GHD straightens up

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

My name is Jacqui and I’m a straightening addict. I get panic attacks if the light on the power button doesn’t light up immediately for fear they have busted and I will have to suffer kinky and frizzy hair. All day. With this addiction, I have sampled and bought many a pair of straighteners. I am an expert – even down to the cable length. Too short doesn’t give enough arm leverage around the head which makes for limited styling. Each year straighteners get better. Manufacturers up their game and competition can be tough. But I have now discovered GHD’s Eclipse. I am no longer searching for The One. I have found true hair love.

Two industry influencers – one a leading beauty editor and the other a top session stylist told me about these straighteners, so of course I just had to try them. For the science bods amongst you, what cuts the mustard is their patented tri-zone technology. Six smart sensors – 3 in each plate ensure no heat loss during styling and unlike our summers, a constant temperature is maintained every time you stroke. Stylish and super-thin plates give ultimate heat control. Contrary to other straighteners I’ve tried, the plates don’t stick and the chore, not to mention the potential sizzle damage to the hair of ironing over it several times to get a pleasing result is no more. One stroke is enough per section. Crucially they don’t leave the hair looking poker straight, just-straight-enough. Incidentally, I’ve never had so many comments about how good my hair has looked since I’ve started using them. Yes, they’re expensive at £200, but totally worth it.

www.ghdhair.com

 

 

 

Holiday have-musts!

Although not exactly my desert island essentials – I went to mainland Turkey! These two newly discovered beauty goodies are already on my list for my next getaway in September.

In the past, when travelling I was a slave to my styling brush and hairdryer. No more. Oh yes, Toni & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray has transformed my holiday hair. It’s so liberating just to wash, condition, spray and ruffle dry with fingers. It’s like skinny dipping! My humidity besieged hair would normally frizz if not groomed and glossed, but with this it took on a whole new beach vibe. All Kate Moss textured waves and mermaid ripples and body. Totally a hair rescue!

My second saviour was Suti’s Peppermint Water Organic Facial Toner. With a couple of quick sprays, it gave my fatigued and hot skin a sparkling wake-up moment. The peppermint was a tonic to weary senses and skin wasn’t left feeling wet then Sahara desert dry like it can with water sprays. The only downside is it’s in a glass bottle so you have to be careful when slinging it around in your beach bag.  So, summing up, if I was stranded on a desert island these would guarantee I would have sexy beach-strewn hair and fresh looking skin when my SOS flare was finally spotted!

Toni&Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray, £7.99 available from Boots

Suti Peppermint Water, £18.50 available from www.suti.co.uk

Bangs on trend

Botox? Forget it. Try a fringe instead! Along with a great pony tail that gives a mini face lift, a fringe can knock five years off your passport age along with hiding any lines. But apart from the anti-ageing benefits, a fringe - or bangs as they say Stateside are becoming an obsession. Blame Claudia Winkleman who seemingly has the most wanted fringe on the hair planet. At my salon FOUR where they house the best colour specialists, they've put their own inimitable twist on the hallowed fringe namely the FOUR way Fringe Colour Technique.

I like to think of it as hair candy where contrasting shades are added to your fringe to make it all the more delicious. Their fringe theatre includes:

Fringe Trim: No scissors required! A contrasting shade is threaded through the border of the fringe to literally fringe the fringe.

Fringe Flash: Sounding more like an Indie band, a flash of colour is added to a side sweeping fringe. Totally sexy!

Fringe Flicker: The peek-a-boo fringe. A glimmer of subtle colour is weaved through to give movement and interest as the hair moves.

Fearless Fringe: For she who dares to wear! Four colours are applied to a full on fringe. Alternatively work out a design in collaboration with the colourist which can be stencilled into the fringe.

To give you a funky fringe feel here's my amazing stylist, Carly (above) going fearless with her bangs!

FOUR London: 020 7297 9600
www.fourlondon.com

Prices on request