The singer was starring in Blood Brothers in 2005 when she first spotted the problem.

‘I was staying with my cousin, Sandra, in South London and I started noticing a number of dark hairs on the carpet,’ she says.

Read more: Daily Mail

‘I felt depressed. I was getting old and now my hair, which had been thick and shiny, was thinning and falling out,’ said Maureen Nolan

Hair colouring has seemed to have become a fact of life: There are more people colouring their hair now than ever before.

Yet there is, and always has been – a love – hate relationship with the whole colouring process – and more so now after reading, every so often, a real scary story about hair colouring reactions: making the hair fall out; break off; acute allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock, and even as a cause of cancer.

Yet, colouring is one of the great morale boosting processes, so we want to do it in spite of our trepidation, knowing that the right colour can change our spirits from misery to elation. Of all the processes we do to our hair and the myths I have discussed.

The average British female will have 9828 days of bad hair days in her life time. This is the equivalent of 26 years based on the average women’s lifetime of 63 years. This was the incredible findings that emerged last month in a poll of 2000 women, covered in a previous blog.  As  a hairdresser, the only thing that surprised me was that the average women’s age in the UK was only 63!! My understanding is that many feel entirely different when their hair won’t behave. Having flat, unmanageable tresses can make you feel tired, grumpy and less confident. In contrast having great hair can make you feel self assured and more Likely  to hold your hair up high.

The survey went on to reveal that 12% of Women have canceled a date and 20% admitted to calling into work sick because their hair won’t go right. 8% realised that they often compensated by overdoing their make-up.

For those that think these findings are all a little extreme will almost certainly concede to feeling less confident and  happy when their hair let’s them down.  12% in the survey admitted that their moods often led to rows with their partner and 14% have been known to snap at their children. Of course unlike cloths that don’t work for you on any particular day, you cannot just take your hair off and swap it.

Whilst surveys about the emotional impact of ones hair does not surprise me it is always useful to help my team and I refocus on what business hairdressers are truly in and never to underestimate the power of a great haircut. With 56% of the ladies surveyed said they are nicer to people around them and 67% having a better day overall, the mission statement for our team – ‘to help make your hair work for you 365 days a year’, whilst a challenge, is still what motivates me especially when you factor in the  ripple effect of positive energy this can produce when the mission is accomplished.

How do I get more good hair days?

“Of course it’s all in the cut” I hear you cry. absolutely but the ultimate power of a great hair cut is in the knowledge of your chosen hairdresser. Sure it’s nice to catch up, share holiday stories, your hairdresser may even be ‘sweet’ but if they do not understand the ‘Principles of hair design’ it will be a matter of chance. In a world where you don’t get something for nothing the bargain haircut that you think you are getting may not be such a great deal. Average haircuts that cause most bad hair days highlighted  in this survey are largely symptomatic a poor hairdressing standard of education, and a seeming lack of understanding from the public that a haircut is different than a designer haircut. One is concerned with what is on the floor and the other with what is left on your head and how it works for you.

If I were buying a made to measure suit the Tailor would apply the principles of design to ensure the suit not only fitted but enhanced my frame and disguise what seem to be a growing number of lumps and bumps that age and gravity conspire against. Buy off the shelf and you take a chance.  Their are rules and principles in hair design that like any ‘principles’, they are a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as in this case the foundation of cutting your new hairstyle.  If they are ignored or not understood you will get an off the shelf look that has been deigned for someone else and someone else’s hair, or even worse one that looks like its been cut by a committee!

Principles of a hair design or a made to measure haircut!

In your consultation the following will be considered:Natural hair fall, Gravity, texture, condition, growth patterns, density, head shape, and You.

So assuming a hairstyle that will suit has been agreed your hairdresser now has to have the skill to execute that cut with your unique hair and head shape.

The head shape at first glance appears round but in  fact it is a series of flat planes that if not accounted for will result in flat spots in your hair. Ever wondered why you cannot get enough height or width? – well this is the reason. Unless you want you hairstyle to reflect the the exact imperfections of you head shape your hairdresser needs to understand  the following:-

Horizontal cut lines produce weight and width creating stronger shapes

Vertical cut lines productive illusion of length and softer shapes

Diagonal cut lines produce rounded or beveled shapes designed to soften even further

Elevation controls the graduation in the shape.

Straight graduation is elevation on or below horizontal 90 degrees

Scooping graduation is elevation above horizontal 90

Swelling graduation is elevation above horizontal 90 and wrapped over the head before cutting.

