Show your tired locks some love during lockdown
While we self-isolate at home, there are small things we can do daily to keep our spirits up. Little things like wearing perfume, popping on a face mask or just taking some time to enjoy a bath to help relax and calm. Of course, none of us has an upcoming hair appointment at the minute, so we spoke to stylist Hannah Munford, stylist and colourist at MAYFIVE Hair in London about how we can use this time to give our hair extra care. Hannah’s first tip will easily fit into a working from home routine. She recommends treating hair regularly by doing the following. ‘Kick-start your day by washing your hair with shampoo and then towel dry it and work through a treatment or mask, or even your favourite nourishing conditioner. Next, gently clip or wrap up your hair leaving the treatment in for a few hours, whilst you get on with your day, whether that’s at your desk or a day on the sofa. Rinse in your lunch break or at the end of the day (the longer the better!) for silky smooth, well conditioned hair.’
Most of us have altered our styling routines now, with blow drying and heat tools pretty much ditched in favour of air drying, this is no bad thing apparently.
Hannah says: ‘If you are someone who washes their hair every day, this is your chance to give your hair a break! Washing your hair too frequently can dry it out as it needs its natural oils — also this usually means you’re using heat on it every day which can cause damage. Instead use a scrunchie or invisibobble which is much gentler on your hair than a usual hair band, and try and leave it a couple of days in between washes, this could be your chance to change your routine.’
Certainly, washing hair too often can have an adverse effect, strip away natural oils and the scalp will produce more to compensate. If you are stuck with constant washing this change in routine might just allow the scalp to readjust and re-balance.
Hannah’s final tip for better hair in the long run is for those who keep the hair tied back everyday.
‘Try leaving it down and give your scalp and hair a break from the friction and tension. Wearing your hair up can cause breakage in certain areas as well as tension alopecia, especially tight ponytails and buns when using the wrong hair bands.’
KORA Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum, €72/30ml, Space NK
Australian beauty brand KORA Organics is owned by model Miranda Kerr, and it’s certified organic and natural. The brand hasn’t been long at Space NK but it’s proving popular with fans of clean beauty that delivers results. This night time resurfacing serum has a host of gorgeous extracts including lemon peel ferment, Tonka Bean and Sicilian white grapes. Willow bark extract deeply exfoliates and skin is left looking brighter and smoother with clearer pores. Suitable from 25+
Max Benjamin White Pomegranate Soap, €10/200gm, www. maxbenjamin.ie
Wicklow candle and fragrance brand Max Benjamin is expanding its bath and body offerings to include this triple milled soap and hand cream (€15). The duo are available in five of their best selling scents: Dodici, White Pomegranate, French Linen Water, Pink Pepper and Lemongrass & Ginger. The triple milling of soap ensures ultimate smoothness, the soap formula is nourishing olive and coconut oils. The hand creams are based on Shea Butter, the most nourishing for delicate skin.
Laboratoire Altho Beautifying Precious Oil, €30, www.purelyorganic.ie
Purely Organic is a new Irish start-up and they are distributors of organic aromatherapy French brand, Laboratoire Altho. This brand creates health and beauty products in Provence, utilising the best regional ingredients alongside some of the best ethically sourced from around the world. This Beautifying Oil is gorgeous, a blend of Virgin Organic Borage, Chilean musk rose, apricot kernel and sunflower oils delicately scented with Damask Rose. Use on face and/or body daily.
This is your chance to give your hair a break from washing
Chloé Nomade Absolu de Parfum, €93/50ml, dept stores and select pharmacies
Another more intense and intoxicating version of its original juice, Nomade Absolu de Parfum ramps up the fruit accents with sweet Mirabelle plum. Interestingly, Oakmoss is the central note in this woody Chypre, one generally associated with men’s scents, but masculine this is not.
Davana extract gives a velvety tone while the sensual richness of soft sandalwood rounds out the elegant Absolu de Parfum.
La Vie Est Belle Intensément EDP, €90/50ml, nationwide
La Vie Est Belle has had numerous versions to date, and it remains one of the world’s best selling fragrances. Still fronted by Julia Roberts, the iris is still the emblematic floral at the heart of the uplifting scent. Here, for Intensément, the top notes include juicy fruits and spices: pink pepper, bergamot and raspberry. To intensify the sensuality of the eau de parfum vanilla pod is added to the iris heart. Uplifting and joyful, the new fragrance comes in three sizes, 30ml/€70, 50ml and 100ml/€115
Valentino Born In Roma Donna, €92/50ml, stores nationwide
An haute couture Floriental with a woody overdose is how Valentino describe this new fragrance. Florals at the heart of this will delight those fond of feminine fragrance, a trio of Jasmine flowers from the best varieties in the world.
Blended with Vanilla Bourbon, an expensive extract for perfume mainly sourced from Madagascar, the scent settles on wood notes. Young and irreverent, the campaign is fronted by model Adut Akech, the male scent Uomo has Anwar Hadid as its face.