In the run-up to the L'Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy 2008 (which takes place next Monday) three Shiny ladies have been lucky enough to visit the three London finalists to see what it takes to make it in world of competitive hairdressing. First up, the ever-intrepid Susi took time off from talking about girly gadgets to visit Sinead Kelly at William Thomas Hair Studio in Barnes, hoping to turn her over-processed bob into something a bit more stylish...
Turning up at William Thomas Hair Studio, it was clear that they'd had a busy day.Located in the center of Barnes, it's a favourite of yummy mummies who want some time away from the mummy bit. The salon is small, which comes across as personal rather than cramped, and welcoming - there's a blown up picture of Marilyn Monroe, how could it not be?
Customers safely shooed away, I spoke to Sinead about my hair, feeling terribly guilty since my hair has had so much colour treatment I was unsure whether she was going to be able to use any more colour without it falling out in clumps. She quickly recognised this, and talked me down from my wild plans about having streaks of peroxide white mixed in with a darker colour. Since one panel of my hair has been subjected to some serious bleach already (from when it was a violent shade of red) she also had to find a colour which would work on both darker hair and lighter.
Having gone through the colour book, she suggested a dark brown that appeared purple in certain lights. Or perhaps a purple that appeared brown in some lights - it's difficult to tell. I'm always impressed when colourists check your eye colour and skin tone and ask about what make up you wear before suggesting a colour. With this in mind, Sinead had me at 'do you tend to wear smoky eyes?'
After we'd decided on a colour, the cut was next up for discussion. Again Sinead was was very concerned that the cut suit my face type, lifestyle and personal style. When I walked in I had a short bob, so I couldn't help but feel I'd presented myself as quite a difficult brief. *queue more guilt*.
There was lots of that thing you do when you're trying to decide whether to cut a fringe in (you know - standing in front of the mirror holding the front of your hair up so it looks like a fringe and squinting) but I'm pretty relaxed with hairdressers, and Sinead had earned my trust. What was the worst that could happen, right? There was even talk of giving me a hair cut that could be worn one of two ways. At this point, I asked her to marry me. Seriously - as someone who has had a bob for about four years, the one issue I always had is that it was difficult to ever make it look different.
Colour safely whacked on, Sinead talked me through her 'thing'. The thing that makes her a cut above (no pun intended) the competition, and secured her a place in the L'Oréal Professionel Colour Trophy final. Apparently, it's all about recognising that not all hair styles suit all people - you wouldn't catch me in red skinny jeans, and apparently, you should never catch me as a yellow-y blonde, or with long hair cut to one length.
Spending time with Sinead was like sitting chatting to the Gok Kwan of hair, but without the excessive campness (she's a straight talking Irish girl - there's not much fluff). Having my hair cut by someone who put this much emphasis on how the hair cut and colour suited me made me feel like I'd made it to Week Three of America's Next Top Model, where everyone gets these amazing new 'dos (and isn't that everyone's favourite week?).
Colour washed off, cut in process, it was done half wet and half dry. There was a frightening moment when the electric clippers were brandished, but true to my word, I kept my faith. And thank god I did.
Seriously, I love my hair. I love the colour - it's understated but different, and seems to be lasting quite well after a few washes. And the cut! The cut! I could wax lyrical about how I've got two new haircuts that both make me look different, how combined with the colour, I actually notice my eye colour, how it turns out that somewhere under my cheeks I've got cheekbones...
Suffice to say, if Sinead doesn't win the L'Oreal Colour Trophy, I will be launching an Official Enquiry.
Susi visited Sinead Kelly at the William Thomas Hair Studio, 66a Barnes High Street , Barnes, SW13 9LD. For appointments tel: +44 (0) 20 8878 7444 Email: info@williamthomas.co.uk