8 tips from one of Cape Town’s top hair stylists

Hair care tips, how to find a good hair stylist + more

Did you know you shouldn’t be washing your hair more than three times a week? Or that professional hair care products can actually cost you less in the long run? 

Award-winning hair stylist and salon owner at Excentric Hair (Sea Point and Kloof Street), Flo Neacsu, shares his insights into common hair care concerns, how to find a great hair stylist and the one hair care product we should all be using.

Excentric Hair has salons on Kloof Street and in Sea Point. Image: Excentric Hair 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD HAIR STYLIST?

Someone who takes the time to understand your lifestyle and daily hair demands before suggesting a cut and colour, says Flo. 

“A good hair stylist will balance your personal and lifestyle needs with your overall look, including your skin tone, facial features, bone structure, eye colour and fashion sense, when suggesting a style for you. For example, if you’re a very active person, your stylist should give you a cut and colour that is easy to maintain with that kind of lifestyle.”

A good hair stylist will take the time to understand your lifestyle and your hair’s needs. Image: Excentric Hair 

HOW SHOULD WE CHOOSE A HAIR SALON?

Referrals, reviews and recommendations (from people whose hair you actually admire) are a good start, but for Flo, it’s about how a hair salon makes you feel. 

“Our biggest goal is to make every client not just look, but feel, the best they can. Not just today, but every day,” says Flo, “You should be comfortable in your chosen hair salon, like you can express yourself freely, chat openly, relax. It’s about more than your hair. At Excentric, our essence is ‘home’. We’re all about warm smiles and hot coffee!”

A hair salon should be a place where you can relax, too. Image: Excentric Hair

WHAT DOES YOUR SALON NAME MEAN?

“It’s tied to our salon’s motto, ‘Dare to be different’,” explains Flo. “That doesn’t mean we’re daring our clients to be strange! All we’re saying is think a little differently to the way you’ve been thinking.”

WHAT’S THE KEY TO MORE GOOD HAIR DAYS?

For Flo, great hair is not necessarily about having the trendiest hair style, but rather about what looks best on you, as well as the health of your hair. Unhealthy hair can lead to problems like hair loss, dandruff, sensitive scalp and hair breakage. 

“One of the most common hair care concerns I see in the salon is dryness, usually caused by colouring and heat treatment, like blow drying or straightening.” How to avoid this? Use quality hair care products – these will usually be professional products you can buy at a salon – and protect your hair from heat. 

“Getting into the habit of using a heat protection spray before straightening, curling or blow-drying will be one of the best things you ever do for your hair,” says Flo. 

Flo recommends Wella Professionals EIMI Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray. It nourishes the hair and provides heat protection up to 220°C, plus leaves hair smooth and shiny. Find it here.

Another great investment for your hair and one of Flo’s favourites is Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, which you can use as a hair oil and heat protector. 

Ask your hair stylist which products they like working with. Image: Excentric Hair

DO SALON HAIR PRODUCTS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

“Yes, because professional hair products are heavily researched and have science behind them,” says Flo. “We love System Professional, the luxurious line from Wella Professionals, as well as the Inoar product range.”

It’s the research that goes into these products that makes them pricier than shop-bought versions. They also contain higher concentrations of high-grade ingredients, so you actually need to use less of them – which means they’ll last longer. 

Salon products are also free of ingredients like silicone and parabens – these act as shine and preservative agents, but they can be damaging to your hair.   

Professional products are pricier but you need to use less so they last longer. Image: Excentric Hair

WHAT’S ONE SALON PRODUCT YOU’D RECOMMEND?

You don’t need to spend a fortune on replacing all your hair care products at once. Start with one key product we should all be using: A good hair mask. 

“A hair mask is a must-have because it helps beat hair dryness, which is such a common issue,” says Flo. 

A mask is like a deep-conditioning treatment – you leave it on your hair for longer than regular conditioner, and the result is softer and silkier hair. Look for hair mask products that contain ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil and shea butter – these are all super hydrating. Ask your hair stylist to make some suggestions of what to buy for your hair type and budget. 

IS IT TRUE WE SHOULD BE WASHING OUR HAIR LESS?

“Yes. Over-washing can strip your hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and hair breakage. We recommend washing your hair one to three times a week with a shampoo that suits your hair type,” says Flo. 

DO WE REALLY NEED TO TRIM OUR HAIR OFTEN?

Trying to grow your hair and wondering if trimming is really necessary? Flo recommends it: “Trimming your hair – even just lightly ‘dusting’ the ends – removes split ends and damaged hair, making the hair look healthier immediately. 

It also promotes healthy hair growth and makes your hair look fuller. The recommended time for trimming your hair is roughly every three to six months, depending on your hair type and hair goals. Your stylist can help you work out a trimming routine.”

Regular trimming will keep your hair looking healthy. Image: Excentric Hair

BOOK ONLINE AT EXCENTRIC HAIR

You can book your appointments online (you’ll get a reminder of your booking the day before) and also chat to Excentric Hair via an online chat service that links to Facebook Messenger. 

Excentric Hair offers services for all hair types, and a consultation with a stylist is included in the cost of each service – you’ll find a detailed description of the service online when you book, telling you what your appointment includes. 

Check out Excentric Hair’s services, special offers and price list or book an appointment online. 

Book your appointment at Excentric Hair online. Image: Excentric Hair

VISIT EXCENTRIC HAIR

Excentric Hair is open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (they have free wifi so you can work while you’re there); Saturdays, 9am to 4pm, public holidays, 9am to 2pm (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day)
Get in touch: Find each branch’s contact details online

By Lee-Anne Spurdens 

---

MORE WAYS TO PAMPER YOURSELF

New hair story: 5 ways to transform your hair (and at discounted rates). 

Must-do for your hair: A camera diagnosis to discover your real hair issues. 

Make yourself over on Tuesdays at Excentric Hair.

Spoil yourself at one of these top beauty salons.

Destress and reset with Indian wellness techniques at Jiva Spa. 

---

Loved discovering this?  Make sure you get our popular weekly newsletter.Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.