I am really excited to share my latest salon experience with you all! You heard that right. Positive experience in a salon? Yes!
(All rights go to HxHair and photographer of image)
My colour history with hair salons has been very hit and miss. Many stylists will disregard your wants for your "best interests" leaving you less than satisfied after burning a whole in your wallet. Mainstream, well established salons make enough profit for the stylists to leave customers unhappy without it affecting their business too much. This is not the case for smaller salons. One bad job, word gets out via social media/word of mouth and your business could end in tatters. When I say "bad job" that includes the intangible service, including or not including the tangible. You see, customer care is the most important element of any business. If something goes wrong, you can be refunded or offered an alternative for no extra charge - failure to do so can tarnish your brand reputation, thus a loss yearly turnover. Yet this can happen to ANY business, big or small.
I like to think I am a fair customer. I understand stylists are humans and cannot create perfection, ESPECIALLY on a first visit when they have never touched your hair before. I also respect that creative hairdressing is a tough industry. It's a hard craft, long hours, not enough pay and the inevitable "difficult" clients they have to deal with professionally, putting aside what may be the scientific truth and personal thoughts. If I am not happy with something, I'll say. I know what I want to achieve so I bring pictures and explain in detail - hairdressers are not mind readers and they have no right to just "do what they fancy" either. So the client and the stylist have to work together to establish a good relationship for an exchange of service - both parties need to end the session satisfied. This where Hxhair comes in:
Hxhair is a salon owned and managed by Heather Wheeler, otherwise known as Hef/Heffy. She is a long running hairdresser/model who went from a salon trainee to employee (Tony & Guy, Bad Apple, Francesco) to mobile stylist till she decided to open her own salon and employing various trainees/stylists.
(Heffy Wheeler)
What I like about Heather is that she evidences passion and care for those in need. Her father had sadly passed away from cancer and since then, she's helped the hospice he was cared for in by offering free hair cuts to the patients- not only that, she's also helped the homeless in Birmingham City Centre by providing sleeping bags, drinks refreshments and more to make life on the streets that little more bearable.
What I like about Heather is that she evidences passion and care for those in need. Her father had sadly passed away from cancer and since then, she's helped the hospice he was cared for in by offering free hair cuts to the patients- not only that, she's also helped the homeless in Birmingham City Centre by providing sleeping bags, drinks refreshments and more to make life on the streets that little more bearable.
So what about the salon?
Hxhair specialises in colour corrections and transformations. They are known for creating multi tones of both natural and unnatural blends. Most salons require many costly visits to go from a dark to lighter shade but HxHair can transform your hair in one visit, depending on what you desire.
(HxHair)
Hxhair specialises in colour corrections and transformations. They are known for creating multi tones of both natural and unnatural blends. Most salons require many costly visits to go from a dark to lighter shade but HxHair can transform your hair in one visit, depending on what you desire.
(HxHair)
It's located in Rugeley, Staffordshire, not too far from Cannock and Lichfield! I travelled about 40 minutes to get there but there's a reason for that which you'll discover upon reading the rest of the post:
The salon is not your average setting. Heather originally had a much smaller shop before being able to transition to a larger premises. It's filled with awesome pictures and canvases with funny messages including the awesome bunting hung on the reception desk.
The salon is not your average setting. Heather originally had a much smaller shop before being able to transition to a larger premises. It's filled with awesome pictures and canvases with funny messages including the awesome bunting hung on the reception desk.
She's business partnered with her partner Joel Heywood so he was able to move his tattoo shop; Black Heart Collective to the floor above the salon. If you visit HxHair, you should have a look at Joel's studio, it's jam packed with video game and film merchandise making it an ideal setting, especially for the nerd in us!
(Black Heart Collective)
The desired finish:
(Black Heart Collective)
The desired finish:
My hair was a rooted dark golden blonde which I achieved myself using Trulites 20% formula with blue powder bleach by the same brand. I then used Osmo Ikon Permanent tint in medium ash blonde so I could eliminate orange tones.
