Hair secrets: what 5 people with great hair do everyday
Olivia Perl
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 6 minutes
In a haircare rut & can’t seem to get out of it? These influencers, stylists & educators share their secrets for incredible hair
Hair is more than just hair. We know it can affect our mood (when was your last good hair/bad hair day?), and the way we style our hair can reflect our cultural heritage. Even embracing our strands just as they are au naturel is a way of presenting who we are to the world.
Your hair is as unique as you are. So it’s no surprise that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to looking after it. The length, texture, strength and thickness all play a part in determining the type of special care it needs.
Enter our hair heroes. These five women are different ages, at different life stages, and have different hair types – but one thing they have in common is really great hair. From awe-inspiring afros to beautiful greys and juicy curls, their shiny, healthy locks give us serious hair envy.
We picked the brains of these influencers, stylists, creators and educators to get the lowdown on their wash routines, go-to products and secret tips for keeping their hair healthy and radiant.
Read on to see exactly how these women have a good hair day, every day.
Jennie Roberts - @jennierobertshair
Hair type: Type 3 curls
I feel blessed to have the hair I have and as a hairdresser and afro hair educator, it’s my calling card. It’s important to me to spend time making my curls look nourished and healthy, but I try to keep it simple. My routine is only three to four steps: cleanse, condition and style. Plus, a couple of times a month I’ll use a hair treatment if I feel I need extra moisture or protein.
I’m currently using Shea Moisture Moringa and Avocado Power Greens Shampoo and Conditioner. It smells divine and the texture is silky and super slippery, which helps my go-to Tangle Teezer Naturally Curly brush to glide through any knots and tangles.
I usually leave in a little bit of conditioner to prime my curls for styling. I was a teenager in the ’80s so I love a good foam or mousse – John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Defining Crème doesn’t leave my hair crunchy like the mousse I used to use back in the day and it’s great in winter. In summer, I opt for a super hydrating foam, which helps keep moisture locked in during hot weather.
Hair masks are a great way to keep curls and coils hydrated, and Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment is a firm favourite. I never leave the house with wet hair because my curls suffer if they're left to air dry, so I’ve found that my Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer works really well to keep everything smooth.
Because I’ve seen what happens to hair in times of illness (it’s the first thing to suffer) my diet is really important to me. For a little added peace of mind, I've started to take collagen for my hair and skin and so far it seems to be working. It’s Gold Collagen Multidose Liquid Food Supplement all the way.
Sammy Matthews
Hair type: Straight
I haven’t always been blessed with long hair, but the older (and lazier) I became with everyday styling, the more my hair began to grow. I think washing two to three times a week with good products and less heat on my hair makes all the difference.
I heat-curl my hair once or twice a week then let it naturally fall out for a soft and gentle beach-wave look. I then rock a scraped-back bun, which means absolutely no added heat or damage to my hair. I always use Got2B Glued Spiking Hair Gel for this look – I swear by it, recommend it and can’t live without it.
When it comes to haircare, I put in the least effort possible. Sometimes less really is more, and believe me, it works for keeping my hair long and healthy. Every three days or so I double-wash shampoo and follow with a deep conditioner. I’m addicted to Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture Coconut Milk Shampoo because I love the smell. It works really well for my thick hair and doesn’t give it that plastic feeling after use.
I always follow with a conditioner and try to use a conditioning mask, even if I only leave it on for five minutes or so. My hair is bleached, so it cries out for an intense moisture kick. I’m currently using Boots Ingredients Repair Mask with Niacinamide as it leaves my hair feeling soft and shiny.
As well as Got2B Glued, my other must-have products are a soft silk scrunchie and L’Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water Lamellar Conditioner. I could live with only these three products and be a very happy lady. As I say, minimal effort but good quality products are essential.
Pip Duma - @pipjduma
Hair type: Type 2a
I’ve been going grey since I was about 12 years old, so when I finally ditched the dye three years ago and decided to embrace my natural silvers, I knew that this hair change might also require a change in my haircare routine.
After spending years feeling embarrassed about my premature greys, growing them out and embracing them was the best decision I ever made – I’ve never felt so free! But I discovered early on that excessive heat styling turned my greys yellow and dried them out.
My solution was to reduce the use of heat on my hair and use purple shampoos to help balance out any yellow or brassy tones.
