November 20, 2012

Smith's Hair & Beauty, Soho

I've finally given in to winter.
It was time to say goodbye to my sunkissed summer hair and warm up with darker, shorter, glossier locks.
I dyed my hair at home using Creme Casting Gloss in Chocolate. Semi-permenant colour is great to do at home, it's really easy, you get a lovely natural shade and it makes your hair so glossy. Don't try and go lighter than your natural colour because it wont work, but I always think it's nice to go dark for winter anyway.
Iced in my new glossy chocolate shade, I headed to Smith's in Soho for a seasonal overhaul.


I started with a seasalt body scrub & much needed massage before putting myself in Holly's hands.



She cut off about 2 inches and added a few more layers.
I left feeling like a new woman!
I love the colour and the layers have made it much lighter & easier to deal with. No more terrible tangles in the morning.
A little before and after...


What do you think?
A bit more grown up?
A few people have asked for tips and advice on what to ask for at a salon. First of all, pay for the best stylist you can afford. A trainee might be ok for blow dry but don't let them near your hair with a pair of scissors!
Ask them what will suit you, they really will know their stuff.
When in doubt, take in a picture of someone who's hair you like. It's much easier than trying to describe it.
Last but not least, if you don't like your finished cut... say something! Don't suffer in silence and cry on the way home, tell them it's not right and ask them to fix it. You've got a better chance together than pulling at it by yourself.
Salon wise, I love Smith's in London & Mel Giles in the West Country. If you have a local favourite, please leave a comment so other readers can give them a go!





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65 comments:

  1. Kelly12:00

    LOVE your new hair! Looks beautiful!
    Manchester girl here, personally I love Nicky Oliver. xx

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  2. Taylor Manning in Ayr (just outside Glasgow) is fabulous. If you want to go, book Adele, she's amazing! Definitely worth an hour on the train from Glasgow to go to her, she's fast, professional and very, very good, and the salon is so so so much cheaper than central Glasgow! x

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  3. I don't trust anyone else near my hair. I haven't paid for a haircut in 5 years. I do it all myself. Haven't messed it up yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. God that's brave of you Marlee! You must save a fortune! x

      Delete
  4. Love your new hair you look gorgeous, the colour really suits you :) I always go to Pont at Rush on the Strand he is really good and knows his stuff! x

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  5. Sarah12:15

    I love it! The darker shade really brings out your eyes.
    My personal go to is Macs in Maida Vale.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your hair looks amazing! Love it!

    Gillian x

    www.glamupeveryday.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loving the hair! You look great.
    I had to try loads of places in London before I found the right one. Now my favorite place is Tommy Guns in Soho - and I always go with Ricky, he's really good http://www.tommyguns.com/home-carousel/beak-st-salon/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your hair looks great - really very lovely!

    May I ask why you colour your hair at home, rather than have it done in a salon? I've long been tempted to try and do my own, but am worried that I'll end up with hair dye everywhere but on my actual hair.

    In terms of a hair salon I often go to Yo-Yo in Rayleigh, Essex and can't recommend it highly enough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ehmm... 2 main reasons really.
      1. I get bored quite quickly. The idea of sitting in a stylist's chair for an extra hour reading boring magazines kills me. I'd much rather be sitting in the buff at home! That way I can listen to music, get on with work and lounge as I please.
      2. If you're just doing an all over colour as opposed to highlights it's SO EASY that it seems silly to pay someone else another hundred pounds to do it.
      Obviously it's not for everyone and your bathroom will look like you've murdered someone...
      Phoebe did hers and turned himself ginger so had to do it again!
      Depends how handy you are I guess. If you're happy going to salons, I'd stick to that! xxx

      Delete
  9. Anonymous12:21

    Your hair looks AMAZING! I love Windle & Moodie in covent garden or Taylor Taylor in Shoreditch :) xx

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  10. Your hair always looks amazing! I use creme casting gloss at home too, I either go for chocolate or mahogany. Easy home hair dye!

