From the age of twenty two (so, some time ago) I have been sporting a messy, spiked hairstyle that back then replaced rather long curtains. It knocked years off me at the time (I actually started to look my age) but as time has gone on I’ve been yearning for a new look. "Well just get one" I hear you say - not that easy when you have a fear of hairdressers, stylists, salons and all things that involve the removal of hair. I’ve mentioned it on my blog before but in my youth I went for a short back and sides only for my father to discreetly tell the barber to remove the lot. So with a haircut (I’m loathe to call it a haircut or style) that wouldn’t look out of place at a far right rally and my head looked like a massive peanut. I hated it and so was born an intense distrust of anyone bearing clippers or scissors. Bear this back story in mind as I now talk you through my visit to the Jamie Stevens Hair Salon in Kensington.
So what made me now take the plunge, put my fears to one side and go for what is a completely new look? Well Jamie has released the MR. range, hair care products for men from shampoo and conditioner, to hairstyling and thickening products. There are my readers a lot of reviews to come of them (as well as an interview with the man himself - legend), but if I had to summarise the products so far it has to be - a revelation. The reason I opted now, well, if you read anything about Jamie you just get the impression he is a man who knows what he is doing - not only hairdresser in residence for the X Factor, he offered me the chance of a 1 on 1 cut and style. What I didn’t know at the time was that my visit would literally change everything I have ever done when styling my hair.
‘British hairdresser of the year 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 nominee, Creative Head’s Hair Icon of the Year Nominee 2015, International Ambassador for Matrix hair care and winner of many accolades, Jamie Stevens has firmly established himself as a leading light in the hairdressing industry. As the go-to hair guru for numerous celebrities and TV programmes including The X Factor, This Morning and How to Look Good Naked. Jamie Stevens is regularly featured in the national and international media, whilst maintaining a loyal clientele.
Jamie and his team pride themselves in delivering award winning excellence in cutting, colouring, extensions, afro and styling for men and women, coupled with a personalised service to make you feel welcomed and at ease at our boutique style salon in the hands of our true experts.’
As soon as I walked into the salon I was immediately put at ease (it had nothing to do with the beer I eagerly accepted) and taken downstairs to get my breath, take a sip and talk generally about my hair. I explained my nervousness and Jamie immediately started to put me at ease. First of all he took a look at my hair - the assessment being that its really fine, but there is one hell of a lot of it.
With my hairline slightly receding, the option I was given would also disguise this and in turn make my forehead look smaller (result if possible). With my mind at ease I agreed with option one, the undercut with swept back longer hair on top. At this point I started to smile, I could picture how my hair was going to look and I had complete faith in the scissor king (Jamie).
After a relaxing wash and condition (the chairs massage your back) where I had to resist the temptation to sleep it was into the chair for the cut. A drum roll please……
Below are some of the pictures (kindly taken by Helen) taken while Jamie cut away and we chatted about his background, what brought him into hairdressing, why he decided to launch a men’s range and some hints and tips to make styling so much easier. One of the things I found particularly reassuring was that Jamie explained everything in such easy to understand terms, and why he calls a certain pair of scissors the texturisers rather than thinners!
As he cut, Jamie repeatedly told me not to make a judgement on the style. At one point I looked in the mirror and saw Kim Jong Un looking back which made me laugh to myself. After the cut I went back off to have my hair washed again - cue much more relaxation in the chairs and another battle to stay awake.
After patting my hair dry we moved onto the styling and his is where my eyes were truly opened. I’d never used a salt spray before but again, explaining how it adds texture to hair and makes it feel and look like it does after a week on the beach (and in the sea) I opted for it. We then moved onto cocktailing. No, we didn’t crack open the booze, instead (and this had never occurred to me in the twenty five years of using product) we talked about mixing styling products together. In my case, Jamie mixed together the wax and paste from the MR. range and blended into the hair starting from the back to the front (again, a revelation).
Within ten minutes my hair was styled to perfection and I was grinning wildly. I looked completely different in a very good way. Here is the before and after!
Now looking at this you might not really appreciate the gentle undercut, so I've been off to the park to get some shots (ignore the grey hair lol).
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Yes, styled myself and still loving the salt spray texture - also taken up cocktailing! |
Jamie is a perfectionist and this comes through as he talks, cuts and styles. He is a true gent and an expert in his field. I don’t think I will trust anyone else with my hair ever again after this experience. That’s not me overplaying how happy I am but as I left the salon I was walking taller with confidence and had a smile from ear to ear.
While it took around an hour to cut the time passed by so quickly - listening to Jamie talk about his work, his ethos for the salon and the reasons why he wanted to branch out into the hair care market was truly awe inspiring. I’ve heard people speak with passion, I’ve heard people repeat well practiced lines to camera that appear as though they are telling the gods honest truth but when listening to Jamie speak you know you are listening to a man who has and continues to put his heart and soul into his craft and vision. I kid you not, the whole experience left me walking away saying “wow” over and over again.
