Whether it’s the perfect cut or the best colour, here’s how to have hair even Blake Lively would be jealous of…
Whether it’s the perfect cut or the best colour, here’s how to have hair even Blake Lively would be jealous of…
It is with firm beauty conviction that we believe a good haircut can be the difference between looking like you have your sh*t sorted and looking like things are about to fall apart at any given moment. Add perfect hair colour into the winning-at-life mix and you should have just about everything you need to look – and feel – great nearly all of the time.
In a world where we spend days working towards our unique versions of our “dream job”, quickly get over the men who don’t quite meet the benchmark we deserve, and pick and choose our friends based on the very highest standard of qualities, it makes total sense for us to aim high on the hair scale. As in, Blake Lively high.
Shade swap
The first step to getting just-so-fresh hair is nailing your colour. Before your next appointment, consider the new season colour trends and get ready for a change. While blondes need to embrace the warmer hues of caramel and honey, brunettes should be playing with mulberries – leaving natural redheads to experiment with bold shades of copper. If your colour woes are more about covering some silver, choose a permanent hair colour to master yourself at home.
Getting hand-sy
Speaking of DIY jobs, the mission for Best Hair Ever doesn’t necessarily need to begin in someone else’s basin. A lot of the time, yours will do just fine – if you remember a few important things. “Never stray more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural shade,” says colour expert Belinda Jeffery. Although sticking to a similar shade will help mask any mistakes, it’s generally still best to avoid making any at all. If possible, position yourself somewhere you can work with a mirror that’s in front and behind you. If you’re after a temporary, moisturising treatment, opt for a gloss. And if you want to change your hair colour more dramatically, then a semipermanent shade should last between six to 12 weeks.
Bye-bye, balayage
Sorry to be the one to break the news, but the reign of ombre has come to an end. “Balayage has wrapped,” says Belinda. Tough break, sure, but the newest hair colour trend of blending isn’t too far off. “[This technique] works with highlights on top and some free-hand painting on the ends,” she explains. The result? A variation of shades through the hair, which create a perfectly natural look – even if it was done by a hairdresser.
Bad behaviour
The quest for perfect hair can get pretty tough, especially when your mane didn’t get the memo. If you notice your hair is snapping around your face, it could be due to a different number of things – aside from these strands being the weakest because of their finer texture. “[Hair] can snap due to chemical damage, such as overprocessing of colour, and heat from hairdryers and straightening irons,” says head colourist Stephanie Griffiths.
If this is your problem, try applying a leave-in conditioner overnight. If your issues are more scalp-related, stress, a changed diet or irritating products could be the cause. Swap whichever shampoo and conditioner you’ve been using for specially-formulated products. Once you’ve got your colour and condition sorted, all that’s left is to decide on the cut that could mark a whole new beauty milestone.
