We at Tommy’s are stepping into the height of Wedding Wonderland Booking Season!  Brides full of excitement with their Mothers walking into the Salon after booking their venue, with amazing Wedding plans and ideas that get us just as excited! (If you’re Camilla, possibly even MORE excited than the Bride!)

It’s a great season, and we love taking the bookings.  Giving them exclusive use of the mezzanine floor for example in the Ruthin Salon, and organising fruit buffets for the Bridal Party (with some fizz to help start off the celebrations of course!).  Then comes the Million Pound question…

“So, do you have something in mind?”

The look of wonderment passes over the Bride’s face as you can see the visualisation materialise in her minds eye, like an out of body experience...She is hovering over herself at the ceremony on her big day and trying desperately to imagine what her hair, dress and makeup look like.

It’s always the first question we ask, and we always ask such a vague question because we know how things change from visualisation to reality.  Some Brides have an exact requirement, they know every detail of their day, and have it cemented in their mind...Some people haven't planned their wedding day since they were 6, so we always open up their creative thinking with another question.

‘What style is your dress?’

A massive question which will instantly give us an idea of what kind of Hairstyle will suit your overall look.  Will you be wearing a Veil?  Is it high neck? Sweetheart? Empire line? The possibilities go on forever and we understand how this affects the Hairstyle you will be wearing!

But in the meantime...Whilst you are frantically putting wedding favour ideas on your pinterest board like a person possessed, we wanted to give you a clue on how you can find the perfect starting point for choosing your Style.

Your Face Shape….  Below are the Face shapes that we use in Hairdressing and these can be a starting point for you to see what Styles you can search for!

Oval - You lucky, LUCKY thing!  A very versatile face shape to have.  Symmetry means that you can try most styles and they will suit you.  Low, high, side, centre ...The Wedding Hairstyle world is your oyster!

Round - You will be looking to elongate the shape of your face with the Wedding hair that you choose.  Not necessarily in all cases (personal taste also wins over!) but you will most likely be looking for fullness in the top to create a longer looking face shape. Hairstyles with height on the crown emphasise the length of your neck.

Square - This shape should be softened using styles that can be worn up or down.  We find styles with a sweeping fringe or a chignon are best to help break up the shape, as well as soft waves around the face or at the side that can really flatter this face shape.

Heart - In this face shape it is important to try and maintain some balance.  Avoiding height as much as possible, try to focus on styles that wear around the jawline.  Again, a chignon at the side of the face works well.  Side partings and a-symmetric styles will compliment a narrow delicate jawline.

Diamond - Quite an angular face shape, this can take some fantastically slick looks.  All hair swept off the face will really highlight those beautiful cheekbones!  Think also about tousled curls to help compliment this shape also.

Oblong - Why the long face?  Your shape is very flexible! Soft curls, sweeping half up - half down for an extremely romantic look.  This can also help as you can show off ears and you can add extra width without being scared either!  Think twice about giving yourself too much height as obviously the eye will be drawn to the longest part of your face, making it look even longer!

image courtesy of The Perfect Day Photography

Once you have a starting point, we can work with you to give you the Bridal Hairstyle of your dreams!  Hairdressers adore pictures, so get busy on your Pinterest and give us a visual feast when you walk in for your Trial appointment!  Remember we have many options available for styles that you think may be impossible.  With Rapture Hair Extensions that we use in the Salon, we can give you thicker longer looking hair within an hour, and they come out in fifteen minutes in the Salon! With zero damage to your hair or scalp….What’s more, you can keep them for another time and they can be put back in at the Salon!

image courtesy of The Perfect Day Photography

We will always suggest you have a trial before your wedding, this helps us gauge the time needed, and also gives you a good idea of what works for your style and what doesn't.  The beauty of a trial is that it isn’t just one look we can go for. Imagine it as the ‘Rough Sketch’ of what your hair will look like. Then we can just pull it out and quickly go for the next style you have in mind.  Then on your day, you have a full appointment to concentrate on the one you love best!  We take pictures of your chosen style also, this helps jog your memory a little closer to the time so you can be confident you made the right choice by your dress, and by you!

If you would like to discuss Wedding Bookings with our Stylists then please feel free to visit www.tommyshaircompany.com and find the nearest Salon for your Wedding planning!

What would you wear from Fashion Week?

Of course the clothes may be a little out of our price range...However we can take away some fantastic hair looks from the shows and wear those!  Our Top Stylist from the Chester Salon Hanna, has a look at what looks from LFW16 you can take away and make into wearable every day styles!

