have time to wash your hair in
the morning, try spritzing it with water then scrunching it with
your hands to revive the curls and tame frizz.’
7. Avoid bed head.
According to Charles Worthington, you can avoid waking up with
'bed head' hair by sleeping on a satin pillowcase. ‘Satin fabric
allows your hair to gently slide across it as opposed to cotton
that causes more friction and disrupts the hair cuticles,’ he
explains.
8. Apply some
finishing touches. Once you’ve styled your hair, you’ll need
something to keep it in place. Nicky Clarke explains that hair
wax like his Nicky Clarke Colour Therapy Touch Me Texturiser
(£4.99 for 75ml) is the perfect grooming product for permed,
naturally curly or coarse hair. He adds that, ‘fine, flyaway
hair will benefit from a little serum such as Nicky Clarke
Supershine Liteweight Spray On Serum (£6.49 for 75ml) to add
hold and keep static at bay’. Finally, a touch of fixing spray
such as Nicky Clarke Hairomatherapy Supershine Perfect Finish
(£6.49 for 200ml) helps to hold that just-styled look.
9. Experiment with
different looks. Trying out various hairstyles will give you
a selection of alternatives to fall back on when things don’t go
quite to plan. For longer hair, Errol Douglas suggests wearing a
ponytail. ‘It’s the best way to disguise a bad hair day that’s
gone too far. If your hair is long enough, simply secure your
hair in a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, adding a little
hairspray to control any loose ends,’ he says. If you have
shorter hair, he recommends using a high shine wax and sweeping
your hair back off your face for a sleek effect.
10. Stock up.
Last but not least, prepare yourself for the worst – a bad hair
day that’s beyond help. If you have some fashionable hair
accessories on hand they’ll add instant glamour, yet provide a
diversion from your unmanageable mane. Accessories are also a
great way of inexpensively updating your hairstyle.
