Five Summer Hair Concerns (and How to Fix Them!)

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anti-frizz spray, breakage, buildup, chlorine, clarifying shampoo, colour-protecting products, conditioner, cruelty-free, deep-conditioning treatments, dry shampoo, dryness, excessive heat, frizz, frizz-control serum, GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray, GHD Straight and Smooth Spray, greasy scalp, hair colour fading, heat protectant spray, heat styling damage, heat-free hairstyles, L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour Radiance Masque, leave-in conditioner, lightweight hairspray, loose braids, messy buns, moisturising shampoo, natural oils, natural texture, natural waves, Nine Yards Moisture Duo, oil, Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Shampoo, Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, regular trims, saltwater, serum, split ends, sun damage, towel-dry, updos, UV protection, Vegan, wide-toothed comb

Photo by Maxx Miller on Unsplash

Summer is a season filled with sunshine, beach trips, and outdoor adventures. However, while we enjoy the warmer weather, our hair often faces a host of challenges. From frizz to sun damage, summer can wreak havoc on our locks. But fear not! Today, we’re going to  explore five common summer hair concerns and provide you with effective solutions to keep your hair looking fabulous all season long.

Frizz 

The humidity that accompanies the summer months can lead to frizzy hair nightmares. To combat this, start by using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner, such as Nine Yards Moisture Duo to keep your hair hydrated. After washing, gently towel-dry your hair and apply a frizz-control serum or oil, focusing on the ends. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair instead of a brush, as brushes can cause more frizz. Opt for hairstyles that embrace your natural texture, such as loose braids or messy buns. And for an extra defence against frizz, use a lightweight hairspray or anti-frizz spray, like GHD Straight and Smooth Spray, to set your style.

Sun Damage 

Just like our skin, our hair is susceptible to sun damage. UV rays can cause dryness, discoloration, and brittleness. Shield your hair from the sun by wearing a hat or scarf when you’re outside for extended periods. Additionally, invest in a leave-in conditioner with UV protection to nourish and safeguard your strands. Deep-conditioning treatments once a week can also help repair any damage caused by the sun. If you notice your hair colour fading, use colour-protecting products specifically formulated to maintain vibrancy and prevent fading, such as L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour Radiance Masque.

Chlorine and Saltwater Effects 

Frequent dips in the pool or the ocean can take a toll on your hair. Chlorine and saltwater can strip away natural oils, leaving your hair feeling dry and brittle. Before swimming, wet your hair with clean water to minimise its absorption of chlorine or salt. Afterward, rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water to remove any residual chemicals. Use Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo once a week to eliminate buildup and restore balance. To replenish moisture, apply a deep-conditioning mask or treatment such as Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner regularly. You should also consider wearing a swimming cap to provide an extra layer of protection if you’re an avid swimmer.

Greasy Scalp 

The combination of sweat, heat, and excess oil production can leave your scalp feeling greasy and your hair looking limp during summer. Combat this issue by washing your hair every other day with a clarifying shampoo to remove excess oil and sweat. Avoid using heavy conditioners or styling products near the roots, as they can weigh down your hair. Dry shampoo is your best friend when it comes to combating greasy roots on the days you skip washing. It helps absorb excess oil, giving your hair a fresh and voluminous appearance. We recommend Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Shampoo, which is a vegan and cruelty free dry shampoo from Olaplex. It’s been formulated with an innovative, scalp detoxing formula to dry cleanse and absorb oil without buildup, dryness or dullness. 

Heat Styling Damage 

With the rise in temperature, it’s tempting to use heat styling tools to tame frizz or create sleek hairstyles. However, excessive heat can lead to dryness, breakage, and split ends. Embrace heat-free hairstyles whenever possible, such as natural waves or updos. When you do use heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray or serum beforehand to shield your hair from damage, like GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray. Lower the heat setting on your tools and limit usage to a few times a week. Regular trims every six to eight weeks will also help prevent split ends and maintain healthy-looking hair. 

