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Five Ways to Help You Stay Sane Through the Christmas Rush

Five Ways to Help You Stay Sane Through the Christmas Rush

Nov 8, 2024 | DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTS HEADER, FREELANCE, HOME EXPLORE

Five Ways to Help You Stay Sane Through the Christmas Rush

L’Oréal Professionnel’s Head Up coach, Hayley Jepson, shares essential advice for a balanced festive season

by CAITLYN | EXPLORE

Max Van Dan OeteLaar for Unsplash

The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and for stylists and salon owners, the festive season can bring more than just holiday cheer. Packed schedules, high expectations and back-to-back appointments can leave even the most experienced professionals feeling overwhelmed. But it’s possible to navigate the holiday rush without losing your cool. 

L’Oréal Professionnel’s Head Up coach, Hayley Jepson, is here to share her top tips for reducing stress and staying balanced through the season. “Mental health is the number one challenge for hairdressers,” she says, highlighting the importance of looking after yourself as you look after your clients.  

Here are five ways to keep holiday stress in check. 

  1. Stay Hydrated

Hydration might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference. Drinking water throughout the day can help maintain focus and energy levels, something that can start to wane during long hours.  

  1. Bring Snacks

Busy days can mean missing meals, which leads to a drop in energy and mood. Plan ahead and stock up on easy, nutritious snacks that you can eat between clients. Jepson recommends bringing snacks that are quick and filling: “Have them in your bag so you always have something with you”. A quick snack can keep your energy up, even on the busiest days. 

  1. Set Boundaries

The desire to please every client is understandable, especially during the holiday season. However, learning to set boundaries can be essential to managing your stress. “We get stressed as hairdressers when clients are late, or if a colour isn’t going to plan,” Hay explains. “It’s wise to focus on what you can control and not what you can’t.” She suggests saying no to that extra appointment if you’re already stretched thin and communicating clearly with clients about your time limits. 

  1. Take Micro-Breaks

A few minutes here and there can help refresh your mind and body. Between clients, take a moment to stretch out your arms, back, and shoulders. These small breaks make a big impact on both physical and mental stamina, helping you get through each day with more ease. “Stretch when you have a minute – your body will thank you!” says Hayley. 

  1. Ask for Help

There’s no need to handle it all alone. If a colour isn’t going as planned or a client is particularly demanding, don’t hesitate to reach out to a colleague for a second opinion. “Sometimes it can be good to get a second opinion on what to do in times of stress,” she adds. “We can start to feel out of control when things go wrong, so reaching out helps us get out of our own head.” 

Extra Support for the Busy Season 

If you’re looking for additional tools to support your mental fitness, L’Oréal Professionnel’s Head Up program offers free online videos on managing stress, setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. Each video is quick and designed for hair professionals, perfect for a watch on your lunch break or commute. 

Plus, Head Up has teamed up with Calm, offering hairstylists three months of free access to the meditation and relaxation app (and 50 per cent off the annual subscription). Through Calm, you’ll find guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep tools designed to help you unwind and stay grounded. 

The holiday season may be hectic but taking small steps to look after yourself can make all the difference. As Hayley puts it, “focus on what you can control, and give yourself the space to nurture your own well-being.” 

Head Up videos can be found on L’Oréal Professionnel Head Up website. 

 

  • Step 1: Visit L’Oréal Professionnel UK website and watch Ep 1 of Head Up.  
  • Step 2: Scroll down to Head Up X Calm partnership and sign up for your discount code and free subscription! 

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“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen

“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen

Nov 6, 2024 | DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTS HEADER, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen

We get into the nitty gritty with Mike’s experience balancing salon and session work 

by MADDI | DOCUMENTS

Winning the It List The Editorial Stylist award back in September marked an exciting milestone for Mike Mahoney, a stylist who is all about pushing creative boundaries in both salon and editorial settings. With a background in session work under top industry names, Mike has forged a unique path, blending salon commitments with the high-paced world of editorial and runway shows. 

 Mike’s schedule is a balancing act between his salon clients at Josh Wood’s Atelier and his role on the core team of session stylist Gary Gill. Working under Gary has given Mike opportunities with high-profile brands and photographers, like London-based Tomila Katsman, enabling him to perfect techniques across editorial campaigns, look books and runway work. 