The show that is on everyone's mind right now is of course Alexander McQueen, and all the hair accessories!
If you are a brave one , mismatch the hair jewelry and put them randomly in the hair, or If you like a more sophisticated look a lá Peter Pilotto . Seen on London fashion week.






















WET LOOK HAIR!
To copy the look , as seen on Simone Rocha LFW, you need to wet your hair and then use a gel , let it dry naturally , simple as that and you will be the coolest on the party!
From our range in Tommys, we recommend "Scruff Me" from L'oreal Techni Art . Get it in your nearest Tommy's salon!

LOW PONY TAIL!
Is it time for a hair wash but you don't have the time ? The low ponytail will save your day! Seen on Proenza Shouler show for NYFW . Take a piece of your hair and wrap around the bobble and make it stay with a clip , for a nice little detail.

PONY TWIST!
Or go for a ponytail with a twist , spotted on Prabal Gurung on NYFW.  A good hairspray is a really good investment to take rid of fluff and baby hair .  We recommend Kerastase Laque Noire or Coutoure hair spray , available in your local Tommy's Salon!

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!

Tommys Rapture Video

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!

I just want a trim!

We know how it can be.  You wake up in the morning, walk in to the bathroom and 'BOOM' you're confronted with the image of Bigfoot on a bad  hair day.

The first thing that runs through your head?  "I need a hair appointment!" You have us on speed dial (naturally) so it takes 30 seconds to get through to us.  But...What is that...?  Fully booked?!?! Then we hear the words  "I just want a trim! It won't take long!"

We know how long it takes to deliver our Award Winning Service, and 'squeezing you in' won't give you a quarter of what we aim to deliver.  We deliver what we call 'Swan Service' which means that on the Salon Floor, everything looks graceful and peaceful.  Meticulously simple, almost automatic in fact!  Whilst behind the scenes a lot of work is going into making that Swan look like it's gliding across the water!  So here is how we make it look like a well oiled machine....Call it 'A day in the life of Tommy's'.

08:45am The Front of House Coordinators arrive in the Salon and begin their morning routines.  This includes walking through the Salon detailing maintenance issues, creating task lists for the team during the day, and calculating figures and daily notes to pass on to the team about each Guests likes and dislikes.

09:00 All of our Team Members are trained to always be 15 minutes early for us, as well as outside appointments.  Our morning meetings (called 'Express' Meetings) are held 15 minutes before our first service at 09:30, so everyone arrives at 09:00 if they want to settle in, grab themselves a coffee or tea, and have a chat about what happened at the BRIT or BHA Awards, or whatever the latest news may be!

09:15 - The Team are in full uniform, ready to have the meeting of what awaits them in the appointment book that day. Everyone who is on the floor that day is present, from Manager to Assistant, to hear what is coming up in the day, with each Guests like and dislikes, as well as Company wide news from the PR & Marketing Department and Directors as well as the logistics of the appointment book throughout the day.

09:25 - Team Members look through their columns on our computer to make personal notes on each appointment and create an action plan for the day.

09:30 - The Salon comes to life! And the day begins. As you can see by the appointment book, there are lots of appointments on any given day, as a lot of our Guests prefer to book ahead. Every single appointment in this week is pre-booked.   There is very little time in between each appointment.  All appointments include a dedicated consultation time, as well as a little breathing space to fit in the Guests who call to book their complimentary fringe trims.

Our Guest Managers manage the book like a military operation!  This ensures that each Guest gets the full amount of time with their Stylist for their Service.  They have a handbook filled with policies and procedures to follow, which help keep each Salon running smoothly and efficiently.

As you can see, it's pretty tight!  Our Front of House Team are trained to utilise our Salon waiting list, which means that as soon as a cancellation comes up, the list is referenced for the people who have said that they can come at that time or that day.  If you have a flexible schedule, it's obviously a great idea to book your next appointment ahead, and this can be changed with a minimum of 48 hours notice.  But what if you aren't flexible on times and days?  We appreciate people are busy, which is why we offer a scheduling system.  We will put your appointment in at your preferred time, day, and recurrence.  You work late on a Thursday and can't be in the Salon until 6:30pm on your favourite Stylists late night? No problem... We will pop an appointment in for you every six weeks at 6:30 on a Thursday evening, and you confirm the next one as you go.   

So as you can see, we work super hard to make sure that everyone gets a time and date they prefer...All you need to do is book ahead! Whilst we do all the hard work behind the scenes to prevent those Bigfoots creeping into your bathroom mirror :)