Get Your Best Complexion Ever with These Clay Masks

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Aromatherapy Associates Rose Pink Clay Mask, beauty, Bentonite, bilberry, body, clay, complexion, Decleor Rosemary Black Clay Mask, detoxify, environmental impurities, excess oil, face, hair, impurities, kaolin, lavender, lemon, mask, masks, Medik8 Natural Clay Mask, natural origin, orange, pink, purify, REN Clean Skincare Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask, sebum, skin, skincare, spirulina, sugar cane, This Works Evening Detox Clay Mask

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A clay mask is without a doubt one of the best ways to help refine and rebalance your skin, regardless of whether it is dull, congested, or oily. Clay masks are beneficial for a wide range of skin conditions and types. They can brighten your skin, absorb toxins and excess oils, hydrate, prevent breakouts, restore the skin’s balance, and regulate sebum production, among other things. It’s a great product to have on hand for a quick fix or a weekly routine, regardless of your skin type. However, since not all clay masks are created equal, it is essential to select a formulation that meets your requirements. Here’s our pick of our best clay masks:

Aromatherapy Associates Rose Pink Clay Mask

This mask from Aromatherapy Associates is made from French pink clay which is rich in minerals and has a restorative and nourishing effect on your  hair, face and body. It’s combined with hydrating sweet almond oil and shea butter, to enrich and uplift the senses while giving your chosen treatment area a deeply conditioning treat. The product is made from entirely vegan ingredients and contains no SLS, giving you the confidence that you’re using something which is 100% beneficial. 

Decleor Rosemary Black Clay Mask

From pink clay to black clay! This mask from Decleor is a 98% natural origin clay face mask enriched with rosemary essential oil, salicylic acid and black clay to reduce imperfections and purify the skin with no dehydrating effects. Use it just once or twice a week for ten minutes at a time and your skin will feel cleaner, have fewer blackheads and sebum will be more balanced. Perfect for teenage or hormonal skin which is prone to blemishes. 

Medik8 Natural Clay Mask

This mask from Medik8 is made from bentonite and kaolin clay and will gently detox the skin to promote a clear, radiant complexion. Unlike many other clay masks which feel heavy on the skin and difficult to apply, this mask has a whipped consistency which feels light, refreshing and easy to use. As well as a blend of clays, this mask contains extracts of cranberry to enhance skin texture and luminosity, while vitamin E locks in moisture for optimal hydration. 

This Works Evening Detox Clay Mask

If you work or live in a busy town or city, then you’re probably aware of the havoc that daily pollution can play with your complexion. This mask from This Works is created using detoxifying malachite and kaolin clay – the kaolin  absorbs excess oil and environmental impurities to purify the skin while malachite helps to detoxify and protect against environmental aggressors and pollution. Finally, the mask contains a blend of five natural botanicals including bilberry, sugar cane, orange and lemon which rapidly exfoliate by increasing cell turnover. 

REN Clean Skincare Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask

One of the main benefits of using clay to create masks is that it absorbs the excess sebum from your skin – perfect if you suffer from an oil imbalance. This detox mask from REN Clean Skincare is a thick clay mask for combination skin, that works to minimise the appearance of pores, removing excess sebum and fighting congestion, without drying the skin out. As well as kaolin clay, the formula offers spirulina extract which is deeply nourishing for the skin and lavender oil to help refresh your complexion. 

Haircare for Over 50’s (or Anyone With Grey Hair!)

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age, ageing, antioxidants, beauty, breakage, cream, Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir, GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray, grey, grey hair, hair, hair colour, heat, moisture, Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream, Nine Yards On Track Repair Shampoo, Olaplex, Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo, Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, over 50, shampoo, silver, silver hair, style, styling, sulphate-free, white hair

Photo by cottonbro studio

Over the last decade, grey hair has become more fashionable than ever before. It started with younger women who weren’t naturally grey heading to the salon to have their locks dyed grey. Then the naturally silver among us started to realise that they had what all of these women were paying hundreds of pounds for and started to embrace their natural colour. 

Then lockdown happened, meaning no-one could go to the hairdresser, and so, many women realised that allowing their natural sparkle to grow through was a lot less stressful than trying to colour their hair at home, and BOOM: the silver revolution was in full swing! 

