Autumn/Winter 2011 Fashion Show

November 14, 2011

“So much more than Hair Extensions”

November 11, 2011

Hair Extensions and Hair Additions

November 11, 2011

 

 

 

Balmain Hair is part of the Balmain Fashion Empire

and stylists will often use Balmain Hair to create

inspirational looks on the London, Paris, Milan

and New York catwalks. Balmain Hair has also

achieved celebrity status with Christina Aguilera and

Paula Abdul regularly wearing the extensions. With such

a fantastic heritage, it is no surprise that the Balmain Hair

portfolio is the very best available on the market today.

Balmain Hair is the only hair company with the pedigree of

Coiffure meets Couture.

Salons who become part of the Balmain Hair family receive

up-to-the-minute education, with the training programmes

devised to suit individual salon teams. But it doesn’t stop in

the salon, consumers need educating in home maintenance

and homecare too. Ask any hairdresser why they joined the

industry and the answer is to make people look great and feel

better about themselves. Join Balmain Hair+ and you can do

just that and so much more.`

Welcome to Balmain Hair’s Look Book and the introduction

to our unique service Hair+ which will provide real solutions

for your clients’ hair problems.

The following pages offer a collection of looks you can offer

clients quickly, easily and with the minimum of fuss. Whether

it’s fine hair that needs a boost, or a splash of risk-free colour,

Balmain Hair+ has the answer.

We all know that balancing work/life time is difficult –

Balmain Hair+ will make you and your clients’ lives easier.

With three systems to choose from – Système Volume,

Professional and Ready to Wear – we offer a solution to every

problem. A client’s visit to a Balmain Hair+ salon is a hugely

relaxing experience, perfect for pampering in the quickest

possible time – culminating in the desired finished look.

In this special supplement, we introduce our Hair+

philosophy with four typical client requests – boosting

fine hair; creating a glamorous look; risk-free colour; and

something quick and easy.

 

Dawn Reilly, Marketing Director,

Balmain Hair

“I ❤ Balmain Hair because

our clients expect first-class

quality extensions with the

least application time. With

the Balmain Fashion element,

it suits our portfolio so well.”

Leo Bancroft

“I ❤ Balmain Hair – I

have a passion for hair

extensions and I am really

excited about the fashion

element of Balmain. For

my session and TV work,

and with the type of clients

who visit my salon, I

need the very best quality

extensions with the least

application time. Balmain

Hair meets all my needs.”

Anne Veck

“I ❤ Balmain Hair because

all our clients are offered

an unrivalled choice of

brilliant solutions to their

hair problems. Balmain Hair

products turn our clients’

dreams into reality with an

amazing range of products

which add hair quickly,

comfortably and safely. The

education and support from

Balmain Hair is outstanding.”

Steven Goldsworthy

“I ❤ Balmain Hair extensions because with the

fantastic range on offer, we can give our clients a

hair solution for everyday problems. I have been

using Balmain Hair extensions in my salons for

almost five years and in that time we have built a

hugely successful business. We see extensions as a

fourth service in our business, and when clients have

professional extensions applied we offer regular

appointments to check and discuss their haircare.”

 

 

 

STOP MAKING POOR HAIRSTYLE CHOICES!

November 7, 2011

Face Shape – Face Shape – Face Shape

I can’t say it often enough.  The single biggest reason why a hairstyle from a magazine doesn’t work is because you are looking at a style that was designed for a face shape different from your own.  A hairstyle that looks dazzling on a triangular face may look hideous on someone with a heart shaped face.  A style that is amazing on someone else can make you look 6 inches shorter and 30 pounds heavier.  Not a good plan!

 

A great hair cut is only great if it suits you

The ‘Classic  Bob’  hairstyle loved by so many is a good example, in an effort by the stylist to minimise the severity of the angle they make the cut parallel to the jowl instead of the jaw , which sets up the  accentuation of a double chin. Get an expert opinion on your face shape and raise the question with your stylists. A problem in hairdressing education today is that many of the colleges and advanced hair school training is performed on special dolls heads, which of course all look the same with similar texture hair. So whilst stylists learn sound technical cutting skills they don’t learn to adapt these skills to suit differing faces shapes and solve real guest problems. My belief has always been a great haircut is only great if it suits the wearer.

