Hasn’t colour changed so much over the last few years? It used to be that when someone had their hair coloured it was very obvious, for instance many women would choose to have streaks, which were the lightest of blonde pieces. Achieved by pulling these pieces through a rubber cap resembling a bathing hat.Not only was it painful, almost as if each hair was being plucked out, but it wasn’t very flattering or comfortable.
Sitting wearing a cap, which in fact had to be skin tight to ensure the process was successful.
The results weren’t always the best. Usually they were applied to hair which was really too dark for the process creating a result which resembled a tiger.
Thank God these days are gone, products have improved dramatically as have the results.
Anyone who chooses to have their hair coloured today will find that many salons out there are specialists and you really can look ten years younger with expert colour.
The actual colour service has become an enjoyable experience. Those horrible streaks have been replaced by highlights, which can be so varied in the results that can be achieved.
You can have highlights, which are subtle and simply add shine or something more dramatic.
The shade chosen should suit your natural colour and your skin tones, after all you would choose curtains that match your wallpaper, but the colours chosen should also match your personality.
Colour is make up for your hair and when you choose hairdressers who really understand colour and are EXPERTS it’s amazing how much better you can look and feel.
All our stylists are trained to provide expert advice on the right hair colour for you however we also have Helena and Amber who have taken the colour service to the next level by completing a Degree Course in colour.
This extensive course has provided them with the knowledge and experience to achieve amazing results and not only are they passing this experience on to the entire team, they are also helping clients to get the looks they have always wanted.
If you are thinking about colour for the first time, why not take advantage of our superb colour virgin’s offer where you can save up to £10 off your first colour service.
Call us now on 01592 201212 and ask for our Colour Virgin offer
If you’re a man and your bald there’s no reason to read this, that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to, but if you stick with me all will be revealed.
I want to tell you about a brand NEW service that we‘ve started to promote in our salons and it’s got me thinking about a load of questions I would ask my male clients. That is, those with grey hair.
Let me be more specific, men with scatterings of grey, and the very first signs of grey.
If that’s you ask yourself this.
How do you feel about your grey hair?
Do you hate it and would like to eliminate it or do you quite like it?
Do you think it makes you look older?
What does your partner think about it?
Have you thought about colouring your hair but were concerned that you’d end up looking like an Elvis Presley impersonator?
Unless a male client was asking for fashion colour such as touch colour or the odd blonde highlight then full head colour wasn’t something that I’d discuss with them probably because I reckoned it would look false. Think of more subtle bad taste examples rather than an Elvis fake.
Paul McCartney for instance. Very fake colour.
Then look at The Rolling Stones. I never thought for one moment that they didn’t colour their hair but they must do. Isn’t that a funny thing about the Stones how do a bunch of guys get together and none of them are bald and only Charlie Watts has succumbed to the full head of white. Interesting, or is just me?
Anyway where was I ?
If you want to BLEND in or reduce your grey rather than eliminate it then L’Oreal’s Cover 5 is for you. It will last for around 6 weeks, it only takes 2 minutes to apply and it’s on your hair for only 5 minutes and it’s applied at the backwash rather than you being exposed to every other client in the salon.
Personally I think it’s a winner and if I wasn’t the aforementioned BALD man then I reckon I would have it. Do it!
And so that we can put our money where our mouth is I’d like to offer any of you Blog readers a special deal for Cover 5.
If it’s the very first time you’ve ever had this service we’ll give you it at half the price that is £ 7.50 rather than the normal price of £15.
Just call us today and mention ‘Blog offer’ on 01592 207540 for Whytehouse salon or 01592 201212 for Tolbooth salon.
This is a question that lot’s of clients will be asking our team in the next few weeks.
Why? Because next week we are launching a brand new colour service that will be welcomed by lots of our clients.
You see I’ve always thought that each business is in existence to provide solutions to peoples problems and that’s why I’m constantly listening to what clients say to me, in this case colour clients.
Why’s my colour fading? Or “Can you make my hair shinier?”
So we decided to come up with a colour service that would be fast, reasonably priced and would address these problems, that service is ‘Colour Refresh.’
