Make your party blow dry last the week by Kate’s royal hairdresser Richard Ward

• Celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward gives his advice on making the blow dry last
• READ MORE: A-list hairstylists reveal DAMAGING hair mistakes you are making 

With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday this year, it’s likely that the 23rd will be the last day for a professional blow-dry before the festivities begin.

But, don’t panic, with some expert advice from celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward, whose clients have included the Princess of Wales, you could make that blow-dry last for up to a week — right through to New Year’s Eve.

From ditching the sleek look to sleeping on silk and cooking in a shower cap, read on for Richard’s tips on how to keep your blow-dry bouncy way past Boxing Day . . .

Curls are the best

‘If you want your blow dry to last longer, ask your stylist to put curls or waves in it,’ says Richard. ‘Either have rollers put in it or, once it’s been blow-dried, have it tonged or beach-waved. The more volume you have to start with, the further your hair has to fall, so any sort of volume created through heat styling should make it last longer.’

And, while the temptation might be to use a lot of mousse or hair spray to hold your style for longer, Richard cautions against this.

‘Overloading with products is a total no-no,’ he says. Too much product can not only weigh hair down, but can also attract dirt and dust to the hair, meaning it’s likely to look and feel as if it needs washing sooner rather than later.

Catherine, The Princess of Wales, Patron of The Forward Trust, visiting HMP High Down in Surrey to learn about how the charity is supporting those in the criminal justice system to manage and recover from their addiction

With some expert advice from celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward (pictured), whose clients have included the Princess of Wales , you could make that blow-dry last for up to a week — right through to New Year’s Eve

The secret to smooth sleeping 

Hairdressers often talk about how a silk pillowcase is kinder for your hair than a cotton one, because it’s smoother and less likely to ruffle the cuticle and cause tangles.

Richard agrees this can definitely help preserve your blow-dry, but also suggests putting your hair up before bed. ‘Wrap your hair around itself and then use a silk scrunchie to hold it in place on the top of your head,’ he says. ‘You want to make sure it’s a proper top knot on the crown so you don’t sleep on it.

‘Any ruffling will be at the nape of the neck or underneath the hair, so will actually give you volume when you take your hair down in the morning.’

READ MORE: A-list hairstylists reveal the most DAMAGING mistakes you are making with your hair – including brushing it from root to tip and using dry shampoo 

Shower (and cook) with care

‘Getting your hair wet or full of steam will seriously hinder how long it lasts,’ says Richard. ‘So a shower cap is an absolute must. Make sure you use one every time you shower or bath. And, if you’re going to be in any other steamy environment — such as the kitchen with pots of veg bubbling on the hob — you might even want to wear your shower cap there too.’

If it’s dry outside, think about opening a window.

To make sure no moisture gets to your hair at all, put on a towelling headband before you put your shower cap on. Fixed properly, this will ensure none of your hair is exposed, and will also stop you getting that mark where the shower cap elastic digs into your forehead.

Use dry shampoo sparingly 

‘If you feel your hair needs revitalising, dry shampoo is a great option, but be careful where you use it,’ says Richard.

‘Using too much will dull the hair so I always suggest just using at the roots.’ Follow the instructions, but usually you want to spray it on, leave it for a few minutes, massage it in and brush out.

‘Alternatively, if your hair needs volume — which can be lacking after a couple of days, throw your head upside down, spray dry shampoo on the roots and blast with a hairdryer for instant va-va-voom.’

Wash your hair – but not all of it

‘If your hairline — which is the bit most people see first — looks good, you can get away with the rest of your blow-dry looking less than perfect,’ says Richard.

‘So, if three or four days post-blow-dry your fringe or hairline is looking lank or greasy and you need a quick fix, you can wash that front section over the sink and blow-dry that. Take a section from the crown to the ears at the front, pin up the rest of the hair, and just shampoo and blow-dry that section.’

‘If you want your blow dry to last longer, ask your stylist to put curls or waves in it,’ says Richard (stock photo)

Catherine, Duchess of Wales, arrived with husband Prince William to host a Christmas Party for the families if serving Royal Air Force personnel 

Boost hair with heat

‘Heat will always revitalise hair, especially if you use it in conjunction with something to give volume,’ says Richard. ‘Either use your hairdryer on dry hair with velcro rollers, or use tongs or heated rollers.

‘As you blow dry, put hair spray on the roots to help hold the volume. And, if you have time, when you tong or take the rollers out, wind the hair around your finger, clip it and allow it to cool like that.’

Wear a silk scarf to do the turkey 

‘A half-up, half-down style can create the illusion of volume, as you progress through the week, and if your blow dry is really getting to the end of its lifecycle, you can always tie your hair up in a pony tail.’

Big bows are having a fashion moment right now so capitalise on that. Whether clipped in or fashioned from some leftover wide ribbon, it can cover a multitude of sins.

Even if you’re planning on wearing your hair down, keep it pinned up until the last minute, suggests Richard.

‘Whether you’ve tonged it and leave the curls in clips, or even if you can just pin it all on the top of your head with a grab clip, the key is taking out those clips just before you want to look your best, as it can drop quickly.’

That might mean tonging your hair on Christmas morning then leaving it pinned up and under a silk scarf while you’re prepping the turkey, only to unleash it just as you bring the bird to the table, both of you looking your festive best.

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