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In the Chair - Real People Real Hair - Revisited

October 30, 2021

In the Chair - Real People Real Hair - Revisited

Post Pregnancy Problems

Losing half your hair can be devastating. Even when you start with a glorious mane like Ashley has. I first cut Ashley’s hair five months after her pregnancy. There had been a lot of post-pregnancy hair loss and we shaped the hair to improve this but kept it long. Fast-forward another two months and further hair loss called for a more drastic change in length. Much more hair had fallen, but the regrowth at about two inches was distorting the rest of the hair.

Most women will experience some degree of hair loss and Ashley’s was at the extreme end. The most awkward period is usually between 7-12 months after birth as the combination of lots of new short hairs mixed with long thinner strands makes hair difficult to look after. We set about reducing the difference in lengths with a shorter simpler cut. A slightly layered long Bob.

1. The Cuts at Five and Seven Months

Ashley’s haircut lacked versatility so needed adjusting. The A-Line one-length outline could just about work if it was always kept perfectly smooth. But’s that’s unrealistic and the dry texture would throw the style.

In teenage years when hair is smooth and slippy, the A-Line blunt cut can work as a simple youthful line. As we get older the hair gets more textured and possibly a bit wavier. This shape then expands at the base giving a pyramid effect. Heavy around eye level and too wide around the shoulders.

In addition, the texture means it doesn’t move as freely, so sits heavy and static. The bushy effect leaves some new clients referring to themselves as Hagrid, from the Harry Potter character. Flat irons will help deal with it but what it really needs is shaping with long layers…something this generation of hairdressers haven’t been taught. Most earnt their NVQs working on dolly blocks and were released to a vulnerable public having never worked on a live head. Shocking I know.

It’s always better to have a versatile haircut that works for straight or wavy styles. Then if a straight blowdry or flat iron starts to wear off it still looks great. Or if you want to wear it natural that’s good too. It makes wavy styles much easier to achieve. And they last longer. We graduated the ‘too long’ hair at the front and connected long layers through to the back.

The Cut at Seven Months

By month seven, too much hair had fallen and thick patches of regrowth at about two inches were distorting the shape further. We decided to shorten and simplify with a slightly layered Bob which could be worn elegant or casually ‘undone’.

 

The Diamond Dry Cut™ is my natural method of sculpting. We cut hair dry to see the shape evolve in much the same way as an artist approaches a marble bust.

2. Condition

After cutting we gave Ashley our SOS Treatment. This combines our Exfoliating Scalp Treatment with LifeSaver Prewash Treatment. Nothing infuses moisture, strength elasticity and shine quite like this. and the scalp exfoliator leaves a tingly fresh scalp. Ashley will now continue at home with this unique system of Healthcare for Hair™ Read…The Facts of LifeSaver

3. Colour

We didn’t add any colour, but the combination of reshaping and removing the driest ends, the deeply replenishing LifeSaver Treatment, and the simple blowdry, restored depth and lustre to the colour.

Which do you prefer - Long layered at month five or short and snappy at month seven?

“Who knew a cut could make such a difference!! Being a new Mum, I wanted to be able to allow my hair to dry naturally for my days I don’t have time to style. The diamond dry cut has made such a difference to how healthy my hair looks and really helped to tame the frizz through adding layers and a shorter trim at the front to get rid of the dry ends. Not only does it look much healthier when drying naturally, it’s so much easier to style when using my hairdryer drying so much quicker than usual and looking sleeker when finished! I can’t imagine going back to a wet cut ever again!”- Ashley Dayes

 

Prep

For Ashley’s hair we used Exfoliating Scalp Treatment to cleanse and purify the scalp, and our hero product LifeSaver Pre-wash Treatment to rehydrate and repair. Even after just one application it injects strength and moisture into the hair which is the critical element in hair having spring, elasticity and bounce. It gets even better with continual use. We washed with Cashmere Protein Exfoliating Scalp Shampoo and protected with Cashmere Protein UV Protective Conditioner. 

Styling

A little Volumising Mousse helped give body and control. We used the Large Round Brush Soft Bristle to style. Then finally a little Ten Second Transformation to feed and smooth the hair giving a little shine and texture too. Ashley uses a No.1 Brush to stay groomed during the day.


 Michael Van Clarke

 

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Email: reception@vanclarke.com



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