What is it?
It’s a treatment which takes approximately 15 minutes extra when added to another service and lasts for around 10 shampoos (if your using a good quality, low detergent shampoo).
It’s perfect when you find yourself half way through your colour cycle and it’s starting to lose its richness. This is especially true if you have been wearing red shades, the colour refresh will do exactly as the name suggests it will refresh your existing colour rather than change it.
Do you have to have coloured hair to have a colour refresh? Not necessarily, it will make a subtle difference to natural hair; you could say it’s a natural result on natural hair. So if you’re someone who doesn’t want the commitment, it’s perfect.
We are launching a promotion on Colour Refresh this week, Thursday 7th August.
A blow-dry with colour refresh would normally cost £32 during the promotion this is on offer for half the price at £ 16. A colour refresh on it’s own would normally be £ 12.50 so it’s very affordable when you add it to your normal cut and style appointment.
There’s a quiet revolution going on under our very noses and even those involved don’t realise it. I’m talking about men’s hair.
It used to be that men would be happy to visit the traditional barber and would have a preconceived idea of a price they would pay and hey, it wasn’t much.”“What more than a fiver! NO way!” There are probably still guys that feel that way, but it’s changing. We have a new generation growing up in our midst and they’ve been growing for the last 5 years.It’s becoming obvious that there’s a gap in the market for men who want more than the traditional barbers skills.Now before any barbers that read this get up in arms, I recognise that barbers do have a skill, lots of them have a skill of cutting hair in a short time but there’s only a haircut, no experience.Some guys want to escape they want to relax from the stresses and strains of modern life in the same way that their wife’s and partners have done for the last twenty years. Yes you can do it to.And as we find ourselves in a credit crunch should we be cutting back on every single luxury? No way. Apparently one of the areas that has come down in price is clothes so therefore if we save in one area let’s ensure we receive the very best in another after all our appearance is the thing that will lift our spirits and ensure that we have a positive attitude.So guys I challenge you. Invest in a good quality shampoo, long term you’ll be glad you did, short term you will enjoy hair that looks and feels better instantly and great styling products so that your barnets easy to handle at home and obviously at the heart of all of this a great haircut.Call today for an appointment Whytehouse 01592 207540 or Tolbooth 01592 201212
I woke up this morning opened the curtains and there it was, a stranger, the sun.
Then as I went on my daily dog walk and actually managed to complete it without having to wear a jacket I realised it had arrived- Summer - at least I hope that’s the case.
As we move into the summer period more and more clients begin to ask me about the effect that the sun has on their hair.
I advise all of my clients to protect their hair throughout the summer period and not just when the sun decides to grace us with his pleasure or if you are fortunate enough to escape for a well deserved holiday.
It is especially important to apply protection when you are sunbathing or even simply walking about. My rule of thumb is that if conditions warrant an application of sun cream on your skin, then consider your hair and the fact that it should be protected with a suitable product.
The other considerations are the activities that you become involved in due to the good weather.
You’ll walk or run outdoors. Swimming, whether its salt water or chlorinated both of these will damage your hair and of course if your hair is coloured then if there’s no protection the colour will be drained out of your hair.
Remember as the skin gets darker the hair gets lighter, any physical change means a degree of damage. So please, please, please invest in some good products for this.
The thing is, its not really an extra expense. Instead of buying your regular shampoo and conditioner you buy one that’s suitable for summer hair.
Currently at Migele Experience we stock two very effective sun ranges. First and foremost are a favourite with our clients is the Kerastase Soliel range which has a shampoo designed to remove chlorine or salt water and a masque which will moisturise and strengthen. Also there’s a choice of 2 protect products which are a must before exposure to the sun or prior to swimming. Our clients return to these products year after year. Why? Because they work. They return from their holidays with great hair condition.
The other alternative is Serie Expert by L’Oreal which also has a sun protect range, ‘Solar’. For more information on these products visit our website at http://www.migeleexperience.com/ and both ranges have FREE gifts with purchase.