    I find it hard to decide on a hairdresser in London, especially on a budget - any tips on cheaper hairdressers?!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm speechless! You get that amazing colour alone at home? Wow! The cut is gorgeous and you look pretty. I go a little bit darker too in Winter :-)
    Can't recommend a good hair salon where I live, though... I have to go back to Spain to have my colour and cut done!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looking gorgeous as ever babe!
    I haven't tried this salon before, do they do men's hair too? I usually go to Gareth at Headmasters in Mayfair, who is fantastic... But I am open to trying new places.

    And you are totally right... They do know their stuff and what is best for you.

    Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great tip babe. Let's have lunch soon xx

      Delete
  13. Anonymous12:41

    I love your whole look here! You look gorgeous!

    Could you please list the makeup you're wearing here? You look AMAZING and I would love to re-create the look for Christmas parties. :)

    I hope I'm not being too nosey

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure!
      I'll leave the brand names off because I can't remember them all and my makeup bag is at home.

      I don't wear foundation anymore, just BB cream.
      Bit of cream blusher on my cheeks.
      Liquid eyeliner (the type with a pot and a brush).
      Bourgeois clubbing mascara (the only brand I can remember because I buy it religiously!)

      C'est tout!
      Hope that helps xx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:43

      Thanks so much! :)

      I wear BB cream too but it doesn't seem to look like this? Do you have a branded one or do you go for one of the original Asian BB creams?

      I really appreciate your help :) xxx

      Delete
  14. Julia12:48

    Looking good! And the darker color does bring out your eyes! :)

    Could you do a short note about what hair care products you use? (I'm also interested in the oil you used for yacht week :D) Your hair always looks so shiny and healthy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julia18:43

      oooh I'd also love to know how you style it! just blow drying with a round brush? any special trick to keep that volume? an answer or a blog entry would be much appreciated! :)

      Delete
  15. Your hair looks gorgeous! I actually do my own colour and highlights so I get lazy with my cuts, but I've just booked one for tomorrow having seen this, my ends thank you! x

    ReplyDelete
  16. your hair looks so lovely! great look :)

    www.lettersimpromptu.blogspot.com

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  17. U look gorgeousss :3 May I ask have u permed your hair? x

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  18. You look gorgeoussss :3
    May I ask have you permed your hair? x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks gorgeous!! I love the darker color, it suits you perfectly.
    xo Andrea
    Wonderful and Marvelous

    ReplyDelete
  20. LOVING the new hair-do! Do you happen to know what the American version of creme casting gloss is? I've never colored my hair before and the number of options is overwhelming!

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  21. I'm going darker for the winter as well! Although since I've been super blonde for years, I'm taking the process in baby steps so as to not give myself a shock when I look in the mirror.

    Can you do a post on your daily hair care routine? I love the volume you have - is that always from curlers or when you blow dry yourself? xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Always Trevor Sorbie salons. Juniors, top stylits, they all know what they are doing and I ALWAYS leave feeling amazing. The best one is Covent Garden, but the Hampstead salon is pretty good too xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. You look georgeous what ever! But your hair definetly looks more full and healthy!

    www.amazine.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous14:20

    If you hadn't told us you'd changed your hair I probably wouldn't have noticed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:36

      Bitchy.

      Delete
    2. Haha true. But her hair looks good.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous14:24

    I love Vanessa at Paul Edmonds in Knightsbridge. I've been going for about 5 years now and she's the only person I'll let near my hair!
    Have you been?
    It's my own little mecca.

    ReplyDelete
  26. completely gorgeous! love that getting a great haircut leaves you feeling like a new woman :)

    my fav salon in Glasgow is Mui and I always have Dana (the owner) cut and style for me - she's amazing

    ♥ Thankfifi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, where abouts is this salon in Glasgow? I've only ever heard good things about it...

      Delete
  27. i prefer long hair, but you`re so pretty that any length would be perfect on you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:10

      erm...her hair is still long though?

      Delete
  28. Xanthe15:04

    Hi Rose,

    I was wondering if I could ask some advice as well. I met this guy at a dinner party a few months ago and am seeing him an another event in the xmas holidays. He was very touchy feely and was very suggestive about us.
    He is a friend on facebook and I'm seeing him fairly soon, but how do I kind of get him interested in me again??
    I admire you so much and hope you are well.

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous15:26

    Love the look!! (loved the previous one too)

    I live in Canada, but read your blog everyday like it's my job.

