Three easy spring haircare tips you need to try TODAY

Spring is finally here, which means the weather is (hopefully!) sunnier, the flowers are in full bloom and it's a great time to think about changing your haircare routine.

Here are our top three tips for looking after your hair this season:

1. Have a trim

Winter really takes its toll on your hair, with the cold air and indoor heating playing havoc with your locks by drying it out. A quick trim is all you need to get rid of dry and damaged ends and help your hair regain its shine and health. Book your next appointment by calling us today on 01865 553725 or fill in our booking form here.

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2. Lighten your hair

In spring, not only the days should be lighter, but it's nice to give your hair a lift, too. If you're not ready to completely overhaul your look with a brand new colour, then we recommend trying our new L'oreal Instant Highlights to change your hairstyle without doing anything too drastic. Not only do they take half the time of normal highlights, they have a really natural finish for that all-important sun kissed look.

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3. Let your hair dry naturally

It's madness to go out with wet hair in winter, but now the weather is warming up you can let your hair air dry a bit more. Taking a hairdryer break will also give your hair a chance to grow stronger and it avoids further damaging the strands. Remember to gently towel dry rather than rub your hair as the follicles are at their weakest when wet.

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Our favourite hair products that really work

Fed up with 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.

Shiny hair secrets, from the experts

Everyday exposure to things like showers, pollution, and hair styling products can decrease your hair's health and make it look less shiny than you'd like.

The most important thing for shiny hair is that the hair cuticle is closed and smooth so it can reflect the light. Well-moisturised, healthy hair is naturally shinier—and applying hot hair oils is the fastest way to boost hydration levels and improve existing damage.

Here are three more ways to boost shine:

1. Blast your hair with cold water after washing: an icy cold rinse in the shower shuts all the cuticles down, making them lay flat so your strands will shine.

2. Try a leave in conditioner: a lightweight leave-in conditioner can help moisturise and smooth the hair cuticles.

3. Avoid harmful ingredients: check labels on shampoo, conditioner and styling products and avoid anything with paragons, which can strip the hair of moisture.

Try this £7.59 deep conditioning trick to add moisture to hair

Is your hair heat damaged and flyaway? Exposure to sun, excessive blowdrying, curling and straightening, can leave hair dry and frazzled, stripping it of its natural oils.

It's unrealistic for most of us to completely abandon our favourite heat styling tools, but you can bring your hair back to life with Argan oil (just £7.59 from Amazon).

Argan oil from Amazon

Add moisture to hair

Step one: Apply a generous amount of oil to your hair.

Step two: Comb the oil through to the ends.

Step three: Leave it on for 30-60 minutes (longer if you have time) before shampooing it out. Remember that a little goes a long way with argan oil, so start with a small amount and adjust as needed.

Help! How do I grow out a short 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 (yes, really!)

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.

How to repair heat damaged hair

With constant styling from blow dries, curling and straightening, it’s no wonder many of us are suffering with heat-damaged hair.

But first, what does heat damage do to hair?

Heat damaged hair happens when the hair cuticles are broken. The cuticles are the outer layers of each strand of hair, and they're made up of proteins that form shingles, a bit like a roof. These shingles overlap to keep strands moisturised and protected.

Heat damage causes these shingles to rise up, exposing the inner layer of hair and when this happens, your hair will become dehydrated and struggle to contain moisture.

How can you tell if you have heat damaged hair?

It’s quite obvious as your hair will look dull, and feel dry and brittle. If you’re a curly girl, you might notice you’ve lost your natural bounce. Straight hair loses its sleekness and you might see more split ends and flyaway hairs.

Five ways to repair heat damaged hair

Get a haircut

The most dramatic heat damaged hair treatment option is cutting your hair. This is the only way to 'undo damage because you're removing hair that has split ends, hair that's damaged and has been weakened by over-use of hot tools.

Get a trim

If you aren't ready for a complete haircut, getting a trim off the ends of your hair can help while allowing you to keep the length. 

Switch products

Aim for products that are free from sulfates and parabens and made specifically for damaged hair. Damaged hair shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in conditioners add moisture into your hair and help to rebuild the broken protein bonds. If you wash your hair daily, consider going a little longer between washes to allow some of the natural oils to build up and create a protective barrier around your hair.

Do a weekly hair mask

Heat damaged hair has become severely dehydrated because the moisture is stripped when you use a hairdryer, straighteners or curlers on a high heat setting. You can help rehydrate your hair with a moisturizing hair mask once or twice a week.

