At Hairdressing Claims, we like to keep abreast of all the latest celebrity hair transformations. And, let’s face it, there are enough of these to keep us busy. We’re loving star of Channel 4’s Gogglebox Ellie Warner’s now half pink-half lilac coloured locks.
Ellie’s usual platinum blonde shoulder-length bob has undergone a rainbow-inspired colour revamp which is dyed differently either side of her centre parting. Her sister and fellow Gogglebox-er, Izzi Warner, is quoted as describing Ellie’s hair “Like a candyfloss Cruella De Vil”.
It seems that Ellie’s 170,000 Instagram followers are full of appreciation for her kaleidoscopic dye job too. With 12,229 likes (at the time of writing) and comments ranging from “Omg love it” to simply “Obsessed”, it’s plain to see that Ellie’s fans have nothing but admiration for their idol’s hairdo. We don’t blame them. It’s certainly a dramatic style which others are sure to follow.
If you’re tempted by a vivid colour change such as Ellie’s, take a few moments to re-read our earlier tips and warnings for home and salon dyeing because errors can (and do!) happen in both scenarios. Also, find out what you can do in terms of fixing colouring disasters or claiming against your hairdresser.
Experienced harm at your hairdresser’s? Please contact our team by emailing enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk, calling 0800 141 3682 from a landline for free, phoning 0333 202 6560 from a mobile or completing our online enquiry form.
You see, just like the rest of us, it seems that the rich-and-famous have also either embraced their natural hair in lockdown or attempted a DIY job at home.
Seeing photos of A-listers wearing their hair as nature intended is a revelation. We’re so used to celebrities looking preened and prettied by their hairdressers (and make-up artists and stylists, for that matter!) whenever they appear in public.
It’s nice to know celebrities have actually faced the same struggles as everyone else while unable to have their hair properly attended to since March. Off their pedestals and grounded, our stage-and-screen stars too have coped with the pitfalls of roots, split ends, over-long hair and the like.
Having trawled the ‘net, we’re noticing that gone are the high-maintenance hair extensions. Gone are the straightened-to-within-an-inch-of-their-lives finishes. Gone are the professional hair colourings. Gone, in fact, is general tidiness and sleekness.
In their place, there’s Ariana Grande with surprisingly shorter, extension-free hair and sporting her natural curls. There’s Jennifer Lopez with shorter, curlier locks reminiscent of ‘Baby’ from the Dirty Dancing film. There’s Kylie Jenner abandoning her wigs and going for a ‘bronde’ bob; this colour being a beautiful mix of chestnut brown and warm blonde.
Other well-known names displaying their make-unders in lockdown include Katie Price with lighter, natural roots poking through her usually almost-black hair, Katy Perry with dark roots showing amongst her bleached hair and Miley Cyrus who’s resorted to cutting her own hair. Not forgetting the men, there’s Pierce Brosnan with a huge grey beard and scruffy hair, and David Beckham who’s shaved all his hair off entirely (read more).
During coronavirus lockdown, then, famous or otherwise, none of us have been able to visit our hairdressers for a haircut and colour. When you do eventually get an appointment at your regular salon now that restrictions have been lifted, don’t let your hairdresser’s standards slip in their hurry to catch up with their backlog of customers awaiting their essential hair pampering sessions. A hair disaster can include leaving bleach and hair dye on for too long which can cause chemical burns and hair damage. This is the last thing you need after months of waiting for your appointment.
Ever since lockdown was imposed, we have all discovered cravings for the simple things in life – hugging our relatives, socialising with friends, spending time in the great outdoors, heading to the shops, for example. One commonality seems to have been pining for a good haircut.
In our desperation to fix our quarantine hair fails, grown-out roots and too-long locks, we’re flocking to the hairdresser’s in our droves. Those of us lucky enough to get an appointment, that is.
After four months of lockdown hair, what exactly are we asking for when perched in the salon chair? Here’s what our research has uncovered…
Correctional appointments Unsurprisingly, individuals who’ve taken their hair problems into their own hands these past weeks now want things put right again. Jagged ends, wonky fringes, uneven shavings and patchy dye resulting from DIY mistakes are undergoing correctional work by hair professionals.
With so many of us experiencing major hair errors, it’s thought that people are generally expressing greater appreciation of hair experts by better understanding just how difficult it is to cut, shave and dye hair properly.
‘Proper’ hair cuts With the twelve-week absence keenly felt, another much-requested treatment is drastic haircuts. Essentially, we finally wish for something to show from our next salon appointment. This desire for change is likely to result in bobs and short cuts with layered, wispy hair less popular currently.
