FOREVER BEAUTIFUL: Want shiny hair? Try body lotion!
Every Monday, Elsa answers readers' big beauty queries and presents the best buys to perk up your week...
Years of at-home hair colouring has ruined my once beautiful, healthy red hair. When frequent salon trips became too expensive, I started using packet dyes myself. What can I do to revive my dull, damaged hair?
Julie, 56, Sussex.
Julie, 56, from Sussex feels she has ruined her hair with home colouring kits (left) but Elsa manages to get some life back into her locks (right)
It’s not hard to see why sales of home colourants are rising. You can save time and money by skipping pricey salon trips, and formulations are now so good that the results look professional, while new application methods and non-drip formulas take some of the worry out of DIY.
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Julie wanted advice on maintaining her colour easily and healthily at home. Having always coloured her hair red — using henna in her late 20s, and different home colourants in her 30s and 40s — she didn’t want to stray too far from her usual look.
We introduced her to colour guru Christophe Robin, creative colour director for L’Oreal Paris, for advice on how to achieve colour results and salon-like shine at home.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHADE
UNSUNG HERO
The new Aveeno Skin Relief Restore & Protect Hand Cream, currently £3.99 (Boots), is formulated with finely-milled oatmeal, oat essence and oil and will relieve dry, chapped hands. Dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting recommends applying a layer and covering hands in cling film for ten minutes once a week.
The first rule is to be true to yourself. ‘You don’t want to end up looking like someone else,’ says Christophe. ‘Women tend to go much darker — if in doubt, go two shades lighter than you are. Golden colours are also much more flattering than ash tones.’
For Julie, Christophe chose a wearable, copper shade that was not too bright (L’Oreal Prodigy Vermillon 7.40, £7.99, Boots). As she already had colour in her hair, Julie only needed to apply it to the roots for 20 minutes.
Christophe advises then taking a tiny amount of water and massaging it in, as you would shampoo, before rinsing to avoid any scalp irritation. Then, apply the conditioning mask included in the pack for five to ten minutes.
‘Rinse well, using cold water if you can stand it,’ says Christophe. ‘It’s best not to shampoo straight after colouring, if you want your colour to last longer.’
MAINTAINING THE LOOK
Christophe’s top tip is to use body lotion as conditioner to get rid of frizz. ‘Any brand will do,’ he says. ‘Comb through damp hair from roots to tips and rinse.’
For a nourishing treatment, he recommends: ‘Three days before applying hair dye, brush a tablespoon of almond oil or apricot oil through hair. Leave overnight.’
BARGAIN BUY
The perfect mascara can transform your whole look, so I am always on the lookout for a new one.
The Barry M Showgirl Extra Lengthening Black Mascara, £4.99 (Superdrug) works to lengthen lashes, with firm bristles that ensure each one is covered and a clump-free formula.
After applying dye, it is vital to remove all traces from your hair. ‘Try a few drops of apple cider vinegar (try Aspall Cyder Vinegar, £1.40, Tesco)’, says Christophe. ‘Add six to ten drops in water to rinse. That dissolves calcium in the water and makes hair really shiny. It also makes your blow-dry last longer.’
Finally, if your scalp is irritated, Christophe’s top tip is to place a tablespoon of cooking sea salt (Cornish Sea Salt, £1.60 for 225g, Waitrose) in a bowl of water.
‘Don’t let it dissolve — simply apply the paste-like texture to your scalp. The pH of salt is five, so it won’t affect the colour. Rinse gently afterwards,’ he says.
JULIE SAYS: ‘I am very pleased with the results and will definitely be trying out Christophe’s tips. I’ve had so many compliments. I feel like a different person!’
Hair styled by Syd Hayes; make-up by Lynsey Alexander
TREATS TO MAKE YOUR MONDAY MARVELLOUS
We all love deals at this time of the year and Bourjois have a great offer. Spend £15 on make-up, and receive a free Christmas party box, worth £28. It has three full-size bestsellers and a limited edition-size mascara. Available at boots.com and its stores from the 26th.
Luxsit Balance Facial Peeling Mask with Almond and Jojoba (eluxeexclusives.com). This exfoliating peel, which combines vitamin E, salicylic acid, almond and jojoba, claims to take years off your face in 60 seconds. The recommended use is three times a week to see instant benefits and longer term results.
It can’t work miracles, but gives skin a definite glow.
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