Learn how to get your hair ready for party season with these 4 tips
Heather Gwyther
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 5 minutes
Celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas shares his wisdom
As excited as we are about party season, we’re also slightly panicked. Between deciding on make-up looks and how to do our nails, there’s a lot to think about! This includes our hair and what on earth we’re going to do with it – and we’re sure you feel exactly the same.
Luckily, we’ve asked celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas to help. So, whether you have medium length thin hair, long hair or curly hair, here’s how to get your hair ready for party season – because a DIY approach will still leave you looking utterly elegant!
1. Get the timing right
If we’re going on the assumption that party season mostly happens in December, Michael suggests letting your hair rest throughout November. “If you use heat on your hair every day, reduce that to about twice a week in the run-up to a special occasion”, he explains. Late November is also when Michael recommends getting your hair cut and coloured: “Hairdressers get very busy in December,” he explains, “but it will give you enough time to get accustomed to your new hair and work out how you want to style it!”
2. Treatments, treatments, treatments
Getting into the habit of doing regular treatments is a great way to get your hair ready for party season. The better condition your hair’s in, the better it will look and the more cooperative it will be!
Try: Sol de Janeiro Triple Brazilian Butter™ Hair Repair Treatment
• Size: 75ml
The iconic fragrance from their much-loved Bum Bum Cream, now for your hair! This deep moisture mask tackles split ends with three luxurious Brazilian butters, and also works to fight frizz, smooth texture and minimise tangling.
Try: Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split End Remedy
• Size: 50ml
This innovative formula helps to forms a shield on the hair, working to strengthen existing bonds, repair broken ones and seal split ends. It can also help to prevent future damage from UV, pollution and heat styling. What more could you want?
Try: Pattern Leave-in Conditioner
• Size: 289.8ml
You don’t have to leave all your treatments until wash day – a leave-in conditioner is a great way of keeping hydration levels topped up and your hair looking healthy. This refreshing and restorative formula is perfect for caressing curls and giving soft pattern definition, too.
Try: Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Banana 3-in-1 Dry Hair Mask Treatment
• Size: 390ml
• Vegan
When your hair is really dry, it can be hard to decide whether to use a hair mask, more conditioner or a leave-in conditioner. With this treatment, you don’t have to decide – it’s all three of those things in one! And, if you like the smell of bananas, even better!
3. Get a great hair brush
You probably have a decent hair brush already (we hope), but a special occasion is the perfect excuse to get a great one. “The more bristles, the better,” Michael tells us. “More bristles means more control.” Choosing a hair brush with less bristles means the “hair is free to do what it wants,” Michael explains. “If you want to brush your way to completely smooth hair, every strand has to do the same thing.”
Try: Mark Hill Style Addict Blowdry XL Radial Hair Brush
• Size: 70mm diameter
• Nylon bristles
Mark Hill is one of Michael’s favourite hair brush brands, and a barrel brush is essential for creating bounce in both simple and party hairstyles. Whether you're right or left-handed, this brush is a joy to use and it dries hair quickly due to the even air flow it allows!
4. Be cautious with heat
Because this might be a period in which you wish to either curl or straighten your hair and you’re less likely to have time to let it dry naturally, your hair will probably come into contact with a lot of heat during party season. “When hair’s wet, it’s in its most vulnerable state,” says Michael. “When you put a heated appliance on damp hair, the water turns to steam and will want to rip through the cuticle of the hair, potentially causing damage,” he explains. That’s why it’s important to towel dry hair thoroughly before blow drying it to minimise damage and, of course, to only use straighteners or curling irons on completely dry hair.
Try: Bed Head By TIGI Some Like It Hot Heat Protection Spray
• Size: 100ml
You’ve heard the saying – always use protection. This rule certainly applies to your hair and this repairing formula can lend a helping hand. Using Repair Active Technology, the spray protects hair from heat styling and the benefits don’t stop there. It also smooths frizz, softens and repels humidity. We’re sold!
Try: TRESemmé Care & Protect Heat Defence Spray
• Size: 300m
The fact that heated styling tools can reach up to 230°C in temperature should be more than enough to convince you to use a heat protection spray. This one has a heat-activated complex to help protect hair against damage when blow-drying, curling or straightening it.
Looking for more ways to avoid hair burnout? We have more heat protection products here.