Our new selfie-ready hair allows us to exhibit our redefined styles as a badge of honour; which we’ve been unable to do since March. With the gradual opening up of work, shopping and entertainment venues, we have somewhere to display our hair at long last too.
Au naturel Conversely, lots of people have had no choice but to embrace their natural state – be it colour or texture – during the pandemic. Having been forced to rethink our relationship with our hair and reassess our long-term approach to hair maintenance.
Those who’ve endured the regrowth of roots and relaxed their straightening routine have actually started to enjoy their natural-looking appearance. As an added bonus, this lower-maintenance strategy is easier on the purse for those financially challenged by coronavirus too.
For Afro hair, it’s all about braids, cornrow sets, bantu knots, plaits and twists. This is an attempt to get a natural style which allows hair to be worn loose and free for a week or two without having to shampoo, condition and style daily.
Low-maintenance colouring Continuing on the theme of colouring, people with high-maintenance colour before, such as full head lightening, are looking for low-maintenance alternatives. Balayage colour is in vogue. This is the process whereby hair graduates in colour from root to tips in a subtle way.
There are possibly two reasons for this: (1) a longing to go back to basics and (2) financial instability impacting hairdressing budgets. That’s because colouring techniques such as these demand less time in front of the mirror and fewer visits to the hairdresser’s.
Our hair is part of our identity, lifestyle and beauty, so it’s important to prep adequately for your first trip back to the hair salon. If you’re seeking one of these emerging trends, beware of ‘bad salons’, insist on an initial consultation even if it’s virtual, set out your expectations clearly, and undergo patch and strand tests where necessary. These steps will ensure you avoid hairdressing mistakes which is the last thing you want post lockdown.
Negligent hairdressing isn’t just disappointing (because you don’t get the style you were hankering after), it’s painful (such as scalp burns and scalp blisters) and damaging to your self esteem too (your hair is your crowning glory). Our legal team is always here to help you claim compensation from your hairdresser, should you need us.
Many hairdressers operate on a self-employed basis at salons
In a landmark judgment for the hairdressing industry, a self-employed hairdresser, Meghan Gorman, has won an Employment Tribunal case against Manchester city centre’s Terence Paul salon for notice, holiday and redundancy pay.
The essence of the claim is that because Meghan was subject to the same controls as employees in terms of days worked, start and finish times, treatments and discounts given, products used, holiday dates as well as 67% of her takings being kept by the salon, she was not truly self-employed, despite her contract with the salon.
Employment Tribunal Judge, Marion Batten, ruled in favour of Meghan in March. The reasons for the ruling were released this month – these being the salon’s tight control over her working practices which effectively treated her as an employee, therefore she should benefit from the same employment law rights.
The judgment has opened the opportunity to further claims from Meghan who intends to pursue a legal case for unfair and wrongful dismissal, sexual discrimination and failure to provide a written contract of employment.
The successful claim is also hugely significant to the entire hair industry because many hairdressers who think of themselves as being self-employed actually aren’t. More claims of this nature calling out false self-employment are now highly likely.
Lee Jones is a specialist Solicitor at LLB Solicitors, who has represented hundreds of clients following injuries at hair salons. Lee states:
“We welcome this decision from the Employment Tribunal which may be beneficial for clients who have suffered injuries caused by hairdressers because it has the potential to make the hairdressing claims process more straightforward. Salon owners often look to avoid their responsibilities by hiding behind the pretence that their hairdressers are self-employed.”
The decision makes it clear that hair salons carry the ultimate responsibility for the staff they control. Lee continued:
“This judgment exposes the truth of these arrangements and puts the responsibility back in the hands of the salon owners, who should ensure they have insurance in place to cover the activities of all of their hairdressers regardless of their supposed employment status. Once salon owners start taking their responsibilities seriously, we are likely to see standards improve and fewer injuries.”
Anything that might reduce the risk of scalp burns, bleaching injuries, over-processed and damaged hair is welcomed by us. If you have suffered an injury caused by a negligent hairdresser and want to talk about claiming compensation, please contact us now or read more here.
Hairdressers and barbers must follow strict new rules, according to the government. Having finally been allowed to reopen after an enforced 14-week closure, guidelines in place have altered the salon experience in a dramatic way.
In last week’s blog, titled ‘Hairdressing without the small talk’, we described the first of these restrictions – a talking ban. To remind you, consultations are to be given virtually, chat in the salon kept to a minimum, and essential discussions undertaken with hairdresser and client standing side by side.
But this silence rule is just one of many changes. If you’re not yet one of the lucky people who has visited the hairdresser’s post lockdown, here’s more of what you can expect next time you attend an appointment…
PPE equipment: All staff will be wearing some combination of face masks, visors, disposable aprons and gloves. Clientele may be asked to wear disposable gowns and gloves too.
Advance pre-payment: To minimise interaction in the salon, payment will either be taken upfront at the time of booking or made by contactless card on the day. A slotted container for tips could be in use on the premises.
No bags, jackets or coats: It’s advisable to take bags and outdoor clothing only if absolutely necessary on the basis that the virus can stay on fabrics for days.
Longer opening hours: To balance demand with the need for social distancing, salons may offer earlier opening and later closing with staggered shift patterns and special slots for vulnerable individuals. Be flexible about your appointment time.
No refreshments or reading material: Forget having a brew and flicking through magazines while you wait as it’s likely you’ll be required to arrive only when texted to notify your stylist is ready for you.
Reduced services: To clear the backlog of missed appointments built up these past weeks, limited options could be on offer in order to accommodate everyone with dry cuts and other treatments not available for hygiene reasons.
Spacing and screening: Alternate styling stations might be left empty to meet one metre apart obligations, and screens between stations and at the back-wash area fitted for extra sneeze-proof safety.
Extreme cleanliness: Optimised levels of cleanliness will become the norm such as sterilising hand gel on reception; sanitised and regularly disinfected workstations, chairs, mirrors and tools; and routine disposal of single-use equipment.
Salons will adopt their own unique mix of some or all of these COVID-19 safety measures. There could be more too; infrared thermometers being a possibility. Hopefully you’ll be briefed by your salon ahead of your given slot.
Amidst this sea of change, make sure one thing at your hairdresser’s remains constant – high standards of care and quality hairdressing. After a lengthy period of absence, you don’t want your first trip back to the salon (or, indeed, any salon visit!) to end in disaster. By which we mean hair breakage, hair damage, scalp burns and scalp blisters; the consequences of negligent hairdressing.
The majority of our country’s hairdressing salons reopened for business on 4th July. With waiting lists running into the hundreds, if not thousands, some hairdressers actually tended to their first customers in three-and-a-half months at one minute past midnight thereby opening their doors at the earliest possible time yet still adhering to the government’s restrictions.
Whilst people up and down the UK are desperate to get their ‘lockdown hair’ fixed and unruly locks trimmed by a professional instead of having to resort to DIY cuts and colours, the salon experience is now markedly different to what it was pre pandemic. The main differentiator is the new silence rule.
In the past, engaging in small talk with our hairdressers was a key part of the event’s enjoyment. Many of us form strong friendships with our stylists over the years. A hair appointment signifies a chance to catch up, discuss upcoming plans, share news and generally gossip about what’s happening in our locality. Forced to keep chat to a minimum will feel strange as we adjust to this temporary new-normal hairdressing regime.
To enforce the government small talk ban, salons are likely to perform virtual or phone consultations before the actual appointment date, avoid conversation of any form during hair washing and head massaging, and undertake essential discussions only when stood side by side or with the hairdresser positioned behind the client looking into the mirror.
The reason for these constraints is fairly obvious. The transmission of coronavirus is intensified by face-to-face contact. From a hairdressing perspective, this includes talking over the basin as hairdresser and client are within close proximity.
Prescribed quietness at the hairdresser’s may come as a disappointment but, on the plus side, it does allow stylists to process more people and get through waiting lists quicker, and focus on their work without distraction.
If you’ve seen our earlier blog posts, you’ll know that lapses in concentration can result in solutions being left on hair for too long, product guidelines not being followed to the letter, and negligent use of hot and sharp styling implements, to name a few. The consequence is scalp burns, scarring and hair damage.
We have another word of warning here. Make sure the initial consultation you’ve given is adequate to assess your hair and decide upon the correct course of action. Also, it doesn’t negate the need for strand and patch tests which should still continue to be undertaken up to 48 hours prior to chemical treatments.
In the unfortunate event that you suffer harm at your hairdresser’s, our expert team are on hand to help you progress a claim for compensation.
To contact us in confidence about suing your hairdresser, please email enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk, call 0800 970 9102 from a landline for free, phone 0333 202 6560 from a mobile or complete our online enquiry form.
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