The haircare secrets experts swear by
Rachael Martin
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 5 minutes
Consider these the ultimate dos & don’ts for your best hair ever
Gorgeous hair makes us feel good, but achieving a beautiful ‘do day in, day out isn’t always easy. Luckily, we’re privy to a set of industry experts who know more than just a thing or two about good hair days – and we’ve convinced them to spill their secrets.
With the aim of going above and beyond a basic wash-and-go philosophy, these insiders are all about championing the joy of indulging in some proper self-care, and are spilling their secrets one expert tip at a time. Read on for all the haircare goss you could ever dream of…
Anabel Kingsley, brand president & trichologist at Philip Kingsley
Did you know that good hair starts with a good scalp? Anabel breaks down the importance of a good foundation.
"Consider your scalp your hair’s support system. Try to shampoo regularly, leaving no more than three days between shampoos. I believe your scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your forehead and benefits from similar care to the skin on your face," says Anabel. "Use a daily scalp toner or serum to help improve the condition of your scalp and, once a week, apply a targeted scalp mask to help address any issues."
George Northwood, founder of the George Northwood Salon & Undone by George Northwood
Got a big event coming up and not sure what to do with your hair? George (who counts Meghan Markle as a client) has some useful advice.
"My ultimate haircare secret is pretty simple. Practice makes perfect. Don’t decide to 'wing it' on the day. It won’t pay off and you’ll feel stressed," says George. "Instead, take time to practise what you want to do in the lead up to your event and get tips from your hairdresser. I’d also say that day-old hair is the ideal canvas for styling, so don’t wash on the day of the event – but if you’re really tempted, use a styling product, such as Undone by George Northwood Moisturising Cream, £15."
George’s hero product
Try: Undone by George Northwood Wave Holding Spray
• Size: 250ml
• Recyclable packaging
• Vegan
If your ‘do falls out in a matter of minutes, then consider this your new hairstyle saviour. Just a spritz will keep your hair in place all day long. It also serves up heat protection and de-frizzing benefits – silky strands, here we come.
Hanna Karlsson, blonde specialist & co-founder of G&H Hair London
We’re definitely guilty of hurtling through our hair brushing routine – and turns out it’s pretty bad. Hanna tells us why…
"When your hair’s wet, it’s far weaker than when it’s dry. Because of this, it’s important to ensure you’re extra gentle when it comes to brushing," she says. "Brush it from the ends to roots in gentle movements to prevent snapping. I’d also say that you should never style or tie your hair up when it’s in the wet stage. If you’re gentle with it, your strands will reap the rewards and become healthy and strong."
Hanna’s hero product
Try: Tangle Teezer The Wet Detangler Hairbrush Millennial Pink
• Created to use specifically with wet hair
• Avoid using with heat
This millennial pink dream is designed to flex over tangles and knots, helping to reduce breakage. Perfect for the shower, we use it to evenly draw shampoo and conditioning treatments through lengths. No wonder it’s Hanna’s fave.
Josh Wood, founder of Josh Wood Colour Atelier & Josh Wood Colour
For Josh, it’s all about finding some way (any way!) to weave deep conditioners into haircare routines.
"I cannot stress how important it is to use a nourishing hair mask once a week. I really don’t mind how it gets on the hair. I’ve even suggested putting it on dirty hair before the gym if you’re short on time," says Josh. "Coloured hair especially needs deep hydration, so be sure to let it get to work for as long as you can leave it. Your hair will thank you!'
Josh’s hero product
Try: Josh Wood Colour Miracle Mask
• Size: 140ml
• Contains walnut extract
Invest in some serious hair TLC with this mask which, you guessed it, works miracles (kind of). It can also be left on overnight for a super-conditioning boost. It’s Josh Wood approved, so it’s definitely good enough for us.
Angela Onuoha, certified trichologist & an expert advisor for Rhyme & Reason
A curly girl? Angela’s insider tip could be your new go-to for beating dryness.
"My secret is 'hair sealing'," she reveals. "This is when you use an oil-based product to lock in existing moisture to help protect hair and reduce friction."
"Oils lubricate and leave a thin film on the surface, helping to smooth and seal the cuticle cells and masking where the scales of the cuticles have lifted, too. At the same time, sealing hair with an oil-based product helps prevent the loss of cuticle cells, which is the first step in the formation of split ends. A sealant can also be added to refresh a hairstyle on dry and afro hair."
Ricky Walters, celebrity hairdresser & founder of Salon64
Do you have a fear of scissor-happy hairdressers, so avoid getting trims? Ricky’s here to put your mind at ease.
"Honestly, most hairdressers don't get a kick out of taking away more length than the client has asked for. We’re trustworthy – I promise," says Ricky. "However, I should stress the importance of getting rid of split ends. Once an end’s split, no amount of treatment is going to get it back to full health. To minimise the amount of hair you need cut off at appointments, my top tip is to get trims every six to eight weeks. It’s the best way to grow long, healthy hair."
Ricky’s hero product
Try: Batiste Dry Shampoo Original – Clean & Classic
• Size: 200ml
• Shake vigorously before use
Ideal for when you want one more day out of tired hair, it’s no wonder that Batiste’s Dry Shampoo is Ricky’s hero go-to. Just a quick burst helps revitalise hair and add body and texture.
Adam Reed, celebrity hairdresser at Adam Reed London & founder of Arkive
If you’re yet to get on board with hair oils, consider Adam’s top advice is your cue.
"My ultimate secret? Everybody should use hair oil. Yes, even those with oily hair types," says Adam. "If these are used correctly, I believe it has amazing benefits for every head of hair. Think of them as a necessity for maintaining hair hydration. I suggest using after heated tools, but they can be used even if you let your hair dry naturally to give you gorgeous, shiny strands."
Adam’s hero product
Try: Arkive The Good Habit Hybrid Oil
• Size: 50ml
• Certified B Corp
• Cruelty-free
Consider baobab and jojoba oils the ultimate golden elixir. This wonder product’s a dream for giving ultra-light moisture and shine to hair with minimal effort. Apply daily for the best, most luscious results.
Swishworthy locks? You best believe it.
