If you've had the same hair look for over a decade it's time to take the plunge and embrace change. Editor Trudi Brewer talks with top stylist Greg Murrell on how put some sass back in your style.
Images Instagram. From long, layered and straight to a choppy, tousled bob - here are the hair looks trending on Instagram right now.
Stylist Greg Murrell owner of Ryder Salon in Auckland is the master of precision cutting, and for that reason he's a brilliant change maker. If you have had the same cut and colour for decades, and feel it's looking dated, and out of fashion, then it could also be ageing you. Here's his advice on making sure your hair looks on point.
How do you know if your hair is too long, what age do you need to get the big chop?
It will be visible to your eye when hair is too long, and against the proportions of the body. But there are often other factors at play. The percentage of grey hair, choice of cut, personal style,and the health of your hair are all important considerations and should guide you on when to have it cut or not. It used to be that once a woman was grey and no longer colouring her hair, she should not wear it longer than to her shoulders, but thankfully that thinking has been consigned to history. Rock icons like Patti Smith epitomise the spirit and confidence of wearing longer hair.
How about colour - going too dark can add years to your look, when do you go lighter?
As we age, our skin can lighten, and our features harden. So you may not be able to wear your hair as dark as you once did. Another factor is that when the percentage of grey (white) hair increases, this has the effect of lightening the overall colour. A bit like when you look closely at Houndstooth cloth it's a mixture of black and white but appears grey from a distance. So the choice to go lighter occurs when the amount of grey (white hair) in the regrowth has risen to the extent where the contrast is very obvious. It's at this time you can lighten the overall result to get less contrast.
Can excessive volume or teasing age you?
Modern-looking hair has subtle volume and tends to be flatter on the top, with more width at the sides. So I think excessive volume and teasing does often signify someone who is stuck in another era.
How about shampoo, does this have an impact on the health and look of your hair?
Yes more than you may realise. The shampoo you choose has a much greater impact on how your hair looks and feels. Ultimately shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair first and foremost. However, your choice should align with your hair type, texture and the condition of your hair to help with volume, hydration, control or preparation for styling. If you choose the wrong product, it won’t damage the hair, but it may leave your hair feeling lifeless and looking flat or dry on the ends. It's important to select a shampoo containing natural base ingredients and avoid any products that contains sulphates and parabens.
What do you find yourself recommending?
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo. It's an incredible product designed to rejuvenate ageing hair. Combining healing oils including cypress, organ and maraca with a bio-restorative complex to balance the scalp and reinforce the inner strength of each hair strand. It's also dermatologist tested, contains no parabens or sulphates, has UV protection and is vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free.
How much hairspray is too much?
Ultimately you want style support from a hairspray. You still want your hair to be able to move naturally and feel nice to touch. If that’s isn't the case, then you're using the wrong product or too much. You never want your hair to feel wet or sticky after using hairspray. Also if the hairspray is wetting the hair, it is affecting the blow-dry, set your blow-dry or tonged hair first, and then use hairspray sparingly at the end. Hairspray doesn’t make the style; it finishes it.
What's your favourite soft hold hairsprays?
We use hairspray more sparingly than ever before; modern hairsprays should distribute a fine spray allowing you to direct the product where you need it. My absolute favourite is Oribe Super-fine Hairspray. The spray is a fine,dry mist leaving hold, with brush-able control.
How can you work with your grey to create a flattering colour?
We work with highlights or lowlights to create beautiful, flattering colour blends that are a mix of grey hair, and the remaining natural colour, and the added new shade. We can also use colour to create softer more translucent results rather than anything too dense. A skilled colourist will be able to look at each and decide on the best result. For anyone bothered by regrowth between salon visits, we recommend Oribe Airbrush Root Touch Spray. A coloured spray for the roots of the hair. This product quickly disguises visible regrowth and remains until washed out.
Shop Greg Murrell's favourite Oribe products below.