Finger angle creates the volume in the shape

Over direction creates length and weight in the opposite direction to which hair is pulled.

If your hairdresser applies these principles with consistent attention to the planes of your head shape using precise sectioning, give you advise on styling with correct product choice and placement  you will be less moody, more confident and have better relationships with everyone you meet, though sadly it’s not a guarantee to longer life expectancy!!

Please don’t have nightmares as if you have found this blog you are probably not the average British woman,  and in my experience the average British woman is not necessarily prepared to pay for a genuine designer haircut.

I guess we can often relate to actors, actresses and singers easier than glamorous
models or what was dubbed in the nineties as ‘Super models. However minor the
celebrity status, many of us find it easier to buy into someone we  think we can
relate to or can see ourselves like rather than just a great body. I guess this is why the
Oscar film awards attrac equal billing to the gowns worn on the red carpet to the movies. Last month
we had London fashion week 2012. Unless you are in the fashion business I bet most people were not aware of the different styles on this year’s catwalk, as the news
channels did not cover it. However every magazine and news channel clambered to
cover the ‘Red Carpet’ segment of the Oscars, with commentary on who looked good
and who didn’t.

Celebrity A-List Permanent Hair Colour

I Have Just returned from Berlin where Redken held its first European hairdressing
symposium. The main focus was Hair colour or as the Americans call it COLOR!
Redken, USA’s no 1 hair brand, famous for their innovation and leadership in the
science of everything hair are now leading the way in Hair Colour.
Red-carpet celebs like, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Kate
Beckinsdale, Kate Bosworth, Gwyneth Paltrow and many more have Redken hair
colour with Tracey Cunningham at the famous  Byron & Tracey Salon in Beverly
Hills, LA. These A list celebs pay for their own hair as unlike the gowns and jewels
that they are paid to wear to these glamorous events, they will not indulge the
fantasies of just any hairstylist to colour and cut the gown they cannot remove at the
end of the night – their hair!

Changing Colour for a changing World.

LA celebrities can afford the best so its reassuring that at ‘The Colour Bar’ at Combers in Taunton
you can experience the same hair colorant on your hair. No it’s not a
Chinese copy but the real thing and can be applied for you less the LA price tag by talented
local hair designers, dedicated  to keeping pace with the latest techniques,
fashion and design.

The other dynamic this year that will change hair colour for ever is, NON
AMMONIA COLOUR for the professional hair colourist. Non ammonia has
been talked about in over the counter colours for sometime but up until now the
performance and reliability of the colour result has been very suspect which is why the colour manufacturers would not use in their professional ranges.

The Science bit

REDKEN CHROMATICS heralds a change in professional modern hair colouring,
presenting you the paying guest with a protein enhanced 100% ammonia free,
odourless permanent colouring service. Ammonia has traditionally been the
ingredient of choice for good permanent colour performance. Now Redken has
developed a new technology to achieve the same performance and results as ammonia
based colorant, with the additional benefit of greater scalp comfort and protection of
the hair quality from root to tip and a kinder to hair colorant that helps the hair to feel
stronger with a stunning 4-D, reflective finish.

Why does this matter I hear you ask? – “Light affects the way we see all colour and
therefore there is a direct relation between the reflective qualities of an object and
the tonal quality we see in its colour. To enable hair to be most effective at reflecting
light the cuticle, (hairs surface) needs to be smooth, which means it will always look
better if in better condition. This is why the best hair colours do not just change the
colour of your hair but maintain and now enhance the integrity of its condition to give
enhanced vibrancy and longevity”.- Simon

After applying Chromatics Permanent hair colour system vs. uncoloured treated hair.
The results from the lab were astonishing as it measured at least 2 times stronger –
Now that’s amazing when hair colour no longer has to be the natural enemy of hair
condition.

Just ask

Speak to your hairstylist and ask how your hair can be enhanced by non ammonia
hair colour and if a celebrity inspires you to have a change of hairstyle, bring in the
picture, at least it’s a starting place for a conversation even if an exact match cannot
be achieved – I brought in a picture of George Clooney!!

For more infomation contact Simon Willetts at Combers +44 1823 334331

The average British female will spend the equivalent of 26 years of her life suffering from bad hair, it was revealed today.

The incredible findings emerged in a poll of 2,000 women and shows most wake up with unruly hair at least three days a week.

This means they spend 156 days a year with limp, greasy, uncontrollable or lifeless locks – a grand total of 9,828 ‘bad hair days’ based on the average woman’s lifetime of 63 years.    

