Merry Christmas everyone! I can’t believe it’s December already - I haven’t even thought about my Christmas shopping yet, never mind started it! I have just been too busy….

This month I have done two photo shoots, and I absolutely loved every minute! I’ve been collaborating with the same photographer since the summer now and we work really well together, bouncing so many ideas off each other and getting inspired! A few weeks ago we did our first studio shoot with a theme based around the Indian Spring/Summer celebration, Holi. I really played around with the make-up and with watercolour paints. I made up four models in total, using one of each primary colours for the first shots and using a mash-up of red, green, blue and yellow on the fourth model. It was very messy but lots of fun!

What do you think? Which is your favourite? I love how our model for the colour blue looks so fierce in one image and then really soft in the other. Make-up and good direction from an experienced photographer can really change the feel of the image, and it’s so exciting to see it all come together.







I’ve also been developing my designs and ideas for the three main characters in this year’s local panto production - Dick Whittington. I’m responsible for making up Tommy the cat, the evil King Rat, and the lovely (but clumsy!) Fairy Bling. I wish I could show you the images but I’m not allowed to until Panto starts, so watch this space. I think you’ll love Fairy Bling, whose look is inspired by the cast of TOWIE - as you can imagine this means lots of glitter, fake lashes and nails, and of course we can’t forget the fake tan!

Next week sees my first in-house nail and nail art competition with my NVQ Level 3 Nail learners. We have an in-house judge who will be judging the finished result, and then two external judges from industry who will judge the entire process. I have chosen not to judge as I’ve been helping the girls with their preparation so it would be unfair. But I will be there throughout the day to support them and ensure all competition rules are adhered to fully. I’m hoping this will help me decide who to enter into next year’s UK Skills competition. Yale performed brilliantly at regional level so I’m hoping to match that with this year’s group who are proving to be little stars in their own right already.

So to wrap up I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year, with lots of good food, good company and fantastic presents!

It’s hard to believe we’re coming up to Christmas already! One of the reasons I love this time of year is the party hair. It’s so cool to get a chance to play around with hair up styles. Though I must admit it’s the quick ones I love the best! Any hair up that takes under 15 minutes is a winner to me. Take this one we did at the salon last week - it’s so easy. It’s basically just a twisted French Plait tucked in and then each section pulled out a little to give it that soft texture. Why not try it?!



I always like to write a bit about colour and this time it’s a client I’ve been getting really excited about! Her name is Charlotte - she’s totally bonkers and I love her for it! She walked in the salon one day with long highlighted hair and said ‘I want it short and I want it blue!’ Well, isn’t that every hairdresser’s dream?! I use a brand called ‘Crazy Colour’ after bleaching her hair to white. Here are some of the mad combinations we have being doing over the last few months!







So what else is happening this month? Despite the cold I’ve been doing a shoot for a furniture company in a manor house just outside of London. It wasn’t paid but it was so much fun and great experience to build up my portfolio!

I’m really happy with the final pictures though I’m always critical of my work after. I would have liked the waves in the hair to be stronger. But this is what growing is all about… How boring would life be if there was no room for improvement?

Here’s my favourite photo from the shoot:



The most exciting thing this month has been our launch of the Brooks and Brooks ‘Finishing School’ next year. We are currently writing the most intense program for graduates or people reaching the end of their training. It teaches precision, poise and most of all it teaches how to make hair elegant. Clients notice everything, from the way you carry out your service to how well a haircut grows out or a colour lasts. There has never been a course like this before and I’m loving writing it!

Enjoy your Christmas guys - I’m off snowboarding! J