Tag Archives: Hair

Armstrong Cuthbert Hairdressing, Chiswick

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Armstrong Cuthbert thrives on its independent, boutique appeal. Located on sunny, family filled Chiswick High Road, the salon is friendly with a welcoming buzz. I have often walked past and been intrigued by the flurry of activity inside. Dashing in after a frantic day, I was instantly calmed by the staff who sat me down and reappeared with a glass of cold water and magazines.

The salon has smart modern décor, and has recently been refurbished restoring it to tip top condition. Flourishing from word of mouth recommendations, Armstrong Cuthbert has become established as one of Chiswick’s most popular and highly regarded salons. When seated, I surveyed the crowd and could see how the clientele varies, their professional and experienced knowledge of hairdressing unsurprisingly attracts all ages. Though of course it is most often filled with Turnham Green’s yummy mummies!

I hadn’t washed my hair for a few days (apparently hair dye takes better to greasy hair), so was feeling particularly excited about having my hair revitalised. My stylist came by to assess my situation and we quickly decided on lighter, creamier blonde streaks to eliminate the dull khaki tones and remedy the very dark roots problem. The highlighting didn’t seem to take as long as usual, but perhaps that was just because I was having such a lovely chat with my gorgeous stylist! It was like catching up with an old friend. She was efficient and expertly used the foils to create the most natural colouring.

After the bleach had worked its magic, I was taken over to the comfy chairs for an intensive conditioning treatment. The full indulgence rebuilds, rebalances and restores your hair. It was put in my hair before a full head, neck, back and shoulder massage. My hair was blow dried and gently curled to give a sophisticated 1950s look, which is apparently very on trend at the moment! Despite closing at 6pm, the staff here continued to work till 6.25 perfecting my coiffure.

If you live in Chiswick you must try Armstrong Cuthbert, and if you don’t you now have a reason to visit this quaint area of London.

Find Armstrong Cuthbert’s website to book here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 96: Spring Beauty Must Haves

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The clocks have gone forward and spring is upon us… I have found and tried some of the best beauty products designed to prep, prime and plump your skin, face and hair ready for the new season.

I love the Shu Uemura make up range so it is no surprise that I found the ART OF HAIR care equally effective. These high end products are results driven and will not let you down… you can rarely purchase them in high street stores, instead the brand prefers to be stocked by the salons that use them and they can also be bought online. Shu Uemura hair care is expensive but worth every penny. The Silk Bloom restorative shampoo (£24) and conditioner (£32) are the perfect way to start your hair routine. Before blowdrying apply Satin Design Polishing Milk (£22) which will create a gorgeous shine and fluid movement. I also love the Shu Ample Angora (£16.75), a voluminizing light foam which adds a graceful wave to my hair.

For further styling, use your little black bottle of Nicky Clarke’s newest product, the backcombing dust ‘Tease Me’ (£14.50) to create a messy hairstyle with texture and volume. Simple apply to the roots and fluff up.

Thalgo is not a brand I’ve heard of before now. Leaders in marine beauty, they use active sea ingredients to create transforming skin products. I was very pleased to discover their Energising Vitality Cream (£33.20) which is ideal for my dehydrated skin providing an instant moisture lift and, thanks to the enriching vitamins, leave the skin dewy and vibrant. I adore the Thalgo Reviving Marine Mist (£24.50) too because it is so easy to apply and to use wherever whenever. It is a refreshing spray that will ensure your skin receives the therapeutic benefits of the sea, without leaving home.

The SUPER range by Dr Nicholas Perricone substitutes the toning step of your skin routine with activating. These revolutionary products use the power of superfoods to give your skin an essential boost, hydrating and ensuring a springtime glow. Displayed in stylishly simple bottles, I have tried the Brightening Activator, a treatment prep with Melon Carotenoids (£28.50), it gave my skin a healthy glow all day, and seems to improve with each day you continue to use it.

The most appropriate spring product though is Perricone MD No Sun Tanner (£54). This product naturally smooths, tones and develops sun kissed skin. The products promises to avoid the usual self tanning dilemmas – no stickiness, unpleasant odours nor streaks. Presented in a very smart glass bottle, it is a luxurious designer self tanner that will prepare your pasty legs for their first uncovered spring outing. I love the coconut smell and found after a few days of use I had a lovely sun kissed colour. This is my favourite spring must buy product.

I’m sure I don’t need to introduce you to the Philip Kingsley products, as this famed hairdressers range is known amongst beauty lovers as the vital hair products. Kingsley is a leading authority on hair health, his products have had miraculous effects on my bleach damaged hair. The carefully concocted products sooth and energise tired hair and scalp. The Scalp Toner (£17.90) is a particularly wonderful product which supplies the scalp with stimulating stringent and antibacterial benefits, hoping to promote growth. The leave in formula applied after washing has a relaxing effect. With my blonde hair I prefer to wear it curly, which is when the Philip Kingsley’s weatherproof hairspray (£9.50) comes in handy. This multi-purpose hairspray is perfect to prepare for unexpected spring showers and has a flexible lasting hold.

Geilly Green are one of my very favourite salons, offering wonderful treatments and their own range of luxurious products. I recently tried their natural hand and body wash, an indulgent grapefruit and cassis flavoured shower gel (£12) that will leave you feeling silky and smooth and smelling delicious.

These are just a few of my favourites for spring, I’d love to hear about what you use to prepare your skin and hair for the warmer months!

Hot on the Highstreet Week 94

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When it comes to hair products Kerastase‘s are second to none. This professional brand provide the best solution to any hair problem… when my hair was brittle and damaged after bleaching, I found the only solution to return my tresses back to health was the supreme shampoo and conditioner from Kerastase that added moisture and shine back to hair and scalp almost instantly.

Most major salons use the Kerastase range which is where I first experienced the wondrous effects. They are kept behind those smart wash basins and lathered into your hair without a chance for you to study the bottle or brand first. I always thought the products smelt delicious, so I asked about what they were. I haven’t looked back since, Kerastase has revolutionised my hair routine.

Women nowadays spend so much time and money on beauty and body products, I feel we should be paying a little more attention to our hair. Damage can be avoided if you use the appropriate products for you which is why Kerastase’s different types are so brilliant.

The different coloured tubes represent the specialised ranges with a few of my favourite products highlighted:

Green is Resistance: to strengthen weakened, damaged or fine hair.

Bain de force: a creamy rich shampoo for weakened damaged hair… I used this straight after bleaching and my hair became softer after one wash. Note: best to always shampoo twice, but only a tiny amount of shampoo is needed each time.

Ciment thermique: this leave-in conditioner is perfect for brittle damaged hair. You will only need a tiny amount through lengths and ends of hair.

Masque force architecte: a luxurious hair mask for split ends, leave on five minutes after shampoo and rinse out to reveal extra silky hair.

Fibre architecte: a non-oily leave-in conditioner specially for dry hair with split ends, a renovating dual serum that works wonders.

Orange and White is Nutritive: Personalised nourishing care for dyed hair.

Sublimateur Jour: for dry sensitised hair, this leave in conditioner adds moisture. It is a light, replenishing formula that encourages softness. Best when massaged gently into lengths of hair.

Pink is Reflection: to protect and maintain longlasting colour radiance.

Bain miroir: shampoo that is ideal for colour treated hair. This shampoo added moisture and shine instantly to my hair without feeling too heavy.

Chroma reflect: radiance enhancing milk to use after shampooing, rinse out after leaving on for 3-5 minutes. Shows your hair at its best.

Chroma reflect: this deep radiance enhancing masque is for very sensitised colour treated hair. It is a luxurious treatment to use occasionally. Rinse out after leaving on for several minutes. I found the longer I left this mask on the better the results.

Silver is Specifique: for specific or serious scalp and hair concerns.

Pale blue for Biotic: to rebalance the scalp and reactivate its natural defences to produce beautiful healthy hair.

Purple for Noctogenist: overnight treatment for dull tired looking hair.

Pale purple for Age Premium: rejuvenating programme for mature hair.

Yellow for Soleil: made to measure sun protection for hair exposed to the sun, sea and chlorine… sure to be a best seller in summertime.

Gold for Elixir Ultime: enriched with four precious oils to beautify hair… a product I would love to try!

Kerastase is a professional product but is sold online and in selected salons… I promise these products will transform your hair like you never imagined possible. And though my addiction to Kerastase is an expensive habit, I don’t regret for a minute being introduced to this revolutionary hair brand.

Visit the website here for more information.