Migele Experience

Watched ‘Arena’ on Saturday evening ‘George Harrison – Living in the Material World’ -  Martin Scorsese’s portrait of George Harrison’s life from Liverpool beginnings to becoming a musician, philanthropist and filmmaker.
It’s one of the most inspiring films/documentaries that I’ve seen in a long time. Strange thing is it’s about music and yet I got such great ideas about hair, photography and images.
I’ve only watched the first episode and it was brilliant.  I’d strongly recommend it and the great thing is I’ve still to watch the second part.
I reckon I saw more in it because of the fact that we’re about to do a gents photo shoot this coming weekend and I saw so much inspiration in that film. The pictures of ’ The Beatles’ were incredible and that’s going to be my reference for the shoot. Not so much the style of hair because I trust the team on the day to be creative and it’s important I don’t interfere with that. No, my role on the day is as a photographer and I have to capture a feeling and create images on the day.
It’s so incredible how you can simply watch something yet see nothing or watch something and see more than is actually presented on the screen. It’s all about being visually aware of what is going on around you. This is what we try to build into our training so that we don’t just create hairdressers who have skills with their hands, that’s not enough, they have to be able to imagine and visualise how they are going to transform the image to the benefit of the client or the woman or man in front of them. This is my goal to translate this to my team.

My Sticky up Crown

Are you one of the hundreds, no, thousands of people who have a challenge with the hair at your crown, which, no matter how you try sticks up and just won’t behave?

You return to your salon and they ask “Have you had any problems with your hair?”  Or at least that should be the question you’re asked, and you tell them that the crown sticks up, so what do they do?

Cut it shorter and guess what the problem goes away, then two weeks later -Ping! …………..It’s on end AGAIN!

Have you experienced this?

So what’s the problem and more importantly, what’s the solution?

Well there are two reasons this happens.

Firstly the majority of people have irregular crowns. Whether it is because of a double crown or a low crown, either way this means that you need longer hair over this area, not to eliminate the problem but to camouflage it and really, it will be so much easier to handle at home.

The next reason is the contours of the head. It’s a bit like if you have a jacket or a blouse made for you. Because of the shape and curve of the shoulders you require more material to cover that area; well it’s exactly the same over the crown because of the contour of the head.

Having become aware of this many years ago we designed a cutting technique for our training programme to ensure that all of our stylists were adept at not only dealing with this problem but avoiding it in the first place.

Therefore ask your stylist if you have a regular or irregular crown and if it’s the latter then my advice is keep it longer. 

Check out our archive blog and hair wisdom at www.migeleexperience.co.uk

Hair on the Beach by Dom on You Tube

Your summer must have for your hair has to be Kerastase ‘Huile Celeste’. Watch Dom talking about this amazing product.

“Whatever YOU may think, you DO NEED to have your hair cut every 6 weeks………….”

OK, here’s the bottom line.

If you choose to stretch out the time between your haircuts from 6 to 8 weeks that’s your choice BUT here’s an absolute fact:

HAIR GROWS HALF AN INCH a month, so don’t kid yourself. It will not stop growing even if you really, really concentrate and try to stop it in its tracks!

You may well choose to economise. Everyone understands that.
Yes, you can be clever with a small wardrobe, as long as you think carefully and cleverly about the colours and what outfits will work but no one can do a thing about slowing down your hair growth to assist you in your budgetary endeavours.
ASK YOURSELF A QUESTION, and it’s so powerful;
Are you prepared to have your hair look great for 6 weeks and shabby for 2?
What’s the point of looking good for 75% of a two month period and shabby for 25% of that period?
If you care about your appearance, and if you’re reading this you must care, then would you wear great clothes and make up for 6 weeks then go out the last 2 weeks with shabby clothes and no makeup? NO WAY.

Please;  if you want to look good and feel GREAT then you must have your hair cut every 6 weeks. 
It’s one of the best ever FEEL GOOD investments you can make.

