Sea, swimming pools and sunshine can all spell disaster for hair so this is the most important time of year to look after it. Paphos-based stylist Elli Kaizer offers her tips
“Hair is one of the first things you notice when someone walks into a room. It’s not something you can really hide like a thick waist, saggy bottom or flat chest. You wear your hair everyday and taking good care of it will ensure you still have some left as you progress into old age,” says Paphos-based stylist Elli Kaizer.
Hair is also a good indicator of how you feel about yourself – well cut, shining, conditioned hair sends out a healthy, happy message, compared to the example of Britney Spears who recently shaved her head, and when that deed was done it was universally accepted as a potent symbol of her deep unhappiness.
But with the onset of summer it is important to take care of hair to offset the harm of the sun’s rays. Here are Ellie’s top tips
Get a great cut
“This is critical, one that falls right into place and is simple to style without fussing, twisting or tugging is best. If a stylist spends ages fussing over your head to finish it, chances are you are not going to be able to recreate the same look when you are at home.
“The foundation of every good head of hair is in the cutting, as long as the stylist takes into consideration hair type, thickness, shape of the face and lifestyle”. A good cut should be easy to style four to six weeks after you get it plus you will be able to go longer between trims.
Chose the right cut
Choose a cut which is tailored to your face and body shape. “The number one mistake women make is to pick a style based on popularity rather than how it will enhance their features. Importantly make sure you don’t become a slave to peroxide -bleaching black hair arctic blonde means you will never be out of the salon and your bank account will instantly go red without the benefit of tinting!”
Use the right products
Shampoos bought off the shelf in supermarkets contain high levels of alcohol, which damages the hair. “Always look for shampoo that has a high pH factor, if you keep using the wrong shampoo for your hair type you can swiftly go from dry hair to greasy and vice versa and its all down to the hair care products you are using.”
Condition well
“Use salon conditioning treatments every week – one formulated for your specific hair type – even if your hair is in tip top condition as it’s constantly under attack from the elements, and especially here in Cyprus where the sun is an enemy of hair as is chlorine from swimming pools and sea water”.
Avoid product build up
“If you see white gunge on your hair that means your product is not water soluble and is coating the hair shaft. Build up causes limpness, breakage and an inability to curl – not forgetting the snowfall effect on your shoulders from the residue. Try to steer clear of all-in-one shampoo and conditioners, and don’t overuse hair products, if the salon has used mousse and spray and you put more on your hair the next day it’s a recipe for disaster – always brush out the previous applications of mousse, gels and hairsprays before applying more.
Get regular hair cuts
Keep regular hair appointments. “Your hair splits faster than it grows, so you need a trim every four to six weeks. Always remember a good hairdresser knows what to leave on the head, not take off.”
Don’t mix perms and highlights
Never have a perm coupled with highlights – “that’s a classic recipe for disaster. Colour is important for interest and giving body to hair –you can add great volume with just a dash of colour. The important thing to remember though is chemicals take their toll on hair health. Professional hairdressers have to qualify at college to work with chemicals so it is best to leave the colouring of your hair to them as with DIY you can end up doing dreadful damage to your scalp.”
Dry carefully
Don’t dry your hair vigorously with a towel, this causes split ends by adding static electricity to your hair. “Don’t rub the towel back and forth, just scrunch the towel gently around your hair or pop it on like a loose turban and let the towel slowly absorb the majority of the moisture. Blow drying also attacks the hairs’ health, again protection is the byword, always use a salon product to avoid stress on the hair during drying”.
Use ceramics to straighten
“Get an Ionic ceramic flat iron instead of frying your hair with a metal plated flat iron, even with the Ionic brand you must always use quality protection products – regular abuse to your hair from using a flat iron is one of the most disastrous things you can do to it. Straightening creams should not be used on light hair or hair that has highlights”.
Get the right extensions
Badly applied hair extensions can destroy your hair and cases of women being rendered bald are commonplace if an all important combination of silicone and keratin (which is food for the hair) isn’t used during the process.
