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Today we have a better understanding of the ingredients that we use in everyday products than ever before. With some elements of everyday or cheap haircare being harmful, it’s important to familiarise yourself with these ingredients, in order to make an educated decision as to what’s best for yourself…

1.Parabens

Parabens are possibly the most widely talked about harmful ingredient in haircare. Parabens are a preservative, that stop bacteria from growing. Our skin can absorb them through topical use, such as coming into contact with your skin or scalp. Parabens are known to mimic the hormone estrogen, which has been linked to an increased growth of breast cancer cells. Today there are various options of haircare products that are paraben free.

2. Sulphates

Sulfates strip oil from the hair and are strong detergents. When applied to the scalp a chemical reaction is created, binding with the sebum on the scalp and water to remove oil and any residue from the hair and scalp. Sulfates are very harsh and can damage the hair, causing it to be brittle and frizzy, in addition they can also cause allergic reactions to those with sensitive skin.

3.  Fragrance

We all like to have nice smelling hair, but due to a loophole in regulations, stating ‘added fragrance’ on an ingredients list means that haircare brands can include synthetic fragrances that use hundreds of artificial and potentially harmful chemicals. The term ‘fragrance’ isn’t regulated by the FDA, meaning almost anything could be used. It’s suggested that there are more than 3,100 chemicals used by the fragrance industry, so if you want to avoid these, use products that are naturally enhanced to smell nice.

4. Polyethylene glycol

PEG is considered to cause interference with the body, and is known as a ‘developmental toxicant’, meaning it can interfere with human development. In addition, it can be contaminated by dioxane, which has been linked to cancer.

5. Cocamidopropyl betaine

Cocamidopropyl betaine is worth trying to avoid if you suffer from skin complaints such as dry skin, eczema and rosacea. It’s found in most shampoos and is uses as a foam booster, which is why some all natural shampoos don’t quite foam up the same as synthetic alternatives. Many products use this along with dimethylaminopropylamine, which can cause skin irritation, and so worth cutting out if you suffer from sensitive or dry skin. Now that you have a clearer idea of just how some synthetic ingredients can impact on your health you can decide what’s best for you. There are lots of ‘free-from’ and natural alternatives available, should you decide to cut out any or all of the above.

While spring might seem a little way off, now is the perfect time to start thinking about updating your style for the year ahead. Many of us start to feel that all familiar itch around this time of year, longing for a change from winter. A great way to inject a little freshness into the winter months is with a new cut or colour. With this in mind, here are the spring/summer hair trends for 2019 that we are loving…

The Blunt Bob

Angular hair is at the top of our lust list for 2019, with blunt bobs making a big comeback. Blunt cuts can suit all face shapes, because the length of the cut can be adjusted to suit each individual, while blunt edges can help fine hair look thicker, or thick hair look softer, depending on how the hair is styled.

If you’re considering going shorter and embracing the blunt bob this year, start slow. While it can be tempting to dive in head first, consider a cut a few inches longer than you might like to start, to check you’re happy with your shorter locks before taking the plunge.

Charcoal Tones

Grey has been big in hair colour for some time now, which is great news for anyone that’s naturally going grey. This year it’s all about smokey ashy greys, which can be used in blonde hair or hair that’s naturally grey. This stunning cool shade has a creaminess to it, making it really soft and pretty.

Super Straight

The super straight styles of the ‘90s are back. For a long time now, we’ve been embracing the natural look of soft curls and waves, but 2019 is all about a more structured look. Layers will be less important in cuts this year, with straight hair all one length being the stand out style. This means investing in a pair of GHDs, and a trip to the hairdresser to tidy up any wispy ends, or to level the length out.

Undone Topknots

Chanel’s 2018 ready-to-wear catwalk saw models supporting undone topknots, that appeared to have been styled within minutes and with little in the way of product. This is every woman’s dream that finds herself short of time in the morning, because the undone topknot is the updo of choice for the year ahead. To achieve this style, tie your hair into a ponytail before twisting into a bun. Let the ends remain loose and a little messy, if needs be you can quickly tease a few strands out to perfect the look.

Copper Velvet

Burnt orange, rust and terracotta are everywhere at the moment. From fashion and interiors, and now even hair. Copper is a reddish-brown shade, but copper velvet provides a stunning update with a beautiful multi-tonal finish. This is a complex colour, and so needs a professional touch to get right, but it can look really striking and yet still appears to be natural when done well.

If you’re ready to update your cut or colour, pop in and see us to discuss your ideas and what you want to achieve. Sometimes a new look is just what you need.

Naturally looking wavy hair is one of the most sought after looks around the world. Waves seem to always be on trend, and it’s this relaxed ‘I woke up like this’ vibe that we all want to achieve. Waves look soft, pretty and feminine, without being over done or too styled. Wavy locks are a go to for many occasions – from festivals and summer holidays, to bridal looks and everyday style – waves continue to be in high demand.