Use a heat protectant

Heat protectant sprays create a barrier between your hair and the hot tools, so you can dry and style your hair without causing more damage. And the great thing is, heat protectants can be applied to dry or wet hair. 

How to get rid of split ends, according to our stylists

If you’re wondering how to get rid of split ends, you’re not alone, and our stylists are here to tell you exactly how to do it.

But firstly, what are split ends and what causes them?

Split ends are basically when the ends of your hair are brittle and dry, and they look like they are splitting.

What causes split ends?

The most common causes are chemical treatments and styling including blow drying, heat styling, perming, bleaching and all types of hair colouring as well as infrequent hair trims. Environmental elements such as the weather can and often do result in split ends, too. But don’t worry as split ends are normal and it doesn’t mean they are your fault.

How to prevent split ends

First up, regular trims removes the damaged ends and prevents them from traveling up the hair shaft. Aim for a haircut every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends. Other things that can help is showering with cooler water than usual, and finishing your shower with a cold blast to seal your cuticle at the end.

When your hair is wet, it’s also at its most vulnerable - it can stretch up to 50% when it’s wet. So put any leave-in conditioners before combing your hair, and try to avoid sleeping with wet hair. Using a microfibre towel, as opposed to a standard cotton one, straight out of the shower can also help protect hair. This is because microfibre causes less friction on hair especially when it’s fragile. Cutting back on heated styling can also reduce damage.

How to fix split ends

When it comes to repairing split ends, treat your hair like you would your skin. So that means use products that add moisture and that are deeply hydrating like a leave-in conditioner or serum.

Autumn haircare tips for healthy hair

When the weather cools it can play havoc with your hair, causing dryness and frizz. But there are a few things you can do to help protect your hair in autumn…

Hydration station

Deep condition your hair with a mask or leave-on conditioner once or twice a week in autumn. Just 10 minutes a few times a week is all you need to keep hair healthy.

Take a break from ponytails

It’s cooler to wear your hair up in the summer but this can cause breakages and scalp stress some come the autumn consider wearing your hair down more often.

Invest in protecting products

Heated styling tools can cause all sorts of damage, especially during the colder months. Add a few protectant products like spray, serum, mousse, or cream to your winter beauty arsenal.

Get a haircut

We always say it, but regular haircuts can help make hair healthier. The longer your hair, the more susceptible you are to breakage so give us a call to book your next appointment.

Curly hair girl's dream list of anti-frizz products

If you have curly hair you’ll know what a challenge it can be to keep the frizz factor under control.

We’re here to tell you about our favourite anti-frizz products to tame that mane!

How to get shiny hair - three natural hair masks you can make at home with these everyday foods

Do you want to know how to get glossy hair?

A shine-enhancing hair mask, either in our salon before a cut (ask your stylist about treatments), or a DIY one at home is a great haircare habit to get into for that ultimate shine.

Read on to find out about three hair masks you can make with everyday fridge ingredients.

Avocado hair mask

Avocados contain natural oils that are hydrating for dry hair, so using the fruit in a mask is a great way to add shine. It’s also full of vitamins that are nourishing to the scalp and can help hair look healthier.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Mash an avocado until smooth. You can also use a blender to process it.

2. Wet your hair then spread the avocado from your roots to your tips.

3. Leave it in your hair for at least 15 minutes.

4. Shampoo your hair as normal then rinse with cold water.

Egg mask

It may sound strange, but an egg can do wonders for your hair. This is because the yolk nourishes your hair by adding moisture. The white part of the egg also helps remove any build-up, and because eggs are full of protein, they are really strengthening - resulting in lovely, shiny hair.

Here's how to do it:

1. Beat one egg in a small bowl.

2. Wet your hair.

3. Pour the egg over your head. Use a wide-tooth comb to comb it to the tips of your hair.

4. Leave it in the hair for at least 15 minutes.

5. Shampoo as normal, then rinse with cold water for maximum shine.

Apple cider vinegar mask

Apple cider vinegar is an amazing natural conditioner and gloss booster, which works by balancing the hair’s pH level, removing product build-up and leaving hair super soft.

And don’t worry because once your hair dries, it won’t smell like vinegar.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Shampoo your hair as usual, but don’t use any conditioner.

2. Pour a mixture of 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon water over your head. Comb it through to your tips. Very long hair may require two to three tablespoons.

3. Leave it in for five minutes, then rinse your hair with cold water.