Favourites: hair

Another Google doc!

Hi, I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. A heartfelt thank you for the support so far; I really love Substack. When I scroll TikTok I feel cognitively fried, but when I scroll here I feel inspired. It’s a nice change.

As I promised weeks ago, this issue is dedicated to hair: products, tips, tricks, steps, everything I’ve learned thus far in the category. It’s obviously narrow in terms of recommendations (as in, restricted to my hair type), but I hope you enjoy/discover something. Tell me about your holy grails as well in the comments, please…

If you want to skip to the good stuff, you’ll find all my favourite things here: HAIRCARE GOOGLE DOC

a teaser

I have the same doc for skincare, see HERE.

Background

I have short, fine hair. A chin length ‘lob’ that was established eight years ago, when I went to meet with a London stylist (Michael Van Clarke) visiting Sydney, who ended up chopping my long hair mid-interview. I have maintained the length since, but always with my long-time stylist Anthony Nader, who I believe does the best cut in Sydney.

Cut…

Short hair is hard because it can quickly go from cool to uncool. An inch can shift the entire vibe. If anything, I fear short cuts require more maintenance because they loose their shape in a matter of weeks. But I’m committed to the cause.

My go-to shape is a blunt bob with no layers, no bangs. I actually think my hair looks fuller the shorter it is (but we don’t go above my jaw line because I have a round face, I don’t want to look even rounder). I tried bangs once and loved the look but they were way too difficult to style.

I always look at Lara Worthington and Kaia Gerber for cut inspiration, Pinterest and the runway. My styling muse is forever Taylor LaShae. Her hair is unbelievable. I think she is the short hair equivalent of the Olsen twins where it never looks ‘done’, just naturally perfect.

Anthony calls my shape a slob — here is a little explainer if you ever want to ask for a similar shape:

rawanthonynader

A post shared by @rawanthonynader

On that note, I have a Substack with all my other Sydney beauty spots, see HERE

Colour…

Over the years I’ve had red hair, dark brown hair, DIY highlights, Lily Aldridge-inspired ombre. But I quit dyeing it nine years ago, best decision OF MY LIFE. So much time and money saved. I actually think a lot of us would have an easier life if we embraced our natural colour (it doesn’t fade, turn brassy, you can use any hotel shampoo, swim without anxiety). The only downside is that my hair is much more fine and soft uncoloured, it’s floppy and needs a lot of product to give it grit. I am going a little grey , but such is life.

Hair concerns…

My main concerns are thinness, and I’ve had a lot of trouble with hair loss all over my head and around my hairline. I’ve tried acupuncture, herbs, derma-rolling my scalp, Nioxin, bloodwork… it’s always been reduced to hormones and stress. My acupuncturist refers to my follicles as ‘weak’ —fair call. I’ve never tried minoxidil but kind of want to, if anyone has experience? I’m skeptical of hair loss supplements without a professional opinion but if something has worked for you please let me know.

My hair/scalp is really oily. Sometimes I get a flaky scalp, as well.

Care (I don’t use conditioner)

Naughty but I wash my hair almost daily. I am reeeaaaally trying to stretch it out to 4/5 times per week. I use shampoo, and only condition it occasionally. Once a week I’ll do a scalp scrub to dissolve all the product etc. On the same day, I might also wear a hair mask (I usually do this when I go to hot yoga). When I have time or feel like a treat, I’ll oil my scalp, where I massage it all in, leave it for a bit and then shampoo out. It’s amazing before a day of swimming, too. So good.

I use combs pretty much exclusively, and try not to sleep with it wet. My hair is usually too short to tie back so I use these big headbands I got on Amazon when I wash my face.

Styling + Air Drying

Okay, so I either dry my hair with heat, or without. It’s nothing impressive or revolutionary but here is a typical step-by-step for each:

HEAT

1. Soak up water with a microfibre towel (Crown Affair is my favourite one)

2. Add some product; all linked on the doc

3. Blast dry with my Dyson Supersonic/any dryer

4. I’ll either use my AirWrap barrel/Remington hot brush for a smooth, waspy blow out, OR I will use my trusty GHD—is it just me or are those things built to last, like a Nokia 3315—to add a bend or a kink. Two wrist movements for vastly different looks.

A BEND -

A KINK -

russhmagazine

A post shared by @russhmagazine

AIRWRAP -

AIR DRY

I actually like my hair more when I take the time to air dry it properly (thank you Dianna Cohen for teaching and inspiring this method). This video explains it better than I ever could, but it’s important to follow all the steps.

1. Scrunch excess moisture

2. Apply the right products. If you asked me for my favourites I would say Oribe Mousse, Davines Replumping Serum)

3. Scrunch them in, twist the front and clip

4. Wait until completely dry to tousle it out, apply Oribe Dry Texture Spray

@emilyalgar1My lifes work - the perfect air dry cc @MECCA @@Crown Affair@@Oribe @randco##airdry##airdrymethod##shorthairstyle

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PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

I thought I’d include some makeup to break up all the hair. I repurchased my Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist this morning, so I feel it’s fitting. It’s like spray-on moisture. I use it all the time, and not just on makeup but bare skin, or to make me look hydrated if I feel dry. It’s also such a good alternative if you don’t want to swipe on highlighter but prefer all-over juicy skin. Worth the $.

Next week will not be all about me, I promise <3

I have a profile in the mix, and I’ve decided to revisit some thoughts/notes on post-pill acne, inspired by an email I received the other day from a stranger in the thick of it. I am also off to Tokyo next week, so will wrap that up from a beauty perspective.

Have a beautiful weekend x