HAIR NECESSITIES

'Seven Dials, where even is that?' a friend at Conde Nast asked when we were fixing up coffee last week (I won't mention any names...)

If you don't already know, Seven Dials is just a stone's throw from Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and The Strand (and only slightly further from Conde Nast HQ), but neatly tucked away from the the tourist hustle and bustle; a rabbit warren of narrow, almost traffic-free streets which are home to boutiques, restaurants and cafés – including the best coffee in town at Monmouth – as well as pretty, rainbow-coloured square Neal's Yard.

Another reason I love coming to this part of town is it's home to Sassoon – my go-to guys for all things hair AND who I'm entrusting my locks with on my wedding day later this summer. I had my second trial last week with my super-stylist and think we may have things sorted (hooray!). But more to come on that soon...

One of the not-so-secret criteria to ensuring hair looks its best on the big day is keeping it healthy in the lead up. During cut or styling sessions at the salon, the team use products like Heat Shape, which protects hair from hair dryers, and nourishing treatments such as Hydrate Masks during washing. (Though obviously I look forward to the therapeutic head massage more than anything.)

The key to my at-home routine is that it suits my often low maintenance approach to beauty. Below are a few hero products I'm using to help keep hair fresh and healthy.

Illuminating Clean & Illuminating Conditioner | Strictly speaking this power couple is designed for hair that is coloured (and mine isn't), but I've been using it for a while and am pretty happy with its ability to wash, smooth and glossify

Diamond Polish | Shine-enhancing and heat-protecting. Douse wet hair starting from the ends and working up to the scalp when there is less on your hands. OR apply to dry hair using a tiny amount from middle to ends

Sassoon Professional Intense Restore | Does what it says on the tin. I'm using this once a fortnight after conditioner. Leave in for 15 minutes then rinse (a good time to tie in a face mask too, perhaps during a bath sesh)

Halo Hydrate | Spritz this leave-in conditioner liberally over hair post wash. Couldn't be more low maintenance so right up my street

But back to the salon (where puppies are actively encouraged) and Seven Dials, one of London's prettiest pockets. A trip to this neck of the woods usually looks a little like this...

Thank you to the Sassoon girls for collaborating with me on this post.