Call TODAY for an appointment, we have a range of prices and skills to suit every need.
Alternatively book on line at www.migele.co.uk

Dom and Vidal Sassoon 2011

It’s Monday 16th May. Liza and I, (a member of our art team) are setting out on a pilgrimage to the film premier of a unique documentary that tells the story of the greatest hairdresser who’s ever lived, a legend and a hero to hairdressers and fashionistas from all corners of the globe.
The evening before, my sister reminded me that, as a teenager, I had a picture of Vidal Sassoon on my bedroom wall alongside pictures of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. I was sixteen embarking on a hairdressing career and already I had a hairdressing hero alongside a gallery of rock heroes.

After 40 years as a hairdresser I’m still excited and buzzing about seeing the man who was an inspiration to me and so many others, I wonder if I’ll have the chance of meeting him. One of the few hairdressers I haven’t yet met in the flesh. By the same token Liza is just as excited about being in the presence of an 82 year old legend that she has read about and heard me raving about over the 10 years that we’ve worked together.

As we arrived at the Vue cinema, we were surrounded by a plethora of famous hairdressing names.  Relative newcomers such as the finalists in the Channel 4 programme  ‘The Great British Hairdresser’  accompanied by their mentor, James Brown to household names like Nicky Clarke  and Trevor Sorbie.
Another of my hairdressing heroes is Michael Gordon, the founder and former owner of Bumble and Bumble New York and the creator and director of ‘Vidal Sassoon the Movie’. I’d met Michael previously when I visited Bumble and Bumble NYC 5 years ago. When I met him again that evening I reminded him that he’d referred to me as the ‘King of Fife’ which made me chuckle, he said “You still are, aren’t you?”
 It was great to meet him again.
Before opening Michael appeared before us and gave a short introduction and an explanation of the motivation behind the idea and creation of the movie.
Anyway the film did not disappoint and will prove to entertain and stir everyone who has the good fortune to see it, I truly recommend it.
At the end of the film Vidal, Michael and the editor of Glamour Magazine, Jo Elvin (who was also the co presenter of ‘The Great British Hairdresser’) sat before us and she interviewed Vidal before inviting the audience to ask questions. This proved interesting and at times emotional when the likes of Aitch Peters, who I had remembered as an enormously talented art director at Sassoon in the 80’s, stood up and conveyed his gratitude to Vidal for the amazing training he had received and how it had moulded his career.
Then, when a young hairdresser stood up breathless and trembling as she mustered up the courage to ask “What’s your advice to any young hairdresser who’s just starting out?” and his reply warmed my heart as it echoed what I’ve been saying to my team for many years “never be afraid to fail and practice, practice, practice.”

Then to truly crown a special evening, I finally met my hair hero when Liza and I had our photos taken with him and I don’t think she’s slept since!
 I did manage to speak to him and told him that I’d read his first autobiography which was entitled “Sorry to Keep You Waiting Madam” and he said “Yes, that was a long time ago!”  I replied “Yes Vidal, I was only 16”.

Wow what a great day, can’t wait to watch it a second time.

Dom. Your hair expert.

Wow; we’ve found a fantastic fashion forward website called NAAG; all the way from New York . This is what they’ve got to say about the new product, ‘Texture’ and we’re excited that they’re excited about the same things we are!

“We’re always singing the praises of Bumble & Bumble, and more recently with their new ‘Mending’ range, which in no uncertain terms has made our hair look maybe 75% better. And with the advent of spring, we’re excited to be able to air dry our tresses which will bring the improvement to, oh, maybe 90%.

Air drying. The bane of many a woman’s life. It’s better for the condition of the hair but for most, not so great for the appearance. Broken ends are sticking up all over the place, there’s frizz everywhere… all in all, not great.

Bb Texture Hair (Undressing) Creme is really good though, for air drying. Bb are famous for their surf spray which gives that beach-hair look, and now this gives an “undone-yet-done” look with a hint of grit, hold and a tousled finish. What we like most about it is that if you apply it at the roots you get extra lift — lift that you most certainly do not get usually with an air-dry hairdo.

