
Yes, some people are born with great hair, but some simply have their routine and product stable down pat. Here’s looking at you, Loretta De Feo. Please tell us EVERYTHING.
As a child I had great hair and then I destroyed it when I started chemically straightening (relaxing) it in my teens. The condition deteriorated further when I went to university and started relaxing it at any salon I could find, instead of my reliable hometown hairdresser. A lot of these salons were ill-equipped to handle my hair. This coincided with me buying my first pair of GHDs. I went over the same strands over and over and over again - it makes me wince to think about now.
It’s taken about six years for my hair to return to its original condition. I obviously stopped the treatments, and completely changed the way I treated it. I now avoid heat, use protective styles, and know what I I need to avoid, like sulphates which really dry hair out.
I braided all the way through school and experimented with different coloured extensions. At one point, I had blue, yellow, purple and pink. One time in school, a boy was reprimanded for having too-short a haircut. For his defence, he pointed out that I had multi-coloured hair, which should surely be against school policy too. The teacher replied that I was allowed because it was my religion - news to me. I did, however, nod in agreement before strutting out equal parts smug and bemused at the sheer ignorance. I finished the year with green hair.
My mum and I used to go to a lady called Gloria’s house to have her hair braided, it took 10 hours (on a good day!) Then, of course, the university years. Gah, broken, dry, weak, a terrible cut - the list goes on.
I have an entire team for my hair. For my bi-monthly braids it’s Afi - I usually have thick box braids which takes around 5 hours. Afi is the best in the business - I get strangers come up to me to compliment her work. And for blow dries and trims, I go to Zateesha Barbour or Kemi aka Khairsforyou. I don’t colour my hair (I’m not sure I'd ever go bright again), but if I did I’d simply dye in black, as due to sun lightening, it’s pretty much brown.
This has completely changed the shampoo experience for me. Never before have I used a shampoo that makes my hair feel so clean, soft and hydrated at the same time.
Even though I’ve used it for ages, every time I do, I am shook at how effective it is. It makes my hair feel incredible, and I love the fragrance, which is fresh and spa like - not fruity or too sweet. Post-wash I always try to finish hair washing with a cool rinse to add shine.
I love how sleek it looks, how it glides on and the subtle but effective hold to my curls.
My hair dryer is about 18 years old and probably quite dangerous. I never use it – I always air dry. My perm rollers (also about 20 years old) are great for switching up my style. I put them on my hair when it’s dry and a few hours later, I’ll have a new look.
Denman D3 Medium Classic Styling Brush, £8
So good for detangling in the shower, which I only ever do with conditioner.
Viviscal Maximum Strength, £89.96
I’ve been using Viviscal for five years now. I really notice a difference to my hair, not in length but in thickness. The first time I used it, my hair became so thick that I couldn’t even get it into a bun.