Flyaways ruining your sleek finish? Here’s how to smooth them

Few things are more irritating than perfecting your blow-dry, only for a halo of tiny hairs to spring up around your parting. And while a little texture is lovely, sometimes you want your hair to look smooth, glossy and put together.

The secret? A few tweaks to your routine and a light touch with your styling products. Here’s our stylist-approved tips for how to get those wayward strands under control.

Get to know your flyaways

Before reaching for a serum, consider what you’re trying to smooth. Flyaways can be new hairs growing through, strands that have snapped or hairs lifting because of static.

That means they don’t all need the same approach. New growth needs gentle styling, while breakage calls for a closer look at how you handle your hair.

Start smoothing in the shower

A good conditioner makes hair easier to manage, so give your lengths and ends some attention when you wash. If they feel particularly dry, bring a conditioning mask into your routine.

Choose a formula that suits your texture: lightweight conditioning for fine hair, something richer for thicker strands. Too much product can leave hair looking flat before you’ve even picked up the dryer.

Rethink the towel rub

That vigorous towel-dry might save a few seconds, but the friction can rough up your style before it’s begun.

Gently squeeze out excess water with a soft towel, microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt instead. Then ease out tangles from the ends upwards, taking your time with any knots.

Give your blow-dry some direction

For a smoother finish, direct the airflow down your hair towards the ends. A nozzle attachment helps keep it focused, rather than blowing strands in every direction.

Apply heat protectant first, keep the dryer moving and avoid repeatedly heating sections that are already dry. More heat isn’t the shortcut to a better blow-dry.

Make your finishing product work harder

A little serum or smoothing cream can make a big difference. Start with a tiny amount, spread it between your palms and lightly skim over the surface of your hair.

Keep richer products mainly on the lengths and ends, especially if your roots get oily easily.

For those stubborn little hairs around your parting, apply a small amount of hairspray to a clean spoolie or styling brush, then gently sweep them into place. It gives you more control than another all-over blast of spray.

Take the tension out of your ponytail

A sleek ponytail is always tempting on a busy morning, but repeatedly pulling it tight can contribute to breakage.

Use a soft, snag-free hair tie, vary its position and resist the urge to tug harder just to catch every last strand. A few soft hairs around your face can be part of the look.

Book a trim with a purpose

If your ends are damaged, a trim can help your hair look neater. But cutting won’t solve static, and those little hairs may simply be new growth. Ask your stylist to help you work out what’s going on, then choose a cut and home routine that suit your hair.

Ready for a smoother finish? Book an appointment at Pankhurst & Deane for styling advice tailored to your texture, your routine and the look you love.

Aimee Lou Wood calls her new bob “life changing” — and we can see why

There are haircuts that look good in a photo, and then there are haircuts that make you feel more like yourself. Aimee Lou Wood says her new bob falls firmly into the second camp.

Pic credit Aimee Lou Wood Instagram

The Sex Education actress revealed her cut on Instagram, crediting hairstylist George Northwood. She called it “life changing” because, when she looked in the mirror, she recognised herself more. She also described it as feeling “French Oui Oui Amelie”. That is a rather lovely brief for a haircut.

What does her bob look like?

In the photo, Aimee’s brunette hair sits around jaw length, with a softly defined shape and ends that flick out instead of curling neatly under. A sweeping side part adds movement across the front. It has the clean outline of a bob, but the finish feels relaxed and lived in.

The Amélie reference captures the playful, French-film mood, though this is Aimee’s own version - without copying the character’s short fringe.

Why this cut feels so good

A bob changes the outline of your hair immediately: it reveals the neck, brings attention to the face and gives the ends a fuller-looking shape. But Aimee’s caption makes a more interesting point. The best haircut isn’t always the one that makes you look different. Sometimes it’s the one that makes the person in the mirror feel familiar again.

That is why a reference photo is only the start of a good consultation. We also need to know how you want to feel wearing the cut. Polished? Playful? A little undone? Able to get ready in ten minutes? Those answers help shape the length and finish as much as the photograph does.