 

Form and Texture -  Trying to make your hair do things that it just naturally won’t do.  Is your hair thin – fine – medium – or thick – is your hair straight – wavy or curly.

 

You Really Don’t Know Yourself -  Do you remember the first time you heard yourself on an audio recording?  Didn’t sound like you, did it?  A similar distortion happens when you look into a mirror.  You cannot see yourself as others see you.  Your best friend knows what you really look like.  You should give her permission to be honest and depend more on her opinion.

 

 

 

Our Internal Tape Recorder -  Our sensory acuity antenna is constantly alert for reactions about who we are and how we look.  Our memory stores any reaction, good or bad, about what looks good on us.  We pick up the slightest of non-verbal cues.  Over time you will have stored millions of bits of information about how you look.  Much of it contradictory, misread and wrong.  Bad input carries a heavier weight in our memory banks.  That is why we run out of ideas for hairstyle choices as we age.  Is it any wonder we are confused when we arrive at the hair salon?  One reason an outside party can be objective about your hair is that their internal tape recorder is blank.

 

What face shape do I have? – Because we now know we cant trust our own opinion, a useful way to get an accurate measure of your face shape is to tie your hair back with a flat hair band and look in the mirror. Using a water-soluble marker draw around the reflection of your face on the mirror. Then stand back… you may be very surprised.

 

 

Our Hair Biases - That’s right, we all have hairstyle biases.  How often I hear guests tell me that they would never wear a certain hairstyle.  When I ask them why, I get an answer something like “I think that hairstyle looks terrible on me”.  That is almost always a hairstyle bias talking.  Maybe in school she had a run-in with ‘Bertha the Bully’ and Bertha wore a similar hairstyle – from that moment on she is likely to carry around in her brain a bias against that hairstyle.  She will find it very difficult to ever consider it, even if it makes her look fabulous.

You May Have the Wrong Hairstylist -  Maybe it is time to end that long running relationship that has run out of creativity and ideas about your hair.  You have tried out so many styles that don’t work; you are left in a rut.

 

You Are Listening to the Wrong People

 

Mainly yourself …………… remember you do not see the real you in the mirror.  If you are determined to look your best and don’t trust your hairdresser’s style advice for your makeover this Christmas, what should you do?  Seek input on new hairstyles from others, but when you do, keep your own opinions to yourself or you will not get honest feedback.  Don’t prepare others by telling them what you like and dislike before hearing what they like.  Then suppress that part of you that judges and just LISTEN.  You may learn things about your hair that you had never even thought of.

 

Who Should You Listen To?

 

• Your best girlfriend
• Your hairstylist
• Close girlfriends
• Co-workers you trust
• Neighbours who know you well
• Any stylish women

 

Who Should You Not Listen To?

 

• Yourself
• Your husband or partner
• Men (I am told they don’t have a clue) except male hairdressers of course!
• Your Mother
• Your Sister
• Your Children
• Anyone who lives with you

 

Questions I Suggest You Ask Them

 

• Will you be honest with me?
• What do you think my face shape is?
• What do you think is my strongest facial strength?
• What is my weakest facial feature?
• What colour best describes my eyes?
• What colour best describes my hair?
• Is my skin tone warm or cool?
• Should my hairstyle be longer?
• Should my hairstyle be shorter?
• Should I colour my hair?
• Should I perm my hair?
• If you were me and you were going to make a change ……… what would you do?

Time to change your hair stylist??

