Whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly or coily, it is important to know what is best for you and your hair type.

So we have reached out to a few of our Denman global ambassadors to answers those frequently asked questions.

Alan Beak created RUGER in 2014 with his brother Reece and since then their presence in the barbering world is undeniably one of the biggest in the UK. Having been trained in traditional Italian barbering, ladies hairdressing and Afro-Caribbean styles, they have become the hybrid of barbers, and increasingly in-demand.

Curly and Wavy Hair

How often should I get my hair cut?

The duration that you have between haircuts entirely depends on whether it keeps its shape and its style and how manageable it is. So some people might find that they don’t like loose ends around the ears after 2-3 weeks and can’t manage it. It all depends on whether you can maintain it, style it or deal with it losing its shape. Haircuts tend to lose their shape between 3-4 weeks so that’s a good guideline, 3-4 weeks.

How often should I wash my hair?

This is personal preference but I think hair should be washed every single day. If you use product every day and oil builds up. Your hair is hydroscopic and will reset with water. If you have manipulated it in anyway with heat or if it has been affected by environmental factors like wind and rain then you can reset it back to its natural state and you can restyle it. If, for example, you find that your hair gets a lot more volume after a day or two then a couple of times a week is fine but I prefer once a day.

What are the benefits of brushing my hair? And should I brush my hair before the shower?

You don’t need to brush your hair before the shower, it is best to do this afterwards. If you are washing your hair and its nice and clean and product and oil free then that would be the best time to brush your hair. Brushing your hair can break the bonds in the hair and build up sulphide bonds which is fantastic for making sure that you have a nice soft sheen to it. Brushing your hair can close the cuticle which makes your hair softer smoother and shinier.

Which brushes are best for my hair?

Depending on the effects that you want for your hair if you wanted a smoother finish and you have longer hair then a paddle brush is fantastic for that. If you wanted an even smoother finish, the Denman Finisher is great. If you want to define curls or create some separation then anything wide tooth would be perfect for this like the rake or fantail combs.

What products are best to define my curls or reduce frizz?

In order to reduce frizz and define curls I would always opt for a product that had a little more moisture to it. A matt cream would work, the creams are fantastic for that or the frizz ease gels are great.

What can I do at home to maintain my cut and style?

The best way to maintain your style and cut at home is to speak to the person that has cut your hair and observe them when they style it. So wash your hair and reset it back to its natural state, using the same products they use and using the same tools that they use, that way they can recreate the style they have done. So listen to your hairdresser!

What hairstyles work best for my hair type and face shape?

The way in which your stylist will cut your hair will depend on your face shape, hair texture, your hair colour and your head shape and they will tailor to what suits you. We face map and communicate with you and explain to you what will look best.

Should I cut a fringe/bangs?

Fringe falls under the same process of face mapping. If you have a large forehead then fringes work by covering the forehead. If you have a well shaped forehead then don’t cover it up and don’t have a fringe or bangs as it will frame your face anyway.

How best can I straighten my hair and smooth it to stop it being so wide?

Using the right heat protection and brushes, combs and irons are the best way to straighten your hair. Chemically straightening your hair can be very damaging to the hair, it’s only a few chemical steps away from hair removal cream! I would always advise against chemically straightening hair. Use round brushes with an aluminium barrel like the Head Hugger or thermoceramic, they will hold the heat and allow you to manipulate the hair and pull it out and straighten it out and make it nice and smooth.

How do I get root lift and volume when I am doing my hair at home?

In order to get root lift you need to blow-dry your hair in small sections. If you go straight in with a hairdryer then you will only dry the mid and ends of the hair. If you section your hair into small sections, start from the root, go through the mid lengths all the way to the ends, that means you are going to get plenty of root lift. Now if you want to add more volume you can use a comb, backcomb the hair a little bit towards the root which is going to give you that volume.

How do I keep my hair healthy when it’s long?

Healthy hair always comes from within so making sure that you have a healthy diet and that you are getting exercise. The more blood flow you have to the follicles the more oxygen and nutrients you are going to get there that is going to result in healthy hair. Now when your hair is long, in order to maintain its healthiness we have to use the right products and brushing it nice and smoothly we are not damaging it and we are not over brushing it. So shampoo which is acidic and opens up the cuticle and then we use a conditioner which is alkaline and we use cool water when rinsing it so if you have processed or coloured hair and you use warm water that’s going to drain that pigment out so if you use cool water then it’s going to be a lot safer and healthier for your hair.

Is there anything I can do to help my hair grow faster?

There are lots of things that you can do to help your hair grow, similar to the last answer, having a healthy diet, exercising to increase blood flow to the area. Another way to make sure your hair grows faster is by massaging the scalp, to improve lymphatic drainage and removing toxins and promoting more blood flow which increases oxygen and nutrient flow and it will grow a lot faster.

Should I sleep in a head wrap, bonnet or silk scarf or get a silk pillow case?

Cotton pillow cases can be quite abrasive and can be quite rough on the hair. Using a silk pillowcase is a lot safer for your hair and maintains that soft silky smooth look without damaging it.

Jacqui McIntosh is the project leader for Project Afro and a powerhouse within the hairdressing industry who has enjoyed a storied career, which is testament to her extraordinary talent and ability.

