12 Golden Rules of Good Hair Care

Anabel Kingsley, Director of Communications & Trichologist at Philip Kingsley:

RULE 1: Never Skip Breakfast

“Skipping breakfast deprives your hair of a much-needed nutrient boost. Hair cells require fuel to form; they’re the second fastest growing cells the body produces. Your hair is also the last tissue your body prioritises nutritionally, so although your strands are vastly important psychologically, they’re also physically dispensable. Therefore, when you don’t eat breakfast your body diverts energy away from your hair first. Over time, skipping breakfast (or any meal for that matter) can result in hair shedding. Try starting your morning with a nutrient-packed meal of lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. My favourite hair healthy options are two eggs on whole wheat toast with smashed avocado or quinoa porridge with fresh berries.”

RULE 2: Protect Your Hair From UV

“Your scalp and hair can burn just like the skin on your face – you simply can’t feel it. Initially, this can result in redness, peeling and itching. Long term, sun exposure can cause serious damage, like skin cancer. UV rays also act on hair in a similar way to bleach; they degrade its protein structure, leaving strands weaker and more vulnerable to breakage. Opt for a water-resistant hair cream that contains UV filters to prevent this, especially along the parting or any areas where the hair is thin.”

SL Rates: Philip Kingsley Swimcap; Kérastase Soleil Crème UV Sublime; Sachajuan Hair In The Sun Balm

RULE 3: Stop Over-Drying Your Hair

“Blow-drying is fine, providing you stop when your hair is ‘just-dry.’ Going over already dried areas with heat simply depletes precious moisture from within the hair shaft. This can make your strands brittle and fragile. When you heat style, you only want to be evaporating excess water in order to set your hair into the desired shape. Always apply a heat protective spray beforehand too, concentrating application on your mid-lengths and ends where hair is older and more vulnerable to damage.”

SL Rates: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, £24; Aussie Stop The Break Leave In Conditioner Spray, £4.69; Garnier Ultimate Blends Heat Protection Milk, £4.98

Paul Percival, Celebrity Hair Stylist And One Half Of Percy & Reed:

RULE 4: Rinse And Repeat

“Always make sure that you’re thoroughly rinsing shampoo out until there are no bubbles left in the hair. Rinse once and then rinse for another minute even if you think your hair is clean as this has a huge impact on maintaining a healthy scalp. Leaving too much on your hair can cause dryness and irritation.”

RULE 5: Brush Right

“Brushing your hair thoroughly every day helps to increase blood flow to the scalp which is very good for the condition of your strands. I recommend using a lightweight oil and then brushing it through with a stimulating brush. The two work together to remove dead skin cells while boosting hydration and circulation around hair follicles to stimulate happy hair growth.”

SL Rates: Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Treatment Oil+; MANTA Brush, £25; Briogeo Scalp Revival Scalp Massager, £13.33
 

Jonathan Soons, Creative Ambassador & Stylist At Headmasters

RULE 6: Be Consistent

“Maintenance is the secret to keeping your hair healthy and in top condition. You need to find a routine and products that work for you and stick to it. Don’t deviate too much or overload your hair with serums and creams, it’s just too much.”

RULE 7: Invest In Good Product

“Investing in the perfect products for your exact hair type (thick, fine, curly, etc.) is more important than you think. Plus, the right ones help you to maintain the style and colour your hairdresser has given you for longer periods of time.” 

SL Rates: Dizziak Hydration Wash (curly hair), £20; Ouai Volume Shampoo (fine hair), £22; OGX Frizz-Defy Moisture Soft Shampoo (thick hair), £5.33

RULE 8: Rebook Appointments

“It’s not a myth, regularly making appointments is one of the best ways to take care of your style and strands. If you leave it too long, colour fades and hair grows out, often straggly with split ends, which then results in a major restyle next time you hit the salon. It’s much better to go for frequent maintenance – trust me, you’ll notice the difference.”

Paul Windle, Managing Director of Hair Salon Windle & Moodie

RULE 9: Avoid Strong Detergent Shampoos

“The frequent use of strong detergent shampoos can damage the skin that is our scalp. It can be like the equivalent of using washing up liquid on your face. Just like your diet, you should look to hair products with protein which is key for healthy strands all year round.”

SL Rates: Jo Hansford Everyday Shampoo, £17; L’Occitane Revitalising Fresh Shampoo, £19; Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, £16; IGK Hot Girls Hydrating Shampoo, £22
 

RULE 10: Try A Leave-In Conditioner

“I much prefer leave-in conditioners as they protect the hair all day and night, revitalising the hair with lightweight natural oils and UV protection. If you haven’t tried them before, give it a go and expect your strands to instantly feel silky and conditioned within days.”

SL Rates: Windle & Moodie Invisible Day & Night Cream, £22; Label.M Leave-In Conditioner, £13.75; Klorane Mango Butter Nourishing Leave-In Cream, £8
 

Jo Hansford, Expert Hair Colourist & Stylist:

RULE 11: Up Your Vitamins

“While healthy eating is key, it’s also important to nourish your body with supplements. If my client’s hair is weak or lacklustre, I always recommend they up their intake of essential fatty acids and start taking a B12 supplement immediately.”

RULE 12: Choose Tools Wisely

“Hairbrushes can literally make or break the health of your hair. I would vehemently avoid metal brushes and combs as they cause static and drag through your hair resulting in unnecessary breakage. Instead, for long hair I always advise using a paddle brush. For short hair, try a boar bristle brush – both of these promote optimum hair health.”
SL Rates: GHD Paddle Brush, £20; Denman Boar Bristle Grooming Brush, from £13.25; Aveda Large Wood Paddle Brush, £24