In the Middle East, a beautiful mane is just as important an accessory as the latest it bag or statement pair of shoes. Which is all well and good if you’re Negin Mirsalehi, but when you’re a mere mortal, achieving beautiful hair isn’t always easy. Not only do we have the climate to contend with (heat and humidity + hot hair = next to impossible), but things like suncream and even the water here can have a big effect.
But do not fear, because GRAZIA tapped hair guru Hollie Cuthbert, an innovative hairstylist at The Kérastase Hair & Scalp Spa in Saudi Arabia, to find out the biggest hair problems in the Middle East and how to combat them. From preventing colour fade to how to actually tame those baby hairs (hallelujah), discover her top 10 Middle East hair problems and her tips, tricks and product picks to help you on your way to luscious locks.
DON’T OVERWASH
Stop washing your hair as often. The water in the Middle East is desalinated. This can strip your natural oils, shine and change your colour.
DO DRY SHAMPOO
Dry shampoo is a lifesaver… If used right. Don’t wait till your hair is greasy. I like to use mine the night after I wash my hair before I sleep. This way a little goes a long way and it will have better absorption. Next morning shake your hair out and VOILA!
PROTECT, PROTECT, PROTECT
Always use heat protection. This is a given – even if you’re not drying your hair. We live in a very hot climate; your heat protection can also be used to help reduce heat damage from the sun.
GO GREEN FOR BEAUTIFUL BROWNS
To keep browns from turning orange, stop using purple shampoo. Instead, use blue or green-based products. Kérastase Chroma Absolu Masque Vert Chroma Neutralisant is one of my favourites as it doesn’t dry the hair out.
MAKE FOR MOUSSE
Humidity = one of the biggest hair problems in the Middle East. So, for humid climates, mousse is your best friend, whether your hair is curly or straight. AND NO, your hair won’t feel hard and crunchy… This isn’t the 80s. Use it on wet hair, and once your hair is dry, finish with a serum to lock in the moisture.
DON’T SKIP YOUR SCALP
It all starts with the scalp. A healthy scalp = healthy hair. Use a scrub on your scalp to exfoliate all the dead, dry skin. Especially when the weather starts to change.
CARE FOR CURLS
For my curly-haired girls out there, your routine doesn’t have to be a million steps. Remember you need a balance between moisturiser and strength. Too much of either can weigh your curls down or make your hair frizz.
BOOST YOUR BLONDE
Calling all blondes, please don’t let your sunscreen touch your hair. It can discolour your colour. We need to wear sunscreen every day to protect our skin, but it can cause blonde hair to end up yellow. If it does (accidents happen) using a violet mask like Kérastase Blond Absolu Ultraviolet Mask should bring it back to life.
BANISH BABY HAIRS
We all have pesky baby hairs around our hairline. The best trick to get them to sit right and add a little volume is to section off around two inches around your hairline. Place your brush under the hair and blow as flat as possible forward onto your face. Don’t roll the brush at your roots. We need it as flat as possible. Then once it’s dry completely, pull back off your face and baby hairs are gone. Volume is a plus.
KEEP IT CONSISTENT
Last but most definitely not least for beautiful healthy hair is to be CONSISTENT! That’s the only way to get the best results. You don’t go to the gym once and expect a 6 pack… The same applies to your hair.
