The great unwashed

This should come as music to the ears of time-strapped Londoners — greasy hair is en vogue. From the damp, textured manes at Alexander Wang to the glued-down ponytails at Yves Saint Laurent and the soaked, comb-engraved up-dos at Proenza Schouler, wet-look hair is one of this season’s biggest beauty stories. But what the catwalk charmingly refers to as “Modern Athleticism”, we know better as just a little grubby. So if the question is to wash or not to wash, this season’s response should definitely be the latter. Hairdressers across the capital have long advocated locks au naturel, as over-washing strips the hair of its protective oils — and remember there’s a drought.

But the biggest challenge is psychological. Week-old hair may make you feel unkempt but if you control and style it well, no one need know your dirty little secret. Here’s our seven-day guide to the great unwashed — wear it with pride.

DAY 1 — Get a Grip

Start the week as you mean to go on — with day-old hair on day one. Get rid of the clean by shaking Redken Grip Mattifying Hair Powder (£9.99, pakcosmetics.com) on to roots, and spritzing Fekkai Océanique Tousled Wave Spray (£17, spacenk.com) on the lengths to give hair enough tackiness without ruining it for the rest of the week. Scrunch up hair immediately, then tip your head over and rough-dry with your fingers. Finish with a light fixer, such as Aussie High-Hold and High-Shine hairspray (£3.89, boots.com).

DAY 2 — Redefine Matt

Push your hair back off your face, smother your hands with a light gel, such as TIGI S-Factor Spun Satin Feather-Light Styling Souffle (£13.50, shoprush.co.uk) and smooth all over your scalp. Comb through, stopping just behind your ears, and leave lengths clean for a fresh and carefree look.

DAY 3 — A Touch of Gloss

Use the products already in your hair from the past two days to channel a soft, glossy look as seen at Antipodium. Fashion a severe side parting and comb hair flat to the head. If your hair is short, tuck behind ears and leave it, or, if long, scrape over to one side. Finish with Charles Worthington Brilliant Shine All Over Gloss Spray (£5.19, charlesworthington.com), to up the glossing ante.

DAY 4 — If it’s Good Enough for Gucci…

Work with your day four hair, not against it, with a classic up-do as seen at Gucci. Take the top front section, backcomb a little at the roots, and pin down. Keep the look neat by smoothing the top section with a brush, and scrape up the sides, securing at the back in a high bun.

DAY 5 — Well and Truly Glued

You’ll be surprised at the styles that you can create with a little natural axle grease. Try the 1920s look, as seen at Daks, by applying Toni & Guy Glamour Serum Drops (£7.19, toniandguy.com) and follow with Redken Wax Blast (£11.75, salonskincare.co.uk). Immediately comb the front section into a finger-wave style, twisting ends with your fingers, and pin up if needed.

DAY 6 — Oil Slick

Sleek, high-shine ponytails were a hit on the catwalks for a second season this spring/summer, as seen at Donna Karan, Dries Van Noten and Nicole Farhi. Keep it low, neat and chic with a scraped-back Croydon style. You won’t need anything extra for a mirror shine.

DAY 7 — Wash

Rinse and repeat.