It’s worth noting that grey hair goes through more than just a change of pigment and requires dedicated care to keep it looking its best, which is why we’ve put together a guide to haircare for the over 50’s – or indeed anyone of any age who’s already putting their best foot forward when it comes to grey hair:

Use a Mild Shampoo

As we age, our hair can often feel thinner and be more prone to breakage, so using a mild shampoo is essential. Nine Yards On Track Repair Shampoo is a strengthening shampoo with a mild sulphate free cleansing base, which also adds moisture to the hair without weighing it down. Also, it’s not just dyed hair which can benefit from toning; Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is a sulphate-free, highly concentrated formula thats allows for customizable toning and gives great results on grey hair. 

Add Moisture

Naturally grey hair is coarser and more dehydrated than pre-greying hair, which means that it needs a good moisture treatment to keep it looking sleek and smooth. Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir has been formulated with a 100% natural replacement to silicon leaving hair incredibly soft, light and moisturised.  Rich in antioxidants, it protects hair from environmental damages and helps regain lost moisture.

Use Protective Products

Believe it or not, your existing  hair doesn’t actually turn grey – your hair follicles produce less colour as they age, so when hair goes through its natural cycle of dying and being regenerated, it’s more likely to grow in as grey. These new hairs will need to be protected if you want your mane to look healthy. Pollution damages our hair everyday, leaving it dull, lifeless, difficult to style and ultimately resulting in broken bonds. Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is packed with antioxidants to neutralise free radicals, act as a shield against pollution, guard the hair from breakage and protect against heat styling.

Avoid Hairspray 

As we mentioned above, grey hair is also coarser and dryer, so try to cut back on hairspray where you can – the alcohol in hairspray can dry your hair out with repeated use, and the polymers that keep your hair in place can make your hair look even more dull. Instead, opt for something like Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream, which is a smoothing anti-frizz cream that calms flyaway hair and helps to keep the hair straight. It contains argan and sun flower seed extract to provide a lightweight conditioning cream with a natural shine.

Style With Care

Once we go naturally grey, many women find that they want to take more care than ever in styling their hair so that they maintain a youthful, put-together appearance. However, grey hair can be prone to damage and brassiness if you use too many heated tools on it. GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray provides an invisible barrier against everyday heat damage on damp or dry hair. Containing the unique ghd heat protection system, this spray can be layered with other styling products to create the result you desire.

Want Silky, Sleek Hair? Here’s How To Get It

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airflow, anti-frizz cream, brush, ceramic, cream, cuticle, dryer, GHD, GHD Hair Straightener, ghd max, hair, Hair Perfector, heat, Olaplex, Olaplex No.3, paddle, Paddle Brush, sleek, sleek hair, smooth, smoothing, straight, straight hair, styling

Image by Racool_studio on Freepik

Dry, untamed curls or waves are typically what come to mind when you think about frizz. However, frizz can also affect straight hair. So why is your hair so frizzy? Overbrushing, heat styling, dryness, and damage can all result in excessive frizziness. Straight hair may become frizzy if it becomes dry or damaged from too much heat styling, bleaching, or colouring. Your desired smooth locks will look frazzled or even straw-like after chemical processing and heat styling damage the hair’s cuticle.Too much friction from brushing and vigorous towel-drying can also ruffle the cuticle, creating unsightly frizz.

Fortunately, you don’t simply have to tolerate the frizz. Here’s how to achieve the sleek, silky look you want by taming your frizzy straight hair with these five products.

Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector

If you’ve got an issue with your hair, you can almost guarantee that there’s an Olaplex product to deal with it, and in this case, the No. 3 Hair Perfector could be your hair’s best friend! Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector is an at-home use treatment that reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair, improving its look and feel. It helps strengthen hair and rebuild broken bonds, helping to maintain the structure, integrity, softness and shine, giving you the sleek locks you’ve been dreaming of. 

GHD Paddle Brush

Achieving sleek hair is a combination of using the right products to prepare your hair and the right tools for styling. The GHD Paddle Brush is the must have brush for fast and effective styling on mid to long hair, creating straight-and sleek blow-dries and smoothing hair into ponytails and updos. The broad design of the paddle brush makes it perfect for use when drying your hair and it#s made from materials which stop static from affecting your mane. 

