We believe that 2021 is all about embracing your natural hair’s texture. With curly hair growing increasingly popular we have decided to turn to one of our experts, Kelly May, to get all the tips you need to get your best curly hair yet.

Firstly it’s important to understand that Curls can change over time, says Kelly May. You can go from having soft waves to tighter curls. Your hair goes through cycles that can change every several years. Pregnancy has also been known to change a woman’s hair. This can be due to post pregnancy hormones and the loss of hair. Post pregnancy your hair can grow back with a different texture and sometimes much curlier.

Whatever your type of curl or its cyclical changes, it is important to protect them. May, recommends sleeping on a silk pillow case or wearing a silk head turban at night. “ This will help reduce breakage and cause less friction when you are sleeping” adds May. To ensure healthy curls, it’s important to wash your hair in a certain way and ensure you indulge in regular conditioning treatments. Curls require a lot of hydration.

May advises, hair be brushed before it is washed and again when you apply conditioner. This helps eliminate the frizz. Use clarifying shampoo first, followed by a moisture based curl defining shampoo. The thickness of your hair will then determine what your curls need whether its moisture, protein, frizz control or volume. Curly hair has a tendency to require more moisture than most other hair types.

So what is the best brush to use for curly hair? At Neville, we recommend using a flat paddle brush or a denman brush. These are gently on your curls and great for tangles. Always remember to brush your hair when it is wet with conditioner or alternatively prior to washing it.

For those of you struggling with your curls and looking into potential treatments to help reduce frizz, we recommend Tanino Therapy, a chemical free smoothing treatment that will maintain your curl at the same time.

When it comes to styling using the right products is paramount. For rebellious curly hair, May recommends using the Kerastase discipline range which is great for managing thicker curls and frizz for a smooth and shinier finish.

If you are looking to embrace your natural curls or alternatively achieve a smooth blowdry, we recommend using L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni Art Liss control.

If you are opting for a curly style, it helps define the curls. Liss control is a light weight product with maximum effect. Alternatively, if you wish to smooth your hair liss control will help you achieve shiny and smooth hair.

Jack Merrick-Thirlway supported by Neville Hair & Beauty Salon using L’Oreal Professionnel.

How to achieve the look:

• Prep the hair using L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni Art Pli.
• Blow dry the hair smooth.
• Using a medium sized barrel tong, create a subtle beach wave.
• Apply a light mist of L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni Art Beach Waves all over and allow to dry naturally. This is to create a lived-in beach effect.
• Break up the beach waves by adding one or two small to medium braids.
• To finish apply a light mist of L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni Art Savage Panache.

To commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Neville Tucker recreated Queen Elizabeth II ‘s iconic look. He has paid homage to not only the Queen, but also Charles Martin who was the Queen’s hairdresser for a large part of her sovereignty. Neville worked with Charles for many years at his salon, Neville Daniel on Sloane Street during the early 90s where he held the Royal Warrant.

Here is a step by step guide of how to recreate Her Majesty’s iconic look put together by Neville Tucker, owner of Neville Hair and Beauty and Jack Merrick-Thirlway, creative director. The true beauty of this look stems from true, authentic, old fashioned setting and dressing using only hair brushes, rollers and a hairdryer and no heated tools.

Begin by washing the hair as normal, using shampoo and conditioner. Ensure to use plenty of setting and blow-dry lotion throughout the blow dry process to provide hold. Using a hairdryer, a small brush and small rollers for maximum movement, split the hair into small sections for ideal positioning. Once the rollers are in place, the model is then put under a hood dryer for around half an hour to achieve heat through all the rollers. The elimination of tongs and straighteners at this stage is vital for the iconic, vintage look - going back to basics is the key. Once the hair is completely dry and set, the rollers are removed, and the hair is brushed through. Using a wide tooth comb, the hair is moved into the desired place and silver clips are placed around the curls and waves to keep them in place. Around the back, the hair has been carefully back-combed to achieve volume and hold. Small pins keep the hair tightly in place. The crown is then added at the front once the silver clips are removed around the front and hair covered part of the crown towards the back. Use hairspray to complete the look at to add shine and dynamism.