We’ve all been there….

You head off to the salon, with an idea firmly in your head and come out with something completely different.

It can be very tricky trying to describe the image you have in your head to your stylist and sometimes that life changing haircut you’ve got firmly fixed in there, doesn’t actually work or exist. By that i mean, all haircuts are a blend of 6 classic shapes and techniques. Unless your going for something extreme and disconnected, every section relates and flows into the next one, so if you fancy a short bit somewhere, unless it is blended into the adjacent sections, you could look as though you just grabbed your scissors and chopped it in the bathroom.

Communication is the biggest part of the job with being a stylist and we know it can sometimes feel like your under interrogation during your consultation but we just want to get it right for you.

Our Top 5 Tips For Getting a gREAT hAIR cUT!

1) My top tips for getting the haircut you want starts with bringing in a picture!

This is the best way to make sure you don’t get lost in translation, you can show your stylist exactly what you are trying to achieve and they can identify any potential issues and see if it will work on your hair.

2) If you can’t find a picture, keep looking! find pictures similar to what you're looking for or even 2 or 3 pictures that show an aspect of the style you’d like so your stylist can blend them together. Equally valuable, is an image that you really don’t like so they can avoid doing that too. Failing that, if you really cannot find it, it may not exist. We occasionally get told of a style that would simply not work and would look a mess, your stylist does not want to upset you by saying no, they are just trying to save you from yourself.

3) Don’t try to use technical lingo… often clients can try to communicate with technical terms, unless you're a qualified hairdresser, we recommend you don’t venture into this territory. It is absolutely fine to waft your hands about, grab bits and call things “fringey bits” and “feathery bits” We know exactly what you mean. There’s nothing scarier than a client getting a technical term wrong and not liking it when it’s been done….

4) Be honest about how much effort you want to put into styling your hair every day so that your stylist can recommend a style that you can do at home.

5) If you can’t do it, tell us! If there’s a bit that doesn’t hang right after you’ve washed it, tell us! Please don’t keep quiet or we will think you loved it and do it again!

All you hear about is Balayage, but what is it exactly and is it right for everyone?

The are a few unanswered questions about this beautifully glamorous colouring trend that has swept the nation.

Balayage is a technique not a look, Balayage is how a look is created, a skill that must be learnt and practiced to perfection. Originating from the French word meaning “to sweep” the technique involves painting the surface of the hair to mimic the way hair would naturally lighten in the sun.

Each ‘highlight’ is painted individually by a skilled hand. The effect on the hair is determined by how much colour is applied to the hair, how saturated the ends of the hair and the pressure applied to the hair when applying the colour. There can be 1, 2 or 3 points on the starting area of the section, all the hair on the ends covered in colour giving ombre result or leaving hair between the sections and more negative space (darker hair) resulting in a more naturally highlighted affect. The service is totally bespoke, everyone will be different and often multiple sessions are needed to give you that lived in look you are craving.

Now you know the technicalities, is it for you?

Balayage Pro's

Balayage is great if you want to brighten up your natural hair and a classic application will do this perfectly.

Balayage is very low maintenance! Because your hair has less hair painted near the roots and more near the ends, hair effectively starts off with roots. This great if your busy or don’t want to have your hair coloured all the time.

Balayage grows out very naturally you don’t get visible regrowth.

Balayage can be kinder to the hair.

It looks more natural and youthful.

Can make fine hair look fuller by adding dimension.

Can give thick hair movement and look multidimensional.

Can work out cheaper than foils over the year

Balayage Con's

Not all the hair is coloured, if you don’t like your base colour it won’t cover it.

If you are very grey it may not be possible, or you will need a retouch as well as balayage.

If you like your hair very ashy, with all ash colours you will still need to maintain the tone with glazes regularly.

Not all ‘Balayage’ looks are achieved with Balayage, many are created with foils as you can have more control and more lift. Don’t limit your stylist to one technique if you bring an inspiration picture.

Hair can and will lift warmer free hand than in foils as the colour is not insulated and lifts in a different way.

Is a larger investment each appointment as it takes longer than foils. (is cheaper in the long run!)