Author: Neville

With most people’s impeding departure to sunnier destinations, we thought we would pull together a list of invaluable haircare tips to see you through your holiday. After all, you have just come out from three months lockdown and have only just started to feel like yourself again. So, to avoid a repeat of lockdown locks here are 5 easy to follow tips to ensure you don’t compromise the health of your hair whilst on holiday:

1. Protect your hair

We’ve become pretty savvy when it comes to our skincare regimen and most of us know the importance of wearing UV protection daily regardless of the weather, yet we tend to overlook the importance of protecting our hair. Believe it or not, the effects of prolonged sun exposure on the hair are very similar to those on the skin. Left unprotected, the pesky rays can cause havoc to your tresses and not only for those who colour or bleach their hair. Hence why our hair can often feel brittle and lifeless when we return from holiday. To prevent damage for occurring, we recommend making hair SPF your new beach bag staple.

Our favourites:

2. Accessorise

One of the biggest challenges our hair faces during sun exposure, aside from the obvious UV damage, is loss of moisture. By wearing a hat or head scarf you help your scalp retain moisture which is paramount for healthy hair. We all the more, recommend using accessories as a wind shield, particularly if you are planning to spend your summer island hopping around Greece, as those big gusts of wind could quickly turn your beach waves into unwanted matted locks.

Our favourites:

3. Air Dry

Use this downtime to give your hair a break too by avoiding or reducing the use of heat appliances. During summer your hair will be exposed to substantial heat, so it’s a good opportunity to embrace your natural look. There are some great products on the market that can help you get the best out of your natural hair; whether you are seeking to define a curl or simply add some volume the combination of good product and letting your air dry au naturel will prevent damage.

4. Switch styles

If you are a fan of the tight pony, now is the time to switch things up. During summer your hair will be dry from the heat so it’s the perfect opportunity to try looser styles like a braid or top knot. Looser styles will prevent the hair from pulling and breaking. Also, consider your choice of ties. We are currently big fans of silk ties which prevent tugging and breakage. You can read about the effects of hair ties on hair in our previous blog post here.

Our favourites:

5. Condition your hair

It’s evident that from the points above your hair will suffer from lack of moisture when exposed to heat, that’s why it’s very important to treat it with care and provide it with some extra TLC. Nothing beats a good conditioning mask after your usual shampoo and conditioner routine. Using a conditioning mask will restore the moisture in your hair as well as add shine to your lengths.

Our favourites:

Regardless of any of our hair concerns, we all aspire for the same thing and that’s having great looking hair. With that in mind, we’ve picked out some of the most common hair concerns and how to overcome them the Neville way.

1. Dandruff

Dandruff is a scalp condition that causes flaky particles of skin to detach and linger on your hairline and clothes. Often embarrassing and difficult to treat, dandruff can also be triggered by stress or a poor diet. There are various ways to treat dandruff, but if this is a recurring problem you should seek medical advice. For those suffering from mild dandruff we recommend using Kérastase Specifique Bain Anti-Pelliculaire. Infused with Zinc Pyrithione and salicylic acid, this shampoo cleanses and eliminates impurities from the hair and scalp by targeting the bacteria responsible for dandruff and purifying the scalp of sebum known to cause dandruff. Visible flakes are removed for up to 8 weeks for both oily and dry dandruff. The shampoo can also be used in conjunction with the Kérastase

The shampoo can also be used in conjunction with the Kérastase Anti-Dandruff Scalp Treatment which restores the visible quality and suppleness of the scalp, while protecting against oxidative stress. This treatment leaves the scalp feeling soothed and diminishes itchiness due to dryness and redness.

2. Hair Loss

Hair loss although frequently associated as a problem faced mostly by men, is also a common issue for women. Men’s hair loss often presents itself as a balding pattern whereas women experience a decrease in volume and increased shedding. The causes vary but can often be linked to stress, hormonal changes, menopause and daily aggressors. We recommend investing in a water filter for your shower which can help reduce the amount of lead and zinc that your hair is exposed to. In addition, you should try switching up your haircare routine. We love the new Kérastase Genesis Range which is formulated for weakened hair, prone to falling due to breakage. Enriched with Edelweiss Native Cells, Ginger Root & Aquaxyl this shampoo gently clarifies and helps reinforce fibre to reduce the risk of hair-fall due to breakage. Finally try and avoid heat appliances when possible.

3. Dry Hair

Over washing your hair can be one of the main causes for it to dry out as it can strip away your hairs’ natural oils. To help prevent it from drying out we recommend using conditioning treatments regularly. At Neville’s we offer a variety of in salon treatments such as Fusio Dose, Olaplex and the Redken Gold mask to help restore your hair’s natural moisture. These can be booked in online via our website or via phone on 0207 235 3654. We also recommend using hydrating haircare treatments at home such as the Balmain overnight repair serum designed to repair and strengthen your hair against breakage or the Balmain repair mask for extra nourishment.

