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Winter weddings can be absolutely beautiful, but they can also be tricky to dress and style yourself for. The weather can be unpredictable, which can make styling hair tricky. Whether you’re a guest or the bride, here are some winter wedding hairstyles that will stay in place no matter the weather…

Half up half down

Something to consider for a winter wedding is the fact that it might be cold. Up-dos are great for a winter wedding as you can worry a little less about the weather, but this leaves your neck exposed to the cold. If you’re worried about feeling cold during the day, try a half up half down look to keep hair neat but your neck warm.

Try curling the length of the hair with a large barrel tong, then tipping the head upside down to shake the curls out to create waves. Back brush the hair a little at the roots and especially around the crown, before sectioning off the hair at the temples. Using your fingers to section off, move your fingers from your temples to the back of your head in an upwards motion, so that you take more hair from the front of the head than the back. Tie with a hairband and plait the hair in the small ponytail that you have created. Wrap the plait around the band on the back of the head and pin so that it sits flat. Finish with a touch of hairspray to hold in place.

Low chignon

Keep your neck warm with an up-do that sits low down with a low chignon. This is a super-chic look and will ensure your hair is kept neat all day. Start by parting your hair in the middle, smoothing it behind your ears and gathering it at the nape of your neck. Begin to twist the hair from the neck right through to the ends, then start to coil it in a counter-clockwise circle. Continue to twist your hair as it starts to form a bun shape, using your index finger to hold it in place as you go.

Secure your hair with large grips in all four corners, for thick or long hair you may need to use more pins. Gently pull at the edges as you go to create your desired shape and pin into place. If you want to create a more romantic bohemian look pull a few strands free in the bun and around your face. Finish with hairspray to hold.

For brides a chignon is easy to accessorize – try adding pearl embellished grips within the bun and through the hair, or add a large embellished clip to one side of the head, ideally positioned just above or behind the ear.

A trip to the hairdressers might seem like a pretty average thing that you’ve done many times before, but there are a few things to consider to ensure you get the most out of your visit. Whether you’re going for a cut, a colour or you need some advice regarding styling or the condition of your hear, here are five things to consider before your trip to the hair salon…

1. Know your shape and style

What many of us don’t realise is that your face shape and hair type dramatically effect which cuts and styles will suit you. Once you know your face shape you will then know the styles that will suit you. While many hairdressers are trained in understanding how a cut can flatter the face, it is also their job to deliver the style the client is after, and so understanding what suits you yourself will help you ensure you never end up with a flattering cut.

To determine your face shape stand in front of the mirror and look at your jawline. From this you will be able to determine whether your face is oval, circle, square or heart shaped. You can then look up the different styles that will suit you, and go armed with this knowledge to the hairdressers.

2. Consider your lifestyle

When you are thinking about a new cut or colour, have a think about your current lifestyle, and whether you’d be able to take on a cut that needs more maintenance and care. It’s always worth having a think about this before hand, and having a conversation with your hairdresser about what you can and can’t manage.

3. Book a consultation

If you’re trying a new style or colour it is always worth booking a consultation to discus your ideas with a professional before taking the plunge. This will mean that if the look you wanted to go for isn’t realistic or achievable you will have time to think about your hairdressers suggestions, rather than having to make a decision then and there at your appointment.

4. Aim to be as truthful as possible

It can be easy to get swept up in ideas and just go along with what your hairdresser is saying, but that can result in you having a cut or colour that you didn’t actually really want. Before you go to the hairdressers, think about your limits. It is possible that the look you wanted might not be achievable, and so your hairdresser may recommend some alternatives. Think about what would be acceptable and what you would want to avoid before hand, so that you can be honest about any suggestions you don’t think will work for you.

5. Have realistic expectations

This is where knowing your hair type comes in – if you’ve seen a look in a magazine with long straight and glossy looks, when your hair is shoulder length and curly, this might not be a look that will be easy to achieve and keep on top of. Consider your current situation, and the options available to you. If in doubt, as above, book a consultation to discus your ideas and get some professional advice.

