Look-younger hair: Colour and style tips

Our anti-ageing hair guide reveals how the right cut, colour and style can work a makeover miracle. By Elizabeth Barnett

Colour yourself younger

 

What's the biggest hair mistake many women make? According to 10 Years Younger expert Lisa Shepherd, twice winner of British Hair Colourist of the Year, it's this: ‘In an attempt to cover grey, they tend to go for block colour that's one-dimensional and too dark, or they choose the wrong sort of blonde - both of which can age you 20 years.'

 

Rules for blondes

 

Hairdressers are trained to add warmth to grey, but if you put golden streaks in silver, the effect looks like nicotine stains. Far better to choose the Helen Mirren route and go grey beautifully with ash blonde, beige or champagne streaks.

 

If you want to cover the whole head, take it back to a mousey-brown base colour, then add highlights. Afterwards, preserve the cool colour with a purple-toned shampoo, which will neutralise any hint of a brassy tone - and, no, it won't turn your hair purple!

Top tip: Try Paul Mitchell Colorcare Platinum Blonde Shampoo, £9.95, available nationwide.

 

Rules for brunettes and redheads

 

‘It's okay to use an all-over colourant in your 20s and 30s,' says Lisa, ‘but after that it looks harsh and ageing. Instead, low-light greying hair with streaks the same shade as your original base colour. When grey roots peek through at the roots or temples, use a comb-on colour to touch them up.'

Top tip: Try Clairol Nice'n Easy Root Touch-up, £4.29, so you can stretch the time between salon visits from six weeks to three months.

 

Get the most from your hairdresser: the five-step guide

 

1. The key to a youthful new look is finding a good stylist, and the best way is by recommendation. If you see someone with a cut you admire, be bold and ask who their hairdresser is - even if it means stopping someone in the street.

Alternatively, don't be afraid to try out a salon before you book a cut - preferably one with an up-to-date interior and good photos on the wall. Ask for a consultation or blow-dry before booking a re-style to assess whether you like the approach, the professionalism and the atmosphere.

 

2. It's worth paying a little more for the top stylist in the salon - usually the artistic director - and have your hair cut less often than you would normally to compensate for the higher cost. If your budget is pinching, alternate between a high-end stylist and a more affordable one.

 

3. If you're lucky enough to find a top stylist with a great reputation, the chances are he or she is likely to have a better idea than you of what will suit you. And now for the difficult bit: give them the space to do their best work. The results could be face-changing.

 

4. If you do have a style in mind, don't be afraid to take pictures along to your appointment. No good hairdresser will be offended.

 

5. Finally, tips... What are the unspoken rules? Generally, 10% is reasonable - for all stylists except the owner of the salon (owners earn the profits of all the other stylists, so they're not in need of extra cash).

 

More great anti-ageing tips on hairstyles and products to try

 

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