Repair coloured hair with this quick four-step guide

Over-styling, colouring your hair and professional straightening or perms can leave your hair crying out for some TLC.

And while it might be tempting to chop it all off and start again, there’s no need for a new look (unless you really want one - in which case give us a call!).

Instead try our four-step plan to repair damaged hair:

Have a weekly hair mask: You can even sleep in it overnight (with hair wrapped in a microfibre towel) for maximum hydration.

Comb conditioner through before rinsing: This helps to improve the appearance of frazzled hair and has the effect of smoothing the hair cuticles down.

Use hair serum: This nourishes the scalp and hair follicles. We like L'Oreal's Absolute Repair Serum, which you can buy here.

Regular haircuts: A great haircut will revitalise hair and make you look - and feel - better about your damaged hair. You don’t have to go for a dramatic new style, just talk to us about your needs and we will deliver!

Growing your hair? Here are eight things to avoid for optimum growth

Trying to grow your hair or simply maintain what you’ve got going on? Here’s how…

1. Avoid harsh shampoos

Certain shampoos strip the scalp of its natural oils so read the ingredients on your bottle and avoid anything that says sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde-releasing agents (DMDM hydantoin), silicones and phthalates. And when your hair is long, it’s more likely to be dry at the ends. Opt for a super mild shampoo and conditioner to gently cleanse it.

2. Limit styling tools

The longer your hair the more it can get damaged by styling tools and sun damage. Repair damaged hair with a weekly hair mask or give yourself an oil massage. We can also give your hair a new lease of life with a treatment at the salon. 

3. Be gentle with wet hair

Don’t start drying your hair when it’s totally wet. Gently towel dry your hair and let it semi air dry before you apply any kind of heat. Add moisture with hair serum and heat protectant. 

4. Avoid backcombing

Backcombing is so damaging to hair. Instead invest in hair powder to add volume.

5. Don’t avoid getting a trim

This is vital, especially when you have long hair or are growing it, to keep it healthy and strong.

6. Ditch plastic hairbrushes

Instead invest in a wooden bristle brush, which is more gentle on your scalp and also makes sure the natural oils get evenly distributed through the hair. 

Hydration hair heroes: our favourite moisture boosters

You don’t have to just accept dry and damaged hair as the norm. You can add moisture and hydrate your hair with our favourite products, below.

Budget-friendly products to revive dry and damaged hair

Having dry and damaged hair doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on products to fix it.

In fact we’ve found some of the best brands that really work - all for under £20. Scroll through the gallery to see our recommendations.

Long hair? Follow these stylist-approved steps to maintain it

Trying to grow your hair or simply maintain your already luscious locks? Read on... 

1. Never use harsh shampoos

Shampoos that strip the scalp of its natural oils are a complete no-no! You need to understand that the longer the hair, the drier the ends.

You need to cleanse the dirt but you can't strip your hair of its nutrients. Opt for a super mild shampoo and conditioner and see the difference.

2. Never skip haircare regimes

The longer your hair, the more it gets damaged by the heat, styling and sun damage. So make sure you take some time out once a week to do a hair mask or give yourself an oil massage. Take yourself out to get a hair spa treatment with us once a month, too. 

3. Never ill-treat wet hair

Seriously, never ever start using the blow dryer on dripping wet hair! Make sure you towel dry hair thoroughly and let it semi air dry before you apply heat. Also, do yourself a favour and get a microfibre towel, which is gentler on the hair. Don't forget to add moisture with hair serum and heat protectant. 

4. Never backcomb your hair for volume

Teasing is the worst thing that you could do to your long hair. Your hair is already stressed by the weight. Instead, invest in a great texturising spray and scrunch your hair for volume.

5. Never douse your hair in chemicals

Steer clear of alcohol-laden hair sprays and products with parabens, especially when those products need to be applied to your ends. Remember, the longer your hair the more nourishment your ends need!