One of the most sought after things is silky glossy hair that looks effortlessly healthy and strong. The truth is really shiny hair isn’t just about treatment and styling, it’s also about the health of your hair, your diet and hydration too. Here’s how to achieve silky shiny hair, that looks beautiful but is also strong and healthy too…

1. Stay hydrated and nourished

Our skin and our hair start to suffer when we are dehydrated, causing both to become dry and dull. If you haven’t over processed your hair with heat styling or dying, yet it looks dry and flat it may be down to hydration. Try and drink 2 litres of water a day to provide your body with the water it needs, you’ll soon start to see an effect on your skin and hair, as well as your energy levels too.

Your diet can also determine how glossy your hair is. Try adding an extra portion of fruit and veg to your daily diet, and take fish oil supplements to give hair a natural boost.

2. Cold water blast

When you wash your hair, try blasting it with cold water for 30 seconds at the end. The cold water will seal the cuticle making hair look glossier all over. If it’s super shine that you’re after, use a shampoo and conditioner that inject moisture and smooth all over. Try to go for quality brands and avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair as this will only cause it to become dry, which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve!

3. Wear it straight

Straight hair looks glossier as it reflects the light better, so if shiny is what you are after go for a straight finish. After washing and blasting with cold water, follow a similar method for drying your hair. Rough dry to start with, then using a paddle brush blow dry straight. Once hair is dry finish off with a three minute blast on the cool setting of your hairdryer to add extra shine.

4. Use a serum

Serums are a great way to add an extra hit of shine to your hair. Try a 2-in-1 serum that also offers heat protection to avoid split ends from heat styling. Argan oil, coconut oil and other serums that use natural ingredients are the best options when it comes to boosting gloss without applying harsh chemicals to the hair.

5. Treat regularly

It’s almost impossible to achieve glossy hair if your hair isn’t in good condition, so it’s important to keep on top of things. Try to apply a treatment mask every 1-2 weeks to give your hair a boost of moisture and strength. Opt for all natural at home remedies or invest in masks from quality brands. Once every 3-4 months book in for a trim at the hairdressers to keep split ends at bay.

Just a few simple steps can ensure your hair is strong, glossy and healthy, with a natural shine that is boosted with a few key products.

Dry hair can be extremely difficult to manage, making it hard to style and generally unruly. Some of us may find we have naturally dry hair, whereas others may end up with dryness as a result of over styling or over exposure to the sun. Dry hair can benefit from a trim to tidy up split ends, but when all of the hair has become dry it will need more than a trim to bring it back to life.

There are some fantastic treatments that can go a long way to softening your dry hair, making it silky and manageable again…

Avocado Mask

There is a variety of ingredients that you might find at home or in the supermarket that can work miracles for your dry hair.  Avocado can provide a lot of benefits to the hair, due to the fact that it is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that will help restore your hair and add shine too. Mash one rip avocado with one egg, ensure it is mixed well and then apply to wet hair. Leave for on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Try this remedy once a week for damaged hair, or once a month for healthy hair to maintain shine.

Olive Oil Treatment

Just like coconut oil and shea butter, olive oil is great for the hair. Just one treatment can lock moisture back into parched strands and add a healthy shine. Treat hair once ever other week by warming half a cup of olive oil (do not allow to boil), and massaging it into the lengths of the hair. Twist your hair up on top of your head and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag, then cover with a towel to keep all of the heat and moisture in. Leave on for 45 minutes, then shampoo and rinse well.

Professional Treatment

If a makeshift mask isn’t really your thing, try investing in a mask made by a well known brand, or have a professional conditioning treatment at a salon to give your hair the best chance of becoming healthy and strong again.

If you over processed your hair, try the Kerastase Discipline Maskeratine Smooth-in-Motion Masque, which is specifically designed for hair that has been damaged with bleaches and dyes as well as heat styling. The masque delivers a huge shot of moisture to strengthen locks and make hair easier to style and manage.

For really dry hair consider a trip to Soul Hair, to create an action plan to bring your locks back to life. Ways in which a professional might do this is trimming split ends followed by a deeply conditioning treatment, and you may be required to return for regular treatments to get things back on track.

