The hotel closed the doors of its salon just for us and we got to learn from the pros exactly how to beat frizz and tame volume during very hot and humid summer days.
jetted off to Spain on a spa getaway to find out what the fuss is about. First stop was the Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay where we experienced a humidity-proof blow dry with the John Frieda team.
When thinking of the ultimate luxe holiday destination, Ibiza might not be the first place to pop into your head – let’s be honest, the Maldives or St. Barths are pretty high on that list – but the Balearic Island is making a pretty good case for itself. With fancy yoga retreats, body-sculpting spas and healthy restaurants filling up the island – Ibiza is a re-invented destination worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
But of course, that’s not all. Over the course of four days, we experienced the best that Ibiza had to offer…
THE SETTING
Sitting on the Mediterranean coastline, Ibiza Bay has been designed to be the ultimate playground for grown-ups. With 152 designer rooms and suites, its idyllic charm blends perfectly with its nonchalantly cool guests. The perfect spot for those that love to #doitforthegram – the tropical décor of the hotel and its world-renowned restaurants will beat any other poolside or dish picture you’ve ever taken.
The hotel recently reopened its doors for the summer season after launching last year – and it’s quickly becoming the most sought-after address in the Balearic Islands. With two pools, three restaurants and a jaw-dropping Six Senses spa, the fun, for us beauty junkies, doesn’t stop there.
After cutting the red ribbon, the five-star hotel announced an exclusive partnership with John Frieda Salons, meaning you can get an Ibizian blow dry (yes, that’s a thing), at their in-house salon or at the comfort of your own room.
How to be the ultimate Ibiza girl: we’ve got 13 of the Instagrammable hangouts right here…
We obviously couldn’t let the opportunity of trying a classic Ibizian blow dry pass – learning how to create tousled beach waves that will stand the test of high temperatures and humid altitudes? Teach us your ways, please!
THE BLOW DRY
Our hairstylist for the day, Jeffrey, broke down the steps to achieve effortlessly chic beach waves, that will last through rain or shine. Follow this haircare routine to proof your blow dry against humidity and we guarantee it will make your holiday efforts of taming your hair much easier…
Wash your hair with a sulphate-free shampoo
Sulphate-free shampoos are making their way out of our beauty cupboards once and for all. Sulphate lifts the hair cuticle, making it more likely to frizz – therefore the cleansing agent is not welcome in our frizz-proofing routine. Make sure the hotel’s shampoo is sulphate-free or things might go bad straight from the get-go.
Best sulfate free low shampoo
Choose a lightweight, moisturising conditioner
We often don’t buy tailor-made haircare – even though it is the future of beauty, it’s not yet something that everyone is acquainted with. When shopping for a conditioner to take on hols, make sure that like your shampoo, it is free of any nasties but that it also suits your hair type. Lightweight, moisturising formulas are better as we will be applying a little more product than usual to beat frizz and volume.
Best hair conditioners: top products for every single hair type
Apply an anti-humidity hair treatment
Yes, they exist and work wonders – and we advise you shop for one right now. When going on a hot or humid holiday, having a sealant in hand will save you a lot of time in front of the mirror. Anti-humidity sealants will prevent hair from reacting to the weather – our new favourite is Dream Coat by Colour WOW.
This formula lasts up to 3 shampoos and gives hair a sleek shine and texture. The spray formula is extremely lightweight so you don’t have to worry about it making it greasy or creating build up. It’s designed for those with frizz-prone hair but we’d recommend for everyone with thin strands as well.
Start by drying hair away from your face
With the help of a regular brush, start your blow dry by brushing all pesky baby hairs away from the face – those that have curly hair know how they can be untamable sometimes, so this step is crucial.
Make sure the hair dryer is always facing down
If you ever got a keratin treatment or tried to DIY at home, you probably learned that drying the crown of your head with the hair dryer facing down will go a long way in preventing frizz. Pick your parting and with the hair dryer facing down and the help of a round brush, use outwards movements to dry the crown of your head.
I tried a Keratin treatment and my summer hair worries are completely sorted
Add in some movement
The main feature of the Ibizian blow dry is its tousled waves, perfect for the beach bunny, the curls are as pretty as they are useful. Adding movement to the length and ends of your strands will help prevent puffiness due to humidity. This is especially important for those with very fine hair.
Finish with hairspray
Make sure your waves don’t bulge with the help of a little hairspray. If you’d like your curls to look more natural and loose (without being completely gone after 5 minutes), apply hairspray to a hairbrush and brush your waves – but remember that the tighter the curl the more likely it is to prevent volume due to humidity. Pro tip: Apply hairspray onto a toothbrush to comb down any flyaways.
Et voilà!
The aftermath
It was time to put the blow dry to the test, Jeffrey’s work was done and I was jumping up and down with the results. We had a fancy dinner planned at Nobu that night and I was ready to go. I can definitely see how the in-room service would come in handy in a place like this, having your personal glam squad is not something that happens every day. #Blessed.
Waking up from a full-day of pampering, my blow-dry was holding still – the waves were more relaxed and it had that second-day hair look, which I love. The itinerary was full-on that day and I thoroughly believed the blow-dry was not going to last until the end of the day.
We’re talking breakfast on the beach at Chambao, a yacht trip on a Princess V58 called “Make My Day” (how cute) courtesy of Smart charter, lunch at the hotel’s Mexican restaurant, Peyote, and a walk around old town.
My naturally curly hair was not going to handle the hot, humid weather well and I was fearing having a Monica-in-Barbados moment. (FYI I had no intention to get braids to tame all the frizz, so things could’ve gotten ugly).
Now, by the end of the day the waves were obviously much more relaxed, but I had no frizz or unwanted volume what so ever. Maybe it was the power of Jeffrey’s hands or the Dream Coat working its magic – most likely it was a combination of all the clever steps we’ve learned at Nobu that made a frizz freak have a fully relaxed holiday.
I now swear by the Dream Coat, drying your hair with the hairdryer facing down and adding movement to the length and ends (AND taking notes when the pros speak up). These are my new cardinal hair rules.
Rates at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay start at €630 (approx. £550) per night, based on double occupancy. The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