What I wanted to achieve was a rooted vanilla, creamy champagne blonde baylage/ombre blend. I am passionate about keeping my hair rooted because it suits my olive undertoned skin and it being low maintenance, post salon visit. Heather, did not hesitate to get the job done and was evidently confident in her ability which is refreshing because believe it or not, many colourists have been reluctant to transform my hair. One of the reasons being is the fear of ruining it and the whole complex colouring process. My hair is very thick, having an Indian background means my hair is not the usual caucasian type. However, the condition was fine prior to the process, barr a few split ends which is inevitable really.
The process:
Heather decided to use a chocolate brown tint for my roots and then mixed lightner with the wonderous Olaplex system for the whole procedure. Olaplex is essentially hair insurance. It's a now popular hair treatment that restricts damage from chemical processing and enables quicker development of colour. It's currently the only hair product on the market that has such ability. It's a 3 step system with the third being a conditioning treatment, I happen to own myself! I highly recommend any colour technician encourages their clients to allow its usage. An extra £20 or so could literally save your hair. If your hair's been previously coloured, it's a no brainer really.
(Source)
Here's some fun trivia: Heather told me that many salons in the States are no longer carrying out colour treatments without using olaplex.
My stubborn thick hair managed to lighten quickly and even got past the complete orange stage in one use of bleach. Once the lightening was done, a toning blend of blondes (beige, vanilla, champagne) I requested were use to tone down brassiness. Once all colour was removed, my hair was blow dried, cut and curled by stylist Beth.
Here's the result!
For one (approx) 2-3 hour session, this is an excellent result. I am left with lightened hair with no damage. You can see my hair is still it's usual thick state in the pic. Also, look at that blend in the middle - that's what makes balayage and ombre so great and natural looking. Now the hardest part (lightening) of the process is complete I'm booked in for the next stage in December. The plan is to add more streaks of blonde in my fringe and roots, then brighten up the blonde, likely using a hi colour lift of some sort. Remember, going blonde requires patience and a lot of salons will leave you at the "ginger" stage before lightening your strands again, so I was really thankful that Heather toned as much brass out as she could without damage.
Customer Service:
(Source)
Here's some fun trivia: Heather told me that many salons in the States are no longer carrying out colour treatments without using olaplex.
My stubborn thick hair managed to lighten quickly and even got past the complete orange stage in one use of bleach. Once the lightening was done, a toning blend of blondes (beige, vanilla, champagne) I requested were use to tone down brassiness. Once all colour was removed, my hair was blow dried, cut and curled by stylist Beth.
Here's the result!
For one (approx) 2-3 hour session, this is an excellent result. I am left with lightened hair with no damage. You can see my hair is still it's usual thick state in the pic. Also, look at that blend in the middle - that's what makes balayage and ombre so great and natural looking. Now the hardest part (lightening) of the process is complete I'm booked in for the next stage in December. The plan is to add more streaks of blonde in my fringe and roots, then brighten up the blonde, likely using a hi colour lift of some sort. Remember, going blonde requires patience and a lot of salons will leave you at the "ginger" stage before lightening your strands again, so I was really thankful that Heather toned as much brass out as she could without damage.
Customer Service:
The intangible aspect of the service was on top form. You feel like you're hanging out with friends, who just happen to be styling your hair. It's a very homely, down to earth feel and the team really do their best to make you feel welcome and you can forget the small talk and chat about anything. Plus Heather usually brings her dogs Thor and Minnie in, so you can have some animal cuddles before you're seated! Of course, like all salons should, you're offered drinks and refreshments.
Price:
I paid a total of £60 for the colour, trim, blowdry and an extra amount for Olaplex. Compared to other higher end salons, the cost was a steal and good value for money, may I add. I am super ecstatic about the result and my next visit, so keep a lookout for the results on the blog!
Minnie
(HxHair)
Price:
I paid a total of £60 for the colour, trim, blowdry and an extra amount for Olaplex. Compared to other higher end salons, the cost was a steal and good value for money, may I add. I am super ecstatic about the result and my next visit, so keep a lookout for the results on the blog!
For appointments ring: 07539 196068
Address: 47 Albion Street, Rugeley, WS15 2BY
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Instagram: shez_palmer
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