It’s no lie that our modern day lifestyles are now busier than ever before, yet we all want to feel and look great as we go about our day. Busier schedules and an increasing list of responsibilities means that we have less time to spend on everyday grooming, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about it all together. The trick is finding a style that works for you that’s easy to do and quick too. Read on to discover everyday hairstyles that you can create in 10 minutes or less…

Bohemian Braid – Time: 10 minutes

A side braid is a great way to create a stylish look and keep your hair neat and out of the way for a busy day ahead. Rather than opting for a basic braid, try this bohemian twist on a classic style for a super-stylish look…

1. Create a deep side parting on one side of your head, then sweep the hair back a few inches from the forehead to ensure you have lots of volume at the back. Use a comb to backbrush the hair at your crown a little.
2. Take the front section of your hair on the opposite side to your parting and start to braid, use a french braid method by picking up extra pieces of hair from the back of your head and the front.

3. Carry on braiding, taking extra sections to add more hair into the plait. When you reach the bottom of your ear use a tie to secure the braid here.
4. Take the hair on the other side of your head and twist it up and back to create some volume here, pull a little hair out at the front to keep the look soft. Swoop your hair round the back of your neck to join with the plait you secured earlier on the opposite side.
5. You should now have all of your hair in one hand. Remove the band you used to secure your plait, but keep the plait in place and start to plait in the rest of your hair. Continue to braid your hair until you get to the length you want, then secure with a band. Finish with hairspray to keep in place all day.

Simple Waves – Time – 5 Minutes

This look takes a little prep the night before, but it so easy to style the next day and looks beachy and natural.

1. The night before after washing your hair, comb it back at the roots so that it doesn’t sit in a parting. Add a little mousse to the roots and the length and plait the hair. Secure with a band and leave over night.
2. Remove your braid in the morning, tip your head upside down and shake to loosen the waves. Back brush at the crown a little to avoid the hair being flat.
3. Take a section of hair at the front on either side at your temples, around an inch wide each. Twist the hair and pull it back, securing at the back of the head if it is long enough with a band, or securing at the side of the head using grips. Tease your hair underneath up a little to add volume to the top section.
4. Finish with a little hairspray to hold.

Hair in ten minutes doesn’t have to mean boring or basic. Try these adding these looks into your everyday style to mix things up a bit.

Healthy and strong hair does take a little maintenance, and there are many ways in which we might be damaging our hair without even realising. Having hair that is healthy both inside and out isn’t rocket science, all it takes is a few steps to ensure your hair is protected and nourished from root to tip.

Read on to discover the full guide to creating a routine for strong and healthy hair…

A regular trim…

One of the most important aspects to creating and maintaining healthy hair is to have it trimmed regularly. With upmost care you will suffer less in the way of split ends and dryness, but no matter how carefully you look after your hair you will find a trim is still necessary every three to six months to keep on top of split ends. If split ends are left they can continue up the hair shaft, making the hair prone to breakage, frizz and generally unruly. Keep on top of split ends by having regular trims, to avoid having to have inches and inches cut off due to split ends spreading up the hair.

Deep cleanse…

The oils in which our scalp generates are good for the hair, so washing it too often and stripping your hair of its natural oils isn’t actually good for the hair. Regular brushing will help distribute your hairs natural oils throughout the hair to help condition and hydrate. Aim to wash your hair two to three times a week and use a shampoo that is paraben free.

Condition…

Follow your shampoo with a hydrating conditioner. If your hair is thin avoid heavy conditioners that might weigh it down, instead opt for a nourishing but light conditioner. For thicker unruly hair try a taming and smoothing conditioner. When it comes to conditioner splash out a little and invest in something rich and free from harsh chemicals. Apply conditioner to damp hair for best results.

Treat…

It is important to understand your hair’s unique needs and treat it to help it be as healthy and strong as possible. For example if your hair is naturally dry and coarse try an intense mask once a week to help soften and smooth. For hair that’s naturally frizzy try an argan oil or similar to add moisture and tame. For those that heat style their hair always use a heat protector before drying and styling.

