A recent study has revealed that, despite widespread news about the drastic reactions that can result from neglecting the patch test prerequisite, almost three quarters of hair and beauty professionals operating in the UK do not advise clients that this needs to take place prior to relevant treatments. Considering the regions at risk, clients in Wales and the South West are most likely to be advised about the patch test, whilst those in Scotland are least likely to have adequate warning.

Recent undercover research has discovered the extent to which hair and beauty practices in the UK are not consistently asking for or carrying out patch tests, to adhere to the safety requirement which sees lives saved in the UK. Many beauty products, such as dyes, colorants and tints, require and/or recommend patch tests as a safety measure in order to minimise the risk of an unexpected allergic reaction. Many of these products can cause severe and even life-threatening reactions, even after previous use, and so patch tests are critical to ensure the safety of the client.

The premier UK association for beauty, hair, holistic and sports therapies, www.babtac.com (British Association of Beauty Therapists and Cosmetology), commissioned the research in order to discover more about patch test regulations in practice. The experiment saw researchers contact 144 hair and beauty professionals, with an even split of mobile therapists and salons. An even geographical representation was used. There was also an even divide of the services targeted, including hair dressing, spray tanning and brow tint practices, in order to assess any variations based on the service that was enquired about. A patch test should be required and/or recommended by the manufacturer for all of these treatments.

Overall, following the booking enquiries, researchers found that 72% of the targeted salons and mobile technicians did not mention a patch test and were prepared to book in the potential client without undergoing the appropriate precaution. Of these, the majority (59%) were mobile technicians, while the remaining 41% were salons.

The worst offenders were revealed to be those offering fake tanning services, of which only 9% asked for a patch test, while the remaining 91% did not mention it at all. Following this, beauticians were next to slack when it came to their safety requirements, with only 35% mentioning a test, followed by 39% of hairdressers who adhered to the practice.

When considering the regions most at risk, the geographical breakdown revealed the following (in order) most likely areas to neglect the patch test, leaving potential customers at risk:

1. Scotland – 92% (of salons and mobile therapists here fail to offer patch test).

2. East of England – 83%

3. Northern Ireland – 83%

4. Yorkshire & Humberside – 75%

5. North East – 75%

6. London – 75%

7. North West – 67%

8. East Midlands – 67%

9. South East – 67%

10. West Midlands – 67%

11. South West – 58%

12. Wales – 50%

Sarah Condon of BABTAC commented:

“Even when trying to be positive about these results and considering Wales as the most likely region to patch test, it’s still only a 50% ask rate! This is absolutely shocking and is a real risk for the public. It’s a wonder there are not more instances in which people have awful reactions. Salons and professionals are not only disrespecting their clientele, but also leaving themselves open to horrendous damages should something go wrong.”

She continued:

“We have all seen the horror stories and, if you’re not asked to go in for a patch test, don’t just keep schtum – make sure you initiate the conversation to protect yourself. If you have any doubts about a salon, find a different one instead. This is a real cause for concern and I hope many people in the industry, whether they recognise their own failings in these results or not, will take notice and make sure they and their staff brush up their habits.”

ABOUT BABTAC

Established in 1977, BABTAC is the premier UK association for beauty, hair, holistic and sports therapies. The organisation is ‘not for profit’, with the well-being of our members, regulation of the industry and public welfare at the forefront of the operation. Governed by a council of industry professionals, BABTAC also offers members unrivaled beauty expertise, a rigorous ethical code and a professional practice standard

(its almost here, the sun has been making an appearance)
We’ve been discussing bridal hair in salon for the approaching Spring/ Summer weddings.

This year it seems we have the return of soft boho braids. Twists on the classic fishtail and loose, relaxed French braids. Looks following through from the catwalk, Oscar De La Renta and Michael Kors brides. Taking the boho vibe into the updos too, we’ve been playing around with much softer pinned up looks. Looser locks creating texture. The perfect look for the hopeless romantic.

If you prefer the more perfected preened look, add a little bit of glamour with the Hollywood wave. Brushed out waves are great for hair lacking fullness, worn in a low partying and finished with a beautiful vintage style slide. A perfectly elegant, classic approach to wedding hair. These are just a few ideas, remember hair ups can be developed and adapted to your individuality.

