It can be a tricky decision choosing between a short or long hair style. Your face shape, the texture of your hair and your lifestyle are all important factors when considering the best hair length for you. Here at David & David we take pride in working with each and every client to ensure that whatever length of hair you choose, we create a unique style which works for you. We treat each and every client as an individual and take time to listen to your wishes so that you bounce out of the salon feeling utterly fabulous every single time.

Are you debating about cutting your long hair and finally committing to a shorter hair style? Do you have short hair but are considering growing it out? This blog post is for you!

The Pros and Cons of Long Hair

Lots of our clients have long hair and have done so for many years. It’s a seemingly easy option, and many people with long hair  enjoy low maintenance and the fact that it is versatile enough to enable them to create different looks depending on their day. However, looking at the pros and cons of a long hairstyle is important when considering whether to keep the long hair you’ve loved for years or not…

THE Pros of long hair

• Lower maintenance. You can simply throw it up in a bun and you’re set for the day
• Less frequent hair cuts (also see ‘cons’)
• You can choose to wear it in plaits, buns, topknots, waves, curls, poker straight… the options are endless and can be adapted to suit your mood
• Long hair can be easily changed and updated with colouring or the addition of a fringe/layers
• Longer styles always seem to be on trend and have never really gone out of fashion
• Whether you’re male, female, old or young, long hair can suit anyone and celebrates your individuality

THE Cons of Long Hair

• Long hair can look straggly and unkempt if you don’t keep up regular trims
• You will need to use more shampoo and conditioner than with shorter styles
• It takes longer to blow dry long hair which can cause heat damage
• It can shed if not looked after properly, blocking your sink and filling your brush
• Split ends!
• Long hair can look outdated or messy if you don’t look after it properly

The Pros and Cons of Short Hair

Short hair can make a style statement and beautifully frame the face, giving you a feeling of empowerment and freedom. Short hair styles are supremely versatile and ‘short hair’ doesn’t just have to mean a short pixie crop; bobs, shoulder-length dos, lobs and textured shorter hair styles can all come under the banner of ‘short hair’ and can work beautifully on all manner of face shapes.

THE Pros of Short hair

• Short hair usually looks in better condition as it has regular cuts to keep the shape and style
• Those with short hair find that it is quicker to wash and style, taking less time in the mornings to look ‘made’
• Shorter hair can look more stylish and modern
• Short hair isn’t weighed down like long hair can sometimes be, so shorter styles can look fuller and more voluminous
• Less hair = less products! Short styles require less shampoo and conditioner so are kinder on the pocket
• Cutting off significant length from your hair can remove damage previously caused by heat/colour and give you a fresh new canvas to ‘start again’
• Shorter hair styles are often easier to manage if you are sporty, active or work in an industrial environment. Shorter dos are also cooler in summer!
• Short hair looks good on curly, wavy or straight hair and can work on any hair type

THE CONS of Short hair

• You actually have to style it in the morning as opposed to just tossing it up in a ponytail
• More frequent trims are needed to keep your style looking sharp
• Although you’ll use less shampoo, you may need to wash it more often to stop oil and product build-up
• Once you’ve plucked up the courage for that big chop, there’s no going back! Short hairstyles take a while to grow out so be sure before you make the decision to go short
• Short hair means limited styling options – no long braids, long-pony, big top knot or curls if your hair is really short

Should I Cut My Curly Hair Short?

Curly hair can look amazing in a shorter style, especially if the cut is done right. Cutting curly hair will not make it curlier, but could help enhance your natural curl pattern. Whilst it’s true that cutting your curls can make them appear bouncier and springier, your final results will still come down to your unique curl type and how your hair is cut.

If you’re a follower of David & David Hair Salon, you’ll know that we are the South West curly hair specialists and clients come to us from miles around to benefit from our curly hair expertise. Many curly clients ask us whether cutting their hair short will help their curls to bounce and give their curly hair more shape. It takes a skilled hairdresser to successfully cut layers or other haircuts in curly hair. When we cut curls, each curl is cut individually and normally at an angle so as to not disrupt the curl pattern. If choosing a short curly cut, before you take the plunge be sure that your hair stylist knows the curly girl hair method and that they are able to cut the curls where they naturally sit to ensure a beautiful end result.

Unlike straight-haired clients who may visit the salon every 4-6 weeks, the slow-growing nature of curly hair means that curly clients usually only need to visit the salon 2-4 times per year and so a shorter haircut might be a great option for curly haired clients looking for a style update.

Which Length hairstyle Works for Me?

So now we have looked at the pros and cons of short and long hair, how do you decide which style works best for you?  A shaggy medium length bob (see image above) can work wonders for those who like the flexibility of long hair but want a modern update, whilst a striking pixie crop can really define your features and give you a new zest for life. Boho babes who love the soft romantic look can opt for long tresses, whilst gents looking for a statement style can grow their hair out and celebrate their mane. But what else should you consider before choosing the perfect hair length for you?

