Hair can dry out in extreme temperatures and with increased UV exposure in summer months or while your on holiday. Your hair is dead from the root out, so, we can only increase our hair health by what we directly put on it. Diet can help hair as it grows, to give you hair overall better condition so you have a better starting point, but once it's left the follicle its on its own!

Sadly, the huge cosmetic marketing machine would have you believe there are lots of things that can help you in your local supermarket, if only! The only way to repair and hydrate your hair is by using specific products, specifically for your hair type and condition. Choosing the right product can be tricky and costly if you choose wrong, so we always advise you speak to our stylists who has loads and loads of training to help you make an informed decision.

Penetrate don't cover!

The biggest problem with many supermarket or none professional hair care is that the molecules are too big. They need to be small enough to go deep into the hair and repair it from the inside out. Many natural fixes also sit on the surface and make the hair appear to be healthier but i has just coated and covered up the dryness and damage. Once you re-wash your hair, the ugly truth will show back through, worse still, the plastic coatings can react with hair colours and stop professional products from working!

The Good News Is...

Professional Hair Care is very concentrated, so you won't have to buy it very often and means long term you will actually save money!

3 Steps To Great Summer Hair

1. Invest in a professional moisture shampoo and conditioner with UV protection

2. Use a hydrating mask once a week or in extreme temperatures every time you wash your hair

3. Keep it covered, wear a hat!

So, you're fed up with your hair....

It's been ages since you tried something new and you're ready, ready to take the plunge and change your hair colour.

The preparation when going lighter and darker is actually quite different.

If your wanting to go lighter, the main thing you need to think about above all is the health and condition of your hair and upping your hair care routine. Do you have at least 20 mins a week to dedicate to a hair mask and be prepared to use products to preserve your locks as straightening and bleaching without using protection is a sure way to end up with very little hair.

However, if you don't like your new, lighter you, it is very easy to go back to black dare we say... Going back to your darker hair colour will be very easy and relatively inexpensive.

On the other hand, if you wish to go darker, you have much more to consider. Clients don't always realise this but if you don't like your new darker reflection when you look in the mirror, it will take a lot of time, home care and money, especially if you we're very blonde before to go back to blonde or sometimes even a mid brown if you have gone very dark.

This is the reason hair colourists think box home dyes are the work of the devil because they are so hard to get rid off, not only do they dye the hair they stain it too! (we will be posting on this soon) If you have salon colour on your hair it is much easier to lift out.. easier meaning quicker and cheaper for you.

Think it through...

When you are going for a big change always bring a picture, in fact the more the merrier. Bring pictures of what you like, love and don't like to make sure your stylist know what look you're after and that you've really thought about it. I sometimes make sure my clients ask me on 2 consecutive appointments before I will do something drastic. Ok, so I have some clients who are always changing their hair but others realy don't do impulsive when it comes to hair as they usually regret it.

TOP TIPS

1. Take pictures.

2. Remember, you aren't going to look like the person in the picture unless we stick it to your head and if you bring a 20 year old picture in of a darker / lighter you ... Chances are you're not going to look like you did then... Sorry.

3. Think about the maintenance needed for you new colour, think about time and money you will need to invest to keep it looking amazing.

4. Use the right masks for your hair in the run up to the transformation, this will make your colour last longer and lift better. Ask your stylist which is best for you.

5. Listen to your stylist, we don't like saying no, but sometimes we have to and if a stylist doesn't want to do it, there must be a good reason for it so listen and find out more...

6. Don't be disheartened if it can't be done in 1 day if Khloe Kardashian took 8 sittings maybe you will.

7. Find a good salon who have a good reputation and if you need something advanced expect to be passed on to a senior stylist or director to ensure you get a good job.

8. Use the recommended home care, shop shampoo will not keep your new beautiful colour looking good. Expect you use a shampoo, conditioner, mask (sometimes 2) and leave in treatments and sprays if lightening.

9. Re-book, if your stylist is a good one, rebooking is essential, if your colour is even a week late it can cause banding or uneven colour, so ask your stylist how long they recommend before you visit again. For block / global colours expect 4-6 weeks, highlights 6 weeks and balayage is very low maintenance but your glaze and cut will need redoing at 6 weeks if you are prone to excess warmth or have yellow phobia! Weekends and evenings are always mega busy, sometime you will have to book 2 in advance if this is your preferred slot.

10. Nothing lasts forever so go on and try something new and if you don't like it we can change it... Happy Colouring!