Hannah Betts Better...not younger: The easy French hair secret every woman needs to know

I once asked cool hairdresser, Andreas Wild, who works at London 's Larry King salons, what I could do to have ­better-looking tresses. He replied: 'Brush them?'

For years, hairstyles have required a sort of undone insouciance to appear youthful. Well, no more. With the French leading the charge, the fashion-forward hair tool this autumn is not a hot brush, but an haute brush.

For consummate scalp and hair health, and a shiny, shapely mane, using a good brush every day is a cunning move our great grandmothers would definitely approve of.

Exquisitely-groomed midlifers are investing in cult Parisian brand La Bonne Brosse, established in 2021 and newly arrived at Liberty (from £85, ­libertylondon.com). La Bonne Brosse research revealed that 40 per cent of women ­experience ­significant hair loss issues, particularly in middle age.

Brushing with a haute hairbrush is a way to correct this: encouraging good scalp circulation; stimulating stronger roots; your hair's natural oil distributed throughout the hair shaft so that the entire length looks lustrous; while relieving stress in a manner that should also boost growth.

The theory is: less washing, more ­brushing; prescription tools according to hair type; and 'rituals', including at least two minutes' rhythmic stroking first thing and before bed.

Work from underneath, ends to roots (which prevents frizz and overloading the cuticles). Progress up the sides to the top of your head. Gently brush the roots. Next, go nape to forehead to lend volume – then tip your head back and smooth over. Brush soft and/or straight hair with their boar-bristle brush – rich in fortifying keratin – when dry to avoid weakening it.

Brush curly hair when wet with their vegan 'hair' brush, as its soft, yet firm spikes will detangle without destroying your coils.

My fine, flat hair ­prescription is La Bonne Brosse N.01 Universal Brush (£138). Mini-­versions are from £95.

A fortune, I know, but these tools last a lifetime. And I am besotted with mine. Even when simply deploying a rushed, top-to-bottom swoop, it gives style and sheen to my limp locks. My fiftysomething friend, Venetia, who has the tresses of a teenager, tells me that her

La Bonne Brosse feels like a 'brush that's been to French ­finishing school'.

I couldn't put it better myself. Altesse Studio, the other modish Gallic brush brand, has been manufacturing since 1875. So highly-regarded are its wares that they are often mentioned in French wills, to be handed down to the next generation. The brushes are carved from olive wood, naturally anti-static, combating fly-away strands – and first-cut boar bristles for gleam. While the handle design is said to produce the perfect grip and brushing pressure.

Altesse advocates a ­positively Victorian 100 strokes morning and night. Tip your hair upside down and brush 25 times from nape to ends; flip your hair back up and brush 25 times from your forehead to the back of your head; tilt to the left and brush 25 times from right ear to left; repeat on the other side.

The effects take a few weeks to show. However, 92 per cent of users report hair is glossier after use, 78 per cent that it's more beautiful overall. Prices start at £210 (beautyeditmayfair.com), Altesse arguing that you'll spend less on product for the rest of your – and your descendants' – days. Hair genius Josh Wood endorses these Parisian ­practices, telling me: 'I'm a great believer in lots of brushing, it removes any naturally-shedding hairs, dust and debris, spreading natural oils to strengthen and defrizz.

'I love a three-minute brush ritual – it really works.'

He recommends the award-winning, 100 million-sold Tangle Teezer (from £9.33, Boots.com), the brilliant Wet Brush (from £7.11, Amazon.co.uk), and

Y.S. Park Luster Aerozaurus Eco Styler (£36.91, amazon.co.uk), all of which are 'good at smoothing without tearing or tugging'.

Whatever these French fancies, I cherish the Mason & Pearson brushes (from £81.80, masonpearson.com) my mother gave me, their design barely changed since the 1920s. These are as much treasures, as they are tools.

RACE YOU TO IT!

MY ICON OF THE WEEK

Eva Herzigova

Back on the catwalk at 51, Eva has been using her beloved Dior Capture Totale Firming & Wrinkle-Corrective Eye Cream (£68, boots.com) since she was 18, and considers Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin 1-Minute Youth Perfecting Mask (£62) her secret weapon.

She moisturises her body with Nuxe's summer-scented Huile Prodigieuse (from £22).

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