‘Hair is everything. It’s the difference between a good day and a bad day,’ said Fleabag, the genius creation of glossy-tressed Phoebe Waller-Bridge. We totally agree. And with winter parties coming up, it feels like a good time to get A Cunning Plan together.

So Sarah had a word or three with another genius, Belle Cannan (above), the super nice, super clever founder of Salon Sloane in London, where Sarah feels happy the moment she crosses the threshold...

Actually, not just Belle: the rest of the team piled in including über stylist Emmanuel - Monsieur Scissorhands – whose contribution whenever Sarah asked for a tip of any sort was invariably ‘lemon juice…’  

So, remember: when in doubt, squeeze that citrus! Emmanuel says it’s the answer to everything. He’s not wrong: lemon juice can smooth the cuticle so hair is shinier if you add it to a final rinse, plus reducing oil and dandruff should those be bothersome. And of course PLJ can help lighten blondies.

For more ideas about keeping your mop in tip top condition, read on:

Be religious about trims: ‘Once hair has been broken it won’t repair so regular trips to the salon for a trim every six to eight weeks are essential to prevent split ends,’ says Belle.

Protect hair from all heated appliances:  This comes back to Belle’s golden rule – ‘prevention is always better than cure’.  Treat your hair like your skin, layering in products to give hair support and strength and keep it beautifully hydrated. Belle‘s favourite is Hair Rituel by Sisley La Crème 230, followed by a root lift for texture and support, with a finishing touch of Precious Hair Care Oil – Glossiness and Nutrition to give it a radiant shine.

Now – Sisley is fabulous and luxe with prices to match. For a more moderately priced heat-protecting product, Emmanuel recommends Kérastase Genesis Defense Thermique Treatment.

Our Beauty Bible testers were molto impressed by FFØR Pro:Tect Smoothing Mist, the triple action product which protects, styles, and helps keep hair smooth and frizz-free.

For root lift, try Philip Kingsley Maximizer Root Volumising Spray. Or for fine flat hair, Kérastase Styling Mousse Bouffant. And don’t forget our Beauty Bible Award winner TAOH Volume Mousse, for all hair types; our testers were impressed by the shine as well as the extra body.

If you feel safer with hair spray to keep your style in place for longer, Sisley has also just launched the Invisible Hold Hairspray, which is the perfect balance for all styles, according to Belle. ‘It holds smooth or textured hair and is completely brush-able so you can rework your hair if needed. It’s great for damp or humid weather and it can be used on wet hair to give a gel effect.’

We’re not usually hairspray gals but we’ve heard good things about moderately-priced Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray.

So, back to regular care. For skin, we’ve all learnt ‘Cleanse, tone and moisturise’ – it’s the same principle with hair, Belle says: ’Wash, gloss and moisturise’…

• Wash hair every three days, using a recommended shampoo for your hair type/needs and always use a conditioner to prevent the hair being flyaway; Belle explains not using a conditioner is generally why hair gets static and takes off...  Look at the HAIR category of Beauty Bible Awards here for our excellent tried & tested products for different hair needs.

• Use a gloss (aka toner) to refresh and brighten your colour, and make hair look healthy and shiny – see our feature on it here

• Treat hair to an intensive moisturising treatment at least once a week as a routine in the winter months. Belle favours Sisley Restructuring Nourishing Balm for hair lengths and ends. ‘Smooth into dry hair and it acts on the hair fibre to intensely nourish, restore and restructure dry damaged hair,’ she says. Sit in the bath or shower with a plastic shower cap to open up the cuticle, allowing the moisture to help the treatment penetrate, strengthening hair and helping to prevent breakage caused by chemicals or heat treatments.

  See what our Beauty Bible testers recommended here.

• Always finish with a cold rinse to help seal the cuticle and give a natural shine. And it will give you a whoosh of energy!

  And now for some new excitement from Babyliss, pioneers of heated styling brushes – Sarah’s been a devotee of their round brushes for years and years. We’re looking forward to trying these and here’s what we’re told about them:

  BaByliss Air Power Pro 2300 Hair Dryer/£90. The Italian-made first ever Styler Dryer by BaByliss is designed to cater for all hair types - including curly, coily and thick hair - this multi-purpose wonder tool has endless styling opportunities. With multiple attachments, including a straightening pik and sizeable diffuser for curl patterned hair, plus 3 heat + 2 speed settings - it’s a new hair-drying hero! 

  BaByliss Wave Secret Air/£150 

  A revolutionary hair curler, which automatically creates long-lasting, loose curls and waves quickly - perfect for the Christmas season. With 3 heat settings to choose from, just close the handle on a tress and your hair will be drawn into the ceramic curl chamber where it will be heated to your chosen temperature and create the perfect curl or wave. 

Wishing you Happy (Christmas) Hair Days, from Belle and from us…

Prize Draws