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We’ll be chatting with different members to uncover their favourite cuts, the trends they’re currently obsessing over, and the must-have products they swear by. Get to know the faces behind the salon and find the perfect inspiration for your next appointment! This week we meet Principal Stylist, Lamphane.
Hey Lamphane...
What haircut trends are your clients asking for most right now?
Since the start of 2026, so many of my clients have come in wanting to go shorter. The modern bob is having a real moment, it does make the hair look thicker and healthier. It’s low maintenance and works whether you wear your hair straight, wavy or curly.
Soft layered cuts are also in constant demand. They’re the perfect way to keep your length while adding movement, volume and nice face‑framing. It’s also very versatile with the styling.
And still massively in demand, the curtain bangs and soft fringe, they usually soften the face, they are easy to grow out and they work with almost any haircut.
Which celebrity hairstyle are you currently loving, and why?
I’m obsessed with Selena Gomez’s bob. It suits her face shape perfectly and is such a clean, modern example of the bob trend. It’s incredibly versatile, you can see on her Instagram account how it works beautifully for her everyday style, but also on the red carpet, it has a real “wow” factor. For me, it’s a 10/10.
What’s the biggest shift you’ve noticed in how clients want their hair to look or feel right now?
There’s a huge shift toward hair that looks naturally healthy instead of overly styled. My clients with curly or coily hair for example always ask for cuts and colours that enhance their natural texture rather than fighting against it.
Health has become the ultimate luxury. Shine, strength and smoothness are now more important than any kind of obvious styling. There’s also a deeper focus on longevity. People want shapes that grow out softly and still look amazing weeks later.
Ultimately, clients are craving hair that feels effortless, elevated and authentic.
Who or what is inspiring you most right now—celebs, runways, TikTok, clients?
Schiaparelli, always. Daniel Roseberry turns haute couture into pure art, and I’m genuinely obsessed. His creativity inspires me to push my own work further and bring more artistry into the hairstyles I create.
What’s a low-effort trend that still looks high-impact?
If you want maximum impact with minimum effort, choose a cut that naturally creates shape and volume. At Michael Van Clarke, we cut hair dry, working with the client’s natural movement and texture. It means the hair falls beautifully, and it always look styled and expensive with minimum maintenance.
What haircut do you think is the most flattering and versatile at the moment?
Long, soft layers work on almost every hair type and give you endless styling possibilities.
Which cut are you recommending for clients who want a refresh without losing too much length?
Play with the front, face‑framing layers, curtain bangs or a soft fringe can transform the entire look. Adding a few more layers throughout the back gives movement without sacrificing length.
What version of the bob are you cutting most in the salon right now?
French bobs, blunt bobs and box bobs. They’re definitely the top requests in the salon at the moment.
For clients nervous about going short, which bob would you recommend as a first step?
I will always take it in stages. Building trust will be crucial and I will then create a gradual transition plan, so the clients feel comfortable. It’s about easing them into shorter hair without being too dramatic.
Why do you think hair health is becoming such a priority for clients right now?
Clients are so much more aware of hair and scalp health right now. Many want to repair or prevent damage from colouring, heat styling or chemical treatments. Social media and beauty trends have also increased the demand for strong, shiny and healthy-looking hair. People now simply want hair that looks good.
What’s the most common mistake you see clients making with their hair at home?
Too much heat, using hot tools on damp hair, DIY colouring, brushing hair when it’s soaking wet, cutting their own hair with kitchen scissors etc… I’ve seen it all!
If someone wants better hair long-term, what’s the first thing you’d tell them to focus on?
Focus on health first. Healthy hair is easier to style, easier to manage and always looks more expensive.
Which Michael Van Clarke product is your personal must-have, and how do you use it?
The Holding Spray. I will never go anywhere without it. I do a lot of session and bridal work. For all the looks I create inside but also outside the salon doors, it gives me incredible flexible hold while it brushes out so easily.
Is there a Van Clarke product you recommend to almost every client, regardless of hair type?
Lifesaver Pre-wash Treatment. It works with every hair type, every texture. It’s universal, no wonder why it has been our best seller for so long.
What’s your go-to product for maintaining a cut between salon visits?
Again, Lifesaver Pre-wash Treatment. Healthy hair holds its shape better and is much easier to maintain.
Current hair crush?
Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights. Margot’s hair has been styled beautifully in the whole film.
Favourite cut right now?
The French bob, obviously.
Favourite colour trend?
Anything glossy.
Go-to Van Clarke product?
The Holding Spray.
One hair rule you never break?
Never skip heat protection.
What’s one piece of advice you wish every client would follow at home?
Your scalp ages faster than your skin, so keeping it clean and healthy is essential. Use the right shampoo and don’t forget to exfoliate occasionally.
If you could describe the ‘Van Clarke hair look’ in three words, what would they be?
Effortless, healthy and luxurious.
You can book an appointment with Lamphane or any of the Van Clarke team via the tab to the right of your browser.
This beautifully blistered sourdough loaf, crusty and bronzed on the outside, with a soft, airy crumb, is studded with six toasted seeds. It delivers a nutty aroma, gentle crunch, and that perfect balance of tang and warmth in every slice.
When an industry gangs up on its customers to suit itself, it never ends well. Eventually the mis-selling and other scandals come to light, then the providers close ranks, obfuscate, and gaslight the customers into thinking they are in the wrong or they themselves are the problem.
Welcome to Salon Spotlight, our new series where we go behind the chair to get the inside scoop from our talented team. This week we're chatting with Bernie to uncover her favourite styles, the colour's she's loving, and the must-have products she swears by. Get to know the faces behind the salon and find the perfect inspiration for your next appointment!