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This transformation was for a Daily Mail makeover article. It was published as part of a three page spread on the Monday 12th, our first open day after lockdown.
There are fewer short hairstyles seen these days but a growing demand. Earlier decades had many more haircut icons - Mia Farrow, Audrey Hepburn, Purdy, Princess Diana, Meg Ryan. A fashion-wave for longer hair began in the 1990s helped by flat irons and hair extensions. Hairdressers forgot how to layer any more, and new apprentices weren't taught (my salon team excluded).
The truth is, most hairdressers just cut one-length Bobs, and rely heavily on tongs to style. But there is a desire from many clients to refresh their look with shorter hair. Here’s a good example and this is what we did...
Joanna's haircut was a basic one-length Bob. Heavy and lank around the face it lacked any vibrancy or interest. The hair was soft near the roots and dry through the mid-lengths and ends. It had some natural wave which I could encourage, to give body and movement to the finished look. Joanna's hair was a great quality to work with and I knew that with a refined haircut we could make it very flattering, versatile and easy for her to style.
I sculpted a shorter layered shape using our signature Diamond Dry Cut™, leaving the front long and fluid. Read…What’s the Diamond Dry Cut™
2. Condition
We gave Joanna the LifeSaver Prewash Treatment. Nothing injects moisture, elasticity and shine quite like this.
Read… The Reviews
Read… The Facts of LifeSaver®
3. Colour
Joanna had no colour in her hair and it had faded with age along with some hair turning white. Jodie, our Colour Director, set to work restoring tone and contrast. Keeping 70% of Joanna's natural colour, she skilfully weaved through some cool and warmer blonde lights. The effect is very natural and believable yet very uplifting.
4. StylingThis haircut can be worn lots of different ways; dried smooth and under for a groomed look, or just finger dried with a very light styling touch all around the hairline. This is what we did today, just drying with fingers and smoothing only the hairline sections with a medium round bristle brush. This takes just a few minutes but gives a smoother, natural looking finish.
“Been out to lunch in a friend’s garden and was showered with compliments - really loving my new look. I feel two stone lighter and ten years younger. Mega thanks again - you’re the best.” - Joanna
Prep - For Joanna’s hair we used our hero product - LifeSaver Prewash Treatment to rehydrate, then Cashmere Protein UV Protective Shampoo and Conditioner.
Styling - A little Thicker Quicker and Volumising Mousse, helped give texture and lift to the soft hair for groomed styling. We used the Medium Round Brush to smooth just the hairline, the rest finger dried naturally. Then finally a little Ten Second Transformation to give a little shine, texture and hold.
Where were you standing when you decided to adjust your hair colour? Do you stand there often?
At the first salon I worked as a junior, back in the last century, the colourists at the salon had an interesting technique for showing clients their finished results; escorting them to the ladies toilet where a single electric wall light seemed to cast a favourable glow.