Life in the Fast Lane

No...We're not talking about getting Pole Position in the Salon to get your haircut first!

We know how life can be.  You have to pick up the kids from school at 3:15, you've booked a hair appointment for 2:00 and you are just not sure if you are going to make it in time, what with all the incredible treatments, head massage at Shampoo, and browsing of products you like to do when you are in the Salon.  It should feel like a pampering, indulgent experience.  Not the last sprint of the London Marathon towards the finish line!

Welcome to the Fast Lane.  Here at Tommy's we understand that sometimes taking your time simply isn't practical, and as one of our previous posts said, we never 'squeeze' anybody in.  So what's the solution?  

We Fast Lane your appointment!  Simply arrive ten minutes before your appointment time.  We will take your bill, book your next appointment and send you over for consultation with your Stylist.  So that when your appointment time comes along you have already had that incredible head massage, had a quick peek at the retail that you want to take home to keep your hair in it's best condition, and you can fly out the door confident in the fact that you have had exactly the same level of service but with a 10-15 minute head start!

Want to save even more time?  If your time is limited and you can only visit us on a certain day at a certain time, then we will schedule you in for that day and time at your chosen interval!  Stress free hairdressing!

To take advantage, simply phone your nearest Salon ( visit www.tommyshaircompany.com to find your nearest one!) and ask them to fast lane your appointment!

Got suggestions of how we can continue to improve our service for you? Please visit the website and get in contact to let us know!

Would you clean your hotel room before the maid came?

Should I wash my hair before coming to the Salon?

We don't want to be gross or anything but we love dirty hair. Ok, there is a cut off point of  how many days you can go without shampooing, but you should NEVER (except one instance!) shampoo your hair before you come to the salon.

Coming for your colour done? Always come with dry hair (Professional Tip!) it saves time if you want to be out on time, and means that it won't need to be blow dried before hand!  Dirty hair (second...even third day hair is ok) makes it easier for the technician to place foils.  Oils secreted by your hair also form a type of protection against possible irritation by the colour!

With a haircut...Well having a dry cut is like going to McDonalds for a Salad.  You want the burger but you've cheated yourself out of it, and it costs exactly the same!  You have come to the professionals and it costs no more or less to sit back in our shiatsu massage chairs, and feel the stress of every day life melt away with every knot that is kneaded out of your back by the chair. Pair that with the KILLER head ritual that is done during your shampoo and you will wonder why you cheated yourself out of this experience for so long!

But you should come with your hair styled the way you normally wear it.  Makes it easier for the Stylists to see what you do with your hair, and see what kind of effort and/or style you put in yourself.

Hair Up and Curling appointments should always be washed and dried the day before, then just left.  No styling products...no oils...just your hair. Okay...Maybe a volumising cream such as Forme Fatale or Lift Vertige from Kerastase but nothing else!  It gives a great base for doing hair up and curling, and if we need to change the texture for any reason then we can always do that in the chair :)

And that exception when you should wash your hair....Chlorine.  Always wash your hair after being in a swimming pool...Chlorine reacts with colour, and the results can be...how shall we say...Interesting?  Also if you have put any lightening products such as SUN-IN or other type of thing, let your stylist know!  The results of that with foils and lifting agents can be very serious!

So if you haven't washed your hair when you visit us...Don't worry, it's going to happen anyway.  It's like cleaning the hotel room before the maid comes!

Team Tommy's...

NO ONE CAN WHISTLE A SYMPHONY....

....it takes a whole orchestra to play it.  - H.E. Luccock

Unlike other Salons, we practice a team philosophy.  This means the skills of our entire team (From our Salon assistants to our Stylists) are available to you.  We wouldn't dream of committing you to one Stylist or technician.  

We don’t want to keep you on a waiting list.  Being there when you need us, and fitting into your busy schedule is our number one priority.  Not every Stylist is a master of all skills, our ‘Perfect Match’ System aligns you with the Team member with the best suited experience level, skill set, and strength to suit your hair and your lifestyle.  Each Team Member has a strength that when combined, offer you an array of style enhancing options that can not be rivalled.  

