New to Van Clarke? Subscribe to our newsletter for 15% off your first order. Start your haircare journey today.

All

Gaby's Bakery - Chickpea Cookies (Nan-e nokhodchi)

Gaby's Bakery - Chickpea Cookies (Nan-e nokhodchi)

September 09, 2023

This Persian recipe is always brought out for their new year but can be enjoyed anytime by everyone as it’s vegan and gluten free. Using chickpea flour gives a delicate and crumbly melt-in-your-mouth biscuit with fragrant flavours of cardamom, pistachio and rose water carrying you eastward.

Continue Reading

How to Get Thicker Hair - Part 1

How to Get Thicker Hair - Part 1

September 08, 2023

I love hair. I’ve been feeling it professionally for over forty years and no matter what type or length, I enthusiastically want it to be its best. Healthy hair emits a vibrant energy that’s enticing to onlookers and confidence-boosting to the wearer.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Honey Cake

Gaby's Bakery - Honey Cake

September 07, 2023

Only one recipe this week - Michael says I’m slacking. But it’s so delicious and seasonal that it’s worth two. I sometimes find honey cake heavy and dense, but this recipe is light and moist.

Continue Reading


The French Connection

The French Connection

September 01, 2023

Are we jealous of the French? Do they envy us? This love-hate relationship of the frogs and les rosbifs has lasted a thousand years, along with forty-one wars in the meantime and two World Wars as allies. But London is the sixth largest French city (were it in France) and the English love France second only to Spain as a European second-home or retirement destination.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Cinnamon Rolls

Gaby's Bakery - Cinnamon Rolls

August 24, 2023

I know you've always wondered what's the difference between a cinnamon roll and a cinnamon bun or Cinna-Bun as they were known when relentlessly marketed some years back. So Cinnamon Rolls are removed from the pan and glazed with a 

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Hungarian Shortbread

Gaby's Bakery - Hungarian Shortbread

August 05, 2023

Whilst it only has a few ingredients Hungarian Shortbread bursts with a multitude of textures. Essentially two layers of pastry with a preserve filling, apricot in this case, it’s way more interesting than a jam sandwich. Grating the frozen dough and baking while still frozen creates...

Continue Reading


That Eureka Moment!

That Eureka Moment!

August 04, 2023

Eureka! Our Blowdry Balm has Landed! This groundbreaking blowdry balm provides a powerful antioxidant for hair, protecting against heat and UV stress.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - American Style Peanut Butter Cookies

Gaby's Bakery - American Style Peanut Butter Cookies

August 03, 2023

This will give you time to practice ready for 4th of July celebrations.

Continue Reading

Multiskilled or Multitasking? Rosie's Story

Multiskilled or Multitasking? Rosie's Story

July 29, 2023

Some people battle with angst to choose a career. I think hairdressing chose me. I’ve been passionate about hair for as long as I can remember. Obsessed with it. Possessed even!

Continue Reading


Gaby's Bakery - Gluten Free Hummingbird Loaf Cake

Gaby's Bakery - Gluten Free Hummingbird Loaf Cake

July 28, 2023

I’ve made many versions of this but only recently discovered its origins. It was created in Jamaica in the 1960s and originally called 'doctor bird cake' after the island’s national bird. The tourist board exported the recipe to the US and it became hugely popular particularly in the southern states.

Continue Reading

Is it Real, or is it Make Believe?

Is it Real, or is it Make Believe?

July 22, 2023

To what degree can we design our lives? The great industrialist Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.” But the central idea of this had already been expressed by Greek philosophers and in 

Continue Reading

Do What You Love and....

Do What You Love and....

July 15, 2023

Do what you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life. It’s such a cliche but it’s mostly true. The difference in the career and life trajectories of the engaged and willing compared to the resistant quiet-quitters is stark. 

Continue Reading