Representing Somerset in a delegation of 79 invited hairdressers from the UK and Ireland I witnessed Redken’s first ever European Symposium in Berlin, the diverse capital of Germany. The event saw thousands of hairdressers traveling from across the continent – and the rest of the world – to revel in the Redken ethos of “be inspired, be part of it.”

In fact there were 2,500 delegates from 25 countries gathered at former airport, Tempelhof, for the spectacular opening show, that combined live demonstrations with catwalk elements and more than a hint of drama.

The main purpose of the show was to highlight the versatility of Redken’s new colour range Chromatics, with a myriad of shades paraded in front of the excitable crowd. Just as diverse was the array of styles on display – from geometric bobs to multi-textured tresses. Crimped, curled and blow-dried for volume, hair was big and beautiful, or perfectly cut into classic graduation. Fashion was retro, ethereal and sexy in equal measure, demonstrating the versatility of Chromatics and the talent of its international team of Redken artists.

Two days of seminars followed, covering both business and creative element of hairdressing.
Also time to party, we were invited back in the evening at the Tempelhof for an evening of food, wine and live music. Meeting old friends and making new, the opportunity to network with some of the UK and Europe’s finest hairdressers is always hugely inspiring. I don’t think I have ever returned from these events without loads of ideas, but mostly a reminder of the overwhelming love that I have for hairdressing and the beautiful engaging people that make up my chosen industry…. Best, Simon

Do you have fine hair ends? Does long, full and voluminous hair seem impossible? Hair⁺ from Balmain Hair is the answer! This philosophy focuses on the six most common hair problems and offers six different and unique services in order to solve them, two of which I am focusing on here. With Hair⁺ certified technicians can be more creative. Also it enables them to have a more complete solution for the their guest’s problems.

The main reasons for becoming a Comber’s hairdresser are: creativity, problem solving and happy guests. Unfortunately these reasons don’t always match one another. Every single day guests enter our salon with a certain hair problems. For instance Dani: she has very fine hair ends and every time she visits a salon, the hairdresser advises her to trim the ends. Dani understands this, but actually wants to keep the length because she is getting married in 8 months’ time. Not only does Dani want her hair long, she would love it to be a lot fuller. Up until recently she felt there was no real solution for this specific problem and told me that she had given up on what she had come to believe was only a fantasy.

Hair Plus

Hair⁺ provides the opportunity for those with fine hair ends to have the long, full and voluminous hair they have always dreamt of. Your own hair is no longer the limit. Certified technicians can simply add hair to create a fuller baseline, to give the hair more body and create more volume. Thanks to Hair⁺ long, full and beautiful hair is accessible for everyone, not just the happy few!

Fuller hair can be created with different Balmain Hair products and is available at varying prices. A little bit of extra hair – a few applications – is already enough to solve the problem. However it depends on how full and how long you want the end result to be.

Double Hair

‘DoubleHair’ is the most popular solution, made of two connected strips of high quality 100% human hair. The attachment is hidden in the middle of these two strips. When the bonding’s are attached, the hair is flipped back, which makes the attachment points invisible between the hairs. With this simple technique we can work 60% faster and more efficiently compared to regular hair extension systems. Within 40 minutes, volume or length can easily be created.  ‘DoubleHair’ is easy for a certified technician to apply and remove and can be re-used 2 to 3 times! Well-maintained ‘DoubleHair’ can last up to 8 months.

“Hair comes in various shades but if your hair plus technician works in a specialist colour salon it will enable them to offer you an additional service of bespoke colour matching, for an even more natural look.”

 Special occasion 5 minute hair additions

If you have watched any award show this season, or picked up a fashion magazine, you’ve seen the style that everyone is supporting: ponytails! They are quickly becoming the ‘it’ style for the hottest celebrities and fashionistas. Together with a variety of other hair pieces from the Balmain hair elegance range, as seen on Tv’s ‘Dancing on Ice’ show, they can also quickly add a little style and sophistication to any wedding hair. 5 different hair-ups and 3 different pony tails. Want to create a ballerina top-knot, a low bun or an elegant pony tail? No problem! Trends can easily be followed with the hair-up pieces of Balmain Hair and the end result looks completely natural, as if it’s your own hair!

