Hair, there, everywhere!

My hair is something I get questioned about on a daily basis, so I decided it was high time that I made a post dedicated to all things hair. I'm going to answer the most common questions I receive as thoroughly as I can, then we'll finish things off with a run-down of my top five red heads.

Do you dye your hair yourself?

I've been dying my hair myself for over two years. Student budgets simply don't stretch far enough for salon dyes when your hair grows as rapidly as mine does.

What hair dye do you use?

I vary between Live Colour XXL in  Real Red and Passion Red (generally I'll use the former over the summer, and the latter over winter). I've used Garnier dyes in the past and they have some great shades of red, but the colour bleeds more. I never touch bleach.

How often do you dye your hair?

I dye my hair once a month, however it can be more often if I have a casting, photo shoot or event to attend. Like I said, my hair really does grow fast! I despise roots so I probably reach for the dye more often than I should.

How do you maintain your colour?

I strive to use shampoo and conditioner formulated for coloured hair, and in the summer I try to keep the sun off my head  when I'm outside for prolonged periods of time.

Does the dying dry your hair out?

The short answer? Yes. I use serum on the ends whilst they are damp to keep them supple and hydrated, and indulge in intensive masks every week or so. However, keeping on top of split ends can still become a real chore.

How old were you when you first dyed your hair?

I had my first highlights when I was eleven, and my first full-head dye when I was fourteen.

Do you wear extensions?

No. The colour may be artificial, but my hair is all my own.

What are your tips for hair growth?

Start using serum daily to minimise the need for trims, and learn to trim your own hair to avoid scissor happy hairdressers. If you twist sections of hair the endy bits will splay out so you can nip them with a pair of scissors (my hairdresser taught me this trick when I first started growing my hair out!).

What hair products would you recommend?

I keep a bottle of Lush Rehab shampoo around for those days when my hair starts to feel a bit battered and weighed down. I also love Aussie's 3 minute miracle for intensive treatments - their serums are lovely too.

How often do you use heat stylers on your hair?

I let my hair air dry as often as possible, however I usually end up blow drying a few times a week. I straighten it very rarely, since I used to do it daily and it left my hair in a real state after a year or two. Once a week or so I will enhance my natural curls with my curling wand.

How often do you wash your hair?

I was my hair nearly every day. If I do skip a wash then I'll style it in braids or fishtails. I know it's supposedly bad to wash it every day, but it goes fairly frizzy after I've slept on it and I just like the feeling of having clean hair.

Any failsafe hair tips?

Tie your hair back or braid it at night to minimise tangles and unnecessary brushing (the myth about one hundred brush strokes morning and night will do your hair more bad than good!). It's also good for your skin as it stops oils from your hair transferring to your face whilst you're sleep. Spritz it with leave in conditioner and tie in a secure braid or chignon before swimming. Bad hair days are inevitable, so learn to love hats. On days when my hair is looking lifeless, my retro boater is my best friend. If all else fails I'll pull all my hair to one side, braid it into afishtail, and stick on a hat of some description.

What is the worst hair style/colour you have ever had?

A somewhat wonky bob dyed black-brown. I never straightened it thoroughly so there were weird kinks and bumps, and I'd yet to learn how to use blusher properly so the colour completely washed me out. When I was thirteen I had a mousy bob that flicked out at the ends and was streaked with blonde and red - that wasn't much better!

Without any further ado, here are my top five red haired beauties -

1. Lily Cole

Lily is one of my favourite models, and aswell as her sweet
rounded face and orb-like eyes I simply love her wavy red mane.
I wish I'd been born with hair like hers!

1. Florence Welch

Also one of my pale beauties. In the early years of my red hair
when Florence was in the process of becoming a legend, people
compared my hair to hers. I even cut a fringe inspired by her.

1. Karen Elson

Another of my pale beauties. Karen was on the cover of the
first issue of Vogue I ever bought, and since then her photos have
been gracing my bedroom walls. She is simply stunning, hair and all.

Before I announce the final two, I apologise for being such a child. All I can say
is I hope you like kids films, because the honest truth is I probably admire these
two final ladies' hair more than that of any living person...

1. Ariel

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Of course Ariel is on the list! She has been my favourite Disney princess
since I was tiny, and I suppose all those years of longing for a tail may
have been one of the factors in my hair starting to resemble hers. Oops.

 

1. Thumbelina

An under-appreciated fairytale heroine. I only discovered this film
earlier this year, and despite Thumbelina being hugely impressionable I
really do love her. Not to mention that is some serious hair!

Find me on Facebook and Twitter.