So you are scared when you book an appointment and you get a different Stylist, it’s going to be a disaster?  We can assure you this isn't the case, and neither are we going to force you to stay with the same Stylist either.  We know that a massive part of our success is the relationship that has been built up with our Guests.  We know that you have a ‘favourite’ Team member that you prefer.  However if they have fallen ill, are on vacation, or working on an outside event such as London Fashion Week, we want you to know that you have the option to see another Team Member.

Me and my Shadow

Each Team Member has a ‘Shadow Stylist’.  This is usually the person that would colour your hair, or the one that you usually visit for the blow dry’s for that special occasion.  These Team Members work closely with your Stylist, and they often know your hair.  These Stylists are called Shadow Stylists, and they are trusted to look after you when your usual Stylists are not around (That’s right, our stylists have favourites too!), and they wouldn't hand that responsibility over to just anyone who is available.  So not only do we not mind if you want to visit a different stylist in the Salon...We want you to!  There’s no commissions at Tommy’s, and we do not ‘rent chairs’.  Your time is important, and we want to make sure you can be seen by us, without that Guilty pang!

To ensure consistent service quality and technical skill, each team member completes our in-salon skill certification program. This means you can always have confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you are in the talented hands of a Tommy’s Team member. You'll always have a fresh perspective....and you'll always receive the utmost in True Quality service and attention. Guaranteed.

So there you have it, the next time that you need that appointment that you forgot to make, before the Wedding you've been invited to tomorrow, ask our Guest Experience Manager who the Shadow Stylist is.  You will get the same incredible Tommy’s Service, and Style minus the panic!

Ultimate Christmas Make Up

Look who is Guest writing for us?

Caroline James is a Make Up Artist who is talented enough to of worked with Celebrities such as Katie Melua, and most recently worked with the X Factor contestants on a photo shoot!

During my 15 years as a professional Makeup Artist, my work has taken me worldwide working with glamorous celebrities, hugely successful singers and musicians, popular TV shows and international live tours.

I have now moved to beautiful NorthWales where the new challenges and opportunities are just as exciting.  I am privileged to be working with Artists such as Katie Melua, Paul McCartney,Charlotte Church, Jodie Kidd, Dannii Minogue, Amanda Redman, Rachel Stevens and Yoko Ono to name just a few.

I now want to bring my expertise to you offering private one–to-one makeup lessons giving you the confidence to try new ways of using the products you already have, but may not know how to get the best from.  I will bring my experience to you by giving you the confidence to try new ways of using the products already in your make up bag, and giving you hints and tips.

So here are my tips to The ultimate Christmas Make Up!

This is the time to be bold and have some fun with Makeup now the party season is upon us.

Some useful tips to get you ready for the party:

Keep the foundation light and dewy and as fresh as possible, you don't want your skin looking dull! A tinted moisturizer or light reflecting foundation is perfect.

 This is the time to perfect the seductive smoky eye as above - using greys, charcoals and lots of blending.  Keep the colours on the eye lids lighter and darken the eye socket and the top and bottom lash line finishing with a black khol pencil around the lashes.  Don't forget to finish the look with some killer lashes, there are so many to choose!

After the glamour shoot with the X Factor contestants recently I think everyone should try a red or wine colour lip to really stand out at the party! But keep the edges of the lip soft. You use your finger to gently smudge the edges for a more "worn" look.  

Get your Sunnie's Out!

Some fantastic Eye wear that we think is going to be big, now the Summer 

seems to FINALLY be on it's way!

images may be subject to copyright

'Tis the season to be smokin'!

It is that time of year, and we are all preparing ourselves for the Christmas Party!  Be it  in the office, or the restaurant, or even if you have hired the village hall, there is no excuse for the novelty ties or Christmas  Pudding earrings this year, it's time to knock them dead (and not with the reindeer headband)!

This is a step by step from Ruth, to make your make-up as dazzling as the electric Christmas light Jumper your Grandmother bought you last year.

 Here we went for a healthy day look that will carry you through to evening with a little touch up before hand, and all in five easy steps....Hallelujah!

  1.

Start with a light liquid foundation applied with finger tips to the centre of the face and blend outwards. Always choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and if you want to look more tanned use bronzer not a darker foundation!

