If your hair is fine, it can often appear “flat” so you may be looking for a hairstyle that adds body and thickness to your hair. There are various style options that you could consider.

Common hair styles that suit particular complexions / face shapes

Finding the right hair style to suit the shape of your face and the right hair colour for your complexion is often the key to looking your most attractive. The premise is that hairstyles should be designed to enhance your features and minimise the focus on areas that aren’t so flattering. When choosing a hair style you really need to consider more than just your face shape, i.e. your hair type, hair colour and skin complexion. When choosing a hairstyle it is also important to consider what is in fashion and what is appropriate for your age group.

Does it damage your hair if you get hair treatments and dyes too often?

Treatments such as permanent colours, permanent waves, bleaching and hair straightening and constant blow-drying can all damage and dry out your hair. When hair is damaged it appears dull and dry and often has split ends or excessive fly-aways. When hair is too dry or damaged it can even snap or break off, or become lank and thin. What can be done to prevent or repair damaged hair?

Woman holding the ends of her hair that appear to be damaged.

How can I make my hair dye last longer?

Regularly colouring your hair can be expensive and time-consuming, so how can we make our hair colour stay fresh and bright for as long as possible?

Woman getting her hair dyed by a hairdresser.

Are there alternatives to chemical hair dyes and how effective are they?

Next to wrinkles, nothing is as aging as greying hair. Women, more so than men, turn to dyeing their locks, either to cover grey or for a change from their natural hair colour. However, reading the list of toxic chemicals and warning labels of adverse reactions on hair dye products purchased for home use or application by professional hairdressers can be quite frightening.

A variety of products used for dyeing hair.

Allergic reactions

Some people may have scalp sensitivities or allergies and have experienced discomfort or allergic reactions during and after hair dyeing. Some of the chemical ingredients that you may find in hair dyes which can trigger reactions are ammonia, benzene, coal tar, lead acetate and p-phenylenediamine.

Alternatives to chemical dyes

There are alternatives to chemical hair dyes that can be used either in the home or at selected salons. Henna is one plant-based hair colourant derived from a flowering plant indigenous to Australasia, Africa, and Asia. Henna products in the past have known to be messy and the colour can be unpredictable. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that natural hair products have improved greatly in recent years and you will readily find a range of natural products at your local health food store. Many professional hair salons have also moved to offering gentler, more environmentally friendly products such as the INOA range which contains no ammonia.

Find organic or plant-based hair colourants for home use at your local health food store or, for professional applications, find a local hair salon that uses a more natural or organic range of hair dye products.

Sue Blatchford

03 October 2011

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Are there alternatives to chemical hair dyes and how effective are they?

Allergic reactions

Alternatives to chemical dyes

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Can I keep the hair that they cut?

Can different hair styles help your hair look thicker?

Common hair styles that suit particular complexions / face shapes

Does it damage your hair if you get hair treatments and dyes too often?

How can I make my hair dye last longer?

Are there alternatives to chemical hair dyes and how effective are they?

Hair & Beauty: Hairdressers

Allergic reactions

Alternatives to chemical dyes