October 17, 2011

 

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your hair is to change your hairstylist.  I only say this of course if you are unhappy with the results you’ve been getting or feel that you have got in a rut.  There is no doubt that the relationship between you the guest and your hairdresser is a very important one and in many cases very cherished.  Some even like to think of us as a friend.  The problem with friends is that they are in danger of not seeing you objectively and therefore the advice you get becomes less objective.  Equally you are less likely to give honest critical feedback, or complain.  The secret is to get to know more than one stylist in the same salon…. have two friends or three.

 

Are you ready to find another stylist?

 

• Do you fancy a change or is your stylist not coming up with anything different?
• Is it that you cannot afford your stylists charges because of your changing circumstances, even though you appreciate the value of their experience skill and ongoing education?

 

Try your present salon first.

 

However, the reason I often hear for not trying another stylist in the same salon is, “I don’t want to upset my stylist!”  So What Happens?…..Many take a complete leap of faith even if it fly’s in the face of common sense and see a new stylist in a completely new salon.  I say common sense because many large salons will share a common philosophy in their team, from education, service and money back guarantee, to a record of you’re services and colour information. So whilst another stylist may have a different personality, less or more experience and have different charges from the one you are with, it makes more sense for you to stay with the same salon.

 

TIP 1: Have a blow-dry with someone else in the team on your stylists day off

and ask them how they see your hair.

 

I would like to assure you that your hairdresser is not that sensitive and only wants the best for you, which is why many of the best hairdressers see you as a ‘Guest’ which insures that their approach has the  kindness and empathy of a ‘friend’ whilst keeping the professional accountability of a ‘client’. All hairdressers that I work with understand the human desire for variety and would sooner introduce you to another member of their team, than have you never show up again.  Having a team philosophy which encourages you to phone and speak with guest relations, so they can assist you to make that change and try some one different is essential.  The best thing about this is that you have the comfort of having two friendly hairdressers that understand your wishes.

 

Tip 2: Two stylists, even in the same salon, will always have different ideas on the desired look so don’t swap and change if your hairstyle is in the development from one look to another, as you will get a result that looks like it has been designed by a committee!

 

Tip 3: Stylists encourage you to bring in pictures to discuss your ideas but allow and even encourage them to develop the idea, as creative people excel when they have some ownership of the finished look.  An attempt to directly copy someone else’s cut, even if it is one of their team mates will always be a second best .

 

Finding a new Salon Stylist

 

 

How do you find good hair stylists?  Ask someone (even a stranger), who has a hairstyle you admire, who her hairstylist is?  You will be surprised how appreciative she is for you asking.  You are really paying her a great compliment.  Every person is a walking advertisement for their hair stylist.

 

After getting some recommendations, set up a consultation (which should not cost anything).  Now, here is where I suggest you rely heavily on intuition……. Here are some observations to make:

 

• Do we seem to click?  First impressions are powerful and generally correct.
• Are they interested in me?
• How does the stylist present herself/himself?  What you see is what you get.
• What does her /his hair look like.  Don’t always judge the condition, you have to make allowances for the fact that they are tempted to try out all the colours and may have become seriously chemically dependant!
• Did they ask enough questions to be able to access your best possibilities?

 

On this visit a good hair stylist should identify your hair problems with a view to giving solutions throughout your first visit.  They should get to know your lifestyle and how much time you are willing to spend on your hair.

 

• Take a look around. Is the salon clean? Does it look organised?  Do the staff appear happy?

 

• Was your appointment handled professionally?

 

Remember you do have choices and it is worth doing your home work as all hairdressers and hair salons are not the same!

Frizz Free Hair

October 11, 2011

http://simonwilletts.bo.lt/Frizz-Free-hair

New Brazilian Blowdry second generation

October 7, 2011

Having experienced the extraordinary benefits of Keratin complex, the first generation smoothing treatment, I wanted you to be the first to know that this market has developed considerably and for this reason we are changing brands.

 

Combers  have always been on the forefront of innovation in both our product choices and services we offer our guests. Equally, It is as important for us to ensure that you are part of our innovation ethos.