“I’ve been fortunate to work with Gary and be part of a setup that allows me to commit fully,” Mike says. In most salons, taking time off for an editorial project would be a challenge, but The Atelier’s supportive environment encourages growth in both realms. “At other salons, the support system wasn’t always there,” Mike explains. “Here, I can go off on projects and bring that experience back to my clients.” 

Mike notes a clear distinction between the work he does for editorial shoots and what goes into styling a salon client. “On set, I usually have days to understand the brand’s mood or to practice the look,” he explains. “With a client, it’s much faster – just a few minutes from reception to chair to figure out their style, but with my editorial experience, it’s easier to do it quickly.” 

Those brief salon moments are where Mike’s editorial expertise shines, adding subtle touches that elevate everyday looks. “A tiny tweak can be the reason clients rebook,” he notes, emphasising that this attention to detail makes each experience unique and tailored. 

Mike got in the mix during Fashion Month in September, contributing to shows for Diesel, McQueen, Chloé, Balenciaga, and Hermès. He reflects on the differences, saying, “Shows like Chloé focus on soft, luxurious hair that’s still accessible to salon clients, while Balenciaga is just pure fun – creative and intense.” 

Fashion week, however, isn’t just about glamour. “Those effortless styles that look like they took minutes often take the longest to perfect,” Mike jokes. Whether he’s styling models or clients, Mike’s favourite part is the challenge, capturing personalities and adding those “extra tweaks” that make all the difference. 

Mike encourages aspiring editorial stylists to put themselves out there. “Practice your craft, collaborate with other creatives, and build your portfolio, especially on Instagram,” he advises. His journey began with a passion project inspired by street culture, which he and friends used to shape their vision without needing to wait for traditional media exposure. “Nowadays, you’re lucky to have Instagram – it gives you the chance to put your work out there instantly.”

Reflecting on his career, Mike credits his mentors and experiences with helping him balance creativity with financial stability. “It’s about finding the right environment,” he shares. “With a supportive salon, you don’t have to choose between your creative ambitions and personal goals.” 

From high-stakes fashion shows to behind-the-chair transformations, Mike Mahoney continues to merge high fashion with salon accessibility, inspiring a new wave of stylists with every look.

Read more about Mike’s editorial excellence by checking out the latest edition of Runway.

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“The Experience Starts At The Door” — Kitch Brings 1950s Kitchen Comfort To Islington

“The Experience Starts At The Door” — Kitch Brings 1950s Kitchen Comfort To Islington

Oct 31, 2024 | CREATIVE PROJECTS, CREATIVE PROJECTS HEADER, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

CATEGORIES > EXPLORE > CREATIVE PROJECTS

"The Experience Starts At The Door” — Kitch Brings 1950s Kitchen Comfort To Islington

Celebrating individuality, nostalgia and unbeatable client experience, Kitch is a pastel-hued, kitchen-inspired salon offering a welcoming space for all. 

By Maddi | CREATIVE PROJECTS 

At Kitch in Angel, Islington, owners Luca Jones and Scott Humphreys are reinventing the salon experience, one pastel corner at a time. Their 1950s kitchen-themed space is anything but traditional, blending a sense of nostalgia with modern inclusivity. Designed as a vibrant yet familiar kitchen, Kitch offers everything from salon services to barbering, in an inclusive and gender-neutral setting. Kitch welcomes everyone to enjoy a unique salon experience that feels like getting your hair done at home with friends. 

Following their recent win for Most Wanted Best Client Experience, the team has been busy enhancing their signature space. This includes expanding the retro theme upstairs while introducing functional updates for an even smoother client journey. And while the decor is as pastel and charming as ever, it’s the updated backwash area that’s turning heads. The newly added basins sit next to the colour zone for seamless toning, and the installation of a new boiler ensures consistent water pressure across multiple stations. The bright pink cabinet housing the boiler ties functionality with the salon’s aesthetic, allowing clients to enjoy a faster, more efficient rinse without sacrificing the beloved Kitch vibe. 

“The experience starts at the door,” says Scott. “As soon as you walk into reception, we want it to be relaxed and easy – not too formal or stuffy. Having the dog by the door also helps ease everyone in. It’s an open, friendly environment.” This approach is what sets Kitch apart from traditional salons, making it feel more like a community hub where clients can truly be themselves. 

