Top stylist Errol Douglas MBE explains how to escape bad holiday hair
It’s happened to us all: pay out a packet to get a special ‘do’ for a dream holiday abroad … and within days, a combination of sea, sand and sun leave us looking like Monica from Friends.
But you don’t have to resort to shell-covered braids to hide your hair horror if you follow some simple tips from the best. Errol Douglas MBE has snipped the locks of everyone from Diana Ross to Brad Pitt and Uma Thurman to Lenny Kravitz, so when he talks hair, it pays to listen.
“First and foremost, the clue’s in the word HOLIDAY,” he says. “I always advise clients to give their hair some R&R too.
“The everyday pressures we go away to escape for a couple of weeks, apply to hair too: pollution, stress and constant use of heated styling tools all take their toll. Taking a real break from these allows the hair to recover, and is the best way to avoid that straw-like look when you get back.”
Errol says the best approach to holiday hair is to keep it low maintenance: “Your approach will differ if you are on a classic beach or humid holiday vs a city break, but for both there’s a way to take a break from complicated styling and really commit to giving your locks a break.”
And if you’re thinking it’s all about expensive treatments and products, you’d be wrong: “You can pick up perfectly good hair care on the High Street for a few pounds; a snippet of your holiday cost when you consider what the outcome could be,” says Errol who, gave Your-Hols.com a sneak peak at the holiday hair tips he offers clients at his Knightsbridge salon.
Errol’s top 10 tips are:
City breakers: Add “Blow dry bar – Day one” to the tour
Do like the locals and get a good “blow out” as New Yorkers and the Miami crew call them. It’ll last you for a three-day city break if you’re careful in the shower. It’s such a part of daily life in the big US cities that it’s not too pricey either at approximately $45. I like the Tribeca location of www.thedrybar.com in the Big Apple and the brilliant browsing Lincoln Road location of bdryblowbar.com in Miami.
Hydration…squared
The common thread through all holiday hair diasters is lack of hydration. Sun, sand, chlorine and humidity all sap moisture from the hair and scalp. Don’t skimp on protectants – either buy a UV moisture-infusing product, or pack a big, back-on-trend 70s cover-all floppy hat (think Bianca Jagger circa Studio 54). We all have a budget, but decide on the deal breaker for your hair health on holiday and invest in it. Try: Mark Hill Holiday Hair Cover Up £5.99, Boots. It will protect your hair from the elements while away. Another solution is a high potency hair mask. Apply to damp hair in the morning, tie back, pop on the hat and head to the pool. Then rinse out pre-dinner for glossy locks.
Go with your flow
The best way to style on holiday is to embrace the natural direction and kinks in your hair, and the fix all is a braid by day for natural waves when taken out at night OR a more polished fishtail braid for evening – it is very 2013 red carpet at the moment.
Rollers in, make up on
Pack a set of four large rollers for a non-harsh heated styling option – on dry hair divide into four sections, spray each with a very light hairspray that allows movement, pop in the rollers and take out just before you head out – natural, non “over done” body.
Grey hair and highlighted blonde hair?
A blue or violet pigmented shampoo is a must. Grey is low in melanin and the blonde spectrum highlighting process makes both subject to that “brassy” look if over exposed ot the sun and chorline. Try: A Touch Of Silver, Boots, £3.09
The one thing you should pack
Okay, we stock it at my salon but Moroccanoil Original Treatment (£12 for 25ml from www.erroldouglas.com) is amazing. It hydrates, tames, combats frizz and adds shine. You can use it on wet or dry hair, and if you have to edit your product packing list, keep this.
What else should I take?
A couple of old staples: an alice band means you need minimal styling if you choose the right one, while a wide-tooth comb keeps pulling – and thus breakage – to a minimum.
A secret tip?
Translucent powder – possibly already in your make-up bag – can double up to remove grease from the scalp as well as from the T-zone. Sprinkle a tiny amount on hair roots and brush through. It’s a saving on dry shampoo too.
The centuries old Tropical trick
Pick up a tub of solid Coconut oil if you’re in the Caribbean – incredibly cheap and an established all-rounder. It’s the natural remedy for parched hair – shine, gloss and healthy scalp from applying just a little. Coconut oil contains Vitamin E (an essential nutrient for skin and hair), lauric acid and capric acid, all help to promote T-protein regrowth in the hair, by penetrating deep into each hair, making it stronger. It’s not just for afro hair either: all hair in need of hydration will benefit. The Body Shop also does a handy tin balm at £5.50 if you are elsewhere
Keep cool in the wash
Always wash out sea and pool water with cool water, it doesn’t effect the quality of the cleanse which is down to the lather and product. Hot water over stimulates the sebaceous glands and will give a greasy not glossy finish.
For more on Errol, see www.erroldouglas.com