4. Split Ends

Unless you follow a diligent regime when it comes to hair cutting you are most likely prone to split ends. These can occur as a result of overbrushing or excessive heat application. It’s important to remember that you should treat your hair with the same care you would treat your skin. Here at Neville, we offer a thermal scissor cut. Using heated scissor blades to round off and seal the hair tip to lock in moisture and minimise the damage that is caused by pollution, sunlight and heat styling. Expect your thermal scissor cut to last an extra month, split end free. Great for stretching out time between appointments. In addition, we recommend using a good quality hairbrush such as our Neville Paddle brush.

5. Greasy Hair

I’m sure you’ve heard of the word sebum before which is the name of the natural oil your scalp produces. At times your scalp can produce too much of it, which is when you are likely to experience greasy hair. You might be tempted to try and strip the oils using harsher shampoos, however these natural oils are primordial to maintain healthy luscious locks. So what’s the solution ? Try spacing out shampoos and replace every two washes with the use of dry shampoo. When applying conditioner try and avoid putting any on the roots, instead focus on the ends of your hair. When possible try using a cleansing shampoo to remove any product build-up on your scalp. We are particularly fond of Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent which is a scalp shampoo for oily roots. It treats the hair fiber from lengths to tips to nourish dry and sensitized ends for hair to regain softness and shine. Hair at the roots greases less quickly while lengths remain nourished with split ends sealed.

Feel free to leave us a comment below if you have any questions, we’ll be happy to help.

Even with the best of intentions and a cupboard full of hair products lockdown has undoubtedly taken its toll on your tresses.

If the sheer sight of yourself in the mirror makes you scream ‘dry hair’, ‘split ends’ or ‘frizz’ then you’ve come to the right place. All of these words indicate that there is some damage that requires your attention. Damage is mostly noticeable on the outer layer of the hair or cuticle and generally happens as a result of the cuticle opening.

One of the first things you should do is assess your hair, if you have trouble detangling your hair, if it’s suddenly unmanageable, lacks lustre or feels rough, chances are your hair is damaged. This can be the result of a combination of factors such as heat styling, bleaching, hot showers, sun exposure, chemical dyes etc…

Like with any problem there is a personalised solution, however before addressing the different types of hair damage and the best way to tackle them it’s important to reassess your haircare routine.

These are a few simple ways to prevent further damage from occuring:

When washing your hair, apply a 50 pence coin sized amount of shampoo into your hands and apply on the scalp only. Do not rub the actual hair strands. These will wash themselves when you rinse your hair.

Brush your hair in the shower whilst your conditioner is on using a wide tooth comb. This will untangle your hair and prevent it breaking. Your hair is at its weakest when damp.

Avoid using hair ties particularly when going to bed. These can have a really terrible effect on your hair. Please feel free to check out our latest blog post here.

If limiting heat styling is not an option for you, make sure you are using a heat protector.

When possible let your hair air dry.

Now, back to personalised solutions here is our advice for your specific hair type.

If your hair is Dull and Dry, it’s most likely being deprived of natural oils. This can happen as a result of using the wrong shampoo for your hair type. Particularly if you are using a shampoo which contains harsh chemicals. We would in this case recommend limiting the amount of times you wash your hair weekly to give your natural oils a chance to regenerate. In addition, we recommend replacing your shampoo for one of the following options:

A highly-nourishing and reparative shampoo that leaves hair easier to manage, shinier and healthier with each use. It repairs and protects hair from everyday stresses — including damaged hair, split ends, and frizz — by re-linking broken bonds. N°4 is color-safe and proven to reduce breakage and strengthen all types of hair.

This deeply nourishing shampoo is enriched with pure organic Argan oil and is suitable for both natural and coloured hair. The shampoo creates strong, shiny and manageable hair and is intensely nourishing for the hair.

If your hair is extremely knotty, it’s a sign your hair needs TLC. Hair gets tangled when raised cuticles rub together. The best way to reverse this is to use detangling sprays and moisturising masks and conditioners. It is also recommended to brush your hair working from the bottom up not to tighten the knots.

When your hair needs some extra nourishment every once in a while, this is the product you need. The name says it all; the Repair Mask repairs dry and weak hair and gives your hair a soft, luxurious feeling. The mask is enriched with the signature Balmain fragrance and feels like the instant salon treatment.

The Neville boar bristle paddle brush is great to massage the scalp and help detangle your hair.

Another effect that you might be experiencing as a result of damage is fizziness , this happens when the cuticles aren’t lying flat. You are most likely to notice frizz around the crown. The best way to deal tame frizz is to use serums. We recommend:

Treat yourself to a 10 minute moisture makeover at home. This weekly one-time use mask offers an intensive at-home treatment. Inspired by K-Beauty and trendy hydrating facial masks, the All Soft Mega Recovery Tissue Mask delivers much-needed moisture to severely dry, coarse hair. It leaves hair with increased hydration and manageability.

A highly-concentrated, weightless styling oil that repairs damaged and compromised hair. Dramatically increases shine, softness, color vibrancy, and manageability. Minimizes flyaways and frizz while restoring healthy appearance and texture. Provides heat protection of up to 450°.