I remember being told that in economic recessions one of the first budget cuts small businesses will consider making is on training and advertising. …..This of course may seem an obvious way to save money in the short term but of course it is it crazy. Assuming the business had a budget in place for this in the first place and they have  priced their service to include education and advertising it is short sighted to strip this down and call it profit unless of course it is the last resort

Looking Back

When I started Combers Hairdressing salon  in 1982 my first market strategy was what I later learnt was ‘Differentiation’ . I did not even know it was a strategy but I instinctively knew that we not only needed to be better but different to our competitors. Not only be different, but behave different, talk a different story, walk a different path. This is not some strategy  that I learnt from a book but what I came to realise was a core belief that developed at the age of nine when I was taken  to Ghana, West Africa by my parents to live for  2 years.  I attended an international school with over 26 different nationalities. I learnt so much about different cultures and attitudes to life in that short time. It was not until later on in my life that I was able to reflect on its influence and impact. I made the connection that being different was not something to be scared of or  suppress  but rather develop and celebrate.

Getting off the ground I needed an instant team of hairdressers and looked for an instant remedy. I learnt the hard way that employing other salons stylists was not a shortcut to success. Asking someone to adopt challenging new ideas and have the courage to be different from the crowd is hard enough without the added problem of asking them to unlearn old ways. Of course being  younger than many of my early employees at only 20 years old did not help!

So I decided to grow my own team and educate and train them from scratch, straight from school. It was the only way. Remembering my early experiences in Ghana, I sought the assistance of other like minded organisations and companies from different walks of life and countries. I came to realise that nobody had the monopoly on good ideas! often the best ideas came from the most unusual sources and I learnt that most people are only too happy to share their wisdom if  I had the courage to ask.

So from then on Combers have always built education Into their price

I always remember someone saying that I will only be educating my competition, meaning that stylists would leave someday, and work in competition to Combers, as if that was a reason for not investing in Training?? I am very proud of the fact that over 100 people have left school and learnt far more than hairdressing at Combers. They have gone on to have interesting lives both in and out of hairdressing.

In the hairdressing and fashion business, education and training is a continuous investment if you wish to lead people and have success  and even more so in an economic  recession. The truth is that without it, creative hairdressers become stale and uninspiring and like water, slowly, often imperceptibly go down hill, losing customers along the way. Without it, quality does not stay the same thats for sure. The other thing that I have learnt is that anyone in the team can only be as good as the best in that team, as everyone stimulates, inspires,motivates or demotivates  each other. So if any one ever leaves Combers to work elsewhere their skill and attitude to hairdressing and many other things beside will ultimately mirror their new team and only grow in proportion to the ongoing investment in their education, which in the case of single operators’ and surprisingly some salons is very little. This is of course why we never really train our competition as in a vacuum of inspiring leadership, encouragement and goals, a nurturing team culture and ongoing education they are not the same people within a year of leaving. While the talented individual personalities that continue to work and develop together as a team at combers move onwards and upwards.

So Combers are committed to increase their education in 2012

•   Because I know everyone else will be cutting theirs it’s an ideal time to increase the measurable distance by which we can continue to justify the claim to call ourselves Taunton’s leading Hair Salon.

•   Our customers do not recognise the ‘something for nothing’ culture and therefore are not looking for cheap hairdressing at the expense of their stylists success and happiness as they understand it’s undeniable link to the quality they can expect from the product and service they receive. However they do and will increasingly expect better value for money.

•   The difference between one hairdresser and another is not whether they can cut a good haircut but whether they cut the right haircut for their guest. The one thing that sets the best from the rest is knowledge. Our guests are not just buying a haircut or colour but what we know. Our ability to listen, advise, share latest technology and style tips and the confidence to give our opinion and  of course execute  the agreed hairstyle with skill….  More knowledge and experience will mean higher prices but because the local market place will always have a price threshold, increasing a stylists knowledge will always have the ability to grow positively disproportionate to the price that can be charged and therefore create even better value for our guests. This is probably why we see a growing number of new guests that would have normally continued the treck back to their previous city salons coming to Combers.  Expecting to pay in excess of £100 for a top hairdresser in the Uk’s major cities  makes our service fantastic value.

Education for the first quarter of 2012.

•   Balmain of Paris….Hair Extension Education class for 4 new technicians and new updates for our  2 experienced certified technicians…..Sunday, 22 January.

•   New hair colour education theory and practical participation….. For all Combers hairdressers and apprentices on February 14th…  from 11am – 3pm only open for making appointments with Guest Relations and shop sales

•   Principles of advanced Cutting & Design Practical session for all Combers hairdressers and apprentices on March 19th . Salon Guest Relations open for making appointments and shop sales.

For more infomation contact simon willetts at simon@combers.co.uk or leave a comment below.

Visit Facebook or Twitter to find the offer code… Enjoy!