Flyaways ruining your sleek finish? Here’s how to smooth them

Few things are more irritating than perfecting your blow-dry, only for a halo of tiny hairs to spring up around your parting. And while a little texture is lovely, sometimes you want your hair to look smooth, glossy and put together.

The secret? A few tweaks to your routine and a light touch with your styling products. Here’s our stylist-approved tips for how to get those wayward strands under control.

Get to know your flyaways

Before reaching for a serum, consider what you’re trying to smooth. Flyaways can be new hairs growing through, strands that have snapped or hairs lifting because of static.

That means they don’t all need the same approach. New growth needs gentle styling, while breakage calls for a closer look at how you handle your hair.

Start smoothing in the shower

A good conditioner makes hair easier to manage, so give your lengths and ends some attention when you wash. If they feel particularly dry, bring a conditioning mask into your routine.

Choose a formula that suits your texture: lightweight conditioning for fine hair, something richer for thicker strands. Too much product can leave hair looking flat before you’ve even picked up the dryer.

Rethink the towel rub

That vigorous towel-dry might save a few seconds, but the friction can rough up your style before it’s begun.

Gently squeeze out excess water with a soft towel, microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt instead. Then ease out tangles from the ends upwards, taking your time with any knots.

Give your blow-dry some direction

For a smoother finish, direct the airflow down your hair towards the ends. A nozzle attachment helps keep it focused, rather than blowing strands in every direction.

Apply heat protectant first, keep the dryer moving and avoid repeatedly heating sections that are already dry. More heat isn’t the shortcut to a better blow-dry.

Make your finishing product work harder

A little serum or smoothing cream can make a big difference. Start with a tiny amount, spread it between your palms and lightly skim over the surface of your hair.

Keep richer products mainly on the lengths and ends, especially if your roots get oily easily.

For those stubborn little hairs around your parting, apply a small amount of hairspray to a clean spoolie or styling brush, then gently sweep them into place. It gives you more control than another all-over blast of spray.

Take the tension out of your ponytail

A sleek ponytail is always tempting on a busy morning, but repeatedly pulling it tight can contribute to breakage.

Use a soft, snag-free hair tie, vary its position and resist the urge to tug harder just to catch every last strand. A few soft hairs around your face can be part of the look.

Book a trim with a purpose

If your ends are damaged, a trim can help your hair look neater. But cutting won’t solve static, and those little hairs may simply be new growth. Ask your stylist to help you work out what’s going on, then choose a cut and home routine that suit your hair.

Ready for a smoother finish? Book an appointment at Pankhurst & Deane for styling advice tailored to your texture, your routine and the look you love.

How to look after long hair

Trying to grow your hair or simply maintain your already long locks? Read on... 

Maintain a regular haircare routine

The longer your hair, the more it gets damaged by the heat, styling and sun damage. Invest in a weekly hair mask. Treat yourself out to get a hair spa treatment with us once a month, too. 

Don’t blowdry wet hair

Towel dry hair thoroughly and let it semi air dry before you apply heat. Also, invest in a microfibre towel, which is gentler on the hair. Then add moisture with hair serum and heat protectant. 

Buy paraben-free products

Alcohol-laden hair sprays and products with parabens damage the hair. Remember, the longer your hair the more nourishment your ends need!

Have regular trims

Regular trims are vital when you have long hair to keep it healthy and strong.

Avoid plastic hair brushes

Instead opt for a ceramic or wooden bristle brush. It’s less harsh on your scalp and also makes sure the natural oils get evenly distributed through the hair. 

Your hair questions answered - by the experts

Always wanted to know what happens if you pluck a grey hair out? What about if washing hair in beer is a good idea? We answer some of the most common hair care questions….

Q: Can apple cider vinegar make hair shinier?

In a word, yes! Try working about 5ml of apple cider vinegar into your hair and leave for roughly five minutes before rinsing with cold water. This leaves your hair shiny and less frizzy because the apple vinegar lowers the PH scale on your scalp, redressing the balance. It also closes and smoothes the hair cuticles to retain nutrients and moisture. Note: if you have dry hair, don’t do this too often, but if you have oily hair, do it frequently to help with build up.

Q: If you pluck a grey hair, will 10 grow back in its place?

You’ll be pleased to know that this is a complete myth and your grey hair will not grow back. If a single strand annoys you, just cut it as near to the root as possible as plucking it will only cause stress to the follicle, and if it gets infected you could cause hair loss in that area which is the last thing you want!

Q: Does washing your hair in beer help make it healthy?

There is no clinical evidence that this is true, but some say that Guinness, because of all the B vitamins and antioxidants it contains, can add shine to hair.

Q: Will brushing 100 times a day keep hair healthy?

No, brushing your hair that many times a day will actually do some damage through all the friction, especially if you have fine, brittle hair or if you do it when it’s wet. However, a few gentle brush strokes daily with a natural bristle brush on dry hair can stimulate scalp circulation, and help to distribute natural oils from roots to tips.

How to get shiny hair - three natural hair masks you can make at home with these everyday foods

Do you want to know how to get glossy hair?

A shine-enhancing hair mask, either in our salon before a cut (ask your stylist about treatments), or a DIY one at home is a great haircare habit to get into for that ultimate shine.

Read on to find out about three hair masks you can make with everyday fridge ingredients.

Avocado hair mask

Avocados contain natural oils that are hydrating for dry hair, so using the fruit in a mask is a great way to add shine. It’s also full of vitamins that are nourishing to the scalp and can help hair look healthier.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Mash an avocado until smooth. You can also use a blender to process it.

  2. Wet your hair then spread the avocado from your roots to your tips.

  3. Leave it in your hair for at least 15 minutes.

  4. Shampoo your hair as normal then rinse with cold water.

Egg mask

It may sound strange, but an egg can do wonders for your hair. This is because the yolk nourishes your hair by adding moisture. The white part of the egg also helps remove any build-up, and because eggs are full of protein, they are really strengthening - resulting in lovely, shiny hair.

Here's how to do it:

  1. Beat one egg in a small bowl.

  2. Wet your hair.

  3. Pour the egg over your head. Use a wide-tooth comb to comb it to the tips of your hair.

  4. Leave it in the hair for at least 15 minutes.

  5. Shampoo as normal, then rinse with cold water for maximum shine.

Apple cider vinegar mask

Apple cider vinegar is an amazing natural conditioner and gloss booster, which works by balancing the hair’s pH level, removing product build-up and leaving hair super soft.

And don’t worry because once your hair dries, it won’t smell like vinegar.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Shampoo your hair as usual, but don’t use any conditioner.

  2. Pour a mixture of 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon water over your head. Comb it through to your tips. Very long hair may require two to three tablespoons.

  3. Leave it in for five minutes, then rinse your hair with cold water.