Central to the Kitch experience is its commitment to inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQIA+ clients. “We wanted to create a safe space for everyone,” says Luca. “Here, you can come in, be yourself, wear what you want, and say what you want. It’s a nice, fun place to be, and everyone seems super relaxed.” This openness and inclusivity foster a sense of connection among clients and staff alike, and the layout even encourages conversation between clients. “It feels like you’re part of a whole group. No one’s left out, no matter their age,” Luca adds. 

The recently expanded salon upstairs builds on Kitch’s charm, offering even more practical functionality while keeping its signature aesthetic intact. “Being able to use the backwash area properly is worth a billion dollars!” the founders joke.  

Kitch also brings a unique approach to customer service, emphasising listening and collaboration. “An important point is listening to what your client wants,” says Scott. “A lot of hairdressers go on a tangent and do what they want, but it’s important to tweak it your way while listening to the client’s wishes.” This dedication to understanding clients’ needs reflects the founders’ vision for a salon where everyone’s individuality is celebrated. 

Inspired by his upbringing, Scott explains, “My mum was a hairdresser, so there was always someone in the kitchen getting their hair done. It was usually a really fun time, especially after COVID. The kitchen was always a relaxed place, and that’s what we wanted here at Kitch – a space where people chat, laugh, and feel comfortable.” 

With a nostalgic design, high standards, and an inclusive atmosphere, Kitch in Angel is more than a salon; it’s a space where everyone can feel at home while getting top-notch service. 

 

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Couple Turned Co-founders: How A Personal Journey Inspired A Holistic Haircare Brand

Couple Turned Co-founders: How A Personal Journey Inspired A Holistic Haircare Brand

Oct 29, 2024 | DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTS HEADER, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

Couple turned Co-founders: How a Personal Journey Inspired A Holistic Haircare Brand

Kieran Tudor, a stylist turned founder, alongside his wife Laura, created CENTRED to redefine hair health with a focus on internal wellness.

by CAITLYN | DOCUMENTS

For Kieran Tudor, co-founding CENTRED with his wife Laura wasn’t just about creating another haircare brand, it was about solving a deeply personal problem. “CENTRED was born from the journey of hair recovery. I helped my wife and co-founder, Laura, after she suffered from severe hair loss and burnout back in 2017.” 

Faced with the challenge of supporting Laura through hair loss, Kieran realised there wasn’t a natural solution that addressed both internal wellbeing and hair health. This led to the development of the Inside Out Method, now a core part of CENTRED’s product philosophy. 

 “After developing a protocol we used to recover Laura’s hair, we set out to create our range of products that we wished existed but didn’t,“ he explains. In February 2020, after 18 months of research and development, CENTRED was launched, with a mission to help others going through similar challenges. 

Kieran’s journey was fuelled by witnessing the emotional and physical toll hair loss took on his wife. Seeing the daily struggle Laura faced helped Kieran understand the stress and anxiety hair loss can bring and inspired him to fill the knowledge gaps and provide a solution not only for Laura but for his clients too. 

“Unlike clients who I would see every 6-8 weeks, I saw Laura holding clumps of hair every single day and asking me what to do! Not only did I feel quite helpless, but it also really hit home the emotional and psychological impact that hair loss can have,” he shares. 

Kieran’s years of experience as a hairdresser became crucial as he and Laura developed the CENTRED product line. “When it came to formulating the products, that’s when being a hair professional really helped,” he explains. Kieran’s hands-on experience allowed him to case-study products and test samples to ensure they met the highest standards. “I had really high standards and expectations, as did Laura, so we were determined to develop products to the highest standards, or we wouldn’t have done it at all.” 

“I think when you’re working behind the chair and recommending your products to your clients, you have to know you’re giving them the best, not cutting corners on ingredients,” Kieran adds. “This direct feedback from clients allows me to continually refine the products and stay true to the brand’s values. For us now it’s also about supporting hair professionals as much as possible.”  

Launching CENTRED came with its own set of obstacles, especially given the timing of its debut. “At the beginning, it was all around raising awareness which was difficult in 2020 as we had just a minor thing of a global pandemic taking over so much of the attention.”  Undeterred, Kieran and Laura focused on personal connections through 1-on-1 Zoom consultations to help clients during those early, uncertain days. “We set out to support our customers in those early days with virtual consultations, helping us to connect with people and build some real trust and loyalty.” As CENTRED grew and expanded into retail, Kieran learned another important lesson: not to spread the brand too thin.  

For other stylists looking to start their product line, Kieran offers this advice: “Find your niche and messaging early on and stick to it. It may feel like you’re repeating yourself, but it is better to do one thing really well than 10 things in a mediocre way.”  

