Practical and pampering presents will always be welcome.
Hair products make for handy gifts, so why not buy consider buying something useful this season?
A good shampoo and conditioner can be found for all hair types, and for Christmas these often come boxed with a styling product. Trial and travel sets are also well-suited to those counting down
to the holidays.
Ties, combs and clips make cheap stocking-fillers for younger women. You can find a good selection of these items in department and variety stores, pharmacies and supermarkets, with brands to look out for including QVS and Manicare. Younger men enjoy shaping their styles with wax and gel - check out supermarkets for a selection of brands, including New Zealand's own Dominate and for the more style-savvy, select from the professional salon ranges and cult favourite brands such as American Crew, with Holistic Hair offering a locally made alternative.
If you're not sure what shampoo to buy for someone, you're pretty safe choosing a hydrating one for summer, unless the recipient has particularly fine or damaged hair. A colour protection variety with UV filters is good for dyed hair. Special shampoos now exist for mature hair, to volumise limp locks and to control curls. Ask in salon for suggestions or check out the range for different hair types in shampoo shops.
Dry or problematic hair responds well to treatment masks or oils, or consider a gift voucher for a salon treatment which includes a professional diagnosis of hair type, a head massage, and recommended after-care. DIY types may welcome the New Zealand-made Wondercap.
Leave-in non-aerosol conditioning sprays and serums that fight frizz are a welcome addition to the beach bag and anyone addicted to straightening their hair could always use a good heat protection styling fluid. Dry shampoos are fun to try, though they tend to fall into the love them or hate them category as far as feel is concerned. They're now readily available, from TRESemme in supermarkets through to salon brands.
A well-chosen hairbrush will last for years. If its primary purpose is brushing, look for a paddle style with natural bristles; if it is used mainly for styling with a blow dryer then choose a barrel brush for volume or a vented brush to allow easy airflow.
Pricier presents can include styling tools, such as straighteners, curling irons, blow dryers, and heated rollers, including the new The O induction-heating pod for clip-free rollers. Brands such as Ghd and Cloud Nine are considered top of the salon styler tree, but there are others out there that perform perfectly adequately at lower cost. Look for reputable brands with decent ceramic plates. Remington has a good range and Via dryers and Vidal Sassoon's tools are worth checking out too.
A cheap and easy to use styling option is the hot brush. This allows you to add shape and volume to dry hair. For those who find curling with the plates of a styler tricky, a spiral tong around which you simply twist hair to create ringlets might be worth a go. You'll find these devices in department and electrical stores.
If you blow-dry daily, ask your hairdresser for a recommendation so you get a dryer with staying power and enough oomph to get the job done quickly. Aim for a wattage over 2400, and a cool air option to help set the style. For travel, smaller dryers and stylers pack easily, but they'll take longer to do the job.
1. Wondercap pamper pack $59.95
The first time I saw this product it didn't look so enticing, but it has glammed up considerably from a couple of years ago when it was basically a whey-coloured towelling wheat bag for the head. It's now a smart black gel-filled showercap, although the basic principal of zapping it in the microwave and applying it over your conditioner or weekly mask to allow the warmth to help product penetrate the hair shaft remains. It works; hair feels soft and supple.
The Wondercap was designed by Wellington woman Gail McJorrow and it is starting to get attention overseas, including in Britain and Australia. It's a simple idea and can be worn in the shower, or, better still, while relaxing in the bath. The cap alone costs $49.95, but best buy the boxed pack which also includes a conditioning treatment, a large micro fibre towel, a comb and a set of disposable inner caps. (Stocked in some Rodney Wayne salons, or see wondercap.co.nz)
2. QVS Soft Ponytailers, from a pack, $5.99
(QVS is stocked in department and variety stores and pharmacies.)
3. Cloud Nine minis $120
Good for fringes and short hair, including men's, and for women with curls who just want to finish a blow dry with some smoothing action around the face. These mini-stylers are also much easier to tote about than full-sized ones, allowing a quick flick to refresh your style. They come from the originators of the Ghd, who have moved on to form the Cloud Nine company, with an emphasis on developing next-generation equipment. (See cloudninehair.com.au. Stockists include Servilles salons, or ph 0800 252 530.)
4. Via Vents All Purpose Blow Dry brush $15.99
Speed up blow drying by using a purpose-designed brush that lets air circulate. This smart Auckland company also makes a good range of affordable wooden and eco-friendly bamboo-handled brushes and ceramic barrelled ones that speed drying. Bristle choice includes natural fibres and synthetics. (Via from selected department stores, pharmacies and salons, ph 0800 842 725.)
5. QVS Boar Bristle Pad Brush Brush $17.99
This paddle brush is purse-sized so you can easily carry it about. It's also a fraction of the price of name brands.
6. Mason Pearson brush $269
The gold standard of hair brushing, from a venerable English company and made of boar bristle, this will likely outlast you. Perfect for those 100 strokes before bed. (World Beauty stores, worldbrand.co.nz and selected department stores.)
7. Via control clip (from a six-pack) $9.99
Keep your hair in place while you style it section by section. Makes dealing with layers much easier.
8. Via Rosewood Boar Bristle brush $22.99
A barrel-style brush to allow you to apply tension to hair as you brush out and round for a controlled shape.
* Barrel brushes come in a variety of thicknesses. Stylists also like to use metal ones with ceramic centres that retain heat.
9. Via shower comb $3.99
Ensure your conditioner or mask is thoroughly applied with this handy hang-up comb. Available in aqua, blue, hot pink and clear.
10. Remington Pearl styler $199.95
The brand's new top-of-the-line styler heats up in just 10 seconds and has a durable dual layer ceramic coating with real pearl for a smooth glide. It reaches 235deg (C) for faster styling, but can be kept to 150deg for use on fine hair, meaning performance is up there with the best of them. (Remington products from department and electrical stores, stockists ph 0800 736776.)
Shampoo and set
There are sets for every hair type out there.
Look out for deals aplenty on regular range purchases, including getting a travel-sized shampoo and mask with any two designated L'Oreal Professionel Serie Expert products; a scented soy-based candle with three or more KMS products; and a Swarovski-studded silver bracelet with any purchase in December of two or more Kerastase products. (All gifts while stocks last.)
Matrix Biolage Fortetherapie strengthening shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment in white toilet bag, $58. (Matrix Essentials packs $37.)
KMS Color Vitality shampoo and conditioner and Hairplay sea salt spray $57.50
Joico Colour Endure Duo shampoo and conditioner with bonus K-Pak Color Therapy Restorative Styling Oil, $45
Schwarzkopf Professional Q10 Time Restore gift bag set, with shampoo, conditioner and night spray, $63.80
Sebastian Hydre moisturising shampoo and conditioner and Taming Elixir, $78
Sans Nourishing Hair Hydratant Ultra bathes your hair in nourishing natural conditioning ingredients for a weekly home hair treat, $50.
Stockists: Affiliated salons and specialist shampoo shops. For stockists: Matrix ph 0800 657666; Fudge and Joico, ph 0800 456426; KMS ph 0800 562465; Schwarzkopf ph 0800 500515; Sebastian ph 0800 800128; Sans from Stephen Marr salons, stephenmarr.co.nz