Alfie Booth is one of Andrew Collinge's star stylists working between the new Graduates salon in Liverpool where he is Creative Director and also as a Style Director at the Andrew Collinge Manchester salon.
Shortlisted twice at the British Hairdressing Awards in the Newcomer of the Year category and most recently a finalist at the Creative Head's Most Wanted Awards he is an extremely busy and popular salon stylist working on photo shoots, presenting at seminars and shows and working closely alongside Andrew Collinge himself and is more than qualified to advise on all your hair woes, here he tackles five reader questions...

Hi Alfie,
I am a 26 year old who has very thin hair. It's something I have inherited and have to live with. It seems that stress and lack of a good quality diet have not helped the situation. But I would like to learn of ways to potentially and maybe successfully improve the quality. I would like to try hair extensions but am not sure of where to go in order to get a natural looking 'job'. There are so many hair salons offering this service but I would like to get it right first time please. Can you advise me of any products that will improve the condition and strength in order to help with the hair extensions? Also what super foods can I consume to aid my hair, I have always been a little lost as to which ones specifically - maybe there are some supplements that come recommended. I want to take pride in my appearance and not feel like I have a comb-over...
Many thanks,
Helen

Firstly, I want you to know that your problem is a common issue amongst your age group (although sometimes I'm sure it doesn't feel like it). Here at Andrew Collinge we don't offer an extension service, so I would advise appropriate research into client satisfaction from reputable companies.

Secondly, you are right to concern yourself with getting the condition and strength of your hair as good as it can be. For your hair type I would recommend ‘Andrew Collinge weightless volume' shampoo and conditioner. This will allow you to keep your hair in optimum condition without weighing it down. Also for styling, Weightless volume ‘styling spray' will allow you to get fullness to your hair without that crispy feel you can sometimes get from volumising products. ‘Superfoods' seem to be bandied around as the answer to everything at the minute, and the concept of eating specific foods for the health of your hair are in too early a stage for any results that I would call conclusive. What I recommend is a healthy balanced diet and try and keep stress levels to a minimum.

Hi
I currently have very long relaxed hair but am fed up with it being thin, I want the flexibility to have my natural curly hair but be able to have it straight if I wish but my hair when natural doesn't show its length and its curls very well, plus I have the problem of a fluffy hair line. I have been advised to try a hair texturiser as it doesn't process your hair as much as a relaxer, is this advisable?
Thanks in advance
Cecilia

Hi Cecilia
Andrew Collinge hairdressing has always been advocates of achieving the desired results for your hair through styling with a hairdryer and brush. We find that almost all results on almost all types of hair can be achieved this way. And it's chemical free! As for your fluffy hairline, a light, non-greasy styling serum like our Andrew Collinge ‘no kinks straightener' applied in small amounts to the wet hair before blowdrying should really help. If you feel hopeless at blowdrying your own hair, then if you pop into an Andrew Collinge salon or any other reputable salon they would be happy to give you an indepth demonstration. If you are convinced you need a chemical relaxer then I suggest you research user testimonials of hair texturisers and see if the results people are getting are appropriate for you.

Hi,
I'm a 25 year old female with naturally curly and fairly frizzy hair. For the past 2/3 years I've had my hair chemically straightened, though I find that once straightened it's very flat and lifeless with no body. Whilst I love it straight and shiny, after a few weeks it takes me about half an hour to blow dry and straighten it with the GHD's to get a nice texture. My hair also doesn't seem to grow, and I would like to grow it, I try to keep use of GHDs to a minimum and only use salon quality products, any suggestions on how I can get more body and get it to grow? My hair is currently shoulder length with low lights in. Any suggestions / help would be gratefully appreciated.
Pip

Hi there Pip.
Firstly its good to keep your styling iron use to minimum as this coupled with the chemical straightening will really start to impair the condition of your hair and cause it to break. The answer here is difficult yet so common amongst the people I see in the salon day to day. Seemingly every day there is another product on the market to shorten the styling time of your hair either with increasing amounts of heat or chemicals. From your letter, your hair seems like it would not be difficult to blow dry either straight, curly or however you wanted all you need is the know-how and a bit of patience. Half an hour for blowing and styling your hair really isn't uncommon and some would actually find it quite quick. If you really don't have the time for that then a compromise would have to be reached, being realistic about just how much body and length you can get in your hair. However, I strongly recommend that you go to a reputable salon and ask for a blow drying lesson. I do this on a regular basis for my clients and now most can blow dry their hair easily, quickly and with amazing results. No chemicals in sight!

Hi Alfie
I'm 54, naturally dark blonde (mouse in fact) and going grey. I have an incredible amount of fine hair which has been over highlighted by hairdressers and then inexpertly coloured by myself, so that now most of my hair is so yellowy white with some very pale brown patches. The mousey regrowth is VERY apparent. I used to have quite long hair but the hairdressers have insisted on feathering it to thin it and it's getting progressively shorter. I'm really depressed about the whole business. How can I get my lovely long hair back and how can I sort out the colour? Brown makes me look really old and ill, but I'm desperate to break the colouring/bleaching cycle which is damaging my hair.
Thanks,
Jenny

Hi Jenny,
As people get older their skin tone changes and it tends to suit lighter, more pastel colours. It sounds like your hair has really been through a lot and I would be interested to see the condition first hand. I would definitely not recommend you touch the colour yourself again. Good colour correction is complicated and time consuming, and at this stage I recommend you go and have a consultation with a head colourist at a reputable salon to set up a plan for returning your hair to its old self. It may be that you have to live with your hair the way it is just a while longer whilst the condition becomes such that you can correct the colour. If so then I recommend washing your hair only when it needs it and in the evening, after two gentle shampoos lightly towel dry your hair and comb an intense conditioning treatment thorough it (I recommend Andrew Collinge ‘smooth and silky' salon treatment). Wrap a towel round your head and leave on whilst you relax for the evening, rinsing only before bed.

Hi Alfie
I really need some help! I'm 37, had my first baby a year ago and am only starting to lose the three stone I put on with her now. I'm a tall pear shape, with a round face (surprise surprise), smallish forehead and not tiny nose. My hair has been long (and naturally straight) forever which used to look great but since I had my wee girl it has been limp, thin and tends to be oily. Add to that my total lack of time for styling it and all I do is put the front section back in a clip. I did try to have a fringe cut in back in January but I hated it and just pinned it over until it's almost grown down to my chin. I hate having hair 'on' my face but really want a change. All I can think of is having a perm!! Please help,
SJ

Hi SJ
Before I start I just need to make sure that your hair washing routine is correct to minimize how oily you find your hair gets. Use a light shampoo ( I recommend Andrew Collinge weightless volume shampoo) and shampoo twice. This will ensure the hair is completely clean. Then using a light conditioner, just apply to the mid lengths and ends of the hair and rinse immediately. If you are still finding the oil a problem, occasionally cut out the conditioner all together.

Ok, now that is out of the way, onto the cut. A hair type like yours sounds is never going to have a proper style if you keep the length as it is. Many women with long hair are petrified of getting their hair cut short as everyone is convinced it will make their face look ‘fat', this is made worse if there has been some recent weight gain. However, a good stylist will be able to cut a shorter style that would be more appropriate for your hair type that can flatter any face shape. Though I would need to see you in person to be sure, it sounds like a chunky bob, around an inch below jaw line would work well with your hair and flatter your face shape. It's a big step, but if you are as fed up as you sound, it's a good one.

Andrew Collinge products are available nationwide for more information about his salons or to make an appointment see andrewcollinge.com or call 0151 227 2366.

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