5 days ago
The stylish ways to put up your hair in a heatwave
The weather has warmed up again this week, and the collective thought on the Telegraph beauty desk is: what do we do with our hair now?
We all grumble about the fine halo of frizz that seems to appear as soon as the temperature rises, as well as any volume in the hair quickly dropping. And is it just me, or is there an overwhelming urge to put your hair up and out of your face? I can't stand the feeling of 'open' hair around the nape of my neck in the heat.
It's not just me, according to the leading hairstylist Zoë Irwin, who tells me that, more than ever, her clients are looking for advice on hair 'up' styles that look a little more elevated than just a simple ponytail.
The first piece of advice takes inspiration from French first lady Brigitte Macron. During a state visit to the UK last month, she fashioned a half-up, half-down style, using a simple barrette to keep her shoulder-length hair in place. So far, so simple, but 'this sort of hairstyle serves a purpose more than just keeping the hair away from the face', explains Irwin.
'When you lift the crown of the hair, you balance the jawline, which can soften as you age.' According to Irwin, who studied hairdressing in France, this art of balancing a hairstyle with facial features is one of the 'grand rules of French hairstyling'.
This works really well with shorter hairstyles. The trick is keeping the half-up, half-down style quite low, with the barrette placed in line with the tops of the ears. Once your barrette is in place, says Irwin, 'tease the top section out a little, so you get some height through the top of your hair'.
This sort of style not only keeps hair away from the face in warmer weather but also balances facial proportions to create an elegant profile. Best of all, a chic barrette like Macron's can cost as little as a few pounds. (If you did want to splash out on a more fancy version, I have my eye on the Domed Hair Barrette by Cos).
Domed hair barrette, Cos, £30
If you have mid-length or longer hair, as I do, Irwin suggests trying a modern chignon. To recreate this, first gather all the hair into a low ponytail and tie it with a band. Then twist the length of the hair and wind it into a coiled bun, 'leaving the end sticking out, and fixing in place with some simple hair grips'.
This looks particularly chic with a deep side parting, finished with a simple – or fancy – hair slide placed on the heavier side of the parting. Irwin tells me her fashionable client base will invest in hair accessories by Chanel, Miu Miu or Celine, for a real style statement.
This style, minus the Miu Miu, perhaps, is also perfect for wearing on holiday and looks great under a wide-brimmed hat. The key difference is to apply a good UV protectant in the hair before putting it up, so you get lots of shine and gloss in your style while shielding your hair (and any colour in it) from the sun's rays.
Swimcap water-resistant mask, Philip Kingsley, £25
Irwin really rates the bestselling Swimcap cream by Philip Kingsley – it is truly one of the best summertime hair products to invest in.
Elsewhere, I'd also splash out on one of the new range of smoothing sticks to keep flyaways and frizzy hair at bay. These are often conditioning waxes or gels that you can keep in your handbag – or beach bag – to quickly smooth the hairline.