Trials are always a good idea to give time to get your preferred look perfected, by the time to big day rolls around you can sit back and enjoy being pampered.

01635 47774 . www.halohairnewbury.co.uk
21 Market Place, Newbury

The bob is still a huge style for 2015, celebs left right and centre are trading in their long hair in favour of the bob!
Alex Chung queen of the lived in long bob.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with her super model worthy soft bob.

Even Kimmy K has gone for it!

Give your bob smooth but bouncy blow dry for a more sophisticated look Keeping the length below the chin, and adding in a sweeping fringe maintains shape around the face and keeps the style softer. Or texturize you lob with layers, spritz with a salt spray or add mattifying products to wet hair, quick blast with the hair dryer and you’re left with beachy lived in waves. If you have a finer hair type be careful not to take layers short around the crown as you’ll need to try and maintain thickness at the bottom of your hair. Adding curls turning away from the face will give the illusion of volume and lift.

If going for the chop is too much of a daunting thought for you and simple way of switching up your style is to play about with your parting. For people with oval or heart shaped faces, a sleek middle parting will narrow the face significantly. If you’re not a fan off the sleek look, lift the roots slightly with your finger tips whilst blowdrying.

A side parting with a longer sweeping fringe can be effective for longer face shapes. Softer waves or curls will soften the look around the face.

Struggling for ideas for exciting going out hair dos, here are some simple but effective looks for you that can be created by you at home.

For a glamorous polished look on longer locks, the sleek is lovely. Created simply by placing your hair in a side parting. Curl sections of your hair using a wand or a tong, wrap hair around and hold for a few seconds. Gently run a paddle brush through the curls leaving a fuller, looser wave. Finish the hair with a glossy product to give your waves that sexy sheen. Tuck the one side of the hair behind your ear and sweep the rest over your shoulder. Finish with a hair spray and smooth over the side tucked behind your ear.

For shorter hair styles the beehive can be really effective. Prep hair with a dry shampoo on the root area to help add volume. Backcomb around the crown area, then start to work from each side moving forwards. Leave as much as you like at the front to smooth over the volume you have created. Bring the hair back towards the middle.  Pin and secure pieces of length you have left at the back of the head. Use hairspray to finish. Voilà, a Bardot Beehive!

An old favourite for reducing your going out prep time, the high pony! Whether it be smooth and sleek for straight hair or a messy funky take the pony, the look can be really effective. Simply smooth your hair above the crown and secure with a band. Bits of hair around the ears can be teased out for more of a boho look. Finish with a smoothing serum or a texturizing spray.  Remember the higher the ponytail the closer to heaven….

Hair extensions have been subjected to a lot of bad press which has left many fearful to try them. This is unfortunately down to under qualified technicians, poor quality hair and bad methods of application, but this doesn’t have to be the case. At Halo we are proud of extensions and the positive affect they have on our clients. The brand we use, Great Lengths is regarded as the leading in the industry and boast the use of 100% ethically sourced human hair. The hair is sourced from India where during Hindu rituals women and men sacrifice and donate there hair to temples in process known as tonsuring. Payment for the hair is then used to support the local community.  Hair is then sent to Italy where it is purified, removing toxins and its existing pigment, this is a natural process known as osmosis. This ensures hair stays in tact and hair quality remains high. Hair is then re-coloured to desired shade using the same osmosis process. The result, healthy colourfast hair.
All extensions are pre bonded, this means that’s the correct amount of hair is applied each time to each section, giving a natural long lasting result. The bond uses a blend of polymers that mimic the structure of the hair to fuse extensions to your own hair. This allows your hair to grow naturally and safely. The result, natural looking beautiful hair safe in the knowledge no damage is being caused by harsh application process and knowledge of where you hair has come from. The outcome of great extensions can truly be amazing.

Below Great Lengths created by Beth, Halo Basingstoke

Hair Expert:

Laurie Griffiths, Salon Manager at Halo Hair Design Newbury. Laurie has been in the hair and beauty industry for 6 years. Originally trained in beauty therapy and working within Halo’s Basingstoke branch, Laurie’s thirst for knowledge encouraged her to also train in hair. Her passion for the Halo brand has bought her over to manage the companies new branch in Newbury. She is here to offer advice and knowledge to anything hair related.