Night Time Buns

No time in the morning to style your hair? Try this simple way to create natural waves, without the addition of heat damage. Just before bed, part your hair and split into two sections. Twist each section into a tight bun and secure with grips. Use a spray bottle to spritz each bun to make the hair damp. Leave in over night to create natural looking waves. In the morning simply unravel each side. You might need to tease the hair into place here and there, and back brush a little to create volume, but you’ll only need five minutes in the morning and you’ll be good to go.

Mermaid Worthy Waves

Creating waves with your straighteners is easier than you might think. Our tool of choice is the GHD IV Styler Hair Straightener, as it’s the perfect size to create mermaid style waves. In addition, who doesn’t love having a tool that you can create multiple looks with?

To create waves with your straighteners, section off the top three quarters of your hair and secure with a band so that it’s out of the way. With the hair that’s left down, take a section at a time around one inch wide and place your straighteners at the top. Move them down the length of the hair curling in and out, in and out as you go. You can make your waves as tight or as lose as you want. Work your way around all of the hair that is down, then take down another quarter section of your hair and continue until you’ve done it all.

Back brush the roots a little to avoid the hair being flat at the roots, spritz with hairspray and you’re done.

Whether you want to create quick and easy waves without heat, or you want to go for a more precise look, creating waves at home is doable with these two methods.

Many of us have a pretty good idea of what suits us, or the length in which we most like our hair. Choosing a flattering length and shape for your hair is key to feeling and looking your best everyday, but some of you might actually be supporting the completely wrong hair length for your features. If you’re thinking about trying a new style, or you simply want to find your most flattering hair length, read on…

Consider your Face Shape

While there are various factors to think about to find your perfect hair length, one of the biggest elements is your face shape. It is important to create balance to your overall appearance, and balance can be enhanced, just like imbalance can be emphasized through the shape and length of your hair….

– Long face: if you have a long and narrow shaped face, avoid long hair. Going for length will simply drag your face down, making it appear even longer. Instead, try a bob that sits just short of your chin to create better balance.

– Round face: If you have a round face, opting for longer styles will help to make your face look more balanced and oval in shape. Long length and a side swept fringe can help to slim your face and make it look more contoured.

– Square face: Try waves or curls in mid lengths to soften a square face. Shoulder length hair or a little longer is perfect for those with a square face.

Heart shaped: Long hair is great for a heart shaped face. Avoid blunt edges though, particularly in shorter cuts, and stay away from bobs.

Oval face: An oval face shape is considered to be balanced already. If you have an oval face you are lucky as you can try out almost any length.

Consider Texture

The type and texture of your hair matters when it comes to length too. If your hair is pretty normal – i.e. not particularly thick or thin, not coarse or frizzy, you can get away with most hair lengths.

– Fine hair: When hair that is on the fine side gets long it can end up looking limp. The longer it gets, the heavier it will be, and so the more it will drag itself down. Shorter haircuts can create more body and volume. If your face shape requires a longer cut but you have fine hair, consider going for a length just a few inches under the shoulders, with lots of layers.

– Thick hair: Those with thicker hair might find that their hair is unmanageable in shorter styles. Thick hair is often coarse and frizzy, which results in a mind of its own in short styles. Try growing it long to add weight and tame it. As your hair gets longer, it will naturally sit smoother and be easier to manage.

Finding the perfect hair length means achieving balance, and both your face shape and your hair type matters here. If you’re not sure what’s best for your hair, book in for a consultation to receive professional advice.

For a long time GHD have dominated the professional haircare and styling market. 2018 is no different, and for good reason – with advanced technology, high quality products and impressive results, GHD continue to be a hair styling brand that you can rely on.

Most well know for its straighteners, GHD also offer a great range when it comes to creating curls. Whether you want to achieve natural looking waves, big and bouncy curls or even corkscrew curls, GHD has you covered. Read on to discover out top three styling tools for creating curls…

1. GHD Curve Soft Curl Tong: £120.00

As part of the latest range of tongs and wands from GHD, the Curve Soft Curl Tong uses the tri-zone technology for healthier looking curls that will stay in place all day. With a large barrel, it’s easy to create natural looking bouncy curls.

Set as a temperature of 185C, the tongs ensure a long lasting curl without damaging your hair. Easy to use and effective, you won’t find a better natural looking bouncy curl with any other styler.

2. GHD IV Styler Hair Straightener: £86

With a little bit of practice, you can actually curl your hair any way you want with the IV Styler Hair Straightener. This is the ideal tool if you like to style your hair differently, from poker straight and wavy, to bouncy curls and tight curls.

