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.

How can I make my curls look better?

Easy curly hair tips for your best curls ever

The difference between fighting your curls and loving them lies within your hair care routine. Let's be honest, curly hair is different from other hair textures.

It requires more hydration, less washing, and a lot more TLC than straighter hair types. But curly hair doesn't have to be hard work. Follow these tips to help you find the best curls of your life.

1. Always comb your hair from the bottom up

2. Get regular trims to avoid split ends

3. Don't weigh curls down with too much product

How to have a good hair day - every day

We all know the feeling… our hair won’t behave and, silly as it seems, we can’t help feeling that it’s ruined the rest of the day.

But help is at hand. Just follow our four tips and you’ll never have another bad hair day again. We promise!

Use protection

The easiest way to ensure that you have a good hair day is to use a heat protectant spray after you wash your hair, and before you use any styling tools like straighteners, curlers or hairdryers. Not only will this protect your hair from any heat damage, but it will also create the perfect base for you to create the perfect look.

Shiny happy hair

We all know that shiny hair equals healthy hair - just look at Meghan Markle! So if you want to make every day a Good Hair Day, simply invest in a good hair mask and make it a regular ritual to deeply condition your locks.

Add volume

Gentle backcombing (think a little tussle rather than full on 80s style) can help your hair look full of life. To do this, start at the roots and tease the hair over your brush and then give it a blast with your favourite hairspray.

Fake it

Even when you’re having an off day you can still bring it back with some handy handbag essentials like dry shampoo and hair serum.

How to protect hair while sleeping

As wonderful as sleeping is, it can play havoc with your hair.

But there are a few things you can do to protect it. Here are our top tips and tricks for protecting your hair while you sleep…

Seven ways to protect your hair while sleeping:

• Dry your hair before bed

• Avoid sleeping with your hair tied up

• Use scrunchies over hair bobbles

• Apply some dry shampoo

• Use a silk scarf

• Apply an overnight conditioning treatment

• Splurge on a silk pillowcase

How to get more volume in your hair

Use a volumising shampoo and conditioner 

Volume starts in the shower (or bath) so find a volumising shampoo and conditioner for your hair type and make it part of your haircare routine.

Avoid putting conditioner on roots

Tempting as it might be to slather conditioner all over our heads, this will actually make your hair look flatter! When you clean your hair with shampoo, your cuticles open up looking for nourishment and moisture, but when you whack loads of conditioner on the scalp (a natural oil source) it will make your roots appear heavy and greasy.

Half-dry your hair upside down

Start off your drying journey with your head flipped upside down - this lifts hair at the root and will rough up your cuticles for maximum volume. When your hair is almost dry, flip back to upright and blow-dry the mid-ends to smooth and soften them.

Three hair curling styling tools to up your hair game

Silk wave curler, £39.99 (was £79) at Silk-wave.com.

Mermade hair curler, pro waver mini 25mm, £55, Mermade.

BaByliss PRO Perfect Curl MKII, £112.50 from BaByliss.

The ten biggest 2021 hair trends - according to L'Oreal

After the year we’ve had, there’s no doubt 2021 is calling for a serious hair makeover. And there are plenty of new trends to choose from, whether you want a new colour, trendy cut or chic new hairstyle.

As stockists of L’Oreal’s fantastic range at Pankhurst & Deane, here is the beauty giant’s top predictions for hair trends for 2021:

#1: SILVER PURPLE HAIR

Hybrid hair colour, basically shades that blend two hues into one, has made quite the name for itself in the beauty world, and silver purple hair is no exception. It’s bold, chic, and combines notes of purple with shimmery silver tints. Like the sound of this? Book in with us now to give your hair the modern take on a blue rinse!

#2: PIXIES

Short hair is one of the best ways to create a new look and 2021 is the time to reinvent yourself.

Pixie cuts are making a comeback.

#3: ROSE BROWN HAIR

If you’re brunette, there are various ways to spice up your mane—via a warm or cool-toned touch—and rosy brown hair has become a popular pick. It’s a low-maintenance option that adds dimension to brown manes—though blondes to redheads can totally rock the colour as well, just with a little more upkeep.

#4: HAIR CLIPS

Sometimes, a hair accessory is all you need to switch things up in the mane department. Barrettes, in particular, serve as a nostalgic staple that adds a chic accent to your hairstyles. You can choose to crisscross them or wear them on the side of your head. Wear your hair down with just a few strands clipped back, or pair them with your favourite undoes.

#5: SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE

If a fringe is your thing, then you’ll be happy to learn that side-swept fringes are seriously trendy for 2021. This style provides movement and works to highlight your features. It looks especially flattering on those with bigger foreheads since it shifts the focus to your eyes.

#6: CURTAIN FRINGE

This look is all about framing your face, thanks to their long sides and wispy ends. Talk to us today about creating this style for you.

#7: SHAG HAIRCUTS

In case you’ve missed it, shag haircuts are back and better than ever. They’re a fantastic way to add edge to your look and pay homage to the rock n’ rollers of the ’70s.

