Author: Neville Tucker

Lockdown generated a worldwide awakening when it comes to hair health and that is a general consensus for all hair types. But while majority of treatments, cuts and haircare advice are targeted to hair type 1, 2 and 3, less frequently is advice offered to those with type 4 hair. At Neville Hair and Beauty, we are aware of this discrepancy and have turned to textured hair specialist Kashif Bishop to get his advice on protective hairstyles, and essential part of healthy hair care for those who wish to embrace natural hair.

Protective hairstyles as the name suggests, are a range of hairstyles destined to minimise manipulation, manage length retention and keep the ends of the hair tucked away for recovery. This type of styling protects hair from daily aggressors such as sun, heat and bad weather. Wearing such hairstyles makes hair less prone to knotting and snagging on clothes or accessories but also protects the lengths and ends of the hair. Protective styling also proves beneficial for the roots and hairline, as the various styling options shift the places of tension on the scalp.

When it comes to determining which protective styling is right for you, Kash says that trial and error is unfortunately the only way to figure out the most comfortable style for you. Each protective style has its own life span and varies from style to style. Braids and twists for example could be worn between 2 weeks to a month, depending on how well the style is protected. These can be protected with either a braid spray, leave in conditioner in addition to silk scarves and pillow slips. Buns on the other hand, can be changed daily depending on how comfortable you are with styling your own hair, however this can be rather time consuming. If buns are your go-to protective style, the use of silk scrunchies or hair ties is recommended to avoid any breakage.

Kash, who also personally wears protective hairstyles, tends to prefer twists due to their low maintenance aspect. Once done you don’t really have to think about the style any longer until it’s time to change. Another favourite of his are single plaits as they are really versatile, and you can push the boat out and be creative by adding coloured extensions.

If protective hair styling is of interest to you, you should be aware that it does require some prep work to fully reap the protective benefits says Kash. It is important to ensure that your hair is not too brittle and dry but equally not drenched with product. Kash therefore recommends heading to your stylist for a consultation prior to making any big decisions. Curly hair types have a tendency of knotting so it’s very important to ensure your hair is untangled. This can be achieved by using your fingers as a rake or by using a wide tooth comb or Neville Paddle Brush. Your stylist will then be able to assess your exact curl pattern and get your hair in top shape before styling you hair in its new protective style.

Once your protective style of choice is in, Kash recommends wearing a silk scarf or turban at bedtime to avoid unwanted friction. Then during the day, you can embellish your style with gems to give it a modern edge.

For more information call us on 0207 235 3654 or Email Info@nevillehairandbeauty.net

At Neville Hair and Beauty, we have re-discovered Henna a natural powder that lifts hair and nourishes it at the same time. An organic highlighter powder derived from the native henna tree that is not only kind to hair but also kind to the environment. Sustainability becoming a focal point for the salon has meant we are continuously on the lookout for friendlier more natural products. Philip Martin’s does just that as the brand combines nature and science in innovative, patented and certified plant formulas.

Henna is packed with vitamins and nutrients and also aids scalp circulation. By using Henna, you are helping your scalp get some much-needed pampering. Research has shown that by turning to henna it will help eliminate split ends.

This organic and 100% plant-based colour is almost a semi-permanent colour, it will give a soft shade and tone to white hair, without lifting the natural base colour. The white hair, coated in henna pigment, will give subtle movement to your colour and a delicious depth without lifting the natural base colour.

The end result is micro lights. This toner works wonders on ladies gracefully going grey but desire a three-dimensional vibrant look. A 100% plant-based pigment that adds colour to the shaft of each hair, so that the hair also feels fuller. Rather than a bleach-based colour that strips and thins your hair.

We firmly believe you cannot recreate a beautiful salon colour from home so have researched the kindest ingredients that a salon can offer clients. Wellbeing, hair health has led to the new Henna Hair.

Time to upgrade your colour? Now all blondes and brunettes wanting something extra-ordinary whilst caring for their hair in equal measure can lavish their locks in Luxury Brunette. Ever the advocate for strong healthy hair, Colour Director Seniz Alkan is proud of her Luxury Brunette exclusive to Neville Hair and Beauty. “Luxury Brunette” is a culmination of many details says Alkan.