    I recently took a picture of you... (the one where you are in a salon with Custard) to a new hairdresser.

    Can you share you blow dry secrets? You always have such voluminous gorgeous hair. What type of hair dryer do you recommend? Please share!

    Love from Canada!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to hear about how you achieve the volume as well. I see in the pic you are using rollers but is that what you do for every day use?

      Delete
  30. Super Like!! When are we getting a make up break down!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your locks were and still are great. :-)
    My favourite salon is http://www.earthhairdressing.co.uk/
    Just off Oxford Street. I have been naughty a few times and popped in for a relaxing treatment following my shopping trip.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Rose,

    Do you think this would be similar to the dye you used? http://www.drugstore.com/loreal-healthy-look-creme-gloss-color-cool-chestnut-brown-iced-chocolate-4ar/qxp286264?catid=183449

    Thanks!

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  33. I had my hair cut last week by someone who has just passed their training and its great. She's one of my best friends and did such a good job. I don't think you have to spend loads to get your hair cut! Xo

    ReplyDelete
  34. Charlotte K17:11

    Rose, your hair is gorgeous, am afraid I can't go dark. Can you help me with a style question, do you think it's ok to wear leather torusers or coated jeans during the daytime for class or is it too dressy? I'd love your input you seem to look so put together. x

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous19:26

    Just wondering what is the brand of the BB creme you use? So many out there these days, thy can't all be as good as one another. Thanks, hair looks gorgeous! Meg x

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your hair looks lovely and in really good condition. I'm well impressed! I've been youtubing dying hair at home as it's sooo expensive in the hairdressers. I've got blond highlights though so makes it a tad difficult :-( any tips gratefully received.

    www.theclosetguide.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous20:47

    what BB cream do you recommend? xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:19

      I'd love to know this too.

      Delete
  38. Jane S21:09

    God I would love to have your hair! Instead I'm 'blessed' with a disobedient mass that fights with me every morning. My godsend is a little hair salon off Regent Street called Webster Whiteman. Everyone in there is just brilliant from the juniors to the top stylists. Can't recommend it enough. Jx

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous22:11

    Willie Smarts on Clapham Common gave me the best blunt bob ! Not sure about braving their student Tuesdays though !
    Em

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous23:27

    gurl you have perfect timing, was just about to dye my hair with casting creme (love that they don't have ammonia) but couldn't decide on the right shade. You're pretty much my hair guru so it must be a sign!
    Brilliant that you only use bb creme, I guess its better for your skin! What is the brand name if you don't mind me asking? you really should do some modeling on the side.. cannot fathom why you are not on a magazine cover at the very least! #justsayin

    ReplyDelete
  41. Meagan01:37

    Can we all just take a minute to appreciate Rosie's eyebrows? Those things are a work of art.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hari's in Chelsea does perfect color!!

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  43. Hari's in Chelsea does perfect color!!

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  44. If ANYONE knows a good hair salon in Paris I would appreciate being informed! I'm dragging my now style-less hair waiting til I get home for Christmas...I've heard some horror stories about English girls getting their hair cut in France!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous10:54

    Looks great! I'm personally interested in your "going out" routine- how you style your hair on your own, makeup, picking outfits etc. seems like you always have it together and unless you get your hair done every time you go out, I would love to hear the secret!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Your hair looks amazing!
    I got mine cut a few weeks ago & fancied dying it darker. Definitely going to try the Chocolate Casting Creme.
    X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also Ispiro in Aberdeen is a great hair salon!

      Delete
  47. Ken Picton in Cardiff. Great location, great team and a bunch of awards to show for it

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love your new hair! I know what you mean about the morning tangles, mine has got past putting up with so I'm going to have to bite the bullet and have it cut at the weekend - so nervous about finding a new hair salon, I'm usually really loyal!

    ReplyDelete
  49. very nice style!! it helps your a pretty girl to tho tbh, youd probably look decent with a mohawk! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Anonymous20:45

    Hi rosie. Delving into the depths of the blog. Is this just a normal blow dry? With the clips, or is it different from normal-the one with just a brush and hair dryer? Am on the hunt for the best blowdry for my sisters wedding. X

    ReplyDelete

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