How to choose a hair colour

When it comes to choosing the right hair colour for you, our colourists know the three elements that combined will create your perfect look...

1) Your complexion

The colour of your skin tone is actually one of the most important aspects of choosing the perfect hair colour. The correct colour will compliment your skin and make it appear even more beautiful, while the wrong colour might make your skin look dull and dreary.

2) Your eyes

To really enhance and intensify your eye colour, we might recommend a contrasting colour. For instance - if your eyes are blue, a caramel or golden blonde tone will make them appear even bluer. If they are green, a fiery or soft red tone could be the perfect colour for you.

3) Personal style

Once the hair colour has been narrowed down to suit your complexion and eye colour, your personal style should be considered - and this is where you know best. Do you want to be noticed or blend in? Do you need to be more daring or does your outfit say enough? Make sure the shades you and your hair stylist choose is one that will make you feel confident and yourself.

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.

Static hair? Here are five products to fix it

Fuzzy hair is a common problem, and there are lots of different reasons why it can happen.

You could be over-styling, brushing your hair a little too aggressively, wearing your ponytail too tight, have hormonal hair thinning or fragile hair after having a baby.

Fix it with these five anti-frizz products…

How to fix frizzy hair: your step by step guide (and the frizz-busting products we love)

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

To effectively tackle frizzy hair, you need to focus on adding moisture, minimising heat and friction and using the right products for you. This means gentle sulphate-free cleaning, deep conditioning and the best styling techniques that help to smooth the hair cuticles.

Gentle cleansing: That means investing in sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that add moisuture. Avoid over-washing as this can strip the hair of its natural oils and make the frizz factor even worse.

Invest in deep conditioner: Doing a weekly hair mask or using deep conditioner once a week will repair frizzy hair and add intense hydration.

Use leave-in treatments: Serums, leave-in conditioners and hair oils can lock in moisture and protect against the humidity that can lead to frizzy hair.

Chill out on heat styling: Use styling tools on the lowest settings and use a heat protectant spray to keep hair from getting frazzled.

Cold water rinse: End your shower with a cold water rinse as this seals the hair cuticle making it look shinier, and reducing the frizz factor.

Gentle drying: Carefully blot hair dry with a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt instead of rubbing vigorously with a towel. And always wait for hair to dry a bit before brushing it as this can cause frizz and breakage.

Fix dry hair with these stylist-approved products

If you’re never used hair oils, they are a really inexpensive way to add moisture and shine while strengthening the follicles to encourage growth.

They can also help repair dry, damaged hair, split ends and even dandruff. Here’s the main benefits of using hair oils:

Moisturising: Hair oils work by penetraing the hair shaft, giving a deep hit of hydrating and helping to repair dry and damaged hair. They also help to keep the mositure in, keeping your hair feeling extra soft.

Strengthening: Hair oils also strengthen the hair shaft, and this helps to make it less likely to suffer from breakage and split ends. Amazingly, they can even help reduce hair loss, promoting healthier looking, thicker hair. You’re basically giving your hair a good old drink with hair oils, and this can reduce friction when styling so hair appears smooth and glossy.

Promotes shine: Hair oils add shine and life to lacklustre, dry hair. They can make your hair texture feel softer, too.

Protection: Hair oils provide a protective barrier around the hair shaft, helping it stay protected from environmental damage like pollution, central heating and UV rays, as well as styling tools.

Three tricks to SOS your hair this summer after swimming

TRICK TWO: Coconut oil helps to coat the hair before a swim so that chlorine doesn’t come into contact with it.

TRICK THREE: A leave-in conditioner also helps to protect the hair before you take a dip.

Dry hair? These the the best hair masks to rehydrate

If your hair is damaged and dry then there’s one thing you need to invest in… a hair mask.

The beauty of a hair mask is that they get deep into hair strands and the cuticle to repair breakage and strengthen from root to tip. If you have dyed hair they are also a must.

“The key with hair treatments is to keep them up and ensure they are used weekly to keep hair condition at its best,” recommends Sam McKnight, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair by Sam McKnight.

Read on for our list of the best hair masks for dry, damaged hair.

Why is my hair greasy after I wash it? Causes and how to fix it

Greasy hair after you wash it? Don’t panic - there are lots of reasons this could happen, from over-washing, using the wrong products and pollution, and we’re here to identify what’s going on.

Read on to find out about the most common reasons for greasy hair - and how to fix it.

Over-washing

If you wash your hair too often you’ll know about it! It can disrupt your scalp’s natural oil balance and this triggers to the body to overproduct oil to compensate what is being stripped away by the shampoo. The result? Greasy hair.

Using the wrong products

Harsh shampoos with sulfates (look out for sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate on the ingredients list) or silicones, can irritate the scalp and trigger excess oil production. Using too much conditioner can also leave a residue on the hair, which can make it look greasy.

Over-styling

Certain products, particularly those that have oil or wax in them, can cause a build-up in hair that looks and feels greasy.

Not rinsing when you wash hair

If you don’t rinse enough then you’ll most likely get a build-up of shampoo or conditioner which, you guessed it, leaves a residue that can weight hair down and make it feel and appear greasy.

Pollution

On holiday? Humidity can make hair greasy.

Hormone imbalances

If you’re experiencing hormonal changes this can impact sebum production, which makes hair look greasier than normal.

What to do to fix greasy hair

1. Adjust how often you wash your hair: Cut back on washes to see if that helps.

2. Go sulphate-free: Opt for lightweight, sulfate and silicone-free shampoos and conditioners designed for oily hair.

3. Rinse thoroughly: Make sure you rinse all shampoo and conditioner out of your hair.

4. Consider clarifying shampoos: Using these every so often can help to remove product build-up.

5. Use conditioner sparingly: Put conditioner on the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp.

6. Clean hair tools regularly: Keep brushes, combs and other hair tools clean ro avoid build-up.

7. Address hormonal imbalances: If you think fluctuating hormones could be at play, talk to your doctor.

If you want to look after your hair this summer do these three things

Hold back on heat styling

Holidays are the time to go a bit more natural, so hold back on using heated styling tools or hairdryers to give your hair a break.

And don't forget to book your next appointment ready for when you get home, too.3 easy ways to prepare your hair for summer.

Freshen up

Not sure whether to book in a cut or colour before or after your holiday? We’ve got the stylist-approved answer: do it before!

Freshly-trimmed locks will ensure the hair is in the best condition to handle the heat, while newly dyed hair will look incredible in holiday photos.

Pack sun protection

Our hair needs UV protection too, so to shield your strands from the damaging effects of the sun by packing a protective hair spray or cream.