MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 1: YOUR TRENDY BLUNT-CUT FRINGE WON’T LIE FLAT
Winning ways: ‘Avoid the temptation to straighten your fringe with a flatiron every day or you’ll end up frying your hair,’ warns Dima Tsobanopulos, owner of D&D Designers for Hair in Constantia and Tyger Waterfront, Cape Town. ‘Wet your fringe and use a fine-tooth comb to flatten it while blasting it with heat from a hairdryer. Spritz with a light hairspray to hold it in place throughout the day.’
Hair helper: ghd Fixation Spray
MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 2: YOU HAVE A HOT DATE AFTER WORK, GREASY ROOTS AND NO TIME TO GO HOME AND SHAMPOO
Winning ways: ‘Talcum powder or a dry shampoo will do the trick,’ says Tsobanopulos. ‘Dust a little powder on your roots and brush away with a towel. It will absorb the excess oil and give your roots a lift.’ Alternatively, hide greasy roots with a thick Alice band or smooth hair back into a chic ponytail.
Hair helper: Toni & Guy Refresh It dry shampoo
MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 3: THE COW LICK AT THE SIDE OF YOUR FRINGE IS SPOILING YOUR SUPER-SLEEK DO
Winning ways: ‘A cow lick is much easier to control when hair is wet,’ says hairstylist Samantha Canham of Carlton Hair International in Cape Town. ‘Apply a straightening balm to wet hair and hold the kink down firmly between your fingers while you blow-dry it flat.’
Hair helper: Toni & Guy No-Kinks Smoothing Balm
MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 4: HALFWAY THROUGH A NIGHT OUT YOU HAVE A MASSIVE FRIZZ ATTACK ON THE DANCE FLOOR
Winning ways: ‘When no hair products are available, make do with a squeeze of hand cream or moisturiser. Spread it on your palms and then smooth it over hair to defrizz it,’ says Tsobanopulos. To avoid future frizz fests, do the groundwork before you hit the dance floor. ‘Shampoo with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner and use an antifrizz serum,’ advises Tsobanopulos.
Hair helper: Sebastian Evokatív Moist Shampoo
MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 5: YOU’RE ABOUT TO GO OUT WHEN YOU REALISE YOUR ROOTS ARE SHOWING
Winning ways: Comb your parting into a zigzag shape to disguise regrowth, suggests Tsobanopulos. ‘Another quick trick is to apply hair mascara to your roots and lightly brush through for a natural effect.’ When regrowth is showing, keep hair freshly washed as oiliness will highlight roots, adds Tsobanopulos.
Hair helper: Fekkai Instant Hair Mascara in Cognac or Gold
MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 6: YOU’VE JUST HAD YOUR HAIR BRAIDED AND NOW YOUR SCALP IS TIGHT AND ITCHY
Winning ways: ‘The itchiness is caused by a lack of moisture,’ says Tshidi Mphaki, owner of Tshidi’s Hair Salon in Cape Town ‘Soothe the irritation by using a braid spray twice a week and reduce shampooing to once a week to retain moisture on your scalp.’ Don’t keep your braids in for longer than two months, adds Mphaki, or you’ll end up aggravating the problem.
Hair helper: Restore Plus Moisturising Braids Spray
MAD-HAIR-DAY PROBLEM 7: YOU HAVE SPLIT ENDS BUT DON’T WANT A TRIM BECAUSE YOU’RE TRYING TO GROW YOUR HAIR
Winning ways: ‘If you don’t want hair to look any shorter, just snip away split ends,’ advises Tsobanopulos. ‘An easy method is to twist a small section of hair until you see the split ends protruding, and then snip them away. Continue like this with the rest of your hair.’ For a temporary but instant scissors-free solution, seal ends with a silicone serum to add gloss to dry ends.
Hair helper: Matrix Sleek Look Sealing Serum