Carols Column - give it to me straight

GIVE IT TO ME STRAIGHT!

If it’s straight and sleek you you’re after follow this simple technique.

Dry your hair off until its just nearly dry using a large bristle brush. Trying to style your hair ringing wet just won’t work. Always point the nozzle straight down the shaft as you dry. If your hair is wavy you need to make sure the roots are quite dry before you dry the length.

Straightening irons are great for silky smooth results. Make sure you’ve used a good conditioner and a styling serum before using any heated tool. Start at the roots and work downwards to the tip of your hair. Try not to clamp over the same section twice as it will cause dryness and splitting. Straighten section by section, finish by spraying hairspray onto your brush and brush through, this will help with static.

If you’re looking for a new hair care range get yourself down to Tesco! Their new Physique haircare range has an intoxicating fragrance of melon and kiwi fruit and has real sporty-look packaging. Choose from Physique Controlling or Physique Volume collection. The range includes, among others, 2 in 1 Shampoo, Precision Wax, Volume Spray and Control Conditioner. Products are reasonably priced at around £3.50 each and can be used by the whole family. TRIED THE NEW ANDREW COLLINGE RANGE YET? To add texture to your finished style try the Design and Shine No Frizz Gloss. It creates a shiny, smooth finish and is great for taming flyaway hair. To clean and condition the hair try the Revitalising Shampoo and Revitalising Conditioner for normal hair. The shampoo is pH balanced and the conditioner smoothes roughened cuticles and adds extra shine. If you want a temporary change from your curly hair try the Straight and Smooth No Kinks Straightener for super smooth styling. All products priced around £3.95.

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BAGS OF STYLE!

THE CLASSIC BOB
Has been around since 1920! This versatile style varies from sharp and sleek to soft and full, with or without a fringe.

Spritz a styling spray through freshly washed hair.

Separate the hair into sections with butterfly clips. Wrap each one separately round a large bristle brush and aim the dryer nozzle down to shaft.

If you want to curl the ends under hold the bristle brush at the ends and spray with hairspray when dry. Then blast with dryer again to set style.

THE CROP
Whether your hair is thin or thick, curly or straight there’s a cropped style to suit you. It looks particularly good though on ‘pixie’ faces. It’s incredibly easy to look after and can be changed from tousled to sophisticated quickly. Hair should be highly layered with lots of texture.

Roughly dry with a hairdryer and fingers using gel or blow-dry spray if you want some volume.

Use separating wax if you want a choppy, spiky look, or glossing serum if you want to keep it sleek and shiny.

Have hair trimmed every six – eight weeks to keep style.

THE LAYERED LOOK
Ever since Jennifer Aniston burst onto our screens layers have become popular again. Layered looks have been ‘in’ for a long time now but Jennifer’s shaggy sophistication has been one of the most copied hairstyles of all time.

Use a root lift spray to add volume and thickness.

Using a vent brush to allow a good flow of air, dry sections of hair under and angled towards the face.

When dry, run your fingers through it to avoid the ‘set’ look and define the ends with a gel spray or small amount of wax.

THE MANE
Long, luxurious locks have always been seen as youthful, sexy and the ultimate in glamour. Although long hair involves more care time, it allows for all sorts of varied styles and is often easier to manage than a mid-length style. And think of all the beautiful ponytail and bun accessories on the market! Colour and shine are really important on long hair and adding a few layers can make it more interesting.

Always pay attention to the condition of long hair, especially if it’s coloured.

Use a paddle brush when drying and dry the underneath first by tipping head forward.

If hair is long and curly then its best whenever possible to allow hair to dry naturally. If this is not possible then always use a serum before drying and a diffuser attachment to avoid frizz.

For a more ‘Bohemian’ look try plaiting tiny sections randomly and tying thin ribbon round ends to secure them.

READERS FAVOURITES

One reader brought her favourite two products to our attention: -

Aveda Self Controlling Hair Stick – Great for taming stick-out strands it’s a handbag sized, lipstick shaped solid wax stick to help tame unruly bits.

Aveda Wooden Hair Band. A lovely, natural looking ponytail band, half-elastic half-wooden beads.