In partnership with Bondi Boost.
While it’s a subject I’m often quizzed on, I don’t write about my hair routine all that often here as I’ve stuck to a really consistent regimen for upwards of 12 months, so it doesn’t really feel new nor exciting to me.
There is something to be said for consistency, though, and given that I’m in the privileged position of Beauty Writer and therefore am afforded the opportunity to trial new products year ’round, hair-routine-loyalty and brand-devotion speaks volumes. When it comes to beauty, across all categories, there are brands that I will always have on hand and will revert to between trials- a stable of products that I know work for me and will deliver uniform results.
One such brand is Bondi Boost, a brand that works so well for me that I’ve not used any other haircare brands in over a year. In the name of full disclosure this story is sponsored, however even the team at The Blow, whom I visit whenever I need my hair to actually look good as they are far better at styling than I am, know to use Bondi Boost on me whenever I visit the salon as my hair responds so well to it. Within one month of using Bondi Boost, a routine I began some 15 months ago, the appearance and health of my hair completely transformed. This is a brand that I use by choice.
Here are my answers to your most frequently asked hair questions.
What colour do you ask for when you have your hair dyed?
I’ll start here as it is genuinely one of my most frequently asked questions (long time readers will know this question sits beside “Have you had your masseters done?” and “Can you please lower your voice?”). The answer to this one makes me sound like a bad person, which is potentially an accurate summation.
This is my natural hair colour. I’ve been something called “bronde,” I’ve had tiger stripes, I’ve been chocolate brown, I’ve been damn near close to blonde and just about everything in between but for close to 18 months, I’ve only sported my natural hair colour. The last time I had my hair coloured was in January of 2019 during which I went roughly two shades darker than my own, and the dye used was a semi-permanent so I can say, in complete confidence, that it is well and truly gone now.
This question only became “frequently asked” in nature one month after I started using Bondi Boost, which I sincerely believe is not a coincidence. I started using the Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner, Miracle Mask and Intensive Spray in late April of 2019, and by June I was flooded with messages from people asking about my “new colour.” I am of the belief that this is because my Bondi Boost routine transformed the health of my hair so dramatically that it took on a lustre and depth of colour that it just didn’t have previously.
How often do you have your hair cut?
This is probably a bit embarrassing, but I’ve not had my hair cut or even trimmed since October. I taught myself how to trim my own fringe at the beginning of lockdown to save myself from having to travel an unnecessary distance to visit my beloved hairdresser, and as far as the rest of my hair goes, my modus operandi has always been to cut my hair to collarbone length, grow it long, then have it cut back to collarbone length.
This is because I’m an attention seeker.
We’re currently sitting in the “grow it really long” phase. Ordinarily I’d need trims during this time to maintain a consistent length and remove split ends, but since I started using Bondi Boost I genuinely don’t have any of those, and thus have little to no reason to leave my house.
How often do you wash your hair?
Honestly, no more than three times a week. I’m fortunate in that I do have a lot of hair so it doesn’t take on the appearance of oil as quickly as thin hair tends to, so I’m afforded the luxury of only washing and conditioning my hair every two to three days. When I do, I use the Bondi Boost HG Shampoo followed by its accompanying Conditioner. On the off days, I’ll use a bit of the Bondi Boost Dry Shampoo. I was skeptical about this at first, as it’s a powder rather than a traditional aerosol, but it works WONDERS and gives the hair a bit more volume, too.
What about after exercise?
If I don’t have to shoot, film or physically be around people (the latter is… not a problem of late), I’ll just stick with the aforementioned routine. If I do need a real scalp refresh, I’ll use the Bondi Boost Pink Salt Scalp Scrub (say it five times fast) before my shampoo to really lift and erase any grime or sweat build up around my roots. I use this once or twice per week, regardless of physical activity or where I have to be, because it gives my hair almost unbelievable volume, it gives the entire scalp a refresh, and the scent… I can’t describe it, but I can’t go longer than a week without smelling it.
How do you style your hair?
I separate my hair into three layers (like I said- alotta hair), then take 1 inch pieces, one at a time, and wrap them around a GHD Creative Curl Wand working AWAY from my face until my entire head of hair is curled. Then I brush through the curls with my fingers to loosen them into waves.
For my fringe, I start with wet hair and douse the very top section of the fringe with Salt Spray to almost cement it together. Then I blast the fringe in every possible direction with my hairdryer, almost trying to confuse the hair into not knowing whether it should have a part or not (I know it’s not possible to confuse hair, but trust me on this). When the fringe is completely dry, I’ll blow wave the fringe using a large round brush- how you’d traditionally style a fringe.
I’ve done a truly appalling job at explaining this and will attempt to film it soon.
Do you use any styling products?
Other than the aforementioned, usually no!
As far as holding the curls, I’ve found that since I started using Bondi Boost products, my hair is able to hold on to a style for far longer. I’m not sure why this is, but I imagine it has a lot to do with the condition my hair is in. I’ll occasionally spritz and shake a texturising spray through the lengths of my hair, but this is more to give the hair a gritty, lived-in appearance rather than hold.
For gloss and lustre, I don’t find that I need to use any “shine sprays” or similar products, particularly in the days following a Miracle Mask treatment (which is something I try to do once a week).
Do you wear hair extensions?
Look, I tried the Halo extension thing years ago and I did really like the way it looked in a ponytail, but, despite working in beauty, I consider myself pretty low maintenance. I think we call it high-low-maintenance now? It means I have a really thorough skincare routine so that I don’t feel the need to apply much makeup of a morning, and I’m really diligent with my haircare so it doesn’t take me as long to style. It’s that idea of putting in the work behind the scenes so that you can look “effortless.”
Do you take any hair growth supplements?
I don’t! I’ve seen other people experience great results using hair growth vitamins, but my hair grows quite fast naturally. I take a number of skin and health supplements and vitamins, but none for hair specifically.
Photography and styling: Gemma Watts
This article is sponsored by Bondi Boost however all views are, as always, my own.
