Celeb stylist Sam Overton’s brilliant hair advice

Celeb hairstylist Sam Overton has worked on many a famous head – Jess Hart and Carmen Electra are just a couple of his clients – and the Unilever Haircare Creative Director had some pretty interesting hair advice to share with us.
#1: Where your balayage should actually start
Some hairdressers will start the colour pretty high up, and others will take it fairly low down, but Sam says to factor in your eye colour and skin tone when working out where the lighter shade should start. For example, if you’re a brunette with dark eyes and a medium-to-olive complexion, it’s a good idea to let the colour start below your eyes, as this will complement your features the most. But if you’ve got lighter features, your colour can start a bit higher up.
#2: The etiquette on washing your hair before going to the hairdresser
In short? Don’t worry about it. As Sam puts it, “It’s like going out for dinner and saying, ‘sorry, I had a steak before I came in!’”
#3: Don’t cocktail your haircare
When you have a range of hair concerns (for instance, your locks are both frizzy and coloured), it can make it hard to pick a shampoo and conditioner duo. Well, don’t think buying the shampoo of the colour range and the conditioner of the frizz-fighting range will do the job. Sure, your hair won’t fall out from the combo, but you also won’t get the maximum benefit from either range. Instead, use the matching shampoo and conditioner on one occasion, and the other duo the next time you wash your hair.
#4: Don’t doubt supermarket brands
Some people think that supermarket isn’t as superior as nsalon, but when it comes down to it, the companies behind some supermarket brands invest a lot in research and development and focus on groundbreaking technologies. In fact, Unilever has 20,000 patents worldwide, and they file about 250 new ones each year. So next time you wonder whether or not it’s worth picking up that Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner when you’re doing the groceries, the answer is a resounding yes.
Do you wash your hair before the hairdresser? Are you guilty of mismatching your shampoo and conditioner?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
49 Member Comments
I feel like every time I go to the hardressers', I get told that supermarket brands aren't great.
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I often mix and match my shampoo/conditioner, mainly because I finish one before the other and then I buy the next one :)
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I've finally gotten to the stage of being comfortable to go to the hairdressers with unwashed hair.
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Im yet to find the perfect shampoo. I heard that sulphate free shampoos are the way to go. Would like to know about more brands that are. I think alot of supermarket brands contain sulphates
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Al'chemy make lovely sulphate-free shampoos. You can find plenty great sulphate-free shampoos in health food stores.
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I don't wash my hair before going to the hairdresser, it always gets washed anyway. I generally buy a matching shampoo and conditioner, but sometimes I do cocktail because if I've changed brands, I always run out of conditioner first
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I disagree on the supermarket shampoo and conditioners. I think you really do get what you pay for. Salon brands for me thanks.
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I don't bother washing my hair when I go to the hairdressers (usually do it a day or two before). My Mum does though, she's scared the hairdresser will think her hair is dirty haha.
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I never wash my hair before I go to the hairdresser, but I always wash it after. I like to make sure I get all of the snipped hairs out of my head instead of on my pillow and I like to get used to styling my new 'do myself as soon as possible.
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I never wash my hair before going to the hairdresser, seeing as I get a colour done & I figure if they're going to wash my hair once my colour has "set", then it's not worth doing it beforehand.
I don't necessarily agree with Sam re: not cocktailing your shampoo & conditioner - I've got fine + coloured hair with oily roots & dry ends, so for me it'd make sense to use a different shampoo on my head & a different conditioner on my ends. Currently I'm using a matching set, but I'm about to buy a different shampoo from the same brand as I'm finding that my hair just isn't feeling clean enough with the one I'm using.
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These are great tips :) Very down to earth
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I don't wash my hair the day I visit the hairdresser. I don't see the point as my visits are only for cuts and usually, I need to wash it after I come home to get rid of the cut hairs around my neck. I don't use conditioner or hardly ever. If I do use one, it is one that is left in overnight. I find that using a conditioner that you need leave on for a few minutes and then rinse out, causes more of my hair to fall out in the shower.
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Very interesting article.......I am guilty of "cocktailing" my hair, will have to stop this.
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i sometimes go to my hairdresser with unwashed hair as they wash it again before my haircut and i don't want to overly wash my hair and stripped out moisture. I guess my hair isn't like soaking wet and dirty like it hasn't been washed after gym session for 3 days or something.
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I'm not so convinced that "cocktailing" is a bad idea, just based on a celeb stylist's say-so. I've got oily hair with balayaged ends. Deep cleansing shampoo keeps my hair cleaner for longer, I only condition my mid-lengths & ends, I use a conditioner for dry & damaged hair. I feel that gives me the best results.
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I don't "cocktail" as I figure the shampoo & coditioner are designed to be used in conjunction with one another. I am guilty of washing my hair before going to the salon though!
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Yes i often miss match. As i buy these items when they are on Special especially the ones that often cost alot. So at times it may only be the Shampoo on sale and not the Conditioner, and i have done it for years, and my hair is doing quiet well. Still never get the wonderful perfect hair we all want.
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I haven't done anything with my hairdresser for a long time. The japanese hair colours are pretty easy to use at home, and it gives a wide range of colour choices too.
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I usually go to the hairdresser with dirty hair as my hairdresser says it's easier to apply foils when your hair isn't clean.
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Some great advice :)
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I have always always used different brands together from shampoo, to conditioner to hair mask and styling products. All different.Has been working well for me.
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What a brilliant article. I love the part about supermarket brands - yes. I do wash my hair before getting it cut but that's because my lovely hairdresser cuts my hair dry.
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Nice to know that supermarket brands can be just as good. I tend to mix and match my shampoo and conditioner. Opps.
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I do sometimes use two different types of shampoo and conditioner to get different benefits but normal I like to stick with the same line.
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