Neil's tips and salon secrets

Your hair may be getting longer, but time is still as short and everybody is busier than ever!

That's why Neil has some super salon tips that work. Follow his tips and you'll find that  growing long hair and maintaining it is a lot easier than you think.

 

Drying your hair

Natural air drying is always best, but we know that time and weather don't often allow you the luxury of it.

On the occasions that you do have time, here's how to air dry your hair without getting the “frizzies”:

• Wait until your hair is 95% dry and then roll it on curlers.
• Apply a hairnet and dry your hair completely under a hood hair dryer - the warmth of the dryer will smooth out the hair. Depending on the richness of your hair it will take 15-30 minutes. You will be surprised at the results!

The next best way to artificially dry your hair is to first set your hair with plastic rollers. Then sit under a hood dryer. To prevent damage to your hair; keep the dryer at a constant temperature (about 42 centigrade or 108 fahrenheit).

Another gentle method is to attach a diffuser to your blow dryer. This device spreads the hot air evenly, making the heat far less intense.

 

We recommend that you don't use heated rollers or curling tongs. These devices dry and break long hair, and over time, can have an adverse effect on its health and beauty.

 

 

Brushing

 

For a healthy head of beautiful hair you need to treat, nourish, strengthen and stimulate the living part of the hair - the root.

 

Brushing is an essential part of hair treatment; it minimises hair breakage, keeps the scalp supple, accelerates the blood circulation which feeds the roots and distributes moisturising fatty acids along the length of the hair.

We advise our clients to brush their hair as soon as they get up in the morning and only to use a natural bristle brush with a wooden base.

 

 

NEVER BRUSH WET HAIR!

 

Hair is more elastic when wet so if you use a brush, it'll stretch the hair to the point of snapping. Instead use a wide tooth sawcut comb. Start with the ends and slowly work your way up to the scalp. Never use a metal or rubber comb.

 

*USE A NATURAL BRISTLE BRUSH WITH A WOODEN BASE.

The natural bristles are closest to the hair structure itself, and therefore less likely to produce tangles on long hair. The wooden base reduces static electricity.

 

Better brushing technique

• Every morning, stand with feet slightly apart and bend from the waist until the hair falls in a curtain before your face.
• Brush your hair gently, starting from the roots at the nape of your neck and moving towards the ends of your hair.
• Follow each brush stroke with the open palm of your hand to counteract a build-up of static electricity.
• Start the first day with 20 brush strokes. Then, add 10 strokes each day.
• For oily condition or fine hair start with 10 strokes. Then add 5 strokes each day. Your goal: fifty brush stokes a day.
• Remember; morning brushing produces the best results!

 

 

Chlorinated water

Before getting into any swimming pool, apply Cream Rinse on dry hair from the roots to the ends to protect your hair from the effects of chlorinated water.

 

Salt water

Use 12-Minute Conditioner on dry hair from the roots to the ends before swimming in the sea. It's an effective way to protect the hair from the effects of salt water.

In both cases, after swimming rinse well with fresh water and also use Cream Rinse. Remember to cover your hair with a hat or white scarf, as only white will reflect the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Never let your hair be exposed to the sun, especially on the beach between the hours of 10am to 4pm.

 

As you grow older, keep growing your hair

You’ve probably been told all your life when you reach thirty your hair should be no longer than shoulder length. What a mistake! Long hair can be so majestic on a mature woman and will do much to downplay wrinkles. If the line of your hair goes up in a flip or in a glorious upsweep, you will look younger immediately.

A silver lining

Free yourself from the tyranny of dying your hair and worrying about roots! Nature gave us silver hair because our complexion lightens with age and dark hair drastically emphasises the wrinkles on lighter skin. If you really don't want silver hair, highlights camouflage the silver and enhance you as nature intended.

 

 

Growing your hair out gracefully

 

None of us like that annoying 'in-between stage', but you can come through it in style!

Shoulder length and longer hair should be trimmed every 8 weeks and a one-length blunt cut on dry hair is the best option. The cut should be tapered around the body rather than straight across. If your hair is cut when wet, the length will turn out much shorter than expected after it has dried.

We prefer hair that is one-length for two reasons; one-length hair will appear healthier and shinier. More importantly, when hair is cut in layers, your body automatically trys to even out your hair; creating extra fallout. The one-length style is the most powerful cut for the healthiest long hair.

For long hair that's heaven to live with, not hell to look after, just follow Neil's top tips.