• Face Shape

  Certain haircuts are more flattering on certain face shapes so it’s essential to identify which one is right for you before you commit to a new length.  Every face shape is beautiful, and you want to determine what hairstyle might suit your face shape so that you can flaunt your best features. For example, layers have the advantage of adding height and volume to your facial shape which can be flattering, especially on people who have prominent cheekbones. Chat to your stylist to discuss what style might work best for you and your face shape.

• Hair Type

  Your hair type plays a major role in how long or short to wear your hair. Those with fine hair can really pull of a sleek bob with the addition of layers and slight, piecey waves to add some oomph. Cropped pixie cuts also work well for fine hair, add a fringe for extra face framing. Those with thick wavy hair will look incredible with a mid-length textured bob – the natural wave will add movement and make it look fuller and healthier. Tight Afro curls can look amazingly striking if cropped short, whilst fringed bobs can also celebrate Afro curls beautifully.

•  LIfestyle and Personality

  If you’re a busy parent with not much time for styling, then choosing a short hairstyle might mean less drying time. You can use texturing products to help you to look ‘finished’ without the need for blow drying so it saves you time in the morning rush! Others find that the ease of a messy ‘mum bun’ is all they have time for in the morning, it really depends on the individual, the style, and type of hair. Sometimes, all you need is a certain personality to flaunt a certain hairstyle. Pick a hairstyle that works well with your persona. You will be surprised how well you can pull off a look that you never thought of sporting and how it gives you a new confidence.

Whichever hairstyle you choose, long or short, make sure that you choose a salon with stylists that you trust. Here at David & David Hair Salon in Plymouth the incredibly talented team of stylists are passionate, creative and take pride in their craft. Making clients look and feel fabulous is what drives us, no matter what style you choose!

Get in touch today and let us transform you and your hair – you won’t regret it.

8 Summer Hair care tips

This hot weather is amazing for those who love feeling the warmth of the sun on their faces and the mood-boosting effects of long, hot summer days. However, just as the sun can damage your skin, your hair is also at risk of being harmed when temperatures soar. Here are our top summer hair care tips about how to avoid heat damage in the sun. Your hair needs this!

How to Avoid Sun Hair Damage

The sun’s heat and the effect of UV rays can damage the outer cuticle of the hair, leaving it frizzy, flat and at risk of damage. Aside from this, when the sun is out we are more likely to go for a dip in an attempt to cool off. Whether that’s in the sea, lake or a pool, this can all lead to damaging the hair’s delicate structure and leave your hair dry and in need of repair. Frizzy hair is dry, unmanageable and prone to breakage and this, coupled with sweat and added moisture, can all lead to your hair looking substantially lacklustre.

Use our summer hair guide to help keep your tresses in tip top condition and minimise the risk of damage when you’re out enjoying this beautiful weather…

1. Cover Up

The best way to avoid sun damage on the hair is to cover it up. Whether you wear a  hat, cap or scarf, covering the hair is the easiest way to ensure your hair is protected from the direct heat of the sun. If your hair is curly or naturally prone to frizz, consider a silky scarf or turban-style headwrap to protect the delicate structure of the hair.

Cover up your hair in summer with a hat

2. Apply UV Protection

Prolonged sun exposure degrades the protein structure of hair, often resulting in low elasticity, breakage, split ends and lack of shine. Just as we should regularly apply sun cream to our skin, applying a UV hair protection product to your hair before you go out in the sun can minimise any damage and keep your hair feeling protected and moisturised. If your hair is thin/fine choose a lightweight  UV spray to keep it bouncy. For thicker hair choose a rich moisture-boosting UV cream or oil.

3. Keep up the regular trims

Hair which is in need of a trim is more prone to breakage in the sun because the flyaway ends will be more likely to split. Keeping up your regular hair care routine with a decent trim is a fail safe way of protecting the hair from more breakage when exposed to high temperatures.

4. deep moisturising treatments

Using a deep moisturising treatment such as Olaplex can give your hair a protective moisture boost in hot weather. Olaplex is a hair care treatment system which actually re-builds broken bonds in the hair, returning your hair to the lustrous, full and healthy hair you were born with. When using Olaplex, all thermal, mechanical and chemical damage is reversed and broken ends are fixed.

5.  Hydrate from within

If your body is dehydrated then your hair will follow suit. Keeping hydrated in hot temperatures is vital for a healthy body, and this will also transfer to your hair’s health. Drink lots of water and cooling fluids in summer to provide hydration to your hair strands and keep them in tip top condition.

6.  protect the colour

When the sun is out your skin colour may darken, but hair colour is likely to fade. Using a top quality hair colouring system (such as Neale and Wolf which we use here in the salon) will protect the hair and make it less likely to break. Avoid shop-bought colours (always, not just in the heat) to ensure that your hair colour remains shiny and radiant all summer long.

7.  avoid using heated hair tools

The temptation to use heated hair tools such as straightners may seem like a good choice when your hair is frizzy and in need of some love, but this will only mask the problem and ultimately, add to the problem. Using heated hair tools when the temperatures are soaring outside will only serve to increase hair damage and make your hair even frizzier. Instead  consider lathering on a rich moisturising treatment and letting your hair dry naturally,  or get it professionally blow-dryed in a salon.

