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Mutton Dressed as Lamb - Let's not get caught out...

November 21, 2025

Mutton Dressed as Lamb - Let's not get caught out...

I have to be careful to dress appropriately now I’m getting on. But I do wonder, when my sons want to borrow my suede Gucci flares will they become lambs dressed as mutton? Gaby won’t let me wear them now except for fancy dress parties.

When I started hairdressing, it was the widespread belief that women over 40 should have short hair. There may be rude comments like ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ otherwise. How times have changed. Of course the issue was never about the length of hair but the appearance. And for most women it meant increasingly white and dry frizzy looking hair if it was kept too long.

Fast forward and we can do so much more with hair in terms of cutting, colouring and condition. Well cut long white hair can be beautiful, but dry and frizzy just doesn’t look attractive. Colour makes a dramatic difference and for best hair condition consistency counts.

We know that daily brushing and flossing slows down receding gums. Some are longer in the tooth than others with better habits. And twice-weekly hair treatments slow down the thinning of the hairshaft. If you leave it three months since your last pre-wash treatment you don’t get back what was lost in that time.

The Shrinking Hairshaft

Such is the nature of hair that once it leaves the scalp it isn’t part of the metabolism so survives only on what nurturing you feed it while it’s still around. Long hair can easily be 4 to 5 years old at the ends.

Great conditioned, well styled hair is a beautifying ornament at any age, but as with the rest of us, it needs more input as we get older. It’s why the twice-weekly application of LifeSaver Pre-wash gives the best foundation care for hair of all types and lengths.

★★★★★
Out of this world
“This really gives thirsty hair a drink. I’m new to Van Clarke and bought the Lifesaver, UV shampoo, conditioner and the UV leave in. All the products are great, but the LifeSaver is just that, a complete lifesaver for your hair. I smother my hair and leave it in overnight. It truly works wonders. I thought my hair was already in a good condition but this has elevated it completely.

Having used another popular pre-wash product prior to Lifesaver, I thought that was good but LifeSaver knocks spots off it. My 500ml bottle lasted 2 months on my shoulder length hair and I bought another bottle before it ran out. I won’t be without LifeSaver now.”

Kelly on Jan 29, 2022

For leave-in styling LifeSaver UV is a remarkable treatment, styling aid, and UV protector in one.

★★★★★
Frizz free!
“Makes my curly hair so smooth so easily! My hairdresser absolutely adores it too. So so good.”
Alex on Jan 19, 2022

★★★★★
Fab
“This is my 2nd bottle. I use before using the mousse leave my hair frizz free”
Wendy on Jan 15, 2022

★★★★★
Moisturising
“I applied this to damp hair, combing it through so it was evenly distributed, but was a bit sceptical about putting it on the roots of my hair as so many treatments I’ve used before had weighed down my hair and didn’t want this happening. I blow dried my hair and the results were amazing. Extremely soft and weightless, lots of movement, not weighed down at all.”
Karen Martin on Jan 08, 2022

Life is short. We all get just 24 hours a day. Killing two birds with one stone (a small flock even) gives us more bang for our buck. So what if you could style your hair beautifully, and quickly, and easily, AND be giving your hair a restorative protective treatment at the same time? Does that sound like a good deal?… read more

 Michael Van Clarke


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