Drip drip drop go the April showers and frizz frizz ruin goes my hair. Yes, having stoically brazened out the cold winter and drying effects of the ever-ubiquitous central heating, my rebellious hair will take the oportunity to double in size at even the slightest hint of rain this spring. What's a girl to do? Well, they say that prevention is better than cure, so here's what I'm going to be doing to get my locks in tip top in preparation for spring.
1. Invest in an intensive hair treatment mask - I love Bumble & Bumble Mending Masque, £27.50 at www.spacenk.co.uk. Drench towel dried hair in you chosen conditioning treatment, wrap hair in aluminum foil and then a hot towel (achieved by hanging it on a radiator) and wait 30 mins. Your hair will feel luxuriously smooth and soft, and you can rest assured that you've restored it to at least part of it's former glory. Tip source: Giannandrea Marongiu, hairstylist to Kirsten Dunst and Hilary Swank. Quoted in US InStyle, March 2011.
2. Choose your tools carefully. One of the greatest causes of hair breakage is burshing. Opt for a flexible, wide-toothed brush, which will prevent unnecesary snagging. Tangle Teezer's Compact Styler (£12.24 at www.tangleteezer.com) is fab, and totally travel-friendly so you can be smooth on the move, too.
3. Go nowhere near heated tools until you've applied a generous amount of your favourite heat defense product. Many serums and straightening gels have thermal defending properties (I like Redken Sheer Straigh 06, £12.55 at www.lookfantastic.com), but if using with straightening irons it's always a good idea to use a product from the brand's range, as these are specifically formulated to prevent build-up on your irons. I like GHD's thermal protector series, £9.95 at ghdhair.com)
4. Give it a rest! Try a 'one-on-one-off' regime for your hair. One wash, you heat-style to your wee hearts content, the next wash, you leave your locks be. Take inspiration from Natalie Portman and tame unruly barnets on 'off'' days with this season's must-try updo: the bun. Secure hair in a ponytail in the middle of your head, twist until the hair begins to fold back on itself, and secure with another band or hair pins. Et voila - no one need ever know that you skimped on your styling, and your hair will thank you for the break.
5. If you have no time for prevention, and need a cure, fast, rinse your hair with vinegar. No really. The acidity of the vinegar will close the hair's cuticles, forcing them all to lie in the same direction, and maximising light reflection and shine.
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