Last week I had a feature in the Telegraph about what it means to me to have long hair – which is, thanks to a lifetime of mid-length, quite a lot. Now, I realise having long hair is not that unusual, but combine length with curliness and you have quite a tricky customer to deal with.
So, as a few people have asked me about it since, I thought I would share with you my top five tips for looking after my long curly hair. I’m not an expert, I am just someone who has tried a lot of things, and finally managed to make it look acceptable.
1. I wash it
Obvious, I know. But what I’ve learnt about my shampoos is that if I choose one that’s too conditioning, I get a halo of frizz on top of my erm… frizz. So I go for industrial strength conditioner, but a frizz-fighting shampoo like Mark Hill Defrizz-ilicious Slick Chick De-Frizz Shampoo (£5.49).
2. I oil it
Argan oil on my very wet post-wash hair has been a game-changer for me. It really seems to strengthen and doesn’t interfere with any subsequent styling products. My current favourite is DGJ Organics Berutti Oil (£7.99), which is purse-friendly and comes in a pump dispenser so you’re not dripping it around the bathroom.
3. I plait it
I’m not talking about a ‘do’ – this is a very functional plait for night time, which leaves me looking a bit like Ma Walton. But it’s worth it – combined with a silk pillowcase like one of these from Charlotte & Co (£32) – for tangle-free tresses in the morning and an extra day out of your wash.
4. I refresh
Yes, you heard right – I only wash my hair a couple of times a week. It’s not greasy so it doesn’t need it. But what it does need it in the morning on non-shampoo days is refreshing, so I spritz on something like the gorgeous Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep (£19.50), to boost volume and smooth frizz.
5. I style
Long hair is not a style. Nor is curly hair. In fact, if I just ‘left it’, it would look like the hair of a Neolithic woman, but possibly slightly cleaner. I talked about curl definers at the end of last year but I’d just like to add this to the curly hair styling mix:milk shake Glistening Treatment (£11.95). Separated, non-sticky, un-weighed-down curls in two or three sprays. Genius.