2.

Set with a loose powder and apply bronzer or blusher 

to the apples of the cheeks sweeping backwards along cheek bones.

3.

Apply a light shade of  eyeshadow to the lid all the way up to the eyebrow then use a darker shade in a v shape along the lash line and in the socket.

4.

Using a fine small brush apply brown gel eyeliner from the centre of the lash line sweeping out to the edges, keeping as close to your eyelashes as possible. Be aware- putting too much liner on will make your eyes look smaller.

5.

Eyebrows can be evened out in shape or filled in using a matching colour brow powder and a small brush, avoid pencils as they look too harsh.Lipliner should be as close to your natural lip colour as possible and applied lightly to your cupid bow first and then from the outside in.  Lastly apply a slick of sheer natural coloured lipstick or gloss and voila!

X Marks the spot

Sally our Academy Stylist, is a young lady who certainly has her finger on the pulse, as I was in London last week with Tommy and Esther at The Most Wanted Awards, I received a little phone call from Sally as I was on the train.  "Gavyn I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since the X Factor started.... and we haven't blogged about it yet?!"  As I hung my head in shame into my Virgin Rail Chicken Sandwich I realised she was right... So I put her on the case straight away, here she is!

4 weeks and no posts about X Factor?  I think it's about time we changed that!  Where should we start?  Well obviously there was massive controversy over Cheryl leaving, and also regarding her replacement... Tulisa from  N-Dubz.  Gavyn and some of the other crew are a bit too old to remember N-Dubz first coming on the scene but I remember her, and she certainly has changed since those first days with her blonde hair, and if I'm honest, she looked like any other late teens girl wanting to be different.  I probably would of passed her in the street and thought 'trying too hard'. 

But then she went brunette... and WOW the difference a hair colour can make!  She went really dark, and with striking lipstick this really brought her style completely up a level, and gave her a level of sophistication that she had previously been missing.

Then came the new look of rich browns, and the flash at the front of blonde mixed through a subtle rich red.... I think it really adds something different without going for the block flashes which can sometimes look like a disaster if not done correctly.

I have young ladies coming into the Academy with longer hair, looking for something different, but wanting to keep the length.  I feel like colour statements such as Tulisa's on the right, are a really great way to give longer hair a new lease of life, without having to completely change your style.  The colours work well, and it's an easy way to make a statement without going over the top!

Then we have my new style icon.... 

Kelly Rowland

The Destiny's Child singer just oooooozes style, fashion, and brilliance every time I see her!  The singer has had some style changes over the last 18 months, but her new stylist Mekel Bailey is doing an amazing job!

            My favourite outfit on the left, the gorgeous lace dress, with Copper belt and her bright red Giuseppe Zanotti wedges.... AMAZING!

      She has been seen in figure hugging body con dresses, mini dresses, and skirts that nip in to show off her tiny waist. And why wouldn't  you with a body like hers!!  

      She has apparently been working hard at keeping her body in trim, on the X Factor this weekend, Tulisa made a joke how at 1am the judges where having drinks down the bar, when Kelly Rowland walks in with a skipping rope and starts working out before heading off to the gym! AT 1AM!! You go girl!

      When I discovered Kelly Rowland was going to be on the judging panel, I must admit I was a little dubious, and I wasn't too sure what she was going to bring to the table, but she has an air of maturity and sophistication topped with killer style that makes her absolutely the right choice to be an X Factor Judge!

      So all in all I think the new X Factor Judges are doing a fantastic job, and I'm really enjoying the show so far.  I can't wait to see what the competition is going to turn into in the coming weeks.... but in the meantime, I will be enjoying the fashion show and hair ideas that are hitting my TV every Saturday night.  

       Hope you enjoyed my first blog!  xxxx

Thank Blog it's Friday! Blow Dry Blues?

Saran hair is a beautiful thing a photo by *Saffy* on Flickr.

Ok so we have all had it.

You get to that point before your next hair appointment, and you just wake up, and do everything as normal when POW! Your hair feels, looks, and acts as though it has been replaced with the hair of Satan.