Typically, a spa manicure or pedicure will start with a soak to soften the nails and skin, but if you want to give your hands and feet a real treat, why not try a paraffin wax treatment? Hands or feet are submerged for a few seconds in a warm mixture of melted paraffin and mineral oil. As they are removed the wax hardens slightly, and they are then dipped in the mixture again and the process repeated three to six times. A thick layer of wax eventually forms which is left to dry for 10-15 minutes, often with mittens or booties on top, after which the wax is peeled or rubbed away. This treatment softens rough skin and leaves hands and feet feeling beautifully silky smooth.
Exfoliation follows next. Glycolic exfoliation, which involves the application of glycolic acid in cream or gel form, dissolves and removes dead and damaged skin cells. In the case of feet, you may also get the soles pumiced, particularly on the heels and ball of the foot, to remove dead or hard skin. A nourishing massage of the hand, wrist and lower arm or the foot, ankle and lower leg, brings this stage of the manicure or pedicure to an end.
As a finishing touch the nails are then shaped, the cuticles trimmed, and nail polish applied. In recent years, gel polish has grown in popularity. Manufacturers boast that the finish can remain flawless and chip-free for up to 14 days and with a zero drying time and no damage to the nail, it’s easy to understand why it’s often the first choice.
Nail art is on the increase and is high profile in the fashion world and amongst celebrities. It’s a great way to express individuality, fashion savvy, creativity and humour. Nail art involves painting and gluing designs and jewels onto nails to create a myriad of exciting and fun looks, but it does require skill and a lot of time. An easier and quicker option is to have nail wraps. Made from vinyl adhesive, a detailed design can be applied in a fraction of the time – and looks almost as good.

We have a lot of local places offering deals, take a look at these places

Newbury WellBeing Centre

Laurabella

Thompson Local

Yell.com

Or you could take a look at some Pinterest pages for ideas Nail Art Gallery

Dreamweave & Co have developed a brand new system using ‘WIDE LASH’™ technology that will thicken and nourish the root and stem in just 15 days.

Not only will the Lash Construct Magnet Mascara help you achieve longer, thicker, fuller and beautiful eyelashes in a matter of weeks it also doubles up as the perfect mascara when applied it gives a weightless lengthening and flexible flutter with no smudges, clumps or panda eyes.

Now you can achieve the look you’ve always wanted by transforming your eyes with the new DreamWeave & Co Lash Construct Magnet Mascara.

DreamWeave & Co Lash Construct Magnet Mascara (RRP £14) is available nationwide or visit www.wrinkleregime.com

Moving to London five years ago, she learned bag-making at Prescott & Mackay, wiring and beading at Cockpit Arts and honed her silversmith skills at the Macbeth Centre.

This primary aim of this evening is to showcase her standout invention – clutch bags and handbags, made entirely out of freshwater pearls.

These pearl handbags are the result of two years of experimentation and trial and error.

They are designed to be robust enough to carry a purse, lipstick, keys and a mobile phone.

Equally they are created to be so beautiful that every bag is in itself a piece of jewellery.

The freshwater pearls of white and shades of pink, blue, yellow, red and grey – nearly any colour – are sourced in the Far East.

Because every pearl is different in shape every bag is literally unique.

The inside lining of each bag is silk taffeta.

The bag is closed by a concealed magnetic strip.

The pearl handbag which also has a pearl strap has approximately one thousand pearls, all knitted together.

The clutch bag is composed of up to eight hundred pearls.

Forty hours go into the creation of each bag.

Every bag on show has been personally constructed by Silvana in her studio in West Brompton.

These bags, the Collection of 2014, can now be acquired.

From 2015 every bag will be bespoke.

Clients will select their colour of pearl and their preferred shade of silk taffeta lining.

Their initials will be printed in the lining so their bag is personalised.

The turnaround of commission to delivery: ten working days or less, if urgent.

Other work from Silvana’s studio

Brooches, bracelets and necklaces in silver, platinum and gold; collars and leads – in pearls – for dogs; cufflinks and smaller versions designed for young gentlemen of four and upwards; tiaras and other baubles for small princesses; repairs, reworking and restringing of old and inherited jewellