I love my long hair. I know I should get it cut into a more suitable style befitting a woman of a certain age but I did that back in 2008 when I reincarnated the bob for the 17th time.
I’m determined to get at least one more spring-summer out of my long locks, even though as the temperature rises so does my propensity to pull them back into a pony and avoid any semblance of home styling altogether.
Which is why I was excited to find these looks hot of the international runways. With a bit of tricky manipulation, interrogation of my hairdresser and a lot of studying over at Hair Romance, I’m confident I can at least pull off one of them … who’s with me on the rafia pony?
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Hair product love
A change in season is not only a time to think about new ways to style your hair (or have your hair styled by a pro), it’s a good time to think about playing switcheroos with the products your hair and scalp has got used to over the winter months.
I think of it a bit like keeping my hair on its toes. Which is silly if you stop to really think about it. But if you just go with me without too much of the stopping to think stuff, mixing up what you use on your hair is a bit like sneaking up on someone and giving them a bit of a surprise. Your hair will either like surprises or not. You’ll never know until you try.
Here are the products that have caught me and my hair by (good) surprise of late:
1. Goldwell dualsenses Rich Repair 60 seconds treatment $20.95: Who has time to wait in the shower (or out of it for that matter) for a hair treatment to work? Not I, said the water meter reader. Love how this is a gorgeously rich treatment but one that is easy enough for me to use. Phone 1800 50 60 60 for your nearest stockist.
2. O&M Original Detox Deep Cleansing shampoo and conditioner $28.95 each: These products sent my hair and scalp into la-la land. La-la LOVE. My hair is generally on the happy side – apart from its inability to stay in my head – but it’s my scalp that can scream blue rinse murder should I experiment with what goes on it. Not so with these. I knew the potential was there thanks to an absence of parabens, sulphates the like but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a happy time for my scalp. What does with this formulation is the peppermint oil that cleanses without stripping oils from the scalp and the tea tree oil that soothes. So my scalp’s happyish, what about the hair? Loving it – thanks to the Pro Vitamin B5. Phone 1300 724 635 for your nearest stockist.
3. new ghd hair styling products from $10-24: There are 10 products in ghd’s re-packaged and re-formulated range. I love the price, the weightlessness of each of the products and the way they each do the job they’re meant to. Also, love, love, love the fragrance found in all the products – top notes of citrus, bergamot, mandarin and fruity mango, and base notes of amber, vanilla and sandalwood. If I had to pick a fave it would be the Final Shine Spray, which to me is like adding the icing on a beautifully baked cake.
4. Terax Crema from $19.95 (60ml): I’m probably going to be banished from beauty blogging school for this confession but up until a couple of months ago, I’d never used this cult product. Sure, I’d read about it but it was always on my “to try” list. Well, now I have and I so get what all the fuss is about. You can use this every day as a conditioner. It helps to keep your hair de-stressed and loved even when you are inflicting all matter of styling products and irons at it. I’m keeping it close as regular beach swimming resumes. Phone 1800 137 480 for stockists.
5. REF. Argon Oil 550 from $12 (10ml): I’ve now tried a few Argan Oil products since Morrocanoil arrived on the scene, prompting a flow of other products into the marketplace. Argan oil products have actually been used to hydrate and shine hair since the 13th Century. This one impressed me for its lightweight properties. My hair responds well to Argan Oil so I have been giving it regular drinkies after a good towel dry. Ph 03 9510 6051 for stockists.
6. Tangle Teezer $29.95: When this one landed on my desk I thought it was a joke. Why would I need something that looks like a computer mouse with spikes to use on my hair? Turns out, I really don’t know how I’ve ever done without one. You seriously brush it through wet or dry hair, there is no pulling and snagging on knots. You’re done. Tangle free. The only thing is that the little spikes aren’t long enough to reach right through my thick head of hair. I get round this by brushing from underneath as well as on top. Phone 1300 833 937 for stockists.
7. ghd Scarlett collection from $289: I haven’t seen these in the *flesh* but how gorgeous is this latest version of the ghd, the Scarlett, with its sexy red plates? It comes in two art deco-styled gift packs. Find this under your tree and you’d be forgiven for breaking into song, a la Katy Perry, ghd’s global brand ambassador.
How’s your hair looking for spring-summer? Are you thinking of a new ‘do? Found a new product you’d like to share? Or do you now just have Katy Perry singing Last Friday Night on repeat in your head?
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Comments 30
I’m trying to grow out my hair and thank goodness my boredom or lack of patience have not surfaced. Usually I give up halfway, but this time I’m determined to grow it out. It’s fun to be able to “dress” your hair up in different styles with longer hair. I HAVE to get my hands on that Tangle Tweezer – great for me AND Miss 8 who constantly has tangled hair!
I spent about 18 months growing mine out from a Pob (so short my hairdresser had to shave my wonky neckline) to shoulder blade length (even longer when I straightened it) but I’m afraid the boredom kicked in! I did have more options but they mainly wound up being which hair clip and hair band should I wear to accessorise my ponytail! I realised that I actually preferred it jaw length, cut so I could wear it curly, wavy or straight, and just long enough for a ponytail to not be a completely ridiculous option! 🙂
Author
I know that stage Norlin! Good on you for sticking with it!
Here’s my twitter
Hi Nikki thank you for mentioning the Tangle Teezer and I’m glad you decided to give it a go, you’ll never go back. I had chuckle at your first reaction, I hear that kind of feedback often, lol. The O&M sounds great and will have to get my hands on some.
Author
My pleasure – I would not have believed it could work if I hadn’t have tried it. Genius.
Katy Perry looks STUNNING! I also want a Tangle Teezer to help my mop 😛
Author
OMG, doesn’t she?! Think Russell would be very happy with this shot!
Absolutely do not cut your hair unless you want to. There is no hard and fast rule anymore about cutting your hair. And if there is? Well, rules are made to be broken, honey! 🙂
I’m looking forward to being a little old lady with funky glasses, loads of outrageous accessories and a lavender sharp edged bob. I’m going to wear lots of architectural clothing by NZ designers (they do that so well) and completely mad shoes.
I’ve just chopped off my hair, from shoulder blade length to mid jaw, and changed from wavy layers to curly 20s inspired bob. It’s just long enough to ponytail it if need be. But not because I’m nearly naughty forty – because I’m lazy and get bored easily! 🙂
Author
Boredom usually gets the better of me too, Kim-Marie! And I hope I still know you when you are a funky, old lady 😉
Absolutely! I plan to still be stalking you! 🙂
Please post a picture of the 2008 bob reincarnation! And throw away whatever rule book says that a woman of your age can’t do long hair! I envy your lovely long locks.
Author
If you check out my About page and scroll down, you’ll see some! And my logo on the top left was painted around the same time!
Nikki you have BEAUTIFUL hair, you don’t have to cut it! (But, please don’t put raffia in it – just sayin’.)
I love my new lack of hair, but struggle a bit with having to style it *every* morning.
XO
Author
I’m bringing my ghds to Melbourne – will show you some short cuts. And, I love your new look. Totally. Love.
Well thanks to a near disaster at a new hairdresser I now have the perfect cut for a fuss-free Summer! I like the sound of the Tangle Teezer for CrashGirl, and I think you should try the orange headscarf wrap you featured. It would look great with your hair. Please do it for your next Model and Me?!?!
Author
Stoked you got that sorted! And yes, Tangle Brush excellent for kids – they do a kids version too. Re turban, I may need a little help from Christine at Hair Romance for that one 😉
Great tips Nikki! Because I have gone a little lighter with my hair (the ends are more golden now), my hair is dryer and fuzzier than it have ever been (Life-long brunette here, glossy, smooth hair was a given).
I’ve been using Pureology SuperSmooth smoothing elixir (I think it came in the gift bag at Blogopolis?!?) just on my lighter ends and my hair is silky smooth after a blowdry now! Love love!!
Author
Don’t you love a good gift bag discovery? I love your new look BTW.
Great tips, and we love Hair Romance!
Author
Yes we do!
Thanks for mentioning me Nikki!
I love your product round up, and it’s definitely time to start planning some treatments in the lead up to summer.
A quick tip for those who swim in chlorine pools: wet your hair in the shower before you hop in the pool and put some conditioner in your hair. Wear a cap while you swim and you’ll have great hair at the end (and no green tinge if you’re blonde too!)
Author
Christina, I kneel down at your hair knowledge – love your blog!
Oh Nikki I forgot to add, I don’t think you should cut your hair! (unless you want to)
There’s no set length that women’s hair should be ‘at a certain age’ and I think you really suit your current hairstyle.
Author
Ah, thanks … I’m happy with it. It’s usually boredom that sees me arriving at my hairdressers’ wanting a radical change. Don’t have that at the moment!
Ooooh thanks for the tips!
My hair is super super fine and falls out really easily. On top of that it’s curly and super frizzy, even with de-frizz products, which either only work for an hour, or make my hair go super greasy. Arrrgghhh!
Author
I lose lots of hair because of thyroid condition. The trick for you is to find a de-frizz product that doesn’t weigh your hair down. Can recommend Kerastase Elixir Ultime.
Hi Nikki. I’m using O&M and love it. I’ve got long, coloured hair and the Hydrate & Conquer shampoo and conditioner are really lovely. What I really like is that they’re free of all the nasties, like parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate. The Tangle Teaser looks odd but sounds good. Might have to try that one…
Author
I love that too! My scalp is a little bit happier too.