Hair Raising Costs

FIORA McFARLANE, ASSISTANT PICTURE EDITOR

For Fiora, a night out is not complete without a blow-dry. In fact, she admits she rarely dries her own hair, preferring to leave it to the professionals.

She spends pounds 50 every month on her color and has one blow-dry a week, costing a further pounds 10 ($15). And it doesn't matter where in the world she is, her hair will be coiffed to perfection.

Flora, 41, said: "A good hairdresser is worth their weight in gold. They have the ability to make or break a good night out.

"I have my hair blow-dried every time I have a night out to go on.

"I would not dream of going out without one, something my friends all find hysterical. But, to me, it's one less thing to think about, and if your hair is right then you feel good no matter what.

"Even on holiday, I still find the time. I've had my hair done in cities including Cannes, Rome and Milan, and can tell the moment a hairdresser " I me and a " A to not " quite puts the brush in my hair if I am going to like the finished result.

"I remember a time in a salon in Liverpool when the girl informed me she didn't use round brushes and proceeded to dry my hair with a paddle brush. My friend was in stitches at my face. But it turned out great, much to my surprise.

"A good blow-dry can last me up to three days and I have trained myself to sleep on my back and not move so when I wake up in the morning my hair is still in place.

"The pounds 9000 ($14,000) figure in the survey is quite low. I imagine I spend loads more -- but don't tell my husband.

"I currently have my hair shorter, which means it is easier to dry myself. But I still go to see Trisha in Camerons, Glasgow, and she does a great job. I will always be a regular there and I can't imagine a day when I wouldn't head to the salon to get my hair done.

"I love short hair at the moment and really like Victoria Beckham's style and Halle Berry, when she had the short hair, was gorgeous, too."