Before & After
Happy New Year everyone - I hope you’ve all had a lovely break? I’ve been taking some time off with family but have loads of absolute beauties lined up to share with you over the coming weeks (& may even divulge a few sneaky sale purchases).
Some of you will already have seen these pics on Instagram, but my first post of the new year seemed an appropriate time to share my New Hair. Stepping outside our comfort zone can be unnerving - often because it just doesn’t occur to us - and until recently, changing my hair wasn’t really something I’d considered. A little gentle coercion and a dollop of charm (you know who you are) soon changed my mind. It’s worth noting at this point that I’d previously gone to the same hairdresser for 15 years before deciding it was time to shake things up a bit, so I entered the doors of Paul Stafford Hairdressing with an open mind.
Paul Stafford is a multi award winning hairdresser who has cut the hair of everybody who’s anybody, is widely regarded as top of his game and heads up a brilliant team with his gorgeous wife, Leisa (he’s also an absolute geg and one of the funniest people I follow on twitter). After a consultation with Paul and colourist, Aidan Bradley, I was convinced that I needed to take a leap of faith - and knew that if I could trust anyone with my hair, it was these guys. The only colour I’d ever had in my hair before was a few surface highlights, once or twice a year - and although I’m a natural strawberry blonde, my hair was a much brighter red in my late teens/early 20s, but has softened over time.
The guys didn’t think my highlights flattered my skin tone and looking at these pics (taken one week apart), I can see that they were absolutely right. Admittedly I was particularly knackered and washed out in the first shot above, but still, the after shot shows a definite improvement according to most (although my kids took a while to come around to it!).
Post colour & cut, I was quite taken by the Fifi & the Flowertots look when my blow dried curls were pinned up to help hold them in place! I would never have the patience to do this myself but loved having it done. Being pampered at the hairdressers is one of my favourite things and this was no exception… there was a fantastic buzz in the salon and a great rapport between the stylists. Plus everyone who worked there was flipping gorgeous… I couldn’t take my eyes off all the girls’ hair and make-up!
Paul finished off the look before I went out to meet the first of the freak storms that had descended and ran about a mile up the road to my car. Every. Time. The top pic was taken a couple of hours later on my way out, so thankfully it didn’t do too much damage!
What do you think of my new do? I know it’s not that radical compared to what some people opt for but it was a big change for me and I’m really happy with it… it’s given me a spring in my step and I’ve genuinely never had so many compliments. I’m still learning to manage styling the new length and of course The Fringe (cows lick central), but it’s really refreshing to have a change. I’ve had to shake up my make-up to balance out the new colour, so watch this space for more on that soon!
Happy 2014 and thank you all so much for reading - I don’t say it often enough, but I appreciate every single person who reads and subscribes. Speaking of which, a quick hello to my fabulous friend Corinne who was gobsmacked to stumble across my blog this week & aghast as to why I hadn’t told her about it after almost 3 years (secret bloggers, come out of the closet!). When we were out at Christmas I painted her nails a gorgeous Dior red in the middle of Hilton Hotel bar as you do… and she loved them so much she went out the next day and bought SIX bottles of nail polish… that’s my girl! xxx
ps Do I need to change my blog name?!
