ALL OF A SUDDEN, I seem to be surrounded by friends and family taking hair matters into their own hands. Gone are the days of the twice-a-week blow-dry or the regular shot of colour; salon treatments have all but gone by the wayside. Haircuts are the exception to this trend: historically, it’s one of the last things a woman on a budget will relinquish, and rightly so.
A good cut can have a transforming effect on one’s confidence, so it’s money well spent. You can bridge the gap with a bit of home maintenance and give your tresses a boost. All the products mentioned below are available at selected hair salons.
Treats
Regular treatments and masks give your hair a lift and can be applied at home.
Matrix Miracle Reconstructor(€11.40) penetrates the cuticle with intense levels of ceramide to repair split ends and damage, also giving protection for the future.
Luxury range Kerastaseuses Royal Jelly extract in its Nectar Thermique (€24.30), a leave-in treatment and heat protector, perfect for blow-dry addicts.
Dry hair will soak up Italian range Alfaparf's new wearable treatment Nutri Seduction (€17.95), a leave-in formula with cashmere extract for soft, nourished hair.
A weekly application of Wella System Professional Repair Mask(€18.99) gives hair a shot of softness. Good for chemically treated and coloured hair.
Stylers
Combining the hold of a mousse with the nourishing care of a cream, Sebastian's innovative new product, Whipped Cream, is already a sell-out in the US. Looking exactly like its namesake, this luxurious styling whip gives soft waves and good condition (€25.90 from April 1st at Sebastian stockists).
If you're a dab hand with the straighteners and hairdryer, you'll love this new heat protector from Redken. Iron Silk with conditioning agents (€22) leaves hair smooth and frizz free with no stiff residue.
Tools
This mini straightener from WAMhas many clever features. At just 18cm long, it is handbag- and travel-friendly and allows easy access to difficult sections of hair, including fringes. The plates heat up in 40 seconds, and the round barrel makes it easy to achieve curls. You'll wonder how you managed without it. £80 (€86) from www.wamhair.com.
Shu Uemura's make-up brushes are consistently voted the best, and its eyelash curler beats all competition. The latest addition to its range is a big paddle brush which gently massages the scalp with its soft bristles, invigorating and nourishing hair. €49 from selected salons.
Don't overlook the little hair helpers that allow you to face your public on bad hair days. Good old-fashioned Velcro rollers add volume and shape – use them on damp hair. If you're stuck for time, heated rollersare your best friend. Simply pop into dry hair for the time it takes to do your make-up, and set with hairspray. Boots has a great selection of both types of roller from about €2.99.
Problem-solvers
Sensitive types will appreciate La Roche-Posay's Kerium Doux shampoo (€10.50), for the most sensitive scalps.
Antipodean range Aussietargets out-of-control hair with its new Frizz Miracle shampoo, conditioner and deep treatment from €1.34.
Dandruff gets the heave-ho with L'OrealExpert Power Clear (€12.70), an intensive anti- dandruff treatment designed to be used over four weeks.