 

We believe that the smoothing sector has moved on rapidly which is why we are proud to inform you that we are now stockist of Kebelo System, the next generation smoothing system.  A revolutionary system that paves the way in both safety and performance.

 

We know that bad hair days can be stressful and years of heat styling and colour can leave hair prone to frizz. Kebelo System was created to give women what they really want, hair that is Frizz Free, Easy to manage, Shiny & Conditioned hair with full styling versatility, giving you 100 days of beautiful hair.

 

An intense, single salon treatment and aftercare system that nourishes cuticles replenishes natural proteins and revitalizes hair from the inside.  Gone are the days of the 3 day wait wash out that was associated with the First generation products. With Kebelo System you will stand out as soon as you step out

The Keratin haircare that you are still using is in limited supply and whilst I have a little left I wanted to make sure that you had first call . If you would contact guest relations and let them know if there is anything you require we will do our best to fulfil your request.

For more information on this amazing new system visit the  Kebelo

Website: www.kebelo.com or contact our guest relations team on 01823 334331

 

Before & After shots with personal testimonials

clic http://simonwilletts.bo.lt/Frizz-Free-hair

Mens Hair

September 21, 2011

From Boys to Men!

 

Age 1 to 4 most boys will be influenced by there mum. With no social or institutional pressure to comply Mum’s are happy for their boys to have cute natural hairstyles for as long as possible.

 

Age 4 – 12 there will be far more of a tendency to follow Dad’s style providing he has some left, and a mini me emerges. Going to school for the first time sees the beginning of conformity to rules and out side influences but the young lads hairstyle will not be his concern.

 

Age 12- 14, boys understand that school has an expectation of how their hair should not look, but they now have a strong urge to express some individuality. Influenced by their peers, celebrity and pop culture, they may now be more interested in where Mum gets her hair Cut and yes he’s noticed your colour. Colour placed in the hair to effect an enhancement or personal statement of style is a huge growing trend among 16 to 30 year old Men and some of these immerging teenagers are daring to experiment in the longer summer holidays. They will start to see the importance of waxes in their hair to develop height and texture as they become more conscious of how they look and what they believe suits them. Some products correctly used control unruly hair and help the young man to wear the styles that the schools find acceptable and minimise any chance that their hair is the subject of unsolicited negative attention. Some of course use products to do the exact opposite which often leads to a quiet chat from their school teacher

 

The acceptance to the 14- 19 year old young man that a balance between conformity and expression in hair styles needs to be a their responsibility. The most common choice of style is short sides, short back, leaving the top to be longer or textured, worn forward or back to suit head shape and personality. Even the classic pompadour, a style made popular with the young rebels in the 1950’s, (think James Dean or Elvis) is being worn by young business men. Liberal amounts of pomade sees this look taken off the face pushed one way or the other looking very stylish worn with a suit or left casual to drop forward onto the face when you want to kick back at the weekends. Having curly hair myself I am pleased to see that curly hairstyles for men have sustained their earlier comeback and now being worn with more confidence as the guys receive greater social verification especially from the opposite sex. We are seeing less of the contrived forward sweep around the face glued in place and being replaced by a more relaxed deconstructed shaggy razor finish. The footballer’s favourite seems to be the Mohawk which looks very aggressive and not everyone’s choice; however this has spawned the Faux hawk. This is more adaptable and although it takes its inspiration from the Mohawk with its accentuation of hair through the top and centre back of the head it does not come with the shaved sides. With the short fringe blended into the short sides it allows the accentuation of textured length through the very top and down the back but you to can style it different for a more conservative ‘American Ivey league’ look

 

Bespoke Blokes

 

A macho- centric menu of techniques focusing on lightning and brightening are what resonate most with our Male Guests. They are in search of individualising there hair but with subtle, natural looking low maintenance colour. Highlights and slices can still be effective but on short hair, comb through colours, shoe-shine and surf-shine effects dominate.

