Beauty expert HANNAH BETTS reveals how to join the brilliant group: from new scalp serums to head spas

Being over forty meant hiding gray hair at any cost. Today, it’s less about color than condition.

We all long to be members of the brilliant group. And while us older folks may not be looking to shine with the mirror reflection of TikTok’s ‘glass hair’ trend, a vantage point for shine can take years off our shoulders.

Who better to be our authority on eternal brilliance than Adam Reed, whom I met when we were both in our radiant 30s. ‘Why is shine so desirable?’ I ask him: ‘And why can middle age mean your loss?’

He explains: “Shimmer is essential for revealing color dimension and adding that beautiful shine.”

However, as hair ages, it tends to absorb light rather than reflect it. Adam says this change often occurs because the cuticles become “misaligned.” When hair turns gray, it becomes more transparent, making it even more difficult to reflect light.

For a healthier look, she says you need to seal the cuticle and add shine. “The best way to achieve this is through regular care of both your scalp and hair,” she advises.

‘It’s important to keep the shape trim and avoid excessive styling, as heat can open the cuticle further. Then, increase the humidity levels for a smoother finish and get the shine you’re looking for.

The most obvious shine guarantor from Adam’s brand Arkive is Good Habit Hybrid Oil (£14, marksandspencer.com). Meanwhile, Adam’s Immaculate Hybrid Cleansing Fluid (£14, marksandspencer.com) helps care for the scalp, along with its stimulating menthol Crown Scalp Scrub (£14) and Root-ine Scalp Serum, rich in proteins, antioxidants and moisturizers (£14). ).

Until recently, I had been wary of scalp products, being from the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school. And yet, the middle-aged scalp will benefit from some degree of stimulation just as the middle-aged complexion will benefit from encouraging cell renewal.

The woman who changed my mind was Saori Amos-Yeo, who offers scalp treatments at Michael Van Clarke’s Marylebone salon, therapies that the Japanese practice weekly.

Saori uses a trichoscope camera to carefully examine your scalp and create a free, personalized treatment. And what a revelation to see your forest of roots in the form of tree trunks.

Then I had a Japanese head spa (£95, vanclarke.com). For 90 minutes, my scalp was examined, analyzed, exfoliated with fruit acids, steamed with fine water molecules, kneaded repeatedly, and then analyzed again.

I learned what I was good at: sun protection and cleansing the crown of my head, and worse: an incredibly tight and stressed scalp.

It also made my locks incredibly shiny. Speaking of glass hair: mine was a disco ball. It looked as if we had applied some surprisingly luminous color. Japanese head spas are now popping up all over the country, so if you want to join the shiny crowd, I recommend finding one near you.

Back at home, I deep conditioned with Chris Appleton + Color Wow Money Masque (from £12.50, sephora.co.uk), which revives dull, dehydrated and over-processed hair. Rich in kale, seaweed, and plant proteins, it’s the five-minute shortcut to a luxurious, affordable glow.

I’m also determined to give the Glaze Super Color Semi-Permanent Conditioning Glosses (£15.99, Superdrug) a try.

Meanwhile, I’ve become a devotee of Necessaire’s new rosemary shampoo (£30, sephora.co.uk) and conditioner (£30), which are so luxurious they’re already running out of stock.

falling short. Its pure rosemary oil, vegetable proteins and ceramides add up to wonderfully shiny menopausal hair.

BUY TOWARDS IT!

MY ICON OF THE WEEK: Kate Winslet

The Titanic star just turned 49 years old. Trust Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser (£91.07, Amazon.com).

Next, it’s Lancome Advanced Genefique Sensitive Serum (£46) or L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Serum (£13.99).

The actress also admits she is “quite addicted” to By Terry’s Baume de Rose lip care (£33.60).

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