What we like to do is a touch of texture at the root, then some surf spray all over then we get in our imaginary convertible and drive to our imaginary Hamptons house and end up with the most fabulously windswept hairdo you’ve ever seen. Or we just sit on the fire escape on a breezy day. Same difference”!

For details on textured looks, ask your stylist.

AN AVALANCHE OF GIFT IDEAS. Is it because I’m a man? Or, is it because I have no imagination when it comes to Christmas Gifts? 

When it comes to birthdays I can just about pull together my powers of gift creativity for one solitary present however when it comes to Christmas,

I seem to suffer from ‘Gift Block.’

I think we can help any sufferers of this condition with a plethora of gift ideas for you and your family and prices to suit every budget. Available in any amount, our gift vouchers can be bought from both of our salons or why not buy your Gift Vouchers online enabling you to send the vouchers within seconds (perfect for those last minute gifts). There’s new Bumble and Bumble holiday packs ‘Live Fully’ which consist of Gentle shampoo, Super Rich Conditioner and Styling Lotion all in 8oz sizes at £39.00, which is a remarkable saving of £15.00. ‘Live Freely’, which consists of 2oz sizes of Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner and everybody’s favourite Thickening Spray, priced at £15 and presented in a fly friendly see through travel pouch.  If you’re a Kerastase user then buy any 2 Kerastase products and you’ll receive a luxury Acca Kappa handbag brush which is made in Venice. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift; it’s perfect for this as it’s presented in a black and gold velvet lined pouch.I’ve checked out this Acca Kappa’s website and they are renowned for their handmade bristle brushes, in fact they are the manufacturers of our range of SHU UEMURA brushes. The other promotion for men or for women buying gifts for men is that if you buy any 2 products you receive a very appealing mens Travel bag.  And also from Kerastase, Weekend Care Kits, consisting of Age Premium Bain and Masque presented in a cream faux leather travel zipper at only £13.50. 

Then from L’Oreal, there’s an opportunity to receive a scented candle when you purchase any SERIE EXPERT or TEC NI ART product. 

If you buy 2 products you receive 2 candles and all presented in an attractive gift bag. 

We are also waiting on delivery of CLOUD 9 flat irons in gift packs.  You may remember I’ve told you in a  previous blog that these have been designed and launched by the same guy who invented GHD irons, but they are digital therefore you need only use the heat necessary to smooth the hair, which means they are much kinder to the condition of the hair.

All of this will truly solve your ‘Gift Block’. However, I, can’t get away with buying the products I sell as gifts, I’d be acussed of being a cheapskate.

I’m signing off now but there are more! Let’s leave that for the time being as much of it hasn’t arrived yet.

Speak soon.

As we make our preparations for next week’s ceremony at the British Hairdressing Business Awards, we are delighted to announce the winners of our very own award to celebrate the best products of 2010.

The Judging panel, made up of all staff working at both the Tolbooth St and Whytehouse Avenue Salons, have been using the products day in and day out and so are more than qualified to judge based on the wow factor they add to clients hair.

	Check out our video where Amber shows you how easy it is to apply and why it’s well worth the price tag. In first place, we most loved Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue This nourishing protective oil which is less like an oil and more like a serum, not only protects your hair but enhances its shine whilst helping to repair any damage.           Recently revealed by her stylist, as the secret to Jennifer Aniston’s hair, Essence Absolue is a pre shampoo treatment which should be on everyone’s wish list!
	In second place is a product we discussed in an earlier blog.  Kerastase Ciment Thermique Its heat activated formula is the perfect weakened hair and for those who use blow driers and hair straighteners often. Click here to read the blog from earlier in the year which explains why it is an essential part of the straightening process.
	In third place, we voted Shu Uemura “Kengo Feather” As the name suggests, this is a lightweight cream but one which provides strong, lasting hold with softness but even better, with shine.

And just pipped to the post, Shu Uemura Tasai Cream was a close runner up but is a firm favourite with our stylists thanks to its unique ability to add texture, structure and definition with a natural shine.

