Can I just begin by saying that I am not, and never will be, one of those lucky people who wakes up with good bed hair. I also wish I was able to just get out of the shower and let my hair dry naturally for it to look good. I read an interview recently with Alexa Chung who said that her daily haircare routine involves getting out of bed, pushing her hair behind her ears, and hoping for the best, and that’s all it involves for her to look amazing every day. If only!…

The Cut

As with many haircut decisions, the decision to have a fringe cut into my hair was prompted by a man. However it wasn’t the need for a style overhaul due to a break up that made me go for the chop, rather it was Rich who persuaded me that a fringe might look good*. I was on a gap year and living in Sydney at the time and I decided to take his advice. I figured that if it looked awful then it didn’t really matter because no-one I knew would see me. So my tip for if you are considering a fringe…move temporarily to the other side of the world. Tee hee.

I had previously toyed with a fringe before but it looked shocking, because I had asked the hairdresser for a wispy fringe – with my thick hair it just looked ridiculous. I ended up leaving the hairdressers on the verge of tears and desperately pinning/plaiting it back every day until it grew out. Isn’t it funny what a bad haircut can do to a girl? So another tip…if you have thick hair, have the confidence to go for a chunky fringe.

So off I tottered to Toni and Guy in Sydney, requested a blunt, thick and heavy fringe, and I walked out feeling and looking like a new person. And eight years later, the fringe is still here.

The Products

One of my beauty sins is that I wash my hair every day. I know, I know, it strips the natural oils, but I just feel a bit grubby if I have a shower first thing and don’t wash my hair. If anyone has any tips on how I can get out of this silly wash-every-day-rut they would be greatly received. (I did go through a phase of wearing a shower cap but I felt like such a granny!) My saving grace is probably the fact that I use Simple’s Gentle Care shampoo. I love all the Simple products and their shampoo is really light and leaves my hair super soft and shiny. Plus it’s only £2.99 and usually on offer if you buy a couple.

When it comes to my favourite conditioners, they too are beauty bargains…L’Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Conditioner at £3.99 and Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner at £4.99. You might be wondering why I use a colour protecting product when I don’t dye my hair. Well it’s because I used to have highlights (with hindsight they looked terrible) and needed something to stop my hair from turning into actual straw. However I’ve found that there’s something in the nourishing goodness of Colour Protect that just works with my hair so I’m still using it. And if I’m feeling frivolous I will treat myself to a bottle of TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal and Honey conditioner purely for the fact that it smells blimming gorgeous.

In terms of accessories, I am extremely fussy about the hair bobbles I use. My hair is up in a ponytail 99% of the time so my bobbles need to be good. Anything too flimsy and they inevitably snap which can be a day-ruiner for me. I’ve found the Scunci hair bands to be excellent…I use the cashmere elastics which sound extremely posh but are actually only £3.99 for a pack of 14 from Boots.

And as for electricals, I am a ghd convert…is there anyone that isn’t these days? When my last ghds died (another day-ruiner) I decided to try out the ghd V Gold Max styler. The larger plates work an absolute dream at quickly straightening my thick hair. I also love the Carmen rechargeable cordless straighteners which were a godsend when I was travelling. These are also a must-buy if you cycle to work and need to make your hair look presentable when you get there, but don’t have anywhere to plug your ghds in!

The Upkeep

I probably…nope definitely…outstay my welcome at my hairdressers’ getting free fringe trims. It grows so quickly and my reasoning is that I pay a lot of money when I have a proper haircut so it kind of justifies me popping in every few weeks for a fringe trim.

It also helps that I have recently found an amazing hairdresser, it only took me fifteen years or so. The stress of finding a good hairdresser is a whole post in itself!

*Before Rich can get too excited about the fact that he was the sole inspiration behind my decision to go for the chop, and you folks start to think that he is some kind of style guru, I do need to point out that his disclaimer was, “If you don’t like your new fringe, you can just cut it out!” Eh?!

Are you considering going for the chop, or have you recently had a fringe cut? Any tips for keeping it in shape? Does anyone else pester their hairdresser for free fringe trims?

{STEAL LISA’S STYLE}