Colour

Expertly handled grey camouflage is a priority year round for the discerning gent who requires a slight lift in natural tone, or blending of natural depth to camouflage the signs that see their boyish colour disappearing and replaced by emerging grey temples. This Guy invariably likes speed more than technique when it comes to there hair! They don’t want to add an hour to their appointment and therefore our offering of speedy shade rejuvenation at the back wash only taking 5-10 minutes is a fabulous proposition. Choosing the right colour and applying the right shade is so important as this colour needs to undetectable, and therefore not go too dark but just as important not reflect gold or red tones in the sun. We use Camo Colour for Men by Redken but there are other professional brands.

The simple solution is to come in for a chat and discover what your friends won’t tell you!

Lets Talk about Wedding Hair

August 23, 2011

So you have the partner of your dreams, the beautiful dress, the flowers, but now you need the perfect look that will leave everyone in awe. Your hair and makeup on your special day will be more distinctive and polished than the make up and hairstyle you wear every day. It is for this reason that I recommend an expert, someone who has experience with the specific requirements and accessories that bring together the look that you have dreamt of. With everything else that will be happening on your day, it is essential that you have confidence in the team you choose so that you can enjoy what is for most a unique experience. Some people choose friends to create the hair and makeup for your special day but sometimes knowing you too well will not enable them to make objective suggestions let alone have the experience to advise what may work best in the photographs, your lasting memory of the day.
Professional hairdressers and make–up artists should be able to provide brides and their wedding party with a flexible service to suit your needs, whether that be in-salon or on location. This is to ensure that you have a stress free and enjoyable run up to the start of the proceedings, and feel like a pampered celebrity even if its just for one day!

So how should I wear my hair?

Don’t be driven by others expectations, it’s your day wear your hair the way that makes you look and feel the best. What I would suggest is that you discuss and take advice from a hairdressing wedding specialist. Do not be afraid to exaggerate your look, what may seem over the top on your trial in the salon in your jeans will look in proportion on the day in your Dress. Whilst your hair and makeup should not compete with your dress it has equal billing on your special day. What too often gets overlooked is how your hair and makeup will look in the photographs. Most people know how their skin can be portrayed in photographs and therefore the need to be more particular with foundation, but many don’t realise how the 2 dimensional lens can appear to flatten a hairstyle and lessen its impact. Bring along a camera to the practice sessions so you can appreciate the difference and of course have a record of the style.

So up or down that is the question?

If your hair is too short or not full enough to put up you can choose additional hairpieces, buns, fillers or classic hair extensions. Whether you choose up or down , your hairstyle and dress will have a personality that should all work together, that is not to say all have to match.

A simple and elegant dress with a larger than life loose messy up-style with unrestrained tresses offers an optional look for the right personality. This style really brings a classic made-up face to the forefront in contrast to the hair – from gently back combed crown and unpicked knots to all out Bohemian this one’s not for the fainthearted. Low buns are very popular but not for everyone’s face shape. The side pony tail works well for those not wanting an up-style but offers something dressier than a down-style.

Was I the only one disappointed with Catherine Middleton’s wedding hair? It took two teams of hairdressers over a year to come up with a look that her mother could have done! Beautiful she surely was and some may say that she didn’t have to try too hard, but I favour the up-do or up-style because it provides a unique appearance that no one attending the wedding can outshine – even if you do decide to choose Pippa Middleton to be your bridesmaid.

The Veil

It is not unusual to have at least two practice sessions to discuss and practice hairstyles with and without the veil. An appointment at least six months in advance where colour appointments can be scheduled and light trims and deep conditioning treatments planned. If hair pieces are required they need to be ordered and colour matched. Bringing your veil, tiara and hair ornaments to the practice session is important so they can be considered when designing your style. It is also useful to show the head brides made how the veil is fixed so it can be easily removed. The veil placing will vary upon the design and final style. Veil on the crown is a good way to achieve height for a down style and works well with a French pleat or half up half down style? Final thing to say about veils is that if they are too heavy they may flatten the hair.

