Your hair could be ageing you

The wrong hairstyle can add years, the right one can instantly make you look younger. It can hide wrinkles, define a jawline, even enhance cheekbones.

I asked Neil Moodie, one of the industry greats and co-owner of the renowned Windle and Moodie salon in London’s Covent Garden for his tips and tricks.

What should you do to keep your style looking contemporary?

“It is important to keep your hairstyle evolving, and not stick to the same one for too long. Many women get stuck in a rut because once they find something that works for them they tend to stay with it for safety. As we get older our face shape changes a little as does our skin tone (we tend to get paler as we age), so it's important to change your hairstyle and even hair colour not only to look younger but to make sure you're always complementing what you have. 

“Talk to your hairstylist and colourist (if you don't colour your hair, ask your stylist to recommend a colourist) about the following: 

a) What is on trend 

b) How can you adapt your hair within these trends

c) What hairstyle would work for you not only based on your hair type and trends but also to complement what you wear and your lifestyle  

d) What colour technique and colour choice best complements your haircut and skin tone.” 

Hair by Windle & Moodie

For spring/summer 2017, we have seen blunt cuts, French pleats, simple and natural hair with some rawness, effortlessly textured, braids and buns, smooth slicked back hair, glossy sleek luxurious locks, boyish haircuts, strong deep side-partings as well as long and sleek side-parted ponytails and ear-grazing bobs.

How do you adapt the trends to suit you?  

 

“It's super important before you start contemplating being on trend, to consider whether you have the right hair type/texture for the style you want and how much maintenance will be required. Ask yourself if you will be prepared to spend time styling it should you need to. Also you need to look at your wardrobe. If you change your hair, do you have the right clothes to carry off the look? 

“I don't think enough hairstylists take this into consideration when they go to change somebody's hair. I always try to consider the person's lifestyle and dress sense. Plus, as I mentioned previously, I think about whether the person has the right hair to be able to have this new look. If they don't, then I ask myself if they are the kind of person who will spend time on styling their hair or are they more low maintenance.    

What are the key looks for now and 2017 that women should be focusing on?

“The key looks for now are side partings, up dos (knots and chignons), finger waves, being yourself (going with your own hair texture), and lavish hair accessories. 

"Finger waves are obviously something that most people would have to get their hairstylist to create on them, whereas the others are more do-able.

“Accessories come in all shapes and forms and you have fun with them without being committed to a big hair change.”

Hair by Windle & Moodie

How do you avoid going too trendy?

“This is a difficult question to answer, because what actually is "too trendy"? My advice would be: if you want to be completely on trend then go for it, but make sure it suits you and you can carry it off. There's no point in having the trendiest, latest haircut if you dress conservatively all the time. Being " trendy" is a lifestyle not just a hair style or cut. 

“I suppose the best rule is don't do "mutton dressed as lamb". On saying that, I'm not always into age appropriation. I don't think somebody has to become frumpy just because they're getting older. The rules are: there are no rules.

When is the time to go shorter?

“Again there are no rules for this. The time to go shorter is when you're ready to go shorter. Usually as women get older they tend to cut their hair shorter (in varying lengths) as longer, grey hair can look ageing and witchy. Do it when it fells right, but don't hold on to the long hair just because it's long.

“As your face shape changes with age, the general tendency is that skin sags and drops. This might sound like a brutal statement, but it's true for everyone. Nobody (men included) is exempt from this, so a shorter haircut is less ageing as longer hair gives the illusion of making your face look longer. Shorter hair is definitely more perky.”

What is the most flattering parting?

“As a rule middle partings make people look younger but they also elongate the face. Side partings give a sense of more glamour and a little more maturity, plus they will detract away from certain face shapes to create a better balance.

“Deciding on your parting will depend on your face shape. 

Oval Face

You can carry off any parting really. 

Heart-shaped face

 
The face is widest at the cheeks and the chin is narrow. So, for longer hair I recommend a centre parting and if it is shorter then a side parting. These will help bring more balance to your features. 

Square-shaped face

 
A deep side parting is best to offset the squareness. 

Round Face

Again, a deep-side parting will counteract the roundness. Choose your favourite side. 

Long Face

 
A side parting, but definitely with a shorter haircut is best.” 

Hair by Windle & Moodie

When is it not flattering to create volume? 

“Most women are always looking for volume of varying descriptions. It's considered as looking more glamorous, but also that your hair looks more alive and perky. 

"I think volume is great as long as the actual hairstyle you're going for isn't old-fashioned.

  

“Volume all over the head on shorter hair is considered ageing. You don't want to end up looking like Margaret Thatcher, ie like you have a helmet on top of your head. It's about not looking like your hair has been set in rollers for hours on end.”

How can you create an updo to suit a mature face?

“With any mature face, too strict and slick an up-do is instantly ageing. It's about creating a slightly softer up-do, not pulling the hair too severe, maybe leaving some loose pieces hanging down at the sides and just lightly texturising the hair before putting it up so it's not too severe.” 

Any “backstage” styling tips you can pass on to make women’s lives easier?

“Best backstage tips I can give: 

“If you're putting your hair up, don't attempt to do it with your hair freshly washed. Your hair will be too slippy and clean so it will be harder to get the hair to stay. A day old hair is best. Should you not have that luxury then prep your hair with Windle & Moodie Thickening Cream at the roots and then use W&M Matte Texture Spray to give the hair a matte feel which will make it easier to pin up.

“When pining hair up, cross grips over each other. This will stop them from slipping out. Also if you're using pins and they're easy enough to bend, then bend the end of one side of the pin to create a V shape. When you insert the pin into the hair, should it try to slip out, the 'V" will hook on to the hair inside and not move. 

“For any kind of natural beach wave, don't just wave the mid-lengths and leave the rest of the hair. It looks really fake if you have a wave mid-way then totally straight. Use your curling tongs to slightly bevel the ends of the straighter pieces and also the areas that you wave. Don't wave them all in the same direction. This will help it to look more natural when you finish it off.”  

By Daralyn Danns