THE MANE EVENT

IN THE QUEST FOR GLOSSY HAIR, JULIETTE WINTER EXPLAINS WHY THE LATEST TREATMENTS ARE TURNING HEADS.

We look at the latest hair treatments that promise to keep your scalp and tresses in tip-top condition.

WHEN ANNE HATHAWAY had her lustrous locks chopped off for a scene in Les Misérables, she was apparently inconsolable. The Oscar-winning actress was reduced to tears because she felt the pixie cut changed her identity. According to hair-care brand John Frieda, we are all in the same boat: its research shows that four out of five Australian women say that their hair affects how they feel about themselves. A fair call, perhaps, when you consider that few of us just wash and go. We spend hours managing our locks, whether it be battling brittle ends, adding volume or worrying about thinning, because the desire for shiny strands is universal. The latest expert advice is to completely reverse the way we’ve washed our hair: first condition, then shampoo. “It deals with the texture of the hair and wearability, as well as the condition,” says Julianne Mcguigan, creative director for Oribe Australia. Australian hair stylist Kevin Murphy agrees. “By starting off with a conditioner first, this adds more slip and weight to your hair. Then you shampoo to remove excess product,” he says. “However, I strongly recommend you always finish off by conditioning, too, so that you close the hair cuticles and prevent hair drying out over time.” Clean and well-conditioned hair is critical to reducing breakage and volume, but Cindy Angerhofer, Aveda’s executive director of botanical research, says scalp care is key. “The scalp should be treated with the same respect we give our facial skin… it shelters and nurtures the very roots of our hair,” she says. “The importance of maintaining rich soil for your garden is a good analogy. Don’t overlook the benefit of giving yourself a good scalp massage while shampooing as this can have a mild exfoliating effect while also stimulating your circulation to feed your follicles.” According to Kevin, that TLC process starts even before you wash. “Your hair is at its most vulnerable to breakage when wet so brush it when it’s dry. It will also help to shift oil away from the scalp, allowing for a deeper clean later on.” Improved scalp care can also see an end to a common predicament: oily roots and dry ends. “Only use shampoo on the roots, and then apply conditioner from the ears down to avoid weighing the roots down with product,” says Kevin, who recommends capping cleansing to three times a week. If lack of volume is your chief conundrum, there are several things you can do. A cult classic, Klorane Dry Shampoo will save you lathering up daily, and also offers extra lift. “I’m a huge fan of dry shampoo. R+CO Death Valley is a must-have for every woman, and I love Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray [a favourite with princess-to-be Meghan Markle],” says Sydney hair stylist, Barney Martin. “A lot of clients want more volume, so I always cut with the hair’s natural texture to make getting more volume as easy as possible. Blow-drying against the natural root fall also creates lift, so tip your head upside down or over-direct the hair upwards and use a round brush to create lift at the roots.” If heat styling is not your forte, using a lightweight pro tool like the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer can make the process less of an arm workout. Switching up your washing routine won’t be enough to save your locks from damage if you colour your hair. Without getting too technical, colouring breaks the disulphide bonds in your hair, causing breakage and brittleness. In-salon treatments, like Olaplex, can help repair those broken bonds while your colour is applied in the chair. If it’s gloss that you desire, glaçage is an in-salon option that quickly brightens up an existing colour, without the need for harsh chemicals. Regardless of your hair colour, thickness or length, you should treat your hair as you would your skin — gently! There is one defining difference: you can always do like Anne. Chop it off, wipe away the tears and wait for it to grow again.