Six ways to shine at the party this season

Thank you to our lovely friend and customer Denise O’Neill for the photo and to photographer Vanessa Mills.

Where has the year gone? Yesterday it was the tail end of a beautiful summer and now it’s almost party season. It got us thinking about a few hair tips to help you make the most of your crowning glory over the festive season, a great time to sparkle...

1. Be on the fringe

We don’t mean stay on the edge of the action. Not unless that’s where you’re naturally most comfortable. No, we’re talking hair here. If you’ve got a fringe you’ll know it’s often tricky to get it to sit right - it’s no wonder so many of us reach for the straighteners. But did you know that heated stylers are not necessarily a friend of grey and white hair, as they can cause those pesky yellow tones? To get the perfect soft fringe, without a hint of either the ‘sausage roll’ or ‘ironed flat’ look, try this:

• Dry your fringe before the rest of your hair
• Use a flat vent brush to dry the fringe roots (the first 1-2 ins) by brushing it first one way and then another, with the air from the hairdryer blowing from behind. This smooths the roots down
• Then use a wide barrel brush to smooth dry the ends (a smaller barrel will mean the hair rolls around it, which is what creates the unwanted sausage effect).

We know this may be hard to visualise, so take a look at this short video to help.

2. Try a different parting

Lots of you tell us that your hair is getting thinner. If you want to give the impression of volume, then try a zig-zag parting instead of your usual straight style. Here’s how:

• Create a classic centre parting, then, with the tail of your comb, lift a section of hair from a centimetre to the left of your parting and flick it over to the right, smoothing with your comb.
• Do the same on the right side and then repeat every couple of centimetres until you reach the crown of your head.

It’s not a radical change, so if you like it, it’s something you could do every day.

3. Add sparkle

There’s an abundance of sequins and sparkle on the high street at the moment and if that’s your thing, then the world’s your oyster (Sosander.com is a favourite of our colleague Jo this season, for its variety of party options, from low-key shimmer to full-on glitter).

However, if you like to err on the side of caution, then there are other ways to add sparkle, from a statement earring or necklace (though perhaps not both), to a touch of highlighter on your cheekbones, which can also help warm up your complexion in the winter months.

4. Switch it up a bit

If you’re feeling daring, why not try something new with your hair. If you have a longer style, you could experiment with an up-do. Remember: wash your hair at least 24 hours in advance so that it’s not so soft that it won’t stay in place. We have a selection of different up-do looks with instructions here  - why not take a look and do a practice run beforehand.

Even if you have shorter hair, there’s still things you can try. Our Shooshing Crème is a magic little styling cream that lets you add texture and definition in a flash. Look at our before and after here:

5. Add a touch of gloss

Shiny, glossy hair is a sign of good health and vitality. We’ve got two surefire ways to make sure your hair sparkles under the Christmas lights: 1) Wash with Glorious Shampoo - it’s our creamy formulation that gives great every day cleanse and shine. 2) Finish off your hair with a touch of Lifeshine Oil - just warm one or two drops in your hands and lightly run over your hair (avoiding the roots) to give instant gloss.

6. Enjoy!

Yes, that’s it. Have fun.