The multi-action, refined ceramic blades work efficiently through the hair for a professional finish. The plates glide smoothly over the hair, meaning no snagging or pulling, no matter what style you are creating. If you’re not sure how to use your straighteners to create waves or curls, check out YouTube tutorials to master this skill. Once you’ve got the knack it’s really quite easy.

3. GHD Curve Classic Wave Wand: £120.00

Create beach-worthy waves with the Curve Classic Wave Wand by GHD. The tri-zone technology ensures that the hair will stay in place day and night, without damaging the hair during styling, for healthier looking waves.

Traditionally, achieving the perfect beach wave can be tricky, but this styling tool makes it super easy. The 38-26mm oval shaped barrel creates shapely and deep waves and is perfect for use on mid to long hair.

Whether you’re looking to create waves, curls, poker straight hair or a bouncy blow dry finish, GHD provide all of the tools you need to create your ultimate look. In addition they are renowned for their quality, which makes your investment translate into amazing looking hair for years to come.

Fine hair can be difficult to manage. For many with fine hair, the end goal is to create thicker looking locks. While your hair cut and style can greatly improve how thick your hair looks, there are a few other ways in which you can manage your fine hair…

Wash Your Hair Frequently

People with thick hair can get away with washing their hair less frequently. If you have fine hair, you’ll find that after a few days in between washing your hair starts to look limp and flat. Aim to wash your hair every other day, to allow your hair to benefit from the natural oils that your scalp produces, but to avoid it becoming greasy.

When you do wash your hair, don’t use conditioner on your roots – this will weigh your roots down and cause your hair to become greasy faster.

Blow Dry Your Hair Upside Down

With fine hair it’s all about trying to increase the body to create thicker looking locks. Your blow dry is key to this. Try using a thickness boosting cream or similar, and dry your hair upside down to get lots of volume in at the roots.

Avoid using a lot of product though as this will weigh your hair down. Use a light conditioner and no more additional product than the size of a 50p when it’s in your hand.

Invest in a Flattering Cut

Your hair cut plays a huge role in how thick or fine your hair looks. Get the cut wrong and you could be stuck with hair that looks even thinner for months. Before you settle on a style or go for the chop, book a consultation to discus your options with a professional. Let them know that you’re keen to get your hair looking thicker and discus the various options available. A good hair dresser will be able to make the most of your fine hair.

Fine hair can be frustrating, but when you know how to manage it you will feel far more confident in how it looks and how it makes you feel. Just a few simple tricks can make your hair appear thicker, which is generally more flattering and easy to manage.

Long hair is really on-trend at the moment, with many of us turning to hair extensions to help us achieve lust-worthy waist length locks. Growing your hair long takes time and commitment, so isn’t well suited to those who like to change their style regularly. If you are committed to growing your hair long the benefits of achieving the length you’ve always desired are vast. Unless you use extensions, reaching the length you want will take time, but there are a few ways to help your hair along the way…

1. Keep your Scalp Healthy

A healthy scalp is key to healthy hair, and if you’re hair isn’t healthy it won’t grow quickly. Looking after your scalp is just as important as looking after your hair. Try treating your scalp once a week to hydrate it and provide all the vital nutrients that it needs. Check out our blog post ‘How to Care for Your Hair Using Natural Ingredients,’ for natural ways to treat your scalp.

2. Get Regular Trims

The idea of having your hair cut when you are trying to grow it can sound contradictory, but having regular trims is key to growing long, strong and healthy hair. Without having your ends trimmed every now and then, your hair will suffer from split ends, which could result in you having to have more length cut off when you do go for a trim. Help your hair stay strong from root to tip, by booking in for a trim every 2-4 months.

3. Don’t Over Wash

Many of us actually wash our hair far too regularly, which means your hair won’t benefit from the natural oils produced by your scalp. Try to aim to shampoo your hair just 2-3 times a week, and use a nourishing conditioner every time you wash your hair. Shampoo strips your hair of the oils that naturally occur and nourish your hair. Avoid shampooing too often, and replace hydration and nourishment by using a rich conditioner.

4. Cold Blast

Every time you wash your hair, finish with a cold rinse. Cold water lays down the outer layer of the hair more smoothly, creating a sleeker finish as well as reducing snags and moisture loss. This will help your hair stay stronger throughout the length.

5. Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition is key to healthy hair. Without ensuring you are providing your hair with everything it needs from the inside out, your hair will not be able to grow at its full potential. To create strong healthy hair your diet should be rich in lean protein, healthy fats and Vitamin C. Try introducing healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil and nuts into your daily diet, as well as chicken, eggs or turkey and berries.  You could also try a hair health supplement to add to your daily diet.

Just a few small changes could help your hair grow much faster. Avoid over brushing too, and every once in a while book yourself in for a conditioning treatment to boost your hair health.