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TRAUMA-DUMPING IS REAL AND HERE’S HOW TO COPE

TRAUMA-DUMPING IS REAL AND HERE’S HOW TO COPE

LEARN TO THINK DIFFERENTLY

Feeling overwhelmed? A new book will help you reconnect with life – and it’s been written with neurodiversity in mind.

How to love and be loved book cover
‘How to Love and Be Loved – Tiny steps to connecting with love and life’ book cover
How to love and be loved book illustration
Ink drawing illustrations of Indigo Violet by Mikyla Limpkin
When it comes to offloading emotional distress, hairdressers are out there on the frontline, listening to the stories, dispatching compassion, sharing love and all for the price of a cut and blow-dry. Customer conversations can be emotionally exhausting and sometimes so painful that they leave you lost for words in the moment and stuck with sadness long after the customer has left your chair. Where do you park this pain? How do you stay afloat? Who nurtures your needs?  

A new book, ‘How to Love and Be Loved’ is a step by step guide to re-connecting with life and rediscovering a love for life. “I have met so many people struggling with feelings of overwhelm and isolation,” says its author Mikyla Limpkin.” I want to help make their lives better. My lived experience led me to research so much that could help people, that I had to find a way to share the knowledge.”  

‘How to Love and Be Loved’ was designed with neurodiversity in mind and follows guidelines from the British Dyslexia Association in its layout, font and page colour. Short chapters and sub-chapters make reading easier for anyone with concentration issues, whether as a result of ADHD, stress or depression, and the key messages are illustrated to help visual learners alongside lots of opportunities for hands-on learning. With an estimated 55 per cent of hairdressers having either been diagnosed with, or related to, a neurodiversity such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD, ‘How to Love and Be Loved’ is particularly relevant within our industry. 

“I designed a book that is easy to read and could be scribbled in, where you could join a voyage of wellbeing, see the science behind various techniques, test them yourself and record what works for you,” says Mikyla.

Mikyla was determined to make the book beautiful and uplifting, which is where Indigo Violet came in. “She’s a character I drew in ink, who turned out to be quite cheeky and fun to be around.”

Every chapter begins with a drawing to illustrate the topic, often with a splash of humour. “Drawing Indigo Violet is quite entertaining for me – she’s a character who likes to live life to the full. If I’m ever feeling down, I think ‘now what would Indigo do?’ And I see her in my mind’s eye, leaping for joy, or getting some sky on her head, or getting into her body. I follow her lead and feel much better.” 
‘How to Love and Be Loved – Tiny steps to connecting with love and life’ is published by The Company of Smiles Ltd, RRP £12.99. Available from all good bookshops and online at Amazon.

How to love and be loved book illustration

Ink drawing illustrations of Indigo Violet by Mikyla Limpkin

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NEW VISIONARIES TEAM ANNOUNCED BY REVLON PROFESSIONAL

NEW VISIONARIES TEAM ANNOUNCED BY REVLON PROFESSIONAL

REVLON PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCE ITS VISIONARIES TEAM 2024

The names were revealed following an intense final. 

Finalists for the programme gathered at the Westrow Academy to compete for a place on this year’s team. A year-long mentorship programme, directed by Revlon’s global ambassador, Mark Leeson, gives aspiring stylists the chance to supercharge their skill set. Opportunities include photo shoots, shows and demonstrations, as well as the chance to attend colour and cutting courses and social media workshops.

Judges Richard Darby from Mark Leeson, Emma Simmons from Salon 54, Steven Smart from Smart:EST 73 and Marney Lian from Gritt watched on as 18 finalists demonstrated their cutting and colouring skills in two heats. The day’s challenge was to recreate the photographic looks the finalists had submitted as part of their entry on the competition floor.

The Visionaries Team for 2024 is…

  • Sophie Cookson: Gray’s Salon, Leeds
  • Taylor Borthwick: Myka, Bathgate
  • Stephanie Dwyer: Teresa Weller Hair Art, Dorking
  • Hollie Varney: Salon Couture, Chatham

Commenting on the quality of the finalists, Mark Leeson said: “This was an awe-inspiring group of individuals. Calm under pressure but impressively creative, they came up with some seriously promising work. Being part of the Visionaries is an unmissable chance to push outside your comfort zone and experience things you’d never have believed were possible. I’m fired up for the year ahead. Our previous finalists have all gone on to flourish so let’s see what 2024 has in store for our next talented quartet.”

For their first assignment, the four Visionaries will be treated to a two-day colour and cutting course at the Revlon Academy in Leeds. “The Visionaries programme offers opportunities like no other. We have an incredible year lined up, all geared around giving this skilled team the tools, knowledge amd confidence to elevate their careers,” says Matt Horder, general manager of Revlon Professional UK & Ireland. “We’re excited to see this year’s lucky four absolutely shine!”

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