Kieran and Laura’s journey of dealing with hair loss firsthand and launching CENTRED is a powerful example of how personal experiences can lead to innovative solutions, especially when you have prior expertise. For stylists and salon owners considering their own product line, Kieran’s advice is clear: focus on your niche, stay committed to your vision, and never stop learning. 

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Zoë Irwin Wants YOU To Offer This Hair Service

Zoë Irwin Wants YOU To Offer This Hair Service

Oct 23, 2024 | DOCUMENTS, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

Zoë Irwin Wants YOU To Offer This Hair Service

The John Frieda creative director on her hair facial service launch – and why every stylist should be delivering this to clients 

by CATHERINE | DOCUMENTS

Zoë Irwin

The past couple of years has seen the ‘skinification’ of hair cranked up, as the hair world is influenced in both ingredients and treatments by skincare and beauty. Well, Zoë Irwin has taken this to heart with her hair facial service at John Frieda… and she’s adamant that this service is one that ALL salons and stylists should be offering its clientele.  

“I realised that I learn a lot from beauty treatments, and that women understand the idea of a facial. You have a super deep cleanse and you probably learn more about cleansing your own skin better,” explains Zoë. “They detox you, take out all your impurities, and then they start adding. I love that. It’s one mask on top of another, I love the layered process of it. The psychology behind it is that when you leave, you’ve got this beautiful skin. You’re like, ‘oh my god, I’m going to go back in a month, because this is so good’. But ultimately when you go home, you double cleanse, you add a mask the next week, you don’t let that skin go. No one does. So, I thought, ‘why aren’t we doing this in hair? Why aren’t we levelling this up?’.”  

Now, that’s what she’s done with the £120 service at the iconic John Frieda in London’s Mayfair. The service starts with a detoxifying cleanse, removing coppers and damaging metals from the water and breaking down product residue so that she’s working with a clean base.  

From a trip to India, Zoë learned massage techniques that she’s transferred into the next step, an incredible scalp massage. “When you start massaging people’s heads and necks, you can’t mess around. You’ve got to know your stuff,” she adds, “but the power of massage is massive.” Yes, it’s relaxing, but the action helps stimulate the cells in the hair follicles, powering up that growth factor. 

“I want to people to come out of this service knowing much more about this impact,” she says. “When they come to the basin, I give them a mirror, and I teach them the movements. Then I use a scalp exfoliator, the Virtue ones, very gentle – and I show them in the mirror where and how to place it. Then I teach them the massage movements. So, I’ve totally clarified and got this clean base, which means that the hair will now accept product much, much better.”  

Now, the “hair’s like a sponge”, and Zoë will layer on a strengthening treatment, followed by a moisturising mask. “Hair will only accept so much at one time. It’s like a supercharged treatment …  I’m trying to pre-empt the issues that people have with treatments – ‘I don’t want one on my hair today because I want my blow dry to last’. That’s because it’s in the wrong place. It’s all stuff that you and I know, but the consumer doesn’t know. It’s like a prescriptive service; you come out and your hair is beaming. I finish with an acidic gloss that will shut everything down. I’m using cosmetic plus hydration.” 

The big message is how important the scalp is – perfectly timed with the social media obsession with all things scalp care.

@zoeirwinhair

It was for a press event to launch a Manta brush that Zoë realised she had something interesting in her hands… “The press just went nuts for how it was all being shown,” she recalls. “The Daily Mail’s Lucia Ferrari went on the front page along with a page inside. From that we had people come from all over the country, and I realised that this isn’t something that people are thinking about enough. Now, we sell it as a packaged service like you see in beauty, you can buy three together.”  

Zoë’s philosophy is all about restoring hair to its healthiest, strongest state to deliver the best results. “When you’re colouring hair, you’re colouring the quality of what’s in front of you. So, if I address that before I colour it, I can therefore give the colour that people want.” 

Her treatments are divided into sessions. The process begins with a consultation, where Zoë assesses the steps needed to achieve the desired results. Next is the “radiance reset”, featuring a deep cleansing treatment and massage therapy 101. “They learn how and where the to put the product on,” she explains. Finally, the hair is ready for colour. “When they come for their colour, they get the best colour they’ve ever had, because their hair’s in the right condition. It works.” 

scalp massage

Image: Karolina grabowska

Zoë’s seen raging success across the board with her clientele. “It’s about £120, but people now just come in for it. And my clients come to me just to have the head massage. They often go out with wet hair, but they come for the massage because it’s extremely powerful, you know?” 