Finally, split ends which we are all prone to is when the hair splits in two. Split ends can lead to breakage. This will be most difficult to reverse from home, particularly during lockdown as haircuts are not an option. However, you can minimise the breakage by using a specific treatment such as:

A luxurious rich hair serum for an intensive overnight repair treatment. The concentrated formula repairs and strengthens the hair. Enriched with natural oils and extracts the serum reduces visible signs of damaged hair and protect the hair against split ends.

During summertime it can get extremely hot, and you may feel compelled to tie your hair up. Whether it is for comfort or practicality, we are all prone to tossing our hair up in a messy bun. Some may do it to hit the gym, others as a result of hitting the snooze button one too many times, either way it’s causing damage. You may not know it because you can’t see it but tying your hair up several times a day or even a few times a week causes unwanted friction. When you tie your hair up, you are ultimately eroding the hair shaft which in turn causes breakage that cannot be fixed or reversed.

The damage caused will often go unnoticed, until your next haircut of course. As a hair salon, we notice the damage caused by hair ties, when the stylist parts the hair at the nape of the neck only to reveal it is inches shorter. You can spot a ponytail wearer the minute they sit in the chair.

So, what can we do?

Luckily for us, the scrunchie has made a comeback and now more than ever is the time to invest in a high quality scrunchie. I will link some of my favourites below. Alternatively, you can opt for bobby pins or clips instead to keep those flyaway hairs at bay.

Elena’s edit:

2023 is all about embracing your hair’s natural texture and curls are no different. To help you navigate the complexities of the curly hair world, we have pulled together this guide of simple tips that will help enhace the look of your hair without altering is natural pattern. Rather than telling you how you should be wearing your hair, we've focused on pulling together a list of tips and tools to achieve the perfect curls.

Understand your individual haircare needs. Like with any hair type, understanding your individual haircare needs is the first step to unleashing its full potential. It’s no secret that curly hair textures need water, moisture, hydration and plenty of it. With more and more information readily available on the internet it can make things confusing and overwhelming, particularly if you are new to embracing your curls. That’s why at Neville Hair and Beauty we recommend a consultation with one of our curly hair specialists to help determine your specific hair needs. After your thorough assessment depending on the condition of your hair the stylist will prescribe a targeted haircare regimen, which may include in-salon treatments and a bespoke homecare regimen. Rest assured we like to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to home care and focus on: cleansing, conditioning and protecting. For anything above and beyond, we are here to help you.

Ditch self-criticism. Part of the journey to embracing your natural curls is understanding that no curl day will be the same. Women have a tendancy to strive for perfection, particularly when hair is involved, but it's very important to have realistic expectations. Don’t be too hard on yourself, really the most important element is to build a lasting relationship with your hair and treat it with the same compassion your treat others. Remember there are no ‘right’ curls, despite what you may see on Instagram. Focus on surrounding yourself with people who will give you the confidence to embrace your natural self.

Pick the right conditioner for you. Moisturising hair conditioners are a must for curly hair, but make sure you study the list of ingredients on the back. Ensure you avoid any harsh cleasing formulas which may strip your hair from the good oils. Instead focus on gentle formulas that contain nourishing ingredients. When using the conditioner make sure to focus the application on the mids lengths and ends as these require extra nourishment.

Cold rinse. When you have finished washing you hair with the correct shampoo and conditioner, dare the cold rinse. Doing so will do wonders for your hair! Cold rinses will not only seal your conditioner in, it will also ensure it lays your hair cuticles flats, which means you will be left with visibly stronger, shinier and bouncier hair.

Pat, don’t rub. When washing your hair at home, avoid rubbing your hair with a towel as this can cause unwanted frizz, instead pat and scrunch your hair dry as this will help limit damage and breakage.

Style from wet. Unlike other hair types, curly hair requires action from the time your hair is wet. At Neville we recommend applying a smoothing serum to wet hair and ensuring even distribution with a wide tooth comb.

Give your curls some oomph with mousse. Despite general preconception that mousse gives crunchy hair, it is in fact a great product to help define natural curls. In terms of quantity a little really does go a long way. Try and get your hands on a natural mousse, as those available in the supermarket tend to be charged with alcohol, which can dry out the hair. At Neville we are fans of Philip Martin’s natural mousse, which is designed to not only protect the hair but also make it brighter, softer with a velvety feel.

Protect your hair. Heat protection is a must regardless of your hair type and should be applied everytime before you subject your hair to any heat.

Switch your classic hairdryer nozzle for a diffuser. Most hair dryers come equipped with a diffuser. Although most people dismiss them, they are the ultimate curly hair ally. By switching your nozzle for a diffuser, you enable the hot air to be desitributed evenly as opposed to all the air being directed to one specific area, which can lead to damage. We recommend using a low heat setting and using your free hand to scrunch hair as you go along.

Top up with hair oil. As your hair is subjected to daily agressors, we recommend always carrying around some hair oil, which you can use to top up moisture throughout the day. There are a variety of oils available, just make sure to use a couple of drops on the ends as it can quickly become quite messy.

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