To begin my wash routine, I use a hydrating shampoo. Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Hair Food Shampoo is my go-to because it gives a great shine. I follow this with a small amount of purple shampoo to tone my greys. My favourite is Bleach London Silver Shampoo. It’s highly pigmented and immediately knocks out those yellow tones, leaving my hair icy bright and super silver.
I finish with a deeply nourishing conditioner to intensely hydrate my strands. I’m loving Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Hair Food 3-in-1 Hair Mask because you can use it as a standard conditioner, rinse-out mask or leave-in conditioner, depending on your hair’s needs.
Post-wash, my go-to products are Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shine Hair Oil, which I work through the mid lengths to ends of my hair while it’s damp. After I’ve let my hair dry naturally, I finish off with The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane, which is amazingly lightweight and perfect for smoothing out flyaways and adding extra hydration without making the hair appear greasy at the roots. It’s one of my favourite grey haircare discoveries.
Over the years, I’ve learnt to reduce the amount of heat I use on my hair by opting for heatless curling methods to style it. I sleep on a silk pillowcase – this honestly works wonders for reducing frizz and breakages. It also helps to find a hairstylist who is happy to go on your grey journey with you. Add a healthy dose of nuts and leafy veggies to your diet and I truly believe you can have beautifully glossy grey hair you’ll be proud to show off.
Shanae Hamilton - @shanae.hamilton
Hair type: Type 3b-3c curls
As a curly hair creator, I love embracing my natural hair. But I’m also learning that it doesn’t always have to be perfect – those frizzier days are just as good as the defined, sleek ones. Perfect or not, I always try to keep my hair in great condition.
I’m cautious about how heat can affect my natural curls, so I only ever heat-style my hair once a year. I’ve tried all of the viral DIY hair masks, like avocado and banana, but making masks at home can be super messy. Now I prefer those I can totally rely on to bring my hair back to life. Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment is amazing when my hair is really thirsty – I just leave it in for an extra moisture hit.
I look for hydrating shampoos and conditioners because curly hair can naturally be quite dry. OGX Quenching+ Coconut Curls Conditioner is a firm favourite; it detangles my hair so effortlessly. I’m also a big fan of Function of Beauty Custom Curly Hair Shampoo and Conditioner as you can tailor-make them to your exact needs. Which is brilliant since we all have individual hair goals.
My styling rule is to always use a cream and a gel. I’ve used Bouclème Curl Defining Gel for years and I still love it because it doesn’t leave my hair feeling flaky. I’ve also been enjoying Bumble and Bumble Curl Mousse for that volume hit.
Lately, I’ve been including a styling mousse for when I want extra-extra volume. Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Leave-In Conditioner is thick enough to create soft and defined curls but light enough to not weigh down your hair.
Kathy Vitali - @curlsbykath
Hair type: Type 2b-2a curls
My curls are a huge part of my personality. When I was younger, I always felt I had to straighten my hair to look special or beautiful, but as I got older I started to appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of my natural curls. I love being able to share that with others.
Just like skin health, haircare starts from the inside. I try to eat plenty of protein and vegetables and drink at least 2 litres of water a day. I also do daily scalp massages to help stimulate blood flow – it releases stress too which is a welcome bonus!
I live in a hard water area, so clarifying my hair – removing build-up with a specifically designed shampoo – is a regular part of my haircare routine, and Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo is my go-to.
Hard water build-up can make hair, especially curls, feel and look dry, brittle, dull or lifeless. It also stops your strands from absorbing product. A specific set of ingredients are needed to break down and remove this build-up. A clarifying shampoo will strip it away which can leave your hair feeling quite dry, so make sure to follow up with a really nice conditioner.
I reach for Aussie Curls Work That Curl Leave-in Curl Cream to add extra moisture, which helps my curls spring up. It’s a very light leave-in conditioner that makes them super soft and bouncy. I also need a good, strong ‘hold’ product, like Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly or Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Volumizing Foam to help my curls stay put while they dry.
In summer, when my hair can feel especially dry, after swimming and after clarifying, I love Aussie Bouncy Curls Butter Hair Mask for extra softness.
To finish and boost shine, I go for Umberto Giannini Curl Oil Bond Repair. It doesn't weigh down strands or cause flat hair and adds gloss and bounce while protecting hair from environmental factors. All you need is a few drops warmed up in the hands. Voilà!
