The hair industry is a step ahead of the Prince of Wales on the Nono Hair
Somebody should have had a word in the ear of our future king, who this week declared that he has become autocratic enough to issue a ban on aersols in his home and urged industry to come up with alternatives that do not damage the earth's ozone layer. Industry already has, and the Princess of Wales's immaculate coiffure probably owes much to the new generation of non-aerosol hairsprays, or those which have been traditionally packaged but are free from the controversial ozone-thinning propellant CFC (chlorofluorocarbons).
Conservation-minded women who tried the first generation of pump-action sprays formulated a few years back may have been disappointed in their lack of staying power - hair sprayed in place tended to drop before the first Martini was served - but, according to stylist Paul Edmonds (of top Beauchamp Place salon Edmonds): 'The majority of new sprays work just as well as cans. The formula has been improved so that they produce a fine mist that doesn't leave hair wet - unlike the early non-aerosols types.'
Edmonds prefers the innovative sprays 'because they don't leave you smelling like a middle-aged dowager who's just spent all afternoon under the drier'. Their sole disadvantage? 'They aren't great for chignons or other upswept styles - with non-aerosols, you get the best results when you can comb hair through after spraying.'
There is another caution from Richard Burns, technical co-ordinator of the West End salon Michaeljohn (which counts the Princess Royal among its clientele, and from whose stable Denise McAdam - creator of the Duchess of York's ever-changing coiffure - sprang). 'You have to be light-handed with the pump action or you can over-do it. The rule is to press gently.' Michaeljohn's own contender is due out shortly. You can read http://thebeautyreviewer.com/hair-removal/nono/does-nono-hair-removal-work-the-pros-and-cons/ for more reference about nono hair removal.
Several of the non-aerosols on the British market are produced by the major cosmetic houses. Estee Lauder produces Azuree Natural Hair Spray (250ml, Pounds 7.50), which contains conditioning elements extracted from seaweed for additional shine; Clinique's non-aerosol hairspray (250ml, Pounds 6.75) is, like all its products, allergy-tested and fragrance-free. Vidal Sassoon offers 'environmental formula' staying power in several strengths with its Non-Aerosol Hair Spray (regular and extra hold) and Hair Mist.
At Pounds 2.15 for 125ml, Sasson's sprays are some of the least expensive. Indeed, an excuse deployed by many manufacturers resisting the switch is that the new packaging sends costs soaring. Paul Edmonds believes, however, that pump action sprays aren't just more ecologically sound - they can be more economical. 'There's less waste, because you're targeting the spray, rather than wafting it all around the head.'
Clairol says the average aerosol can contain just one third hairspray; the rest is propellants. It has just entered the market with Finale, also unperfumed, whose secret ingredient is a resin which looks and feels natural, yet brushes out easily; it costs Pounds 1.59 for 125ml in form and normal holds.
For those who cannot forsake cans, however, Friends of the Earth has produced a free leaflet, 'The Aerosol Connection', which lists all aerosol products on the market which are environmentally-friendly - including hairsprays.
Prince Charles need not apply: his copy is in the post. But perhaps if the ozone layer is to stand a chance Friends of the Earth should ensure that a leaflet is also mailed to Miriam Stoppard, the Duchess of York, Margaret Thatcher and Arthur Scargill - all of whom look as though they may still be applying a little lacquer-lustre.