Take advantage of a free consultation with a wedding hair specialist. This will help you decide if they can satisfy your specific needs for wedding party on your special day, leaving you to enjoy the day with your new life partner that you have spent so long to plan.

Combers hair salon , phone 01823 334331
Wedding hair coordinator , Sam Lowe on sam.adminoffice@combers.co.uk
www.facebook.com/combershairsalon www.combers.co.uk

What Is Sexy Hair?

July 25, 2011

 

If you read my blog published in last months LE you could be forgiven for thinking I have sex on the brain, however if you are reading this it must prove  the adage that ‘sex sells’ must be correct, which is my defence. Does everyone want sexy hair?  I see it promised in magazine after magazine, but I have never seen or heard anyone really quantify it?

 

Perhaps it is not quantifiable, as perceptions of what is sexy will vary from person to person. Perhaps no writer wants to run the risk of offending those who have hair that does not conform to sexiness.

 

 

I, like most experienced hair consultants are expected to give honest advice, it is what sets us apart from the instant crowd pleasing hairdresser that just wants to say Yes!. Therefore in every consultation we potentially run the risk of offending with our opinion. This opinion is, or should be, objective, constructive and measured as it is from somebody who does not carry any preconceived ideas about you. It is a given that all of our guests want to come out of our salon looking and feeling good about themselves but the implicit  message can be ‘I want to feel  attractive ….. I want to feel sexy!’

 

Frequently, pretty is confused with sexy. I have known plenty of pretty people with the sex appeal of a bacteria infested sponge, and I have known plain and even what our media may class as ‘not classically attractive’  who ooze sex appeal with their every gesture.

 

Indeed I would argue that there is no ultimately sexy hairstyle any more than the car you drive or perfume you ware.

Yet I do believe that a sexy hairstyle can be the icing on the cake so long as the cake itself has some real substance.

 

So what is this substance and can we bottle it?

 

I believe it is confidence which of course a great hairstyle, great colour and fabulous conditioned hair well boost. The universal sex appeal is the confidence we exude culminating in style, posture, body language, communication and the way move baby!  Over confidence, I would suggest is not so sexy and fuelled by ego, insecurity and sometimes drink or drugs.

 

A sexy hairstyle will:

 

1. Be a simple clean cut with clean lines. Understated elegance.  Think Kate, Duchesse of Cambridge, not Katie Price. Their two wedding dresses and hair could not have been more different. Both exude a different type of confidence.
2. Be age appropriate. Tell your partner you’ll wear your hair long again when he can produce his teenage stomach and biceps. Seriously you can where your hair long as long as the shaping and design supports your face.
3. Be ethnically appropriate. Every culture has its jewels and gems, so why try to usurp someone else’s heritage. It usually looks gauche anyway.
4. Be revealing. Don’t hide behind your hair. Open it up, Show the world who and what you are. Find a good hair colour consultant and go for a change.
5. Be touchable. If your hair is touchable it makes you appear more approachable. It’s the way you ware your hair that gives it uniqueness, not looking as though you’ve trued too hard even if you have. Hair that you can run your fingers through is sexy so watch out for using the too much of the wrong products. A hair style, not a hair doo!

 

1. Be proportionate to you face and body structure. A good hair consultant will, knows the rules and maths of proportionate cutting, drawing the eye to your best feature and away from your least flattering feature.
2. Be complimented by more than one make-up style. I must confess I have never worn make-up but I work with some talented make-up artists and they assure me that many people get into a rut without realising it. It is so easy to get ‘your look’ that is often created years back and then feel that changing your colours every season is enough. It’s the painter not the paint that makes the difference. What about a revamp, get a new look, one that works for you NOW. Why not get two or three variations so you have the confidence to vamp up or down depending on your out- fit, occasion and fashion. Of course your new hairstyle and colour will have an impact as well!! Visit with a salon make-up professional to get real advice. They tell me that 1 ½ hours twice a year will keep you on trend and arm you with new application ideas, so you can apply and wear with a confidence.

« Previous Page — Next Page »