This is a colour that cannot be achieved through at home box colour due to the multitude of deep luscious layers that are placed throughout the hair. This hair shimmers and glimmers in natural light, the end result is multi-dimensional with depth. Luxury locks.

Seniz explains, "We’re moving away from the flat one tone all over, which can be achieved by anyone and instead focusing on multiple shades to achieve dimension by intermixing different tones and creating custom blends that will best suit your facial features and skin tone."

After an in-depth consultation during which Alkan will ask you what are the deepest and lightest shades you would like to see in your hair, Seniz will use her expert know how to place the shades in a way that will enhance your hairstyle . The finishing touch is a gloss treatment which is an essential component of the Luxury Brunette. Unlike standard colour, the Luxury Brunette is high shine and the finish must reflect the light to give it that expensive touch.

Neville Hair and Beauty’s belief that it is their responsibility to give their clients something you cannot achieve at home - making this colour more desirable and luxe. It’s a very detailed method but low maintenance in the long run, this aspect makes it even more appealing.

Luxury Brunette is the answer to shedding the old colour and treating yourself and your hair to something special.

Luxury Brunette is a favourite of Lisa Snowdon.

The Perm will you – won’t you?! The Perm has had a colourful history some good moments, some not so good. Neville Hair and Beauty, eponymous London salon is championing the return of the perm, with their unique tonged approach.

Making a massive move away from the static, uniform corkscrew and celebrating how haircare has improved tenfold since then. Plus, our perspective has changed; while we once thought the '80s was the one decade that would never be revisited, it's enjoying a renaissance across all fields, from fashion and beauty to music and film.

Perms conquered the hearts of many women around the world and now with the increasing popularity of textured hair, we are seeing the perm make a comeback.

With perm fan celebrities such as Rita Ora, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and the return of Sex and the city’s famed Sarah Jessica Parker, we are not surprised to see women move away from slick hair and endorse volume and shape.

The Tong Perm has all the benefits of a natural perm but without the chemical damage. The Tong Perm is easily achieved for a specific event without having to commit long term. So, there is the perfect excuse to Perm even it its just for a day!

When it comes to the perm, the haircut is very important. For maximum effect, round layering works best to get the wispy curls at the front. Depending on how tight you would like the curls, the Neville Stylists use a small barrel tong. It’s very important to start the curl at the root for maximum volume. When starting to curl the hair, sectioning is important to ensure the curls are angled towards the face as opposed to away from the face like you would a regular blowdry. Neville’s have also replaced the chemical perm lotion with blowdry lotion and mousse to avoid any heat damage.

The other thing to note is that the Tong Perm grows out beautifully. The curls tend to drop slightly within a week, so rather than that poker straight roots and super curly ends look, the grow-out would be more natural and wavier than extreme. So, you almost get two hairstyles in one Tong!

To boot, Neville Hair and Beauty is continuously thriving to move away from any products that cause breakage to the hair. So this perm wont damage!

Neville Hair and Beauty introduces the Halo Face Framing technique by Seniz Alkan.

Like a work of art Seniz’s creative hands can frame the face with a new method using the finest of lights that she places around the hairline. When everything feels flat and monotone in the winter months this arty technique can lift you and your hair and just lightens the skin tone a notch, so you get that winter sun kissed or ski kissed glow!

To make sure this look is clean as it its fresh, Seniz slightly back combs so it isn't close to the roots to give a more organic look where the hairline melts so its mellow to the eye. Who wears its best - the likes of Jennifer Lopez can carry it off well and a cool surfer!

Focusing on the ‘framework’ of hair around the face gives that lift and touch of lightness that has a more youthful fresh feel, giving that ‘halo’ sun kissed effect. Seniz explains “ The key here is blending, with no harsh lines. The colours are bright, clean, and not yellow – creating beautiful golden tones and lots of fresh white. Gone are the days of broken overlapped highlights.”

Armed with a tinting brush so the colour Seniz sets to work she can also adjust the foils so if you desire you get a chunkier frame to the face. This look is low maintenance and grows out far better than ever before, meaning healthier hair, only touching up the roots and no bleaching of the ends.

It’s a win win colour technique only to be found at Neville Hair and Beauty created by Seniz.