GHD Helios Hair Dryer In Warm Pewter

This lightweight-yet-powerful hair dryer features unique Aeroprecis technology which channels a highly concentrated airflow, travelling at 120kmh, through the long-life, brushless DC motor. Advanced internal aerodynamics work in harmony with the precision contoured nozzle to focus the powerful airflow for precise styling with 3x more hair alignment, helping you to style your hair into a sleek, smooth style. 

Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream

If you want to ensure extra sleek hair, using an anti-frizz cream during drying or styling will make a huge difference. This smoothing anti-frizz cream from Nine Yards calms flyaway hair and helps to keep the hair straight. It contains argan and sunflower seed extract to provide a lightweight conditioning cream with a natural shine. It can be used on wet or dry hair and has a 100% vegan formula which is free from parabens. 

GHD Max Hair Straightener

Is there a more well-known solution for sleek, straight hair than the famed ghd Hair Straightener? The Max model has ultra-wide ceramic plates with dual-zone technology and for smooth and sleek results, with no extreme heat. Evenly maintaining the optimum styling temperature of 185°C from root to tip for premium results without compromising the condition of your hair, the ghd Max delivers professional performance for quick, easy styling with flawless results. 

Why You Should Be Paying Attention to Amino Acids

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amino acids, anti-aging, appearance, astringent, basil oil, blow, body, botanical, breakage, building blocks, Burdock, cells, chamomile, cleansing, cucumber, detangling, drying, elasticity, essential, exfoliating, expression, Eyes, Frankincense, frizz, Grapefruit, hair, healthy, heat, hydration, Ivy, Jojoba oil, lavender, lemon, lines, Mallow, moisturised, moisturising, nature, oil, oils, peel, peptides, protect, protection, radiant, rose, sagging, science, shine, skin, smoothness, softness, soothe, split ends, useful, Watercress, youthful

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Amino acids are the building blocks of the cells that make up your body – however, did you know they can also be good for your skin? Amino acids, which contain moisturising, anti-aging, and exfoliating characteristics, can aid with skin elasticity issues that arise as we age. Amino acids come in 20 different varieties, and they are useful for people of all ages and skin types. A more moisturised, youthful, and generally healthy appearance of the skin is achieved by using amino acids in skin care products that also encourage cellular repair and collagen formation. Here are five of our favourite products which harness the power of amino acids:

CACI – Amino-Lift Peptide Complex

This effective anti-ageing skin care cream contains powerful peptides, essential oils and amino acids that target expression lines and help to firm sagging skin. It can be used twice a day after cleansing to give visible results and as well as being packed with amino acids also contains basil oil, jojoba oil, grapefruit peel oil and a number of other other botanical ingredients which nourish and revive your skin. 

L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour 10-In-1 Multi-Benefit Leave-In Treatment Milk

Amino acids don’t just benefit your face – your hair can also benefit from using products which are infused with amino acids. This leave-in treatment milk from L’Oreal is a multi-benefit spray designed for coloured hair with 10 key benefits. It promises to help your hair to achieve shine, softness, smoothness of hair fibre and hydration, as well as offering protection against heat up to 230°c, detangling, anti-breakage, anti-split ends, anti-frizz and even facilitates blow-drying! 

Aromatherapy Associates Eye Zone Concentrate

The skin around the eyes is one of the thinnest areas of skin on your whole body, which means that it is more prone to premature ageing. This eye cream from Aromatherapy Associates combines powerful, bio-fermented actives, advanced amino acids and an effective pure essential oil blend to lift, tighten and contour the area around the eyes. It also contains rose, camomile and frankincense essential oils to soothe and protect for a radiant, youthful complexion. 

Dermalogica Active Moist

This moisture-rich product from Dermalogica combines the best of nature and science, containing a whole host of ingredients which are taken from natural sources. Silk amino acids help smooth and improve skin texture while natural botanical astringents lemon, ivy, watercress and burdock help to refine the skin. It also contains soothing extracts of lavender, mallow and cucumber to help provide deep-hydration.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Serum

This resurfacing serum from Elemis is so powerful that it’s advised that you avoid sunbeds and always use an SPF while using the treatment! It’s created using a powerful combination of alpha-hydroxy-acids, selastin and patented Tri-Enzyme technology, as well as selected amino acids. This serum smoothes the skins’s surface, revealing a stunning complexion and also helps to reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles.