Wedding hair

Today a friend's son is going to marry his beautiful bride here in London. As a treat for us girls who are not going to wed their princes today, we had our hair done at my favourite salon, Rossano Ferretti.

A relaxing hair wash and scalp massage started the proceedings off.

My colour was done last week by Clare with the fabulously natural looking balayage method so I also wanted a natural looking hairstyle with soft curls which would last until late evening. Not an easy task. But for my stylist today, Simon, achieving this look below was almost run-off-the-mill.

Half done

And finished product

Daughter went for an up do - with her natural brown curly hair this style is perfect. (The amount of times I heard, 'You have so much hair!' as the stylist worked on her locks)

Son's girlfriend on the other hand, wanted a semi-up do, and it looked fabulous. She too has incredible, naturally shiny, hair.

Those locks!

But now I must hurry, the taxi is coming in 45 minutes to take us to the wedding!

Birthday Beautifications

There's only one day in a year when it really matters how I look: my birthday. It's the one day I can be sure that someone will take a picture of me first thing in the morning, wearing no make-up, and preserve it for posterity. So some time ago I decided that, once a year at least, I need help (and spend money) to look my best.

So, I began today with a luxurious facial, at Cowshed Spa, just off Carnaby Street in London, followed by less enjoyable eyebrow tidy & tint. This time I also decided to have my eyelashes tinted.

To me I look as if I'd woken up the morning after a night out, having not taken my make-up off...

My hair, as always, is on top of the list when I want to look my best and obviously I wanted to visit my favourite salon in London, Rossano Ferretti. My lovely hairdresser, Clare, first did my colour using the clever cling film technique I wrote about here, then, while we listened to the thunder and lighting outside the salon (can't believe it's late April, nearly May), she cut and styled my hair.

This is not a look I'd usually wish to share, but I wanted show you how the colour is done.

Here's the result of today's efforts. Although it was raining cats and dogs when I left the salon, I managed not to get absolutely soaked on my way to the tube.

I'm not wearing a stitch of make-up.

Cowshed Spa
31 Foubert's Place
London
W1F 7QG
Tel. 02075340870
www.cowshedonline.com

Rossano Ferretti
17 St George Street
London
W1S 1FJ
Tel. 02074930555
www.metodororossanoferretti.com

The New Rossano Ferretti Hairspa in London

If you're read this blog regularly you know by now how important my hair is to my appearance. I'd go as far as to say that I don't really care about the rest as long as my hair is OK. So you can imagine that I was immediately tempted by a new salon to open in London, that of Italian born hairdresser Rossano Ferretti.

Rossano Ferretti isn't just any celebrity hairdresser; he has solid roots (as it were) in the business having grown up in a rural Italian village where both his parents were hairdressers. (There is a picture of his mother on the wall of the London salon). He now runs 20 salons (in Milan, Paris, New York, LA, Miami, Venice, to name but a few cities) together with his sister, Lorenzo. London is his latest enterprise.

Rossano Ferretti himself says the reason for his success is a closely guarded technique called 'The Method', in which hair is cut in several directions to make it fall naturally. The colour treatments are different too: Clare, my hairdresser, blended several shades and with the help of cling film rather than the usual foils, applied it so that it looked 'soft and harmonic'. My hair looked like it did when as a child I'd spent a long sun-filled summer in our cottage by the lake in central Finland. What's more, my roots are barely visible now after more than two months (I had no time to have my colour done on my last visit).

Another factor which I am sure contributes to Rossano Ferretti's success across the world is that all his salons are set in old historic buildings. In London Rossano has turned a house on St George Street, which belonged to William Morris, (it's handily just off Regent Street and opposite the Vogue offices), into a luxurious spa.

When you enter the house you're first welcomed by a most handsome man (and you think you've stepped into a Calvin Klein perfume ad), then as you go up the spiral staircase to the first floor, a friendly lady settles you into a room with disconcertingly few mirrors for a hairdressers. Instead there is a large black shiny table where the consultation, as well as the colour application takes place. This is all in order to relax the client - Rossano has realised that no woman (or man for that matter) wishes to see themselves with head-full of foils or cling film. Clever man.

There are three more floors, including private spaces for those celebrity clients who do not wish to be seen by others while their tresses are being perfected. Everywhere there are chandeliers, black gleaming marble and smiling staff. It's as if you've stepped into a wealthy person's domain and you are the most important guest they've ever had in their mansion.

Of course this kind of luxury hairdressing isn't cheap. But I have to say both my colour and cut have lasted longer than the usual six weeks, so... Also, for that occasional treat, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Rossono Ferretti experience. Come to think of it, my birthday is coming up....

Rossano Ferretti Hairspa
17 St George Street
London
W1S 1FJ
Telephone 02074930555
london@metodorossanoferretti.com
www.metodorossanoferretti.com

My new favourite shampoo: Pureology

Pureology Super Smooth Shampoo

Good looking hair is a priority for me, because I've always felt it's my best feature. You know how we all think that there's one thing that's ok about our bodies and that if it's not looked after our appearance suffers more than if we neglected something else (like nails...you should see mine at the moment).

Since I've succumbed to the super time-saving Brazilian hair blow dry, I've been using the Pureology range of shampoo and conditioner called Super Smooth. This range was recommended to me by my lovely hairdresser, Claire at the Bloww Salon on Glasshouse Street in London.

Me at the Bloww salon before the magic happens...

My hair after the treatment

Like the treatment, this hair care product range isn't cheap, but it's not the most expensive range of hair products I've ever used either. And it leaves my hair looking good. As I said, a good hair day boosts my confidence in a way I just cannot describe.

While on the lookout for the cheapest place to find this product, I did some quick online market research and found Beautifully Gorgeous. This site seemed OK, it was easy to navigate and the prices and products were displayed clearly.

Keep your fingers crossed they deliver fast, though, because I've all but run out of my shampoo.

Pureology Super Smooth Shampoo 300 ml £11.70
Pureology Super Smooth Conditioner 250ml £13.40
P&P £3.50 (Free delivery on orders over £50-00)

(Just a note: this is not a sponsored post)