I love reading books especially books about how I can improve the service we provide our clients. In the book I am reading currently it was discussing the importance of Return on Investment - or ROI as they called it. Now I know that is a real business term probably used more by accountants but it made me wonder how and if we were offering our clients a return on the investment they are making in their hair.
So what is the ROI we provide our clients? I asked our team at our recent Buzz meeting and these are some of the the things that they came up with:
1.Hair that’s EASY to manage at home because it’s cut so well and is in great condition
2 An opportunity to enjoy a great experience by escaping from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
3 An investment in your image irrespective whether you are a career person or you just like to look good.
4 We give you advice on the right hair care products you should use for your hair type and how to use them.
5 We give you great advice on how to style your hair to ensure your hair continues to look as great as it did when you leave the salon
6 We know our clients and appreciate the fact that you are a regular client.
7 Throughout your visit only the finest products are used on your hair ensuring that you can truly indulge yourself.
8 We listen to your needs and aim to provide you with solutions to your hair
The question I would ask you is “Do you always get such a great Return on Investment on the other transactions you make in a day?”
To find out more about ‘Migele Experience’ why not download our latest newsletter or join our A List at http://www.migeleexperience.com/
There has been much written and talked about in recent months about the ‘Return of the Perm.’ Apparently this has been fuelled by the TV programme ‘Ashes to Ashes ‘.
Do I think the perm will return?
They say that Superdrug has reported an increase in Home perm lotions, if that’s true I guess that once the people who bought these perms take them home and attempt to give themselves a perm or perhaps ask their friend who happens to work in a call center or is a dental receptionists to administer the process, they will never put perm lotion near their hair again.
You see for a trend to take hold it has to be led by a celebrity, rock star or model and as yet no one who has that influence has taken the plunge.
On the other hand Victoria Beckham was on the front cover of the April issue of Vogue with beautiful soft waves and she looked absolutely gorgeous, reminiscent of a Hollywood film star from the 40s. Very tasteful. However, It’s not a perm that’s responsible for her look. She has not committed to a permanent curl and why should she?
No, my view is that the positive thing to come out of all of this is the interest created in curl and movement, and in new textures.
That can only be good for you the client and for hairdressers as it gives us a greater choice in our styling options, but there’s no need to commit to permanent curls.
Try the array of curl inducing products that are on the market such as Kerastase Oleo Curl or the Curl Conscious range from Bumble and Bumble - both incredible product ranges that really work.
And if you feel that you can’t live without your curls then by all means find a salon and have it professionally done with waves and support not tight tight curl.
Don’t try doing it at home; you’ll live to regret it!
However I think you’d rather have versatility sometimes straight sometimes smooth and sometimes curls or waves.
Variety is the spice of life after all.
I’d suggest having a consultation if you are considering a perm, as you have to consider condition, texture and length of your hair.
Why not call us or pop in for a free consultation all of our team is on hand to give you expert advice.
Summer is that time of year that everyone longs for with idyllic dreams of sun, sand and sangria.
However after those lazy days working on your tan, clients often spend their summer nights with frazzled hair that is dry, brittle and just dull, dull, dull.
Whatever your hair type, the summer sun will have a damaging effect on your hair in the same way it does on your skin. For those that have colour, the effects can be much worse.
Everyone is extremely cautious about protecting you skin from the harmful rays of the sun but why shouldn’t you protect your hair as well?
The Kerastase Soleil range must be an essential part of your toiletry bag and we are here to help you to choose the right products for your hair.
Whilst your skin is darkening, your hair is lightening, both signs of damage.
Protect with either ‘Crème UV Defense Active’ if you’re a swimmer, a multi- protection cream with a shine polymer and two UV filters for reinforced sun protection.
Alternatively you can use New Voile Protecteur, a fine spray formula which actively protects hair against the damaging effects of sun, sea and chlorine.
Use ’ Bain Apres- Soleil’ a hair bath specially formulated to act as a fast and effective refresher which is designed for frequent shampooing and will eliminate the build up of salt, sand and chlorine to repair and moisten.
Then Treat with ‘Masque UV Defense Active’ an after- sun treatment to intelligently repair the most damaged sections. Think of this as your after- sun skin care cream.
