Celebrity hairdresser, Asgar, who has worked with stars like Eva Longoria, Cindy Crawford and Twiggy, offers his expert advice on hair care for the upcoming season.
Q: What are the colour trends to look out for in the new season?
A: Hair trends are getting quite rebellious and distinctive this AW13. Two-tone hair colour is big with darker shades of autumn reds being mixed with near black on the top. Another big trend for the more adventurous of us is the dip-dye with greyer shades being most prominent at the tips of the hair.
As always, we will still see our staple autumn reds, rich browns and warm blondes that compliment the cold weather, fairer skin tones and winter clothing. Notable colours that are in at the moment include mahogany, plum and chocolate brown.
Q: Could you recommend practical hairstyles for an everyday look and how to go about them?
A: Sleek and straight. If you simply love your long hair and cannot bare to part with it, why not change your parting whether it be side, middle or zig-zag. Straighten when it’s crisp, cold weather. Add tousled curls when damp air is out. Ensure that you use excellent heat protecting products before straightening to prevent damage.
Here are simple steps on how to achieve a low pony with a twist:
• Apply a handful of mousse to towel-dried hair working the mousse to the ends.
• Dry with a flat, paddle brush away from the hairline. Ensure that the hair dryer is set to a medium heat and high speed when doing so.
• Using a metal tail comb, create a deep side parting on the left side of the head.
• Gently back comb the right side of your hair to create texture and volume. Use hairspray and smooth out the hair with a brush.
• Bring the front of the section that you have just parted to just above the right ear making sure that it sweeps and drapes where the end of your eyebrow is.
• Begin twisting the section inwards to create a loose twist around the hairline securing your twist with hair grips as you go along.
• Continue twisting until you get to the bottom left side of the neck.
• Tie the hair into a low side ponytail with a thin elastic hair band.
• Spray a good thermal protector onto your pony before finally blow drying the ponytail. (Use a warm, not hot, setting for the ultimate sleek finish.)
Q: Does winter affect the hair’s texture? If so, how can we protect it from damage?
A: Winter months can dull hair. In order to get a healthy shine, you should invest in a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Wash and condition your hair, then blast it with a cold water rinse to help seal in the conditioner. This kind of treatment will make your hair easier to style and adds extra shine.
Try to add a hair treatment mask once a week to your hair care routine. Moisturise your hair once a week with a hot oil treatment to promote a healthy scalp and nourished hair. Some natural oils that work particularly well include coconut oil and almond oil.
Give your hair a new lease of life in the autumn/winter months by cutting it to get rid of split ends. Try to have your split ends cut every six to eight weeks to promote healthy hair.
As the weather becomes colder and the air drier, your hair can break. Indoor heating damages hair as well. Wear a scarf or hat when outside, and add humidity to the air in your home or office – your skin and hair will thank you.
To avoid frizzy, static-prone hair in the winter months tie up your hair as much as possible, particularly when out and about. Try not to go out with wet hair, as the cold weather can cause your hair to freeze at the cuticle and cause it to break.