It's fly away, it's lumpy, it won't curl in the right place, or lie flat where it's supposed to. So what do you do? Back in the day, I used to start with a little water, put it on, lay it flat or curl it out and wait for it to dry... Into exactly the same position it was in before.

Secondly comes the product attack. We start with gels, seeing if we can somehow push it down, just to watch it... slowly... rise back up. As if in slow motion pushing up a hairy middle finger at you in the mirror.

Thirdly comes the all out surrender of washing your hair, and trying to make it work again, and again, and again.... And we arrive back at the start.

Well ladies, i'm a gent, and I can't begin to imagine the horror of having a bad hair day when my hair is over 6 inches long, so for you girls with meters of it... I salute you. However I came up with a solution and it worked for me and my short curly locks, so for you guys it's a sure fire thing. It's a three pronged attack, and it is amazingly simple.

Step 1. Switch on your Computer

Step 2. Sit in their chair

Step 3. Watch Camilla show you how to do it!

Here she is with hints and tips on how to blowdry your own hair....Thank Blog It's Friday!

Fringe-Tastic Friday!

If I had a penny for every phone call I got starting with ''Gavyn she thought she would trim her own fringe because it was easier'' I think I could pay myself for a year.

Well here at Tommy's fringe trims are complimentary for our Guests.... We made the video blog to show you how you can change your look in-between appointments without having to spend a penny!

Fudge (Virginia) phoned us, she has a fringe trim to keep her going in between cuts, and she very kindly agreed to be a part of our blog so we can show you how we can change your look in five minutes or less. Ideal for when you feel like a little change, but it's a couple weeks until your next appointment! 

 Thank Blog it's Friday!

The 'F' Word - Thank Blog it's Friday!

We're talking about Friday!

Now the video blog has become so popular,  we have given it a dedicated title..... 'Thank Blog it's Friday!'


We will give you little video blogs to inspire you to look and feel fabulous.  If you would like to learn how to give yourself fantastic hair quickly, or if you are looking for some inspiration for the next style that you want to have, we are here to help!


We will be taking styles from the salons latest collections, and drawing experience from our team of Stylists to keep you in touch with everything from Catwalk Hair to Individual style.


Whatever you want, let us know and we will try our best to get it on the blog for you.  Whether it's a 'how to' or a type of style that you want to see on somebody, or simply some recommendations of products that are best for you,  we are fully interactive and happy to show you why we are so passionate about what we do.


A request, from a young lady Shelley, was how to do the 'flicks' in the hair that you see some stunning ladies on the red carpet with, a bit of old school Glamour made famous again by Celebs like Eva Longoria, can really transform you from sleek and chic to flicked and frisky.

Ask... & Thy will be done!  Now we didn't want to just blog how to do the flicks,we wanted to ACTUALLY show her, so we got her here to the Salon and used her in the blog she asked for...Cool huh!!


Don't forget...if there's something you want to see, then simply drop us some feedback in the comment box, or find us on Facebook with the link on the left, and we will get right back to you!


 Enjoy :)

Cheryl Cole... to bob or not to bob?... that is the question

After only just coming to terms with the fact that Katy Perry dipped herself in poor girls ginger juice, I open a web page and lo and behold...

Yes that's right... Cheryl Cole has chopped her hair off.  Let me tell you I am not jealous of the poor stylist (Lisa Laudat) that had to battle with her barnet, and be personally responsible for putting a new hairstyle on one of the nations most photographed Celebs.


But the Colourist Amie Wilson quoted it as the "smokey eyes of hair".  What I am shocked at is, how suddenly Cheryl has gone from a woman with 50 heads of hair to this 'inbetweenie' bob.  From this photo above it looks like it has loads of texture and a stunning shape, but when you see it from another angle ...

You get the full effect of the cut.  Now this will be week two that I have chucked my bag down in the Salon kitchen and literally shaken a stylist like a man possessed.  Let me tell you they don't react well to being man handled at 8am on a Tuesday morning.   This time Kristina was in the firing line, and she had barely tucked into her morning breakfast coffee, before I had her dragged by the hand behind me like some kind of human wedding trail. 


'Oh.'  Said Kristina after she had dusted herself down and stopped herself from choking on her breakfast that I'd catapulted her from.


