Get a headstart on looking younger

Move away from the hair colour (for now): the first step to making it more youthful is TLC

The A-list’s go-to colourist Tracey Cunningham tells me she’s spent her entire career making people look like younger versions of themselves. And when it comes to turning back the clock on your locks, Cunningham, who counts Lily James, Riley Keough and Emma Stone as clients, says that while colour is important, strong, healthy-looking hair is an even bigger priority.

The hair-colour industry is a billion-dollar business and ‘highlights are the gateway drug’, she says, as they can help blend in greys and replicate the tones you had in your earlier years.

However, no matter what colour you choose – Cunningham’s money is on monochromatic tones being the next big thing – it’s strong hair that is the ultimate sign of youth. As a colourist, she has to ensure that hair remains healthy no matter how much bleach is being used. Having discovered Olaplex ten years ago, she now won’t do a colour without using its No 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment (see opposite) first. Why? Because it strengthens strands from the inside out by repairing the hair’s disulphide bonds. She also recommends that anyone colouring their hair gets into this habit because while using a good shampoo and conditioner can help maintain the hair’s cuticle – the outside layer – without a healthy cortex, which is deeper inside the hair shaft, your locks will be finer, look drier and be prone to damage.

‘People spend money and energy on caring for things they can take off,’ she says. ‘For example, you might dry clean an expensive dress or polish your fancy jewellery. Our hair is something we can’t take off, so however you treat those other items, treat your hair better.’

She has a point; if a curling wand or straightener can burn your skin, what is it doing to your hair? However, many people use styling appliances without first shielding their locks with a heat protection product. Years of this sort of damage, along with menopause and getting older, will leave you with hair that ages you whether you’ve taken care of your skin or not.

The good news? It’s not too late to anti-age your hair. We’ve cherry-picked the best bond-building products in the business (see opposite).

UNDER A TENNER

Speaking of heat protection, Hair Proud All Inclusive

5 In 1 Protection Milk (£8.95, iamproud.com) is a leave-in spray that boasts niacinamide, fruit extracts and hydrolysed wheat protein to protect against temperatures up to 230C.

Heat damage makes hair look unhealthy and it is ageing, too

T H E C U LT FAVOURITE

With its patented formula, this Olaplex treatment (the most potent in the range) repairs and aligns broken bonds for stronger, shinier hair. The range includes a variety of products including a lightweight serum and oil. Olaplex No 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment, £28, olaplex.com

A predilection for Waitrose and a working knowledge of ‘Wannabe’?

That’s her.

And what does Millie really, really want?

Twitter reckons potted plants, bottomless brunches and the first Ottolenghi cookbook (even though she knows it’s passé).

Anything else?

Vegan Veja trainers, sustainable Ganni dresses and the world to be fluffier – like she was promised it would be when she graduated from her Russell Group university in the mid-noughties.

And how would Millie describe herself?

Her Instagram posts lean heavily