How to ask for Aimee’s bob

Bring the photo to your next appointment and ask for a jaw-length bob with a soft outline and enough movement for the ends to flick out. Show us where you’d like the length to fall on your face, and discuss whether a side part works with your natural growth pattern.

Be honest about your hair’s texture and how much styling you enjoy. On some hair, this shape may air-dry beautifully; on others, it will need a quick blow-dry or a little work on the ends. If you still want to tie your hair back, say so before the first cut: a few centimetres can make all the difference.

The at-home finishing touch

You don’t need to make every strand curve in the same direction. Try drying your roots for lift, then use a brush to turn a few ends gently away from your face. Leave some pieces alone for that easy, imperfect finish. A small amount of light styling product through the ends can add separation; start sparingly so the bob keeps its movement.

How to use dry shampoo so your hair actually looks fresh

Dry shampoo can be a brilliant shortcut when your roots look oily but the rest of your hair still looks good. It can also give freshly washed hair a little grip and lift. The trick is where you put it, how much you use and what you do after spraying.

Pic credit Emily Atack Instagram

The two-minute routine for greasy roots

1. Start with dry hair. Dry shampoo works best at the roots of dry hair. If you’ve just done a workout, let your scalp and hair dry first.

2. Part your hair into sections. Lift a section, apply a small amount to the roots, then move to the next. Focus on the crown, parting and areas around the hairline that look oily. You don’t need to coat your lengths.

3. Give it a moment. Follow the directions on your product, especially the distance to hold an aerosol can from your head. Let the product sit briefly so it can absorb oil before you touch it.

4. Work it through. Massage the roots with your fingertips, then brush or comb where it suits your style. If you can still see powder, keep working it through rather than adding more.

5. Check in natural light. A quick look near a window makes it easier to spot any residue along your parting or hairline.

Start with less than you think you need. You can always add another light application to a greasy patch; too much at once can leave hair feeling coated.

Want volume rather than an oil fix?

Apply a little dry shampoo to the roots at the crown, even if your hair isn’t particularly greasy. Let it settle, then massage the roots and gently lift them with your fingers. For extra height, change your parting or flip your hair to the opposite side for a moment before styling it back.

Fine hair can benefit from a light touch. The aim is a little texture and separation at the roots, not a cloud of product through every layer.

The night-before trick

If you know your roots tend to look oily by morning, try a small amount before bed. Apply it to dry roots, give it time to settle, then leave it alone. In the morning, massage or brush it through and see whether you need any more. This gives you a head start without piling on product as you’re heading out the door.

Remember: it’s a refresh, not a wash!

Dry shampoo absorbs some oil and can make hair look cleaner, but it doesn’t remove sweat, dirt or product build-up from your scalp. Keep washing your hair as often as your scalp needs, especially if you’ve been exercising or layering on styling products.

How to get rid of split ends - and stop them coming back

Split ends: tiny, irritating and capable of making even freshly styled hair look tired. But can you actually repair them? Here’s the honest answer.

Start with a trim

No product can permanently fuse a split end back together. Serums and masks may temporarily smooth and disguise the damage, but a professional trim is the only way to remove it. Left alone, a split can travel further up the hair shaft, leading to more breakage—and a bigger cut later.

Handle your hair gently

Wet hair is particularly vulnerable, so avoid rough towel-drying and aggressive brushing. Gently squeeze out excess water, use a microfibre towel and detangle from the ends upwards with a wide-tooth comb.

Turn down the heat

Straighteners, curling irons and overly hot hairdryers can weaken the hair’s protective outer layer. Apply heat protection every time, choose the lowest effective temperature and give your hair regular styling breaks.

Add moisture—but don’t overdo it

Use a nourishing conditioner after every wash and apply a weekly mask, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends. Finish with a small amount of hair oil or serum to reduce friction and keep the ends looking polished.

The best strategy? Regular trims combined with gentle, consistent care. Book a salon appointment and we’ll remove damaged ends while keeping as much of your length as possible.