A Hair & Beauty Expert Shares Her Top Products & Advice
@ITSHOLLYLC
Go-To For Cut & Colour
“I get my hair cut by Hollie-Rose who is based at DryBy on Mortimer Street. She keeps the cut simple to maintain the weight and length, and as for my colour, it’s mostly all natural. I last coloured it properly about four or five years ago when I was working in a salon. I now colour the front myself, popping in a few foils using a tint to maintain that diffused, sun-kissed effect.”
Favourite New Find
“Recently, I discovered Summer Friday’s Sheer Skin Tint – it is so good. It gives beautiful, dewy coverage and is so easy to blend. I have also just tried the Dr Hauschka Illuminating Fluid which gives your skin such a nice, healthy-looking glow.”
Desert Island Products
“If my eyebrows aren’t laminated, it would have to be Refy’s Brow Sculpt. A good SPF is essential too – I like Beauty Pie’s Feather Light formula. Finally, I would take the True Botanicals Chebula Moisturiser with me anywhere – it’s another new discovery that keeps my skin smooth and hydrated.”
@ITSHOLLYLC
Haircare Essentials
“I’m often asked how to keep hair in good condition and the answer is to invest in high-quality products – the type you see in salons. My own routine consists of a good shampoo and conditioner from the Philip Kingsley re-moisturising range. I also swear by OUAI’s Thick Hair Shampoo and Paul Mitchell’s Forever Blonde. Hair oils are great and I enjoy doing a pre-shampoo scalp soak – my favourite is The Innate Life Rosemary Treatment. It is also important to use a good heat-protection spray if you want healthier-looking hair – ghd’s Bodyguard mist is the best.”
Treatments To Try
“Brow lamination is one treatment I cannot recommend enough – I have it done every six to eight weeks by my friend Jade. It has completely changed my beauty routine for the better and really helps to lift my face. Product wise, Anastasia Beverly Hills’s Brow Freeze gives you a similarly glossy effect and the Vegamour Brow Serum will keep them nice and healthy. For nails I go to Lauren’s Beauty – @LaurenJs_Beauty on Instagram. Finally, I’ve just started having Byonik laser facials with Skin Renewal in Colchester as well as micro-needling. I see Carla and so far I’m really impressed with the results.”
Styling Hacks
“Prep is key for ensuring any hairstyle you create lasts. It’s best to layer styling creams/gels/sprays into wet hair to give some body and grip. If you are using volumising products, these work best with heat activation so using a hairdryer to work them in is essential. Once you have followed these steps, you’ll find styling your hair or creating an updo is much easier. If you want to transform your hair fast, invest in some good accessories – especially for party season. I’ve been loving bows, clips, pins, and headbands lately, and I regularly update my site and Instagram with the accessories I use to create all my looks. To refresh dry hair that feels a bit lacklustre, try the Living Proof Flex Hairspray. It’s so lightweight, so you can quickly go over any style to add more hold and volume.”
Top Advice
“Make sure you are getting your hair cut often to maintain its shape and health. Likewise, if you are going to invest in colour and chemical treatments, make sure you are protecting it properly afterwards to get what you’ve paid for. That means prioritising weekly hair masks, treatments and scalp oils. Lastly, don’t forget to be extra careful with your hair when it’s wet as it’s more prone to breakage – never sleep on it while it’s damp and always work through it gently with a wide-tooth comb to detangle.”
Top Tools
“Good hair requires good brushes. I rate soft bristle ones as they bring the hair together to create that sleek finish. A wider toothbrush or comb is essential too, for breaking the hair up and adding texture, while a ceramic vented brush helps you achieve better volume when used with with heat. Two tools I am never without are ghd’s Dressing Comb and Briogeo’s Vegan Boar Bristle Brush which never snags.”
Daily Skin Staples
“Facial oils are one of my favourite products – I love the Neal’s Yard Orange Flower Oil and use it with a gua sha a couple of mornings each week. To cleanse, I start with the Zelen’s Glacier, followed by the Elemis Apricot Toner which evens out my skin tone. Then, I apply Zelen’s Power B and Lumino Serums before finishing with Dr Hauschka’s Light Day Cream, or Rose Inc’s Hydrating Moisturiser. I am all about skin nourishment and keeping my complexion hydrated. If I have any breakouts, I will turn to Verso’s Clarifying Gel. For a quick skin-fix, the masks I love are Scientia’s Green Supreme and Flanerie’s Moroccan Rosemary Mask.”
Beauty Inspiration
“Olivia Palermo’s hair colour has always been my inspiration, as has Sienna Miller’s lived-in blonde. For cut and shape, however, Matilda Djerf is who I look to a lot. For fashion and beauty, Hailey Bieber can do no wrong.”
Repeat Buys
“The Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is brilliant. For years I was told how good it was and when I finally tried it, I realised why there was so much hype. It’s great for those who want fuller coverage, but with a sheer finish. I love Sisley’s Nourishing Pre-Shampoo Balm, too. It has such a good texture that you can apply to dry hair. It doesn’t drip and it’s easy to comb through to keep your strands feeling soft. For instant glow, I love Beauty Pie’s Hi-Light Wand or its Pearl Beauty Sunkissed Highlighter.”
High Street Buys
“For me, Neal’s Yard is one of the best affordable brands for body and skincare. As for affordable haircare, I am loving Arkive which was founded by A-list hairdresser Adam Reed. It is stocked in Boots and everything in the range works hard to give your hair exactly what it needs – I love the Hybrid Oil.”
Follow @ItsHollyLC for more hair & beauty tips & tutorials.
@ITSHOLLYLC
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