There’s seemingly a new hair trend out every week, and it can be difficult to keep up all the terms. Here'sa definitive A-Z jargon buster guide to hair...
ARGAN OIL
Cited as “liquid gold” for skin, hair and nails, the rare argan oil is extracted from the seeds of the argan tree’s fruit, which grows only in a small area of the south-west region of Morocco. The extraction process is very labour-intensive, hence the expensive price tag, but there are lots of benefits for hair, especially if it’s dry or damaged. It moisturises, softens and protects hair without leaving greasy build-up, as well as helping growth. Celebrity fans include Kim Kardashian, Eva Mendes and Madonna.
BALAYAGE
Literally translated, balayage means to sweep or paint, meaning a sun-kissed, natural-looking hair colour that is applied freehand with no foils. It can be totally bespoke as a good balayage expert can tailor colours and highlights to suit every unique skin tone. It’s suitable for most shades and lengths, apart from very cropped hair. It’s a timeless way of colouring your hair that is low maintenance, so definitely worth investing in. Just make sure you go to a good salon that is experienced in balayage, and definitely don’t try it at home. A-list balayage fans include Rihanna and Olivia Palermo.
COCONUT OIL
First it was coconut water, but now coconut oil is the latest craze developing from this exotic fruit. Coconut oil helps reduce protein loss in damaged hair as well as locking in moisture without the use of petroleum-based ingredients or other chemicals. This fruity oil is a cheaper alternative to argan oil and possesses many of the same properties, as well as having that just-been-on-holiday scent. Celebrity fans include Lauren Conrad, Miranda Kerr and the Olsen twins.
DERMABRASION (for the scalp)
In salons abroad you can try a dermabrasion service that is designed to regenerate the scalp skin surface and reduce hair loss. The treatment removes excess oil that builds up around the hair follicles, helping to restore the scalp to its optimum condition.
ECAILLE
Also called “tortoiseshell”, this is a new version of balayage using a dark, rich caramel colour as well as sunkissed highlights, for a soft, multi-tonal look without any harsh lines. Fans include Jessica Biel and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
FACIAL (for the hair)
Industry experts recommend getting a hacial – or hair facial – a few times a year. Aveda have a Healthy Hair Service whereby specialists use a camera to magnify the scalp to 600 percent to analyse hair density and the scalp’s oil levels. They then analyse the results and create a bespoke programme for your hair, which promises to leave it glossy from root to tip.
GLAZE
This is a new colour treatment in which mild, ammonia-free shades are applied after highlights to provide the ultimate shine boost. The semi-permanent glazes can give you amazing results as opposed to the lacklustre sprays and serums on the shelves. The glazes can come in sheer or colour. Glazes are a good way of introducing colour to newbies who want to add subtle shine to their original shade. Celebrity fans include Blake Lively and Victoria Beckham.
HALO BRAID
This style – as showcased by Emily Blunt and Anna Kendrick on the red carpet for the Golden Globes – is the latest romantic trend. It involves wearing a braid wrapped around the top of the head – and apparently is easier to do than it looks.
IONIC DRYER
An ionic system releases a stream of balancing ions to eliminate static and frizz, and enhance the hair condition to give a smooth, shiny finish. These are generally infused in the dryer’s airflow, transforming the water molecules in damp hair into smaller micro-droplets which are easier and faster to dry – therefore hair is subjected to heat for less time, so it stays healthy.
JOJOBA OIL
Jojoba oil, commonly used in various skin and haircare products, is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant. It’s especially good for moisturising the scalp and preventing dry skin or dandruff. This makes it suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Kerastase’s Aqua-Oléum range – extreme nourishing care for dry, sensitised hair – features jojoba and avocado oils.
KERATIN
Keratin is the protein your hair is made up of. There have been many products cropping up on the market, but what do they actually do? Keratin treatments provide semi-permanent hair straightening that can soften curls, as opposed to flattening them out completely. The natural volume of the hair is maintained and the end result is much silkier, smoother and easier-to-manage than before.
LOB (and WOB and POB)
So we know they are all different variations on the classic bob style, but which one is which? “Lob” is the long bob, which is extremely versatile to style. Celebrity fans include Taylor Swift, Emma Roberts and Alexa Chung. “Wob” is a wavy bob, conventionally cut to chin length but with extra bounce and volume. This style has been seen on Jennifer Lawrence and Beyoncé. Finally, “pob” will always be the iconic bob worn by Posh Spice herself, Victoria Beckham. It is similar to a regular bob but with asymmetrical sides that finish just below the jawline.