So with our winning products announced it’s onward to London where we will discover if we have been successful in the 3 categories of Customer Service, Retail and Marketing, we are finalists in.

In my recent blog I explained the dangers of swimming in chlorinated or salt water. Of the two, chlorine is the most damaging and as you can see from this photo, it can be pretty severe.

I decided to surf the net in search of as much information as possible on what chlorine does to hair and what you should do to PROTECT your crowning glory.

Here are some HOT tips:

PRE SWIM TIPS for chlorine prevention.

Before you enter the water thoroughly wet the hair. If the hair is saturated with non-chlorinated water there is less chance that the hair will absorb chlorine. Then apply a product designed for chlorine protection.

The very best and effective on the market currently is Kerastase Soleil’s AQUA SEAL. This product is revolutionary in that it provide the hair with waterproofing protection. However as it’s not water-resistant therefore it’s easy to wash out with shampoo.

When you decide to take up swimming as a hobby or sport you wouldn’t dream of doing so without buying a swimsuit sometimes goggles yet oftentimes you forget about one of the most important purchases a product which will protect your hair and the investment you may have made in colour or highlights.

You may tell me you wear a swimming cap and that’s good but only to an extent. It will still let in some water.

Post swim: Don’t hang about and allow your hair to dry as it will dry absorbing any traces of chlorine that remain in your hair. Shampoo immediately after the swim, again I recommend the shampoo from the Soleil range: Bain Apres Soleil it’s designed to remove all traces of chlorine or salt water and strengthens hair that has been weakened by the elements as well as moisturising the hair and for extra moisture use Kerastase Soleil Masque.

Finally scroll back to the top and have a long hard look at the photograph of a hair that has been totally obliterated by too much chlorine. The protective sheath of the hair, which is called the cuticle, has totally dissolved. Don’t let that happen to your hair use AQUA SEAL today.

If in doubt call into any of our two High Street salons and ask for a Summer hair and scalp analysis

HOW TO PREVENT CHLORINE AND SALT WATER DAMAGING YOUR HAIR

Whether your hair is  coloured or not it’s extremely important that you ensure  it’s protected  when exposed to chlorinated water or salt water.

I’ve spoken to you in  previous newsletters about the damaging effects of the sun but these other two offenders are lurking around, not only when on holiday, but all year round, if  you happen to be a swimmer.

Great for physical fitness – terrible for hair  condition.

What should you do?

Firstly, apply some  protection to the hair. I recommend this year’s new addition to the Kerastase Soleil  range ‘Aqua Seal’. This is a cream that’s applied to the hair before  swimming and is waterproof but not water resistant, which means that it has  the ability to protect but will still wash out of the hair very easily.

The next important bit  of advice is that immediately after coming out

of the sea or pool you should  shampoo to remove any traces of chlorine/salt. If you don’t do this you’ll find that  the hair will absorb the chlorine and the damage is done.

What sort of  damage?

Chlorine makes hair  more porous which means that it increases its ability to hold water making it  more difficult to dry. It starts to eat away at the cuticle (the protective  sheath around the hair shaft) which results in hair feeling spongy and losing its  elasticity.  This means that in extreme  cases hair will actually snap off between the middle lengths and ends and at the very least it becomes very challenging to style or blow dry.

Chlorine will also lighten hair  which is an absolute disaster if you’ve invested in a salon colour or  highlights.

The great thing is  that help is at hand – and if you use ‘Aqua Seal’ it doesn’t have to be  that way.You can also use Kerastase Bain Soliel which is designed to remove salt and  chlorinated water as well as the creams and oils we use to protect ourselves  when sunbathing.

These products go  along way because of their concentration.

Aqua Seal is £17.90
Bain de Soliel is £14.50

If you print off this letter  and hand it in when you purchase an Aqua Seal we’ll give you either a FREE summer  make up bag or  beach towel (while stocks last).

If you need any advice or clarity on this subject why not drop me an email to dom@migele.co.uk or leave a comment below

DOM
Your Hair Expert

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