Dear Pankhurst London:
This has always struck me as silly – but others I know swear by it.
Should I take pictures from magazines into the barber to show him how I’d like my hair cut.
Bill, London
Pankhurst says:
It’s something lots of people do, Bill, but it’s not always a great idea as it can lead to disappointment if the cut in the magazine picture is not suitable or is unrealistic for your head.
It’s better to have a good consultation with your barber and explain your ideas to him.
He will take into account what you look like, your face shape, hair texture, job and the clothes you wear before agreeing with you on the best style for your head.
Dear Pankhurst London:
My hair does nothing. Nothing at all.
It just hangs there, being lank, straight and dull.
I can’t mess it up, I can’t give it any style, I can’t do anything with it.
Help me, before I die of boredom.
Oliver, New York
Pankhurst says:
Straight hair needs a good technical cut to make it stand out.
Try getting a really nicely shaped, textured haircut that matches your face shape and try to keep the hair off your face, if possible.
Whether you have it cut short or long depends on what will suit you.
Depending on which works best, use a short hair moulding cream or, for medium length hair, defining gel or a leave-in conditioner.
Dear Pankhurst London:
My hair is long-ish and I want to grow it longer.
The problem is that my job means I have to keep my hair looking professional.
What products should I use to keep it looking slick while it grows?
James, Manchester
Pankhurst says:
Leave-in styling conditioner is perfect.
It will keep the hair in good nick as well as allowing you to style it at the same time.
If it needs it, then a very small amount (half a 5p-piece) of short hair moulding cream will add malleability.
Bear with your hair as it grows; it can be an, ahem, lengthy process.
Dear Pankhurst London:
I like to think I’ve got everything in place.
My shoes look good, my clothes look great but then you get to my head.
And that’s where it goes wrong.
No matter what I do, I have a great mass of mid-length, thick, fluffy hair that causes people to stop in the street and point.
Help.
Phil, Essex
Pankhurst says:
Don’t worry, Phil, help is at hand.
Try not to wash your hair too often – two or three times a week maximum – and only use a tiny amount of shampoo when you do.
Towel dry your hair, leaving it slightly damp, then use styling conditioner.
It should take away the frizz and help tame your hair.
Dear Pankhurst London:
I could put this delicately but I’ll come clean: I’m going bald.
Specifically, my hair is receding from the front.
What’s particularly traumatic is that I’m only in my mid-20s.
I’ve always had a fringe but, frankly, it’s getting a bit hard to grow the hair for it.
How do I cut my hair so that it still looks good, but so I don’t look like a middle-aged balding man.
Tom, Sussex
Pankhurst says:
You can’t hide the fact your hair is thinning without looking stupid.
So face it, embrace it and move on.
Cut your hair short and keep it an even length all over.
Try to only use a small amount of a light product, like a defining gel with contains thickening agents, to avoid your hair clumping together (which makes you look balder).
Dear Pankhurst London:
I’ve got short, neat, dry hair and I like it slicked down in a wet, preppy look.
But, though it looks good when I leave the house, by the end of the day it is dry again and the wax I use no longer holds it in place.
What can I do?
Robert, London
Pankhurst says:
Pankhurst’s short-hair moulding cream works very well for this look, Robert.
It’s concentrated and, therefore, lasts all day.
It is also water-soluble, meaning it rinses out in the shower each morning so you avoid build-up.
Important, too, is to make sure your hair is cut well first.
The better it is cut, the less moulding cream you’ll need.
Dear Pankhurst London:
I have a tidy, well-maintained beard but, much as I love it, it’s getting less positive reviews from my girlfriend who is complaining it gives her stubble rash.
Is there anything I can do short of shaving it off?
Pankhurst says:
How about getting a new girlfriend?
But, presuming that’s not an option, put styling conditioner into the ends of the beard to soften the hair for your girlfriend.
Dear Pankhurst London:
No matter what shampoos I use on it, how infrequently I wash it and what products I put in it, my hair has always been dry.
What products should I be putting into it to rectify that?
Scott, Cambridge
Pankhurst says:
Styling conditioner will add moisture and, with even a small amount, will create a good effect, shine and a nice finish.
Dear Pankhurst London:
When I was younger, I spent most of my summers living near a beach and surfing.
I had long hair then and a summer in the sea meant it looked and felt great.
I’m growing my hair again now but don’t really have a summer spare to go surfing just so that my hair looks good.
Are there any products that create that beach effect?
Paul, Oxford
Pankhurst says:
Our Pankhurst defining gel would be perfect for this.
It contains elements of seaweed and sea salt and was inspired by the Big Sur big wave riders of the fifties, so it helps create that sun-swept, beach-baked, salt-in-the-hair holiday look.
Dear Pankhurst London:
Whenever I dry my hair after a shower, it boofs up so it looks really voluminous.
My hair is medium-long and I’d like to be able to add some texture to it, without greasing it down to the top of my head.
What should I do?
Hal, London
Pankhurst says:
Leave-in styling conditioner will tame your hair and allow you to manage it more easily.
It will also keep it in good condition without making it look greasy.
It means your hair can be a little flyaway, without being too voluminous.