Head cocked to one side and a frown on her face, my friend asked me: "How do you get your hair like that?"
I admit that after several weeks of hot summer weather, the deadly hair sins of sun, salt, chlorine and humidity have caught me unaware, with some disastrous beauty consequences. My fail-proof remedy of ponytails, Alice bands, banana clips and coloured hats have done nothing to help my dull, lifeless mane that won't hold a style, or my frizzy locks that seem fried.
Today, therefore, I've decided enough is enough and have compiled what I believe to be the perfect post-summer hair survival kit:
Gorgeous hair starts with a great shampoo and conditioner. Herbal Essences Dazzling Shine Shampoo and Conditioner has smoothing conditioners and tea, orange and berry extracts to leave hair shiny and fragrant. If the sun has faded your highlighted tresses or made you brassier than Joan Rivers, Redken Color Extend After-Sun Shampoo gently cleanses and removes minerals, chlorine and salt deposits.
Chlorine damages hair, so your locks need extra protein and a moisture-balancing treatment. Slather on a conditioner such as Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask; for better absorption, cover it with a shower cap and blast your head with a hair dryer for five minutes. Your tresses will be transformed from straw to silk and look gorgeously healthy in less than 15 minutes. Use at least twice a week for the best results.
Also use a leave-in conditioner as it will add protection that stays on your strands as you heat-style and then go about your day. VO5 Miracle Mist Leave-In Conditioning Treatment takes dull, sad or struggling locks to supermodel status in a spritz.
In order to tame frizzy hair, a good bet is Aveda After Sun Hair Treatment Masque. This bottle of wonder leaves hair as pretty as the penny it costs. Its combo of organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils moisturises the hair, while sunflower seed and vitamin E help protect against free radicals. Another gem is Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Soft Touch Shaping Cream. As it says on the bottle, it's "rehab for stressed-out locks" and gives fly-away hair the kind of come-hither texture that you usually get only while sailing on the Riviera with the man of your dreams.
If all else fails, of course, sometimes the best treatment for damaged hair is a good pair of scissors. Cut, run and grab your hat!
M Loves
NIMUE GLYCO FACIAL MASK
It's funny how some products become part of your grooming routine. You don't realise how much they've changed your life until their effects wear off and you're plunged back into your dishevelled former ways. We have been in love with the Nimue brand since we discovered it. The Glyco facial mask, to be released on the market next month, contains an AHA complex, which renews and brightens the skin. Therefore, it's perfect for complexions that need a quick boost after being bombarded with daily stress. Apply a thin layer, relax, and in less than 10 minutes, your skin is more radiant, tighter and brighter.
Nimue Glyco Mask, Dh110, available at Aesthetica Clinic, 04 342 8383, and elsewhere
3 of the best
Coat, lift and fan your lashes with these ultimate mascaras
BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL!, DH110 The trick of this mascara is in the wiggling of the brush; bristles at the tip give an extra "push" to lift and shape even the smallest lash. So clever, so easy.
BOURJOIS VOLUME FAST & PERFECT, DH79 The latest from Bourjois, a battery-operated rotating mascara. Simply place under your lashes and switch it on. The lazy girl's guide to dramatic eyes.
LANCÔME HYPNÔSE DOLL EYES, DH160 Goes on like a dream, with no clumping or clogging. Lashes look thick and eyes are opened.