FORGET THE REST, TRY THE BEST
You can read more about the MR. range from Jamie Stevens here over the coming weeks, or if you can’t wait, I’d highly recommend that you visit the website here. Not only can you learn more about what the range can do for you but Jamie also has a series of excellent tutorial videos that may just change your own grooming routines.
I am impressed to went to a salon on your own without me there, Jamie must be bloody good to be allowed to touch your hair never mind give you a re-style x
ReplyDeleteGreat post, nice to know guys are afraid of going to the hairdresser too! I hate it x
ReplyDeleteI do truly despise going but a visit to Jamie Stevens was out of this world and he really put me at ease. I'm actually not worried about going again and that's a very good sign. Stephen
DeleteGreat post and i do love a salon that has those massaging chairs :)
ReplyDeleteThey were amazing Nikki and it sorted out my back for a bit!
DeleteHe did a fab job of your hair, I am still at the stage with my boys where its get in and out as quickly as possible lol
ReplyDeleteThanks Kara.
DeleteSome salons have massage chairs? Totally envious, that sounds like heaven!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't really notice any grey hair in the pics so don't worry about that. No need to apologise for such a natural thing either
You need to look closer lol - thanks Kaye.
DeleteSounds like a great experience! Hair is such a personal thing, it's so important that you're in the right hands!
ReplyDeleteErin x
islandbell.co.uk
I'm going to show my OH your post. He is a barber and I know he would never go behind a customer's back without explaining what he was going to do (even if their Dad was telling him otherwise). No wonder you have a mistrust of the profession! After pics look great - Love how your confidence has grown.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I've had thirty years of hating the hairdresser. Thankfully it now seems to be over.
DeleteIt rally suits you. I wouldn't trust anyone if they had cut it all off either!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen.
DeleteWhat a smart and trendy cut, I have been giving my teen boys something very similar this week, though less professional looking than yours it has kept them happy! Lovely post and fab photos out in the woods.
ReplyDeleteI'm desperate for someone to hack away at my tresses. It sounds like you had a great day and a fab style, it's good to hear tips from a professional, it makes us feel like we know what we're doing when we leave right? I really do like the style too
ReplyDeleteGreat cut and looks like a lovely salon! My hubbie cuts his own hair bless him and you really can tell sometimes (but sssh! don't tell him I said that!) x
ReplyDeleteI hate hairdressers so much that I'm feeling funny just looking at your photos! I think I need a Jamie, it sounds like he did a brilliant job.
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours
He was awesome Jess - he couldn't have made me feel more relaxed and at ease. It was the perfect hairdressing experience.
DeleteThis has got to be one of the best haircuts I've ever seen on a man! Even the mallards in the pond look impressed, but also grateful you didn't go for a duck's arse.
ReplyDeleteI considered asking for the 'Conrad' cut but Jamie didn't look like the kind of guy who has met Mr Allum.
DeleteI had been looking forward to seeing the dramatically changed Stephen for days now having never known him be so excited about his hair. pleased to report I wasn't dissapointed and looks fab. Now if only he could have done it years ago....
ReplyDeleteHair looks great and love the fact you get a beer and a seat that massages!
ReplyDeleteNow to find a salon that serves champers for the wife!
They did a great job. Your hair cut looks awesome! My husband just shaves the whole thing off lol.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds fab. Lucky you for going to his salon. He did a great job. So important to find a good hairdresser
ReplyDeleteHe did a great job - it suits you. I hate finding time to go to the hairdressers! Kaz x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much - I'm delighted with it and I've never found my hair so easy to style.
DeleteHe did a great job - my husband is more of a get it done as quick as he can kind of guy;-)
ReplyDeleteI need to find a salon with massage chairs! That would be awesome! Looks great x
ReplyDeleteThey were so cool Sonia - I could have happily fallen asleep while having my hair washed.
DeleteSounds like a great place and the cut is nice as well. I personally don't like to go to hair salons as I haven't found a hairdresser I like
ReplyDeleteLaura
Pink Frenzy
It looks great and I'm glad you had a positive experience :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a great style and suits you.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is always worried about trying new places
Thanks Clare - I have to say it was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences walking into a new place and saying "make me look stylish"! It turned out well though!
DeleteYou look great! I think the undercut really suits you x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much - I had an undercut in my early twenties and was slightly worried I might come across as trying to recapture my youth! It is a brilliant gentle undercut. Jamie is amazing with the clippers and scissors.
DeleteWow! They really do their job seriously because you have such a nice haircut! It surely suits you :)
ReplyDeleteWow they did a really nice job, I should show this salon to my husband. xx
ReplyDeletewww.annanuttall.com