MOROCCAN OIL
The original argan oil treatment for hair contains Moroccan oil with other high-performance ingredients, to create an instantly absorbable, non-greasy formula that leaves hair smooth, conditioned and manageable.
NO POO
The no shampoo movement involves using only water or natural substitutes instead of shampoo to cleanse the hair. According to one writer who went shampoo-free for six years, her tresses ended up looking better than ever.
OMBRÉ
This is now a classic colouring technique and describes the gradual blending of one colour to another, usually moving tints and shades from light to dark.
PERFUME
Yes, they now make scent for hair. Online site Hairtrade.com says its Label.m one is flying off the shelves. The fragrance features citrus blossom, white florals and rich woods. It’s also infused with argan oil to nourish follicles and add light protective shine to the hair. The non-drying hair fragrance is a weightless spray, suitable for all hair types.
QUIFF
Miley Cyrus and Carey Mulligan have been seen with quiffs this year. A daring short haircut can be left longer on top and worn in a feminine way like Carey, who keeps her hair colour natural and her style elegant, or like Miley – punky, bleached and bold.
ROLLERS
Celebrity stylist Darrell Redleaf, who has worked with Britney Spears, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz, told the Huffington Post that rollers are back. “I’m seeing a trend of hot rollers returning, where women and girls are setting their hair in them and brushing it out so it has more volume, and a natural kind of structure, that’s less busy, less complicated and less messy. People want to look a little more styled – there’s more polish happening.”
SOMBRÉ
Sombré stands for subtle ombré with softer transition, championed by celebrities like Cara Delevingne and Jessica Alba. Lighter sections start up a bit higher and the lower lengths have some dark colour through them for a more gradual colour fade.
TOWEL DRYING
You may be in a rush, but all hairdressers emphasise the importance of avoiding towel drying – or at least doing it properly. “When drying, avoid rubbing with towels as this creates friction and can damage the cuticles, leaving hair dull and lifeless. Blot dry instead to prevent damage,” says Issie Churcher. Dabbing your hair with a towel, followed by a quick squeeze to get rid of excess water, is the way to go.
UNDERCUT
Undercut, in hair terms, means getting your hair cut very short – or even shaved – at the side(s) or underneath, with the rest of it worn significantly longer. Rihanna has sported an undercut, as have Ellie Goulding and Skrillex.
VOLUMISING
From backcombing brushes to powder volumisers, everyone’s after products to make your hair more volumised. Big, beachy hair is back.
WEFTS
Wefts are hair extension alternatives that give great-looking long locks at the fraction of the price. They can be applied by many methods, such as sew in, cold bonding glue in, micro link in, clip in and much more. As it is real human hair, you can style it any way you like.
X-PRESION
X-Presion hair studio in Spain came up with a colouring technique which made huge waves on social media through the hashtag #XPRESIONPIXEL. Pixelated hair, as the name suggests, involves having pixel style graphics coloured on to your locks. Square blocks of colour are soaked into the hair, before being blended and cascaded into one another to create the graphic effect. The colouring technique can either be subtle, using tones similar to your natural hair colour, or much more daring, using clashing neon shades.
YOGHURT
Yoghurt contains high levels of lactic acid, which is beneficial to the hair and scalp. Using it on hair dates back to ancient India and even Cleopatra – and it’s having a revival in 2015. It supposedly accelerates slow-growing hair, and the protein content provides ample strength and nourishment. Zinc and lactic acid properties help stimulate blood circulation, which aids growth. Apply to scalp for 15 minutes while in the shower to relieve an itchy scalp. The active cultures help combat dandruff in the process.
ZINC
As well as yoghurt, you can top up your zinc by eating oysters. A lack of zinc can lead to hair loss (even in your eyelashes) as well as a dry, flaky scalp. In addition to being well above your RDA of zinc, oysters are high in protein. As hair is about 97 percent protein, when you don’t eat enough, the hairs your body produces to replace the ones you shed can be dry, brittle or weak. If you don’t like oysters, you can get zinc from nuts, beef and eggs.
Daily Mail