Getting to know your hair is important, but all hair types will need a regular trim as well as hydration. Work out a routine that works for you, and once you find the right routine and products, stick with it for strong and healthy hair for years to come.

You might be familiar with this scenario – you’ve freshly washed your hair, blowdried it and curled it using a heated styling tool, or carefully placed rollers in each and every section, shaken out your curls, perfected the last few stands, added hairspray to hold, gone out…and an hour later your hair is flat and lifeless. This is a common issue when it comes to curling hair that isn’t naturally curly, and many of us find an hour of hair prep is wasted moments after stepping out the door.

It is possible to make your curls last though, by just taking a few careful steps you can make your curls last all day or all night long. Here’s how…

Prep is key

The first place where you might be going wrong when it comes to getting your curls to hold is not preparing the hair properly. We often think hairspray after curling will do the job, but the reality is your hair probably needs all the help it can get to hold your curls. While hair is damp, apply a volumising and holding mousse to add texture to the hair and give it better staying power.

Let the curls cool

Rollers are great for adding curls as they allow the hair to cool before you let the curl down. If you are using rollers give yourself lots of time to ensure the hair is properly cooled before you take them out. If you are using a curling iron or similar try pinning your curls to your head as you let them out of your iron, and allow them to cool down in a curled position before you take them down.

Choose the right barrel size

The most popular curls are big and bouncy, but actually big barrels often cause the curl to drop out faster. If you’re using a curling iron choose a smaller barrel. Initially your curls might look a bit cork-screw, but let them sit for a moment and shake them out to create a more natural and bigger curl.

Finish off

While you might have followed all the necessary steps to get your curls to stay, they still might need an extra helping hand in the form of a spritz of hairspray. Choose a spray that is light, but also offers ultimate staying power. Tip your head upside down to make sure that you get all of the stands and to boost volume and spray generously.

Healthy hair matters

One reason why your hair might not hold a curl is because it is too dry. To create beautiful bouncing curls the hair needs to be in good condition. If you find even with the steps above your hair still isn’t holding a curl properly, it might be time for a trim. The quality of your hair is key to long lasting curls, so you might have to sacrifice an inch or two in order to get the curls you want.

Hair extensions can be hugely appealing, as they allow us to add length and volume to our hair quickly, without having to wait months for it to grow or spend hours styling to add body. With so many different types of extensions available though, it can be tricky to know what to go for. The easiest way to determine which are best for you is to book a consultation with a professional hairdresser, but of course you might like to know a little more before you take this step…

Strand by Strand

Strand by strand extensions are applied by a professional, and involve glueing each hair…yep you guessed it… strand by strand. These extensions are semi-permanent, but do offer one of the longest lasting and most natural hair extension options, and can last up to six months with proper maintenance.

Experienced hairdressers can usually complete a full head of strand by strand extensions in 2-3 hours, and you can opt to add as much length as you like (within reason of course.) This method is one of the most expensive, but is by far the most effective when it comes to adding length, and can work for a variety of hair types.

Weft Hair Extensions

Applied to the hair in rows, weft hair extensions can be glued in or sewn in. If you have your weft glued in this is a more short term option, and the extensions may need removing every couple of weeks, the glue combed out and the hair reapplied. Sewn in wefts are better for particularly thick or curly hair. To sew in the hair the clients hair is braided to create a base in which to attach the weft extensions.

Because weft hair is attached at the root of the hair, wefts can also be used to add volume as well as length, and are a cheaper alternative to stand by stand, although do not last as long.

Clip-in Hair Extensions

Clip-ins can be a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to wear hair extensions on a permanent basis. Using wefts of hair with clips attached to the top, clip-ins can be applied throughout the hair and removed again. It is not recommended that clip-ins are worn to sleep in, but they can be worn for special occasions or to add length or body during the day to boost confidence.

When it comes to hair extensions, there are loads of options to suit all budgets and needs. If you opt for glue in, sew in or clip-in, it might be worth considering having your extensions cut by a professional to create the most natural look possible. Always choose human hair extensions, which can be dyed and styled just like your own hair. With proper care and maintenance, hair extensions can really enhance your look.