She’s a fierce advocate for hair getting the attention to detail that it deserves. “We put all this effort into our skin, but people stop at their hair,” she muses. “But stylists can take their skill and package it, make it so easy to understand and for the client to buy into. This is something that I feel that hairdressers everywhere should be doing. I’ve really seen how important it is and how people love it. You sell the dream.” 

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From Freelancer to Founder: How Katy Grimshaw Built Spectrum One 

From Freelancer to Founder: How Katy Grimshaw Built Spectrum One 

Oct 17, 2024 | CONVERSATIONS, CONVERSATIONS HEADER, HOME EXPLORE

From Freelancer to Founder: How Katy Grimshaw Built Spectrum One 

As a freelance hairstylist, Katy Grimshaw saw a gap in the market and turned her frustration into a thriving brand with Spectrum One.

by CAITLYN | FREELANCE, BUSINESS

As a freelancer, Katy Grimshaw quickly realised that relying on inconsistent hair extension products was a major obstacle in her career. “The quality of other hair extension brands wasn’t great and super inconsistent. As a freelancer, I felt the effect of instantaneously having to be solely responsible for fixing things when they weren’t perfect,” she explains. This frustration sparked her journey from stylist to entrepreneur, eventually leading her to create Spectrum One, a brand that solved her professional struggles and has become a trusted name for hairdressers across the industry. 

For Katy, the leap from freelancing to building her brand was fuelled by a need to provide reliable, high-quality extensions that she and others in the industry could count on. As she launched her salon, she knew she needed more control over the products she used. “I wanted to have my own hair extensions brand to coincide with launching my salon. I had the dream of leading the brand as a hairdresser myself,” Katy adds. This vision marked the beginning of Spectrum One, created out of necessity but driven by Katy’s ambition to make an impact in the hair extension market. 

Katy’s experience behind the chair became a powerful asset as she transitioned into product development. “It really helps being a hairdresser and working hands-on behind the chair with the hair extensions all the time because you see firsthand what your clients want and need, and in turn, what our professional customers, the hairstylists, want and need,” she comments. Her daily work provided the insights she needed to innovate, allowing her to craft solutions that addressed the pain points of her clients and fellow professionals alike. “It helped to determine the types of hair and methods I wanted to innovate and develop, and the colours we chose – it’s the driving force behind the whole brand.” 

While Katy’s knowledge as a stylist shaped the development of Spectrum One, the journey wasn’t without its hurdles.  “Finding a supplier was by far the biggest challenge. I thought the first supplier I found was the best ever, but I’ve still got around £60,000 worth of stock stashed downstairs in the salon thanks to them,” she exclaims. Despite these setbacks, Katy saw each obstacle as an opportunity to refine her business practices. “We tightened everything up, especially supplier communication.” Her perseverance and attention to detail ensured that Spectrum One could deliver the consistent quality she had originally set out to achieve. 

As Spectrum One grew, so did the demands of running both a brand and a salon. Katy learned that having the right team in place was critical to balancing these two worlds. “Alone I really can’t balance it, making it work completely relies on the support of my team,” Katy comments. Her team became integral to ensuring the success of both sides of the business.  

“I can’t have just a brand or just a salon – one doesn’t make sense without the other.” The synergy between her salon and brand allowed Katy to continually test and improve her products, keeping her at the forefront of innovation in the hair extensions industry. 

Katy’s journey offers valuable lessons for other stylists, freelancers, or salon owners looking to create their brand. She encourages others to embrace the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. “It’s not something that’s very easily done, so it needs careful consideration. There’s a time investment to consider as it takes years of testing before you can even go to market.” 

 “A mistake I made was underestimating how many hats I’d have to wear. I’m not just a hairdresser with a hair extensions brand, I have to understand sales, marketing, distribution, SEO, e-commerce retailing, websites, social media, and the list goes on.”  

Katy Grimshaw’s journey from a frustrated freelancer to the founder of a leading hair extension brand shows that innovation often comes from personal challenges. By turning her frustrations into opportunities, she was able to create Spectrum One, a brand built on quality and trust. Her words to aspiring brand creators: “It takes years of hard work, but the reward of seeing your vision come to life is worth it.”

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