Stressed out, frizzy hair may be as inherently Irish as hang sangwiches, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve come to terms with it. Some of us are lucky enough to have naturally glossy tresses, but for everyone else, finding the right products to tame the fuzz can be a lifetime’s work and entail a lot of wasted money. Investing in the right products for your hair type ensures that you’ll only have to buy a couple of hardworking products to keep things smooth.
Darphin Revitalising Oil for Face, Body and Hair (€30) is an excellent multi-tasker. Suitable for face and body as well as hair, this divine-smelling oil blend protects hair against the perils of humidity frizz, and generally helps to nourish hair and maintain good condition. Apply this after washing, or run through ends when dry.
For severely damaged or colour processed hair which frizzes up at the mere whisper of damp weather, a more intensive hair care regime might be called for. Try the Kérastase Resistance Thérapiste range (available from stockists nationwide from July). Kérastase Soin Premier Thérapiste (€23.50) is a conditioning treatment applied to wet hair prior to shampooing, and leaves hair feeling immediately silky and coated. Follow up with Kérastase Bain Thérapiste (€19.50), a rich, thick shampoo which creates that heavy feel and gloss, even on tired blonde strands. My own hair, if left to dry naturally, will develop a decidedly hedge-like fluffiness, but it air dried into shiny, relaxed waves after using just these two restorative products. They are frazzled hair's best friend.
Aveda Thickening Tonic Styling Spray (€27) is the perfect quick-fix styling product for fine, limp, hair, or hair which has lost its oomph after years of abuse. Spritz this into damp hair, section by section, before styling for a boost in volume without frizz from lengths to ends.
L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Hot & Big (€5.99) is a clever styling product which helps to prevent breakage and general frizziness by speeding up the blow drying process.
This light mist gives the hair bounce and hold, while shortening drying time and exposing stressed hair to less heat damage. Those with masses of thick hair will understand the woes of languishing under a hairdryer for 40 minutes. This really does speed up the process.
When hair is split, damaged, or over processed, re-evaluating your hair care regime will significantly improve the situation unfolding on your head. Apart from considering a change of style which requires less heat styling and works more with your hair’s natural inclinations, a weekly mask can really help.
There are all sorts of lovely options available, but a generous dollop of good old fashioned coconut oil applied to dry hair a few hours before washing, about once a week, will do the trick nicely (and cheaply).
To intensify the treatment, or if you don’t have several hours to walk about looking as though you’re grievously overdue a wash, pop a shower cap on. The heat will help the oil to penetrate the hair as much as possible.