Party season may seem a little way off yet, but the key to getting your party season look just right is prep. If you plan on trying a new look for Christmas parties and celebrations it is worth experimenting now to find a style that you love and feel confident in achieving. Whether you’re looking for a complete professional restyle, or you want to experiment with new styles at home, here are a few hairstyles to try for party season this year…

Volumised Ponytail

Avoid a fussy or more traditional up-do this season, instead try this glamorous twist on the ponytail. This super flattering look can be worn high on the head at the crown of the neck, or at the nape of the neck for a paired-down look. Match your pony style to your outfit, if you’re going glam or edgy try a high pony, and for more demure pretty looks try a low pony.

To create start by adding volume to the roots – backbrush the hair at the roots, especially at the crown. For a high pony part the hair in the middle and section off two tresses of hair to frame your face, tip your head upside down, keeping your sectioned off pieces separate, and gather up the hair an inch under the crown of your head. Tip your head forwards again, smooth the top over and secure with a band.

For a low pony, try cheating a side fringe by parting your hair low and deep on the left hand side. Back brush at the crown as above, then secure the hair in a low pony to the right, so that your side fringe and pony tail are sitting on the same side. Finish with a little hairspray to hold.

Colour Update

If you’re looking for a more permanent style update for the season why not opt for a new colour? Just coloured hair looks vibrant and glossy, and is the perfect way to nail your party season look. If you’re brunette try a rich chocolate or go for a dark auburn, for blondes try honey toned low or highlights, and for redheads why not try an ombre look. For the bold and blonde try a pastel ombre.

1920s

Glitter, glamour and sequins go hand in hand with the 1920s, so why not try a ‘20s inspired hairstyle too? Try finger waves for a pretty look that can be worn up or down. The trick here is the get your waves even to create sculpted lines. This look should be worn in a side parting and frizz is a certain no-no. The look should be smooth and neat, and the length not too long. If you have long hair dry tucking the ends up and clipping to fake a bob. Finish the look off with a feather headband or a jewel encrusted slide.

This look can be a little tricky to master, so for your work Christmas do or other big parties you are attending consider having this styled by a professional.

Party season is the ideal time to have fun with your look. Which style will you be opting for this Christmas?

The winter weather can be harsh on our hair, but many of us don’t alter our haircare routine to reflect this. Just a few small changes to the products that you use and the way that you care for your hair can ensure that your hair stays healthy and strong during the winter months.

Read on to discover our top winter haircare tips…

1. Be aware of how the weather effects your hair

We are all different, and our hair is just the same, but there is one way in which the winter can damage all hair types – through artificial heating. During the winter both our hair and our skin have to adjust to big temperature changes, from being outside in the cold, to coming indoors to the warm – doing this repeatedly will dry your hair out, causing frizz and breakage.

2. Take action

So now you know what winter weather can do to your hair, you can take action against heat damage. By adjusting your haircare routine a little you can ensure that your hair stays strong and glossy throughout winter, and will still be healthy come spring, so that you can avoid having to have a big chop or a complete restyle.

3. Nourish, nourish, nourish

Looking after your hair in winter is all about providing nourishment. If you don’t already, for the winter choose a hydrating shampoo and a nourishing conditioner. When it comes to conditioner choose something free from harsh chemicals as this will only dry your hair out further, instead opt for a product that is full of hair loving ingredients, and is designed to nourish and hydrate your hair from root to tip. If you suffer from oily hair avoid using heavy conditioners at the roots, instead focus on the length of your hair as this is where the strands will need the most help.

Add a serum to your routine too, that offers protection from heat styling and the weather, as well as adding shine and working to nourish your hair further. Apply serums to damp hair before blowdrying to protect the hair from heat styling, unless your product states otherwise.

Just a few small changes for the season ahead can ensure your hair stays healthy and strong throughout winter, meaning you can experiment with fun party-season looks, and have healthy hair right through to spring.