Joining Avlon over 22 years ago as an educator, she has witnessed the ascension of the brand throughout Europe in real time, and in fact, has greatly contributed to Avlon’s reputation for offering an exemplary service when it comes to the delivery of education.

Jacqui now works as Avlon’s European Education Director, overseeing and managing the educational teams throughout Europe.

Coily Hair

How often should I get my hair cut?

Every 6 to 8 weeks is the golden rule to cutting your hair, this can be extended in some circumstances to up to 12 weeks

How often should I wash my hair?

How often you wash your hair depends on you and your scalp. For example, if you tend to use a lot of products then you will probably experience build-up that needs to be cleansed regularly. In this case, washing your hair once a week should be enough. On the other hand, if dryness is a problem for you, regular washing can aggregate the problem so using a co-wash every 10 days may suit you.

What are the benefits of brushing my hair? And should I brush my hair before the shower?

Regular hair brushing helps distribute the natural oils, improves blood flow, exfoliates the scalp and promotes hair growth

Which brushes are best for my hair?

Textured and Coily hair will benefit from boar or nylon bristles. If your hair cuticles are compromised due to dryness, a roughly textured bristle will cause even more friction and snagging and ultimately weaken and break the hair. While some hair textures may be able to handle plastic or other synthetic materials, curls generally cannot.

What products are best to define my curls?

Defining curls correctly needs patience, hair must be wet and primed with a leave-in conditioner, and Defining Custard or similar product, is applied sparingly to the hair using your finger to separate and re -coil your curls. Hair must be left to dry thoroughly, if you disturb your curls while damp you will create frizz, once dried you can separate curls with a moisturising crème into your desired style.

What can I do at home to maintain my cut and style?

Maintain your cut and style with the right products for your hair is key. The use of leave in conditioners, serums and heat protectants is key along with a good pH balanced clarifying shampoos cleansing, a Nourishing shampoo for hydration and /a Nourishing conditioners to seal and protect.

What hairstyles work best for my hair type and face shape?

Facial characteristics are important elements to styling. Depending on the type of manipulation applied i.e., styled naturally or blow-dryed etc. Coily hair is extremely flexible with styling, obviously same rule applies accord to density, coil configuration, texture fine, normal course. However, rule of thumb an angle always sits well with a curve, meaning if you have a round face placing angles in the right areas will complement your features.

Should I cut a fringe/bangs?

Cutting bangs is a personal choice, however if you’re not someone that has time to style your hair with bangs or fringes, leave it alone as bangs and fringes need styling commitment.

How best can I straighten my hair?

This depend on your lifestyle and styling needs, Permanent straightening may be your choice if you require your hair top remain straighter for longer, Semi- permanent straightening may also be a choice especially for longer hair or those wishing to full head an or high-lift colour

How do I keep my hair healthy when it’s long? Is there anything I can do to help my hair grow faster?

Effective conditioning is important to all hair, especially long hair, having the ends cut regularly for maintenance is important.  Diet is the key to hair growth. Hair grows from nutrients, oily fish, deep green veg, are all very good for hair and nail growth.

How best can I add moisture and condition to my hair?

The LOC method works well on coily hair. Liquid/Leave-In Conditioner, Oil, and Cream, maximum hydration obtained.

Should I sleep in a head wrap, bonnet or silk scarf or get a silk pillow case?

These will stop friction to your hair and help keep the hair hydrated, however make sure that your bonnet and pillowcase are silk, a natural material. 

USA Stage Star Winner, Eric Wright of Eric Marshall Salon is a salon owner in Nashville, Tennessee and is the very first Stage Star USA winner and a Global finalist. Eric went straight to cosmetology school after high school and after cosmetology school, he assisted with a Redken hair colourist and stylist; it was that experience that embedded his thirst for education and since then Eric constantly pushes his skills with courses and ongoing learning.

Straight Hair 

How often should I get my hair cut?      

6-8 weeks

How often should I wash my hair?         

Every other day

What are the benefits of brushing my hair?   

To keep shedding at a minimum and the natural oils of your hair 

And should I brush my hair before the shower? 

Yes, to help with shedding in the shower

Which brushes are best for my hair?                

Flat brush (D38/83) or HH brushes for added volume

What can I do at home to maintain my cut and style?     

Use products that help keep your hair healthy looking. Shampoo/Conditioner, oil on ends 

Should I cut a fringe/bangs?                                                         

Yes, you could. Straighter hair would be easier to style and the hair would fall into place better than textured hair.

How do I get root lift and volume when I am doing my hair myself at home?          

With products, you can round brush or use hot rollers to help with heat damage rather than a curling iron.

How do I keep my hair healthy when it’s long?                                          

Keep it healthy by weekly conditioning treatments and regular maintenance trims and avoiding high heat(thermal) on ends      

Is there anything I can do to help my hair grow faster?   

There are vitamins and supplements available. Eat a healthier diet with fatty fish

Should I sleep on a silk pillow case? 

 Yes! 

How best can I curl my hair and keep the curl?     

 Set the temperature to a much lower than normal setting and hold the iron there for a little longer. Low and slow for straighter hair. Use a heat setting spray/protectant and then set your hair with pin curl clips and let cool. This will be the most gentle way.