Croydon hairstylist’s advice for going blonde like Beyoncé
CROYDON singer-songwriter Raye will seek to continue her winning streak as her debut record is among those nominated for The Ivors’ prestigious best album award.
Her chart-topping album My 21st
Century Blues, which picked up the best album Brit Award earlier this year, has been shortlisted alongside Irish singer CMAT’s Crazymad, For Me; London jazz musician Yussef Dayes’ Black Classical Music; Irish folk group Lankum’s False Lankum and London-born musician Sampha’s second album Lahai.
Harry Styles, Fred Again.., Jungle, PinkPantheress and Ice Spice are also among the artists who have received nominations, which were announced last week during a ceremony in London.
The Ivor nod for Raye continues an impressive 12 months which has included her making Brit Awards history by winning six gongs in March, the most of any artist in one year, and receiving a Mercury Prize nomination for My 21st Century Blues.
She was previously nominated for two
BEYONCE Knowles-Carter recently shared a video of herself doing her wash day routine after recently retouching her natural hair, which has mostly been blonde throughout her career.
In the video, the 42-year-old Texas Hold ‘Em singer can be seen using products from her haircare line Cecred, which she launched earlier this year in February.
“Maintaining 25 years of blonde on natural hair through all the experimenting I do has played a huge part in developing @cecred’s products.,” she said. “It’s the hardest to keep colour-treated hair healthy and strong, but @cecred is here. All quality, with no shortcuts.”
So, what is the best way to maintain blonde hair on natural afro hair? A Croydon hair expert shares everything you need to know...
Derrick Mullings - a hairstylist at Suave Living, a hair salon based in west Croydon - says if you bleach afro hair (which has a natural curl pattern in comparison to European hair) too much, or fail to take care of it properly, it can end up damaged.
“Have regular treatments,” said Mullings. “Preferably moisturising treatments, as bleaching can be quite drying to the hair. This helps to maintain the hair elasticity so it doesn’t break.
“But if you suffer from any break
Ivors in 2022 and took home the best contemporary song award last year for her viral hit Escapism.
Leading the pack this year with two nominations each are Sampha and Yussef Dayes, who both receive a second nod in the best song musically and lyrically category for co-writing Sampha’s track Spirit 2.0.
Blur’s track The Narcissist is also among the songs nominated for the gong, 29 years on from the band’s first Ivor nomination, as well as Tom Odell’s Black Friday and The Japanese House’s Sunshine Baby.
Victoria Canal’s Black Swan has also picked up a nomination after the SpanishAmerican singer-songwriter won The Ivors’ rising star gong last year.
After receiving the nod, Canal told the PA news agency that being recognised by the academy two years in a row was “surreal” and she felt “very grateful” that people are connecting to her music.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony held at Grosvenor House in London on May 23. age from bleaching, you will need a reconstruction treatment, like a protein treatment, to strengthen the hair.”
Getting regular trims isn’t always a priority for people, but getting into a routine can do wonders for the health and length of your hair.
“Have regular trims, as the ends of your hair can be very brittle. This is what will help keep your hair in a
Croydon hair stylist has offered tips on maintaining blonde hair like Beyoncé has better condition,” said Mullings. “Each time you have it bleached (or died blonde), you should have it trimmed, between every six to 12 weeks - even when you have retouched too.”
According to Mullings, who has over 30 years of experience, it’s best to focus on the mid-length and ends of your hair when bleaching.
“This is because we produce p more bod body heat from tha the applying scalp, so it c close to there w will cause the hair to lighten more quickly,” he explained, stre stressing the impo importance of having a professional manage the maintenance of bleached hair.
“This will ensure that you have more correct and even colour application,” Mullings added. “Also, use professionally recommended products and avoid using some of the bleaches that are sold in high street shops.”
Mullings also suggested trying to “use less heat application” during styling. “If you use excessive amounts of heat, it could damage the natural porosity - how well the hair will absorb moisture - of the hair.”
People who have bleached afro hair should also avoid extreme highlift bleaching, added Mullings.
“This is when you can find up to 6% peroxide in the bleach, but the slower the process. the better it is for the health of the hair. The ones that work quicker can be more damaging.”
Even if you’re trying to maintain the health of your blonde hair, it’s still possible to overdo it with the bleach.
“It all depends on the length of your hair. If it’s a short-cropped style, then every six to eight weeks is ideal because you can do it more often as you will be having regular cuts,” said Mullings.
“But for longer hair, you should only do touch-ups on the roots and not the ends. This should be on average every three to six months.”
“Some people may bleach their hair to match - especially around the hairline - when wearing wigs and other protective styles.
“It’s safe to bleach your hair for that, but you also need to make sure you condition the hair very well and maintain your hair under the wigs,” said Mullings.
If you have afro hair, going to bed without protecting it can lead to breakage over time, or just increase the time you would need to spend on it the following morning.
“Make sure you use a night-time treatment if you can, this is a moisture-based and leave-in conditioner to keep your hair as moist as possible,” said Mullings.
“You can use a silk scarf and bonnet to protect it. You need as much moisture in your hair as possible.”