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!

Why Volume Is More About Shampoo Than Genetics

If you are one of the lucky people who moans about  having enough hair to fill a mattress, then this post is not for you (sorry) .

In the Salon's we have lots of people who come in saying their hair is 'lifeless' and has no 'oomph'.  Whilst the cut plays a major part in the manageability and the end look of your hair... Many people seem to forget that one of the most major factors in their styling is the Shampoo and Conditioner that they use.
We are firm believers in our L'oreal ranges (Kerastase does exactly what it says on the tin) and whilst many people think that Salons are not the place to buy their Shampoo, let us tell you that the Supermarket aisle may be more enemy than friend.

You must let your Stylist diagnose your hair type and any issues that you have should be brought to their attention.  Chances are you may have limp and lifeless hair, in which case have you given any thought that your conditioner may be too heavy? Or the shampoo you use may not be suited for your hair type and weighing it down?

A good Shampoo and Conditioner are the fundamentals to a good hair care routine, the same as you would cleanse and moisturise your face every day, you should get yourself into a good hair care routine and reap the benefits in the long term.  We advise the following routine;

1.  Discuss with your stylist what you feel the problem issues of your hair/scalp are.  Sometimes what you perceive as a problem, really isn't that major.  Listen to their advice and take it on board.

2.  Find out what Shampoo in the Salon suits you and your hair needs best. Before you say it... Yes we know they are more expensive than the Supermarket alternatives, however you will find that you actually use a professionally supplied Shampoo and Conditioner less than your generic brands.  In the long run it is no more expensive (just hide it from the husband and the kids who use half a bottle per wash!)  At Tommy's we don't want your shampoo used once, and then sitting on the bathroom shelf for the next 6 years.  If you don't like the Shampoo after the first 3 uses, you can bring it back, and we will offer an alternative, no questions asked.  Volumising shampoos like Serioxyl from L'oreal, Muroto Volume from Shu Uemura and Densifique from Kerastase are amazing products that really do work!

3. Consider what Styling products your stylist uses.  We know nobody knows your hair better than you, but t
hey look after your hair, and have a completely objective opinion.  They have realistically used anywhere between 1 and 3 styling products on your hair to give it that 'oomph' and the body that you have when you walk out of the salon.  If they can't do it without those products which they advise...How are you going to do it...on your own...with your arm bent in crazy angles to get the blow dryer to the back of your head?  It's not just because they are fantastic stylists that they can make your hair look thicker (although that is a good wedge of it!) It's also down to the products that they use.

4. Don't be scared to ask your Stylist for tips. If you are like we said above... turning yourself into a human pretzel to attain volume with a blow dryer, then don't be afraid to ask your Stylist about what you can do at home on your own.  They will more than likely have simple techniques for you to achieve a similar result when not sat in the chair.

What have you got to lose? In the long run you will save yourself time, and money.  As well as have fantastic hair!

With Love From Tommy's xx