10 ways to banish a bad hair day

You’ve got an important meeting or you’re running late for work, when out of the blue a bad hair day strikes. Suddenly your hair products have lost their magic and your usual styling routine fails to tame your lively locks. Fear not – help is at hand with the following tips.

1. Get a smart cut. The best strategy for coping with bad hair days is to prevent them in the first place. London stylist, Nicky Clarke, explains, ‘it’s the cut that counts, so get one that suits your hair type, face shape and lifestyle.’ For example, a sleek Jennifer Aniston look, for example, will be a nightmare to achieve if your hair’s naturally curly – especially if battling against wet weather or high humidity is a common occurrence. Likewise, there’s no point in getting a high-maintenance style if you only allow yourself 10 minutes to do your hair each morning. Combine a suitable style with regular trims and you’ll be amazed at how much easier your hair is to manage.

2. Find the right shampoo and conditioner. This sounds like a simple solution, but products can make or break a bad hair day. Stylist Andrew Collinge points out that ‘…hair products today are a lot more advanced to cope with the specific needs of different hair types’. So, while his Andrew Collinge Moisturising Shampoo (£3.50 for 200ml) is perfect for dry hair, you’ll need a shampoo with oil control, such as Nicky Clarke Hairomatherapy Supershine Shampoo (£3.99 for 300ml), if your hair is greasy. When washing your hair, remember to rinse away traces of conditioner, as any residue can leave hair matted, dull and unmanageable.

3. Banish build-up. Hairdresser Errol Douglas pinpoints product residue as one of the major culprits of bad hair days. ‘It weighs hair down making it difficult to style,’ he says. Douglas recommends using a detoxifying product like Modern Organic Products Basil Mint Shampoo, £7.95 for 300ml, (01282 613 413), every few washes to solve the problem.