8.  post-swim Hair care

If you’ve been for a cooling dunk in the sea then your hair will be prone to damage because of the drying effect of the salt water. Likewise, chemicals like chlorine in pools can damage the hair and make it brittle. Use salon-quality shampoos and conditioners to remove all salt and chlorine after a swim and your hair will thank you for it.

Now you know how to protect your hair, go out and enjoy this blissful sunshine because we all know it probably won’t last forever! Take proper care of your hair and it will return the favour by remaining strong, shiny and healthy all summer long.

Make an appointment for your next trim/deep conditioning treatment by clicking the button below, we can’t wait to welcome you 🙂

As we side-step pavement puddles and pull up our coats tighter to protect from the lashing wind and rain outside, we are more aware than ever that winter is well and truly here! When winter arrives, many of us take extra precautions to protect our health by upping the doses of vitamin C, eating wholesome warming food, and hunkering down as the weather whirls outside. But what do extra measures do we take to protect our hair?

During winter months, winter hair care can often be forgotten and as a result dryness, static, frizz, and general lack of that luscious, smooth, shiny summer hair is all too common. Many of us don’t consider the harmful effects that the constant changes between cold weather and indoor heating can have upon our tresses.

So how can you minimise damage and protect your hair during winter? We’ve put together these top winter hair care tips to help you keep your mane in tip top condition all winter long…

6 Top Tips for Healthy Winter Hair

1) Never Leave Home With Wet Hair

Even if it is a (bad!) habit which you usually do during warmer weather, in winter it is even more important to protect your fragile hair strands from the elements. Anything that is cold expands, and this is what can happen to your wet hair shaft in colder weather, causing damage. You hair is at its most fragile when it is wet and in winter it will take much longer to dry naturally outside, which leaves it vulnerable to breakage. If you must let it dry naturally, try to do it while you’re indoors (and apply a few drops of a good hair oil first), but we advise adding an extra few minutes to your daily hair care routine to make sure you blowdry it with a good quality hair dryer for optimum winter protection.

2) Keep Hair Hydrated

Going from the warm indoors to the cold outside constantly can wreak havoc on your hair and leave it dehydrated, dry and frazzled. In winter it’s a good idea to up your hair care routine by adopting a regular rich moisturising conditioning treatment. Once a week, you should baby your hair and indulge it: slather conditioner on and take 30 minutes for the moisture to penetrate into the hair shaft. Or better still, pop in to the salon for a regular deep conditioning treatment! We use Olaplex here in the salon and those who have used it will know its revolutionary powers and how it can bring back to life even the most lifeless of hair. It actually re-builds broken bonds in the hair, returning your hair to the lustrous, full and healthy hair you were born with – even in winter.

3) Go Darker

Platinum blonde is an ever-popular head turner which will never go out of fashion, but you can’t deny that all that bleaching takes its toll on hair, leaving it parched and in need of some nourishment. By going a few shades darker during winter months it gives your hair a rest from chemical colouring and time to heal before summertime comes and you crave that gorgeous lemony blonde again. Deep chocolate shades look modern and healthy, giving your hair effortless shine and a deeply delicious tone. Consider applying a semi-permanent darker hue until the weather is kinder and you won’t regret it.

4) Line Your Bobble Hat With Silk or Satin

Sounds a little ‘extra’, we agree (!) but wool, cotton and other coarse fabrics can really interfere with your hair and cause split ends, especially for those with curly hair! Warm fitted hats can trap oils at the root, leaving the ends dry and prone to damage. While cotton and wool may feel soft to the touch, its weave actually grips and tugs at individual hair strands, causing breakage (which is also why we also recommend sleeping on a silk pillowcase at night!). It’s easy to line bobble hats with silk- just cut an old silk scarf or shirt to size and sew into your hat, easy. On arrival at your destination when you remove the silk-lined woolen hat your hair will be sleek and glossy rather than flat and flyaway – winter magic!

5) Use Less Heat

This is a good tip for all year round, not just a winter hair care tip. Hair tools like straighteners, curling wands, too-hot hairdryers and such like can all wreak damage upon fragile hair and leave your ends splitting like crazy. Try putting your hair in plaits or a bun some days; the insulating effect of hair wrapping around itself will really protect hair from the elements and give it a day off from styling damage.

6) Stay Hydrated

Did you know that a single hair strand is made up of 25% water? Staying hydrated is good advice anyway for general health and well-being, but hydration starts from within so drinking lots of water will mean your hair will be more energised and encourage healthy hair from root to tip. Staying hydrated helps prevent split ends and brittle hair, fostering shiny, radiant hair so take that (plastic-free) water bottle with you wherever you go this winter.

Do you suffer from damaged hair in the winter? If so, then pop in to the salon for a free consultation and let us give you our top tips and professional cut, colour and hair care advice to make you glow from the inside out and feel fabulous all winter long. Just get in touch with us here at our Plymouth city centre hair salon and we’ll have a nice warm David & David welcome ready for you! Stay cosy 🙂