hair

Since I started styling my textured hair more frequently and straightening it less often last year, there was something that I noticed about the curly advice out there: Curl gels kind of get a bad rap. Whenever I’d reach out to people for styling advice, they would recommend a curl cream to coax definition into my hair rather than a gel. Yes, using curl gels in the wrong way can lead to crispy, crunchy or stringy curls, but—trust me—adding a curl gel has been the best thing for my styling routine. For me, I like to use gels when I’m doing my braid- and twist-outs for any hope of getting definition into my thick, coily hair. And if you like to wash and go, then you can actually apply most curl gels to wet hair and work them throug...

Curly haircare and styling can be complex. With new super ingredients and products always trending and practices that are raved about by some and abhorred by others, it can be difficult to know what’s best for your texture. Recently, I have been on my own journey with my natural texture and have been testing out loads of different techniques—more than I ever have. I have to say, I have become pretty great at braid-outs and twist-outs and have loved learning what oils, creams, gels and serums my hair loves and loathes. To put it simply, I’m feeling confident in my coils.  However, I can’t dismiss the fact that I have the best hair experts at my disposal to pose a long list of queries to whenever I like. They help to cut through the noise of the internet and have pr...

There’s less than one month to go until hair salons will potentially be allowed to reopen in England, and that means it’s time to start deciding exactly what kind of hair transformation I’ll be asking my hairdresser for once I’m finally reunited with a salon chair. After just one professional cut in 2020 and a couple of mishaps with my kitchen scissors, I’m ready for a hair refresh, but I’m torn between opting for a low-maintenance style or something more striking that might require a bit more upkeep. Either way, I know I’m not alone in feeling more than ready to hear the gentle “snip, snip” of a hairdresser’s scissors. In fact, there’s one celeb who frankly couldn&...

No matter how much you might spend on it, there’s something about shampoo that always feels like the most basic step of your hair routine. After all, sudsing up in the shower just isn’t that exciting—it’s the masks, hair oils and styling products that bring the fun later. However, while I am partial to a more expensive shampoo and conditioner duo, I often recommend that it’s the place in your hair routine where you can cut costs if you’re looking to save some money—leaving you to invest more in your styling products instead. As a beauty editor I have tested a lot of shampoos over the years but while the luxe cleansers often feel great, and smell even better, there are plenty of drugstore shampoos that I use regularly and reco...

If long hair has been your thing for as long as you can remember, this just might be the year you make a change. Take me, for example. I’ve had long hair my whole life (with the exception of one not-so-chic VB-inspired bob), but something about how wonderfully undone and effortlessly stylish short hair can be means the idea of chopping it all off is really starting to appeal to me. It might have something to do with the blunt bobs I’ve been seeing around, but I’ve never been more inspired to chop all of my hair off and go for a shorter style. And while a bob might seem like the obvious choice right now, going even shorter is equally as chic—and it seems I’m not alone in thinking so. Yes, that’s right. I’m talking short, shor...

Finding a hairstyle that is universally flattering can be tricky. Sure, there are certain hairstyles that people always come back to. For instance, us Brits are going to be totally obsessed with shag hairstyles for spring summer 2021, but depending on your hair type and texture it’s often necessary to make adjustments so that certain trending hairstyles will work for you IRL. However, turns out there is one hairstyle that really does suit everyone, and without wanting to get too Goldilocks about it, it’s due to that winning combination of being not too long and not too short. Yes, a classic shoulder-length hairstyle works for every hair type—from tightly curled to poker straight and super-thick to very fine strands. Why? Well, there are n...

There’s less than one month to go until hair salons will potentially be allowed to reopen in England and that means one thing—it’s time to start deciding exactly what kind of hair transformation I’ll be asking my hairdresser for once I’m finally reunited with a salon chair. After just one professional cut in 2020, and a couple of mishaps with my kitchen scissors, I’m ready for a hair refresh but I’m torn between opting for a low-maintenance style or something more striking that might require a little more upkeep. Either way, I know I’m not alone in feeling more than ready to hear the gentle snip-snip of a hairdresser’s scissors. In fact, there’s one celeb that frankly coul...

Finding a hairstyle that is universally flattering can be tricky. Sure, there are certain hairstyles that people always come back to. For instance, us Brits are going to be totally obsessed with shag hairstyles for spring summer 2021, but depending on your hair type and texture it’s often necessary to make adjustments so that certain trending hairstyles will work for you IRL. However, turns out there is one hairstyle that really does suit everyone, and without wanting to get too Goldilocks about it, it’s due to that winning combination of being not too long and not too short. Yes, a classic shoulder-length hairstyle works for every hair type—from tightly curled to poker straight and super-thick to very fine strands. Why? Well, there are n...

When it comes to my hair, I tend to fluctuate between two lengths: just above my shoulder or just above my boobs (both technical terms). Yet there always comes a time with both lengths when I start to feel like I want to either chop it all off and start again or indulge my inner Rapunzel and grow it out super long. Right about now, I’m at the “chopping it all off” stage, mainly down to the fact that I’m seeing cool, short hairstyles pretty much everywhere I look, and the fact that I can’t get a haircut right now. Yes, short hair is definitely trending, and I want in. However, ahead of booking in when salons reopen, I think it’s best I start to garner some expert advice on potential styles. “Short hairstyles are on-trend at the moment...

Having a hairdresser for a mum has meant that I’ve done just about everything you can think of to my hair. I’ve been platinum blonde, mahogany brown and everything in-between. I’ve framed my face with feathering and had thick fringes cut in. I’ve had hair down to my waist and chopped to my chin. It’s fair to say I was pretty earless with my tresses. That is until I got older. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I’ve defaulted to long length hair in a creamy hue with lived-in roots. Now, though, after witnessing some impressive hair transformations on Instagram of late, I’m finally going to give my ‘do a refresh. And the look I’m toying with is a blunt bob. The blunt bob has undergone a bit of a resurgence in 2019. A far cry fro...

When it comes to hair inspiration, there’s one woman that always springs to mind for chic, low-maintenance hairstyles: Alexa Chung. Yes, ever since she landed on our TV screens almost 15 years ago, Alexa has pretty much been my hair muse. Beachy waves, sweeping fringes, choppy bobs—I’m here for every one of her hairstyles because, let’s be real, Alexa’s hair always looks amazing. However, there’s one trademark hairstyle that has basically become the signature look for cool girls everywhere: the undone bob. The handiwork of none other than beloved British hairdresser, George Northwood. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving...

Let’s be honest: Sometimes wash day just has to wait. For those of us with curly and coily hair taking hours out of your day for a full routine just isn’t always possible. So, rather than doing a rushed job, it’s often better to prolong it. In my opinion, opting for an easy hairstyle until you have a day to do your full pre-wash detangle, cleanse, mask, condition and style normally yields better conditioned curls and coils in the long run.  Trust me—there are so many ways you can hide that you’ve skipped your wash day but a stylish updo is the fastest way to disguise any frizz or product build-up that you might be contending with. Plus, wearing a different style is the perfect way bring a little something new to your Zoom look. If you’re worried about th...