Amy Michelle is a multi award winning hairdresser and hair salon based in Douglas in cork. She is well known for creating exceptional hair and was one of the first salons in Cork to offer hair extensions. She has her own brand Refine which is going from strength to strength. We caught up with her to ask her about holiday hair! With the recent hot spell in Ireland we wanted to see how to maintain our crowning glory.
How do you protect your hair on holiday?
On holiday I protect my hair with heat protection spray uva and uvb and I make sure that I use it on my scalp as protection as it is just as important as protecting your skin. I would also wear a hat when I’m out and about walking or sitting in the sun having lunch. This is also crucial for when we are experiencing good weather in Ireland. Even an afternoon without protecting can fade colour and make blondes brassy. Healthy scalp is healthy hair so keeping that and the hairline protected would also be a big point. If you have longer hair but don’t like wearing a hat, tie your hair in a bun on top of your head, this will help protect your scalp, but don’t forget to lather the sun cream on your ears and back of your neck!
What are your top tips for holiday hair?
If you are a sun worshipper and are going swimming I recommend rinsing your hair straight after getting out of the water to avoid sea salt or chlorine drying it out. This will ensure that you aren’t further compromising the hair and scalp and you can just enjoy the great weather. It’s also worth noting that dry hair absorbs chlorine and salt, but wet hair doesn’t – so rinsing hair with fresh water before you enter the pool or sea will stop this from happening.
What products are essential for the carry on luggage for your hair?
My essentials would be Joico Luster lock spray , it moisturises and protects from the sun so you can use it day and night. It is a multi purpose product without any mega weight so it is great for all hair types. I always bring a travel mask with me and will use it once or twice while I’m away to maintain softness. Try to ditch any excess heat if you can, maybe book a blow dry mid holiday and utilise some dry shampoo. Curls and straightening will cause further damage, so try to let loose.
Should you colour your hair before or after your holiday?
It’s a personal choice to colour your hair before you go on holiday or not, there are pros and cons to both. Your hair will fade and blondes will dry out and bleach further, brunettes will fade and go brassy. I know that people like to have nice hair for the holiday. A lot of the holiday hair problems can be rectified when you come home with the exception of major heat damage. If you wait to colour until you come back then you need to be careful that your scalp isn’t burnt as we don’t recommend colouring burnt skin. There are two essential things you need to do in the build-up: have a trim, and condition. Cutting your hair in advance of flying will ensure that any dry or split ends are removed before you expose them to the sun. Likewise, conditioning regularly a couple of weeks ahead of time helps treat the hair so that it’s shiny for your holiday.
Who is your holiday hair icon? My holiday hair icon is Jessica Alba , she is always covered up with trendy headwear. She doesn’t seem to want to overstyle her hair, she just lets it dry naturally and uses a finishing product.
When you walk into Amy Michelle , you’re walking into a community that is welcoming, laid back and professional.Her salon is a safe space where all are welcome. If you and your hair are looking for a new salon home, they are eager to collaborate with you on a fresh new look or enhance the look you already love. Call them on (021) 431 2950
