Join our newsletter and get 15% off your first order.
Blogs

In the Chair - Real People Real Hair Disaster - Sonam

December 18, 2025

In the Chair - Real People Real Hair Disaster - Sonam

Sonam came to me last year and we gave her a wonderful makeover. But she lives in Birmingham and life gets in the way, so she went to a local salon a few months ago. ☹ The results weren’t pretty; ‘hacked’ would be polite.

A hundred miles can seem a long way but 85 minutes on the fast train, is more or less, a commute and for something so important, well worth it. 40% of our clients travel in from outside the M25. Many live abroad including several in Australia who travel regularly to London on business so manage to keep to appointments with us.

Before

This is the most common mistake I see in hairdressing.  It’s a simplistic one-length Bob with another Bob hacked out 4 or 5 inches up. Absurd? Yes! But this is the go-to haircut for 95% of hairdressers nowadays.

Why? Because it takes zero skill and ten minutes to do. Very sad for our industry. Stylists disguise the step by chopping into it then blowing out smooth but the problems really start when you try to do it yourself and it’s much worse on wavy hair.

The hacked hair makes it look lumpy, more frizzy and faded. I really had my work ‘cut out’, no pun intended, to redesign the shape around the massive holes without losing anything off the length.

1. The Haircut

We wanted to keep the length, so less than 1cm came off the middle length at the back. Using our signature Diamond Dry Cut™ method, I took a graduated outline and sculpted face-framing layers through to the back which we layered up from the base to eliminate the step and create a much better free-moving shape. 

This also instantly improved the health of the hair. 

2. Colour

Our Colour Director Rocky did a masterful job with lighter streaks through the roots and the ends toned through to be rich, vibrant and luscious again.

3. Condition

Sonam’s old hair cut made it look unnecessarily dry and frizzy. People think that’s all down to the condition, but a haphazard haircut will make hair look much frizzier, and faded.

A key product for Sonam’s hair is LifeSaver Pre-wash Treatment. This a not an oil-based treatment and you cannot overuse LifeSaver®. It feeds, hydrates and strengthens hair without weighing it down and gives vibrancy to all hair types.

4. Styling

Our NEW Eureka Blowdry Balm is the best choice for styling Sonam’s hair. This product protects from heat, eliminates frizz, hydrates and revitalises, speeds up blowdrying, gives amazing shine and protects from UV colour fade. It really does tick all the boxes and we are excited to launch this officially in a few weeks after five years R&D. The Cashmere Protein Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner also helps soften the hair and give shine. A large round bristle brush helps smooth the hair for a more finished look.

Sonam has fantastic quality hair and now the cut, colour and condition are sorted you can see and feel the movement and vibrancy as I run my hands through.

 

“Every time I visit Michael Van Clarke I leave feeling absolutely amazing. Michael is so talented and truly takes his time and pays so much attention to detail. My hair can be difficult to manage but Michael leaves it feeling so much easier to handle and control. I couldn’t recommend him enough!
I also had a colour with Rocky which was done so beautifully and naturally. She was able to give me exactly what I wanted. The service and experience at the salon is unlike any other. Truly beautiful.” - Sonam

 

Preparation
We used the LifeSaver Pre-wash Treatment and washed with Cashmere Protein Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner.


Styling
We used the NEW Eureka Blowdry Balm and the Large Round Brush to style.

Forward to a friend

Makeover gift vouchers available
Email: reception@vanclarke.com

 Michael Van Clarke



Also in Blogs

What’s Hot for Summer 2026 by Lamphane
What’s Hot for Summer 2026 by Lamphane

June 12, 2026

For a long time, the ‘Butterfly’ haircut reigned as the most requested style. But in 2025 and the early months of 2026, ‘Bobs’ took over, and we loved seeing Lily Collins, Ji-young Yoo and Kathy Bates embrace different versions of the trend. From French bobs to blunt cuts and box bobs, each of them wore the style beautifully.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Gluten Free Peach & Olive Oil Cake
Gaby's Bakery - Gluten Free Peach & Olive Oil Cake

June 12, 2026

“The pictures are a bit boring but the cake is nice.” I said to Michael as he advanced to taste it. “Wow! That’s fantastic." He replied. "The perfect balance of lightness, moistness and crumb. The sweet peach plays nicely off the

Continue Reading

Myths & Misunderstandings - Can I over-protein my hair?
Myths & Misunderstandings - Can I over-protein my hair?

June 11, 2026

 

Healthy hair is essentially 97% protein and 3% water. The protein provides the structural strength, the water gives flexibility and shine. Hair cannot be overloaded with protein but it can become so dehydrated with heat styling, colouring, and siliconised hair products that you end up losing the 3% water of fresh root hair, and then what is left of the shrunken hair towards the ends is 100% protein and too porous to hold moisture.

Continue Reading

Subscribe