The sun is shining and, as we polish off our Easter eggs, it’s time to start thinking about summer – which for many women means a new look.
As an international hair stylist with a client list including royalty, billionaires and celebrities, I know that the right hair can take years off you and that getting it wrong instantly ages even the world’s most beautiful women. Nobody wants that!
So, how can you get it right and what must you avoid at all costs?
NO, A FRINGE IS NOT BETTER THAN BOTOX
Women ask me all the time if they should have a fringe cut to avoid needing Botox (or at least reduce their trips to the clinic). While bangs may be kinder to your bank account, remember a solid, horizontal fringe may be doing more harm than good if you want to knock the years off.
Over time, it’s normal for faces to become squarer as gravity takes its inevitable toll and even the most chiselled of jawlines soften. Adding horizontal lines, such as a jaw-length bob or a straight-across fringe will enhance this square shape.
What you need to go for are softer, choppy and sweepy fringe shapes that will not block off the forehead but gently frame the eyes and cheekbones. And there’s a bonus to these cuts – they grow out in a more forgiving manner, meaning lower maintenance and more versatility when styling.
A solid, horizontal fringe may be doing more harm than good if you want to knock the years off
Celebrity hair stylist Tom Smith
GO DOWN TO THE HAIR GYM!
Covering your greys, or adding brightness with highlights and depth with lowlights, can be instantly anti-ageing. However, losing sight of how your natural colour changes over the years may eventually result in an overdyed, unflattering tangle.
Just as a toned, fit body looks youthful, the key to turning back the clock with your hair is getting it in great condition – and overdyed hair does not brim with vitality. How to fix it? My advice is – deep breaths – to let your roots grow out longer than you normally would, at least every couple of years.
Book a consultation to assess the changes in your natural hair (increasing greys, change in tone, texture or density). For the most youthful and flattering results, it’s always best to use your natural colour as a starting point.
BOTH QUALITY AND QUANTITY…
I do not subscribe to the maxim that as you age hair needs to be cut shorter. It’s important to consider the quality and texture of your hair, not focus on its length.
Keep your hair as long as you fancy, just ensure you’re taking care of its condition and the shine. To keep long hair healthy, regularly trimming fragile or wispy ends is crucial, plus having weekly strengthening treatments and nightly applications of a quality hair serum (Olaplex No.3 and No.7 are ideal for this – both £28, uk.olaplex.com – or try the Bread Hair-Oil – £13, boots.com.
If you find your hair texture is changing over time and fighting against frizz is becoming more challenging, an in-salon keratin treatment can be life-changing on the right hair types, and the effect can last for months.
Keep your hair as long as you fancy, just ensure you’re taking care of its condition and the shine
The Dyson Supersonic Nural (£399.99) offers fast, intelligent drying
UPGRADE YOUR HAIRDRYER
Regular use of a ‘just-a-little-bit-too-hot’ hairdryer can rapidly damage your hair, causing dullness and frizz. If you don’t have the self-discipline – or simply the time – to blow-dry your hair on a medium heat setting, it’s worth investing in some clever ‘hair tech’ to safeguard your hair health.
The fact is that healthy hair is one of the most anti-ageing attributes a woman can have – and the opposite is just as true.
Yes, it’s pricey, but the Dyson Supersonic Nural (£399.99) offers fast, intelligent drying – no more accidental over-heating, which means more expensive-looking hair in the long-term.
DON’T FORGET YOUR REAR VIEW
Over time, your crown area can become thinner, coarser and more susceptible to parting further back after a night spent pressed into your pillow. Which is why it’s a good idea to double check how your hair looks from behind before leaving the house.
A split crown is easily fixed by simply massaging your damp fingertips on any stubborn partings before brushing back into place. If necessary, a quick blast with a hairdryer will give you more control.
CONSIDER ACCEPTING GREYS
Colouring your greys with dense or opaque dye will drain warmth from your skin tone. Try a more translucent dye – professionals call this a ‘demi-permanent’ or a scattering of highlights in areas where you notice your roots are greyer.
To help your hair look shinier and livelier, greys can be toned to softer shades of brown or blonde rather than heavily coloured.