Shaggy haircuts are making a comeback!

#8: SMOKED MARSHMALLOW

If you have naturally dark hair and are curious about going blonde, ‘smoked marshmallow hair’ may be the trend for you. This rooted blonde colour features brunette roots that gradually transition to platinum blonde ends using lowlights and highlights to create a modern look.

#9: BLUNT BOB

As we said, short hair is a mood for 2021. A blunt bob is another popular cut, but it isn’t a look for the faint-hearted. This bold cut requires quite a bit of maintenance to keep its sleek, straight-across edges intact.

#10: TEXTURED BOB

No rule says that you can’t flaunt a bob with textured strands. Adding texture into the mix is a chic way to steer away from the traditional look. It also highlights natural textures and can be pulled together in a matter of minutes. All you need is a touch of hair mousse, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse, to rock the trend like a pro. Apply a 20p-sized amount of curl mousse evenly through your damp strands, scrunch, and go.

This is an edited version of a feature by L’Oreal. Read the full article here.

How to dye your hair red - by L'Oreal

Red hair colour – it’s fierce, vibrant and stands out in a crowd. From warm, orange-red hues to the boldest scarlet shade, there are so many ways to give your hair an edge.

Always toyed with the idea of going red but worried about maintaining those fiery hues? We’ve spent years honing our hair colour products, so vibrant, fiery and bright red hair is easier than ever to achieve.

Follow our guide on how to dye your hair red at home – from choosing your best shade, to the dyeing process and aftercare.

Which shade of red is right for me?

-For cool, rosier skin tones: Go for red-red or red-violet
-For warmer or olive skin tones: Choose red-red or orange-red. It’s best to stick to either two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair colour. This is more likely to give you a great colour match with your brows and skin tone.

How to dye hair bright red

Follow these steps to achieve beautiful, bright red hair with Colorista Bright Red Permanent Gel Hair Dye. If you don’t want to commit to a full head of colour, dip-dyeing and ombre techniques are a great way to get some subtle red tones. Make sure you are colour safe and that you do your allergy alert test 48h before colouring hair! You can do this by applying a small amount of the red hair dye and peroxide behind your ear.

Step 1

Red hair colour dyes better when you haven’t used shampoo for at least a day. Be sure to wear gloves, cover shoulders with a towel and wear an old t-shirt. Then begin by brushing out any knots and clip your hair up into two or three sections, leaving the bottom layer loose.

Step 2

Here’s a simple and great hack to make sure you don’t stain your skin: rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline. Who wants pink blotches on their forehead? Not us!

Step 3

Remember to always follow the instructions on the packet. As a general guide (please refer to the Colorista Paint leaflet for more information) begin applying the mixture onto your roots and then apply the remaining product through lengths and ends. For even, all-over colour, it might be easier to get a friend to help you out. Repeat layer-by-layer, un-clipping hair as you go, making sure you’re coating every strand. Applying the dye can take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the thickness of your hair.

Step 4

Once you’ve applied the red hair colour, secure your hair so it’s out of way. Remove any excess dye from the skin surrounding your hairline, then relax while you wait for the colour to develop. Go with the recommended time in the instruction leaflet, but check on it regularly to see how it’s progressing. We recommend waiting the full development time for the most vibrant, long-lasting colour. After all, good things come to those who wait!

Step 5

Time’s up! Wash your hair until the water runs clear and apply the nourishing post-colour mask included in the box. Leave the conditioner in for a while longer than usual to really lock that moisture into your hair.

Dry straight away to see your new vibrant red hair!

Dyeing dark hair red

Brunette is an easy shade to transition from, providing the red hair colour you choose is darker than your current shade. The red hues in permanent dye are powerful and transform brown hair easily. Dyeing black hair red (especially if it’s been dyed black) isn’t recommended unless you see a hair colour professional who can bleach it first. Don’t want to go for a permanent shade? You could always try our Colorista Washout in red.

Dyeing blonde hair red

Blonde bombshells, it’s worth noting that rich, merlot shades of red could end up turning pink, which probably isn’t quite the look you were going for. Use the Colorista bright red shade, and make sure you keep up the fade-defying maintenance tips afterwards to keep your locks vibrant.

Our Colorista Bright Red Permanent Gel Hair Dye isn’t recommended for very light blondes, but rose gold could be your colour. Discover different rose gold looks here.

How to stop red hair fading

Red hair colour does have a reputation for fading fast. This can be explained by some simple science: red molecules are slightly larger than those found in other hair dyes, and the larger surface area stands less chance of clinging to your hair.

But it’s not all doom and gloom – following a colour maintenance haircare routine and investing in a good quality home dye kit are essential for maintaining luscious red locks. Colorista Bright Red Permanent Gel Hair Dye is expertly formulated to lock in colour, and by using Elvive Colour Protect products in your daily routine, your hair will look radiant for longer and get the nourishment it needs to stay looking fresh.

Fancy trying a different bright shade? Get some inspiration for a bold new look here, or if you fancy something lighter, follow our guide to dyeing your hair silver.