6. Never cancel your trim appointments

You know how we keep recommending that you get regular trims? Well, we're not just saying it for fun - it's vital to do so when you have long hair to keep it healthy and strong.

7. Never tie your hair up the same way

This is a two-fold misdemeanour: give your hair a break, switch up the position of your ponytail/bun, let your hair down or braid it. Make sure your hair is not tied too tight and you don't use a hair elastic that causes breakage. 

8. Never use plastic hair brushes

Use a ceramic or wooden bristle brush. It is less harsh on your scalp and also makes sure the natural oils get evenly distributed through the hair. 

This is an edited version of beauty journalist Kannagi Desai's article on the Popxo website. Read the original version here.

How to have a Good Hair Day every day

Fed up of waking up with hair you can’t tame? This is our five step salon-approved formula for how to have a Good Hair Day every day.

Step 1: Cleanse

Just like you cleanse your skin, your hair needs the same care. You don’t have to do this daily - how often you wash your hair depends on its dryness and if you have product build up. Washing your hair will leave it and your scalp feeling clean, removing any products, grease, dirt and dead skin cells which might have built up.

Step 2: Condition and nourish

Conditioning your hair helps to detangle, seal the cuticles and provide moisture. It replenishes the moisture that your shampoo may have removed, and it will help remove any knots or tangles that were caused by massaging your shampoo onto your hair and scalp.

Step 3: Protect

Never use heated styling tools like curlers or straightener on wet or damp hair. After applying a heat protectant, let your hair air dry for a couple of minutes before applying heat.

Step 4: Moisturise

After styling your hair or letting it air dry, add back in a little moisture. Also on days where you’re not washing your hair, your hair may benefit from a moisture boost. This is where hair oil comes in, our favorite multitasker! Hair oils are also great for controlling frizz and preventing dryness.

Step 5: Treatment

Try a weekly mask, oil or a scalp treatment. This can help tackle damage, dryness and an oily, flaky or dry scalp, and improve the overall appearance and health of your hair.

These are our favourite sea salt sprays for beautiful beach waves

If you love the way your hair looks on holiday then you need to invest in some sea salt spray for those effortless beachy waves. We’ve tracked down the ones that we think REALLY work…

How to grow out a bob

When you're growing out your hair it can feel painstakingly slow, and there's nothing worse than that in between stage when you feel like you're neither one style nor another.

The thing is, there is no single product that will make your hair grow quicker (sorry, we wish there was!). But there are certain things you can do which will get your hair in great condition to help it grow:

Treat your hair with some TLC

Try and exfoliating shampoo to properly cleanse your hair and strengthen it against breakage. We like this one from L'Oreal Paris. A rich argan-oil based conditioner like this will also keep your locks in good condition.

Cut your hair every six - eight weeks

We know this sounds scary and counterproductive to someone growing their hair, but regular trims will give your follicles a boost and help with your game-term plan to have long, luscious locks . Book your next appointment by calling us on 01865 553725 or clicking here.

Stop towel drying your hair

If you wrap your hair into a bath towel turban after washing, stop! This causes hair to break, and towel rubbing it dry causes even more damage. Instead invest in a microfibre hair wrap like this, which is more gentle on the follicles and also helps to de-frizz at the same time.

These are our favourite hair products that really work

Fed up with expensive hair products that over-promise and under-deliver? We’ve tracked down the ones that we think REALLY work, from frizz busters and heat protectors to hydration boosters and thickening lotions.

Spring hair SOS: How to look after your hair

Now the weather is warming up our hair is more prone to damage from sun and humidity. If you want to promote healthy hair growth, there are a few things you can do to protect your hair:

Wear a hat or scarf to shield your hair from the sun

Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil with SPF

Avoid too much chlorine and salt water

Massage your scalp to stimulate blood flow and oxygen to hair follicles

Use detoxifying treatments to remove buildup and rejuvenate your scalp

Wash your scalp weekly to prevent dandruff and itching

Choose a lightweight, pH-balanced shampoo to calm frizz

Avoid shampooing every day, which can dry out your hair