Hot Tip: Ensure you shampoo your hair immediately after it’s been exposed to chlorine or salt water as it will become more damaging once it dries into the hair, causing lightening of colour and playing havoc with hairs’ elasticity.
And remember these products aren’t just for your two week holiday period, they’re a must all summer long.
For more information contact our styling team on 01592 201212 or book your appointment now by visiting www.migeleexperience.com
It’s at this time of year I’m reminded of how important the ‘Little Things ‘are.
We recruited 6 new trainees last week and are still teaching them how to give a great shampoo and head massage, because we recognise that for a lot of our clients it’s a process that they really enjoy when carried out correctly.
Here are some tips that I’m certain you’ll find useful when shampooing at home.
Removing Tangles Firstly before a drop of water makes contact with your hair you must ensure that you’ve removed all tangles. Failure to do so will make it much more difficult when it’s wet.
Use a flat brush as opposed to a round one then start brushing out from points to roots to avoid a build up of tangles on the ends of the hair.
Before you apply any shampoo you should ensure that you spend time drenching your hair with water, a simple rule of thumb is ‘Maximum water, Minimum shampoo.’
You should ‘Work for the lather’ by spending time massaging scalp and hair rather than getting an instant lather which indicates you’ve either used too much shampoo or it’s a cheap , high detergent product.
Is using too much shampoo harmful? No it’s simply a waste.Use the tips of your fingers as opposed to your finger nails when massaging as the scalp is rather delicate and apart from that it’s much more pleasant using the fingertips.
We’ve found that most clients enjoy a firm shampoo rather than a tickle, that’s why we teach our trainees to always ask the question “That’s not too firm , is it?”
One or Two Shampoos?
It depends on when you last shampooed and what activities you’ve been involved in since you last shampooed, for example if you shampoo every day one is probably enough, alternatively if you spent a day working in the garden, then you may need two applications.
A good indicator is how well it lathers on that first shampoo.Whatever you require one or two it’s important that you finish the way you began with lot’s of water to ensure you remove every morsel of shampoo.
In my next blog I’ll explain the difference between great and inferior shampoos.
Its been too long since I last blogged about hair related thoughts. Anyway it will be more regular from now on, I promise. I will be making my hair thoughts external at least weekly.
My thoughts today bring me to the subject of HAIR GROWTH.
I have spoken to hairdressers on many occasions and asked them how much hair grows in a month and each time I receive different answers either in metric or otherwise.
Why should hairdressers know the answer to this bit of General knowledge?
Simply because if hairdressers don’t know the correct answer- who does?
In our salon I ensure that each stylist knows that hair grows on average half an inch a month.
The reason that’s so important is that you have to know when your haircut comes to an end and needs attention.
There are some exceptions to the rule such as long hair, that may be extended to, say every 8 to 10 weeks, otherwise it should be every 5 to 6 weeks in order to keep the hair in shape. Your hairdresser should always make it easy for you to rebook your next appointment that way your hair will always look good and do exactly what you want it to.
If you have longer hair, your regular cut is important to ensure that the ends are kept in check and in good condition, especially when you think that if hair grows ½ inch a month then that’s 6 inches in a year.
But it’s got to be quality growth and if you simply leave your hair to grow without being cut, your ends will be weaker and more susceptible to breakage. Therefore you must have it cut regularly and when you do visit your salon there will be no need to cut too much off.
“Nothing lasts forever - certainly not your haircut.”
If you want to find out a bit more on how to choose a good hairdresser and what you should expect from them why not call our 24-hour free phone information line on our 0800-031-7991
In the meantime please visit your favourite hairdresser and never leave without making your next appointment.
Currently at Migele Experience we stock two very effective sun ranges. First and foremost are a favourite with our clients is the Kerastase Soliel range which has a shampoo designed to remove chlorine or salt water and a masque which will moisturise and strengthen. Also there’s a choice of 2 protect products which are a must before exposure to the sun or prior to swimming. Our clients return to these products year after year. Why? Because they work. They return from their holidays with great hair condition.