'It's not really here nor there is it?'   Exactly my thoughts.... I mean... this woman is a National ICON.  What on earth is she doing?  I heard a young guest say that it looks like she has had her head trapped in a lift?


Obviously dragging Kristina away from her morning coffee did not do Cheryl's new style any favours... after stepping back she said " I'm confused.com..... husband... no husband... long hair... short hair, the girl just doesn't know what to do!"


After returning Kristina to the saucer of milk she had left in the kitchen, we discussed the new look as a team.  Obviously some social activity and a couple of more coffees, gave Kristina a new insight.  "It makes her look older... and it's very safe... pretty uninspiring really"


A-symmetric is nothing new, and I must admit, personally, I am very torn about this style.  The texture and the movement look really dynamic.  However from the front it looks like someones going for the bob and she's screamed "STOP!" before they had a chance to sort it out.  It's too long to be funky, but not long enough to be something more traditional.  But you've got to give the girl credit for having the guts and trying something new. 


The colour is just ageing on her, she appears to have lost that 'glow' that she once had, and now seems a little lack luster.  We're not saying it's a bad colour... it's just not for her. 


BUT it's popular opinion that wins out.  So what do you think?  Should she dig those extensions out or stay with?

If Carlsberg did Party hair, it would probably look like this

Every body has had it... You're in work, it's 4:30 and you get the phone call from your friend... "Don't forget we're going to that party tonight!"  You go home, put the ice cream that you were looking forward to for your night in back in the freezer, and leave the DVD for another night.  You look in the mirror and what stares back at you?  Some limp haired lay about that looks like they've been forced through a trouser press without the heat on, and you only have 45 minutes to change yourself into a high street honey and make the ex boyfriend realise, you're the best thing since Disneyland.

Oila!  Here we have Camilla demonstrating how to get party hair in five minutes with just ONE product.  Yes one product only!  Now go get 'em tiger!

Guess what! O M G ... K P!

KP's new hair...

What's up with this picture!


Now we all know Katy Perry for her dark hair which brings out her incredibly coloured eyes....

So...imagine my surprise when i discovered she has turned into a red head!  Working as the Guest Manager within Tommy's Hair Company it is my duty to stay abreast of all things hair related and i thought i had Katy sussed for flying the flag for the rich darker tones that some people... no matter what... will not get away with, you know who you are people!!! If Katy was hoping to get some stylists attention with the change of colour... I think she has got it!

I couldn't stop thinking about Katy's new look on my walk to the salon. I burst in the salon door and without even saying good morning grabbed Camilla our Top Stylist and shoved the picture in her face; "Whatcha think about that?" Always the professional Camilla took a step back regained her composure and said; "No coffee for you today Gavyn?" Slightly embarrassed that i had been rumbled i asked Camilla for her opinion in a more calm and collective manner, which she was delighted to give; ''I feel she is following the 'ombre' style that is really popular at the moment with other celebs like Jennifer Aniston.  It's definitely more of a 'girl next door' look rather than the darker bold impact colour we're used to her wearing. Is that ok for you Gavyn?" and off she waltzed looking extremely pleased with her good deed for the morning.

I should have left it there but i kept looking at KP's picture throughout the day trying to work out my feelings. First of all let's just say from experience (and i'm sure anyone with a teenage child will have gone through this tragedy at some point), getting rid of black from your hair is no easy task... it takes time! Using techniques and methods to try and best protect the condition of the hair without losing the healthy bounce and lustre that Katy's hair especially is known for, could not have been a simple task.

So i'm left wondering if this is an 'in-between' colour on a journey to something completely different, or is the red here to stay? After an enjoyable day within the salon talking to our stylists and guests i think i have decided on my feelings. I believe that your hair should reflect your personality and be indicative of what you want to put out there about yourself for everyone to see. Oh and lets not forget the importance of skintone when it comes to colour. In my opinion KP's colour should be bold and bright to go with her high energy positive singing and performance style. For me this colour washes her out and looks pretty boring.... I'm afraid to say Katy pastels simply aren't for you!

But what do you think... Teenage Dream or Grown-up Nightmare?



















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