It’s not called our crowning glory for nothing! No matter what I am wearing, no matter how well I look otherwise, if my hair is not right I might as well stay at home. I know that most of my friends feel the same way and many spend more on keeping their tresses just right than on their wardrobe. What with the colouring, the cutting and the products, we can easily spend a small fortune and often we do.
I have a mountain of hair products, used once, in the search for just the right serum, sitting upstairs in a box, never to see the light of day again and probably already out of date. You see, I used to be a ‘sucker’ for the latest shampoo, conditioner or serum, easily seduced by a Cheryl or Claudia advertisement, thinking I could save myself a trip to the hairdresser.
But no more, I now know that was false economy, so I make regular weekly visits to my local Peter Mark salon in Malahide Dublin for a wash and blow dry and my hair is maintained and cossetted by Ger Burke, who has been in the business of cutting, colouring and advising clients for more years than she cares to remember.
She tells me that I am blessed with hair that is strong, supple and healthy. Over the last two years, Ger has made subtle changes. She colours the roots using Inoa ammonia-free permanent colour by L’Oreal every 6-8 weeks. As my hair is not prone to fading, she brings the colour through the ends for the last 10 minutes to replace the cosmetic agents and refresh the tone. The colour has been gradually lightened by a shade which we both consider warmer and more flattering.
The cut has changed too, from long layers to a long bob with very few layers, moving away from a blow-dry with lots of movement to a sleek shiny one that is more up-to-date. To keep my ‘signature shiny look’, Ger uses Bain Chroma Captive shampoo and conditioner for coloured hair. Since my hair is now a longer style, she has also convinced me to use a serum to keep it sleek and to stop it getting frizzy. She applies it just before I leave…no, I don’t bring it home to add to my collection!
So to help you to look after your locks, I asked Ger to give me an insight into the science behind our hair and how it changes as the years pass and what products you can use. Take it away Ger.
“Hair loses density as we age and the growth slows too, which means not only is your hair shrinking slightly in diameter, but it is not being replaced as quickly, which can lead to thinning hair. For some, this is hardly noticeable. For others, it can be a bigger problem. Other factors that affect density and growth include thyroid imbalances, hormonal changes, and other medical conditions.
Hair also loses warmth as we age, becoming more ashen in tone and appearing darker, or losing pigment altogether and becoming white.
Well, what can we do about it all? Good general health and genetics play a large part in how well hair ages, but it can still throw up challenges. As hairdressers we can offer advice on how to deal with the changes.
CUT
A good cut is essential. It keeps your hair well-groomed and regular trims will take care of any dry or split ends. I’m often asked if you should shorten your hair as you get older, but I don’t believe there is a hard and fast rule about it. Yes, for some a short cut is really flattering, but for others a little length is nice too and the trick is to keep it looking well maintained.
COLOUR
Colour is one of the most versatile things you can do with your hair. Colour formulations are light and natural now and a lot of them are ammonia-free too, leaving hair in tip-top condition. Colour techniques range from all over tints to highlights, to bespoke balayage for subtle natural looks.
Should you go lighter as you age? Again, it depends. If you’ve always been a brunette, changing to blonde can be draining on your skin. By using hand-painting techniques, you can add lighter pieces to soften a look that may have become too dark for you.
Be open to change, and remember sometimes it can be as simple as altering the tone of your colour, or adding some highlights. Change doesn’t always have to be dramatic, but colour can add texture and an illusion of depth to hair that may be thinning.
CARE
The range of products out there for hair is staggering! At Peter Mark, we stock Redken, Nioxin and Kerestase. Nioxin delivers fuller, thicker hair by keeping the scalp in optimum condition for hair growth, and the range contains a 3-part system kit to get you started.
Here I’m concentrating on 3 of my favourite Kerestase families. For hair lacking density, I’d recommend the Densifique range, which comes with a lightweight mousse which I love! For hair that’s misbehaving, and prone to frizz, I’d recommend the Discipline range (which comes with a super anti-humidity leave-in cream).
Volumifique shampoo, conditioner and volume spray are from the Resistance range and are lovely lightweight products that nourish and control hair without weighing it down. All of the above also have a corresponding in–salon treatment, which is an inexpensive add-on to a nice blow-dry. None of these products can prevent the changes to your hair, but they are designed to help your hair be the best it can be.
Ask about styling products too such as Redken’s Thickening Lotion, Full Effect Mousse, Guts, Pillow-proof …or consider Rapture hair extensions. Exclusive to Peter Mark, they are lightweight, easy to wear, re-useable extensions that will add volume and length to your hair.
A good hair day can really boost your mood, so if any of these changes are affecting your hair, chat to your hairdresser, be open to change and treat yourself to a new you!”
All of the above products and more are available in all Peter Mark salons. Buy any 2 products before October 1st and you get 20% off.
The good news is that I have two vouchers to give away worth €50 each, to use in any of the Peter Mark salons. All you have to do is to Like my post on FB and to Share it. Two winners will be picked at random on Friday 23rd September and will be announced on my Facebook page.
Have a good hair day y’all……d’ye hear!!!
