Triona McCarthy: A French bob suits everyone from Anna Wintour to Betty Boop – here’s how I keep mine in shape
Now sporting a fab new hairstyle, our beauty columnist shares some of the best new hair products around.
I’m all about embracing change and believe in the transformative power of changing your hairstyle. I am also impulsive, so I decided to get my hair cut backstage before the recent VIP Style Awards, even though I’d never met my stylist, Darragh from Platinum Expert Hair, before.
I told her to go ahead and give me a French bob and was thrilled with the result. I’m loving my new style, which is a real classic anyone can wear, as it looks great on everyone from Betty Boop to Anna Wintour.
To keep it looking in tip-top condition, I use Champo Pitta Volumising Shampoo (€12, via brownthomas.com). What I love is that it’s formulated for fine hair like mine that may be experiencing thinning or loss. It leaves it looking and feeling fuller, thicker and stronger from roots to ends, and over time, it helps to reduce hair loss by protecting it from breakage.
I am currently trying the new John Frieda ProFiller+ Conditioner (€10.99, from pharmacies nationwide), which gives fine, flat hair an instant thickening boost to plump and boost it by 200pc. The range also contains a shampoo and thickening spray, and both are formulated with biotin to provide hair strength, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and care for hair.
Now that it’s shorter, my locks are so easy to style with the Dyson Airstrait (€499.99, via dyson.ie). What I love is that it straightens my hair from wet to dry with air — it doesn’t have hot plates so there’s no heat damage. The directional airflow smooths my hair to give me a polished look with reduced frizz and flyaways.
Brushing is the best way to stimulate blood microcirculation in the scalp and remove pollution particles and residue from the hair. When it comes to brushes, Parisian brand La Bonne Brosse has gained cult status in France and I’m very excited that it has launched exclusively here at Harvey Nichols. There are four different models (from €110.23, via harveynichols.com) and all are carefully crafted to revitalise tired hair and care for the scalp.
Another new brand addition that I’m already loving is Color Wow Money Mist (€32.95, via colorwowhair.ie), a light, leave-in conditioner that leaves you with glossy, expensive-looking hair. It provides deep hydration and helps prevent hair breakage, and it contains marine botanicals such as blue sea kale, kelp and red algae.
Read more
And for a classy finishing touch, I love to use Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume (€38, via brownthomas.com). It’s a delicate hair perfume that leaves behind an irresistible trail of Gisou’s signature fragrance, Mirsalehi honey, and also nourishes hair and adds shine. My new bob deserves nothing less!
Three of the best… summer scents
1 Charlotte Tilbury Calm Bliss, €150, via charlottetilbury.com
Her makeup and skincare are blockbusters, so of course Charlotte Tilbury is taking over fragrance with her Collection of Emotions range, where it’s all about neuroscience. There’s a scent for everyone among the six: this one, Calm Bliss, is “serenity in a bottle” with fresh bergamot oil, sweet neroli oil and relaxing lavandin oil.
2 Chanel Comète, €230, via brownthomas.com
This new star in the Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection, Comète, is intensely floral and luminous. I love its rich, powdery and sophisticated scent, which is hard to find these days when sweetness rules the scent world.
3 Maison Margiela From the Garden, €73, via brownthomas.com
When creating this uplifting fragrance, perfumer Olivier Cresp was inspired by memories of spending time in his childhood garden with his father and taking in the plants’ scent. So fresh and so clean, as the song goes!
Read more
Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel
Stay up to date with all the latest news