Identifying your curl shape and pattern is a vital component to learning how to look after your hair.

Did you know that there are four predominant curl types? The hair categories are 1, 2, 3 and 4, which are the curl patterns. 1 is straight, 2 is wavy, 3 is a curl and 4 is a coil patterned curl. There are then letters A, B, C which relate to the amount of frizz, A being the least frizzy and C the most. So, someone with straight but frizzy hair would be a 1C. It’s important to know that the frizzier the hair the less it absorbs moisture which is what will help determine the products you need to use for your hair type.

Identifying your hair type correctly will ensure you provide it with the adequate nourishment.

In this instance, curly hair requires different care to straighter hair types as it is more prone and sensitive to breakage. Due to the pattern that curly hair has it requires more hydration and nourishment as the natural oils stay predominantly on the top of the head. Natural oils are there to protect both scalp and hair but with curly hair, the oils struggle to reach mid lengths and ends, which is why we always advise people with curly hair to have regular in salon treatments to ensure hair stays healthy.

Coily hair types tend to be drier than a regular curl, which can then result in the hair being tangled more easily, which is why it’s important to detangle and elongate that type of hair.

So how to treat your hair according to your curl type?

3A - is a curl which is not very frizzy, generally easy to manage and needs hydration. Can be straightened with a round brush and will generally stay straight without humidity or water exposure. This type of hair is not overly susceptible to heat damage. The best style for this hair is to wear it in its natural form when the curls are defined with a serum, well-conditioned and also heat protected when heat is applied.

3B - 3B is not dissimilar to 3A - the curls are the same but there is a little more frizz, and might need more product to keep the hair hydrated such as Keracare thermal wonder collection to keep the hair straight and hydrated. This type of curl suits both defined curls and straighter styles using a round brush. I would finish off the style with a straightener to seal the moisture and keep the hair straight for longer.

3D - this hair can be styled straight and curly equally. It might need a pre -conditioner to hydrate the hair so that it is ready for thermal styling when wearing straight. ( such as Keracare thermal wonder collection). When worn curly - the hair might need support by wearing it in a twist (twisting the hair when damp (and applying define & curl by Keracare, and a leave in conditioner to hydrate and set the curl pattern), and then letting it out when dry) - this would help support the hair.

* for type 3 hair, we would suggest straightening with a round brush followed by a straightener to seal the cuticle straight.

4A - This is a zigzag hair pattern with minimal additional frizz; however, because the hair has high shrinkage, you would also want to apply moisture when elongating and styling the hair. Ideally one would wear this type of hair in its natural state - deep conditioning is always important - keeping the hair PH balance at a nice medium, rotating it between a hydrating and a protein treatment to keep the strength and moisture levels up.

4B - this hair is zig zag and coil patterned; but slightly more resistant (meaning it doesn’t absorb moisture as well). The easiest way to wear this hair is in its natural state, keeping it as hydrated as possible and this hair is in its best condition when minimising thermal styling.

4C - This hair type is zig zag and coil patterned; and frizzy. We want to retain moisture and the best way to do so it is by wearing it in a twisted form to lock in moisture. We recommend little thermal styling and bantu knots.

*for type 4 hair we would use a fork rake to straighten followed by a straightener.

Tips and tricks to help care for your curly hair

• Wearing a silk Turban can help protect your hair from daily aggressors such as humidity, bad weather, and heat. Wearing your turban can also prevent frizzy hair.
• Sleep on a Silk or bamboo pillowcase to reduce friction during the night. Excessive friction can create knots and damage to the hair in addition to unwanted frizz.
• Wear a Silk scrunchie over any other kind as it is kinder to the hair and will not cause any breakage or damage to the hair cuticle.
• Brush your hair before you wash it to detangle it as this will prevent breakage as brushing your hair in the shower actually damages it.
• When in the shower wash your hair using a curly hair shampoo and a curl enhancing conditioner. We recommend combing the hair with a wide tooth comb whilst the conditioner is on. Make sure to rinse abundantly to ensure no product is left which could cause greasy hair.
• I always recommend my clients use Redken one united multi-benefit treatment that delivers 25 benefits to improve manageability, protection and beauty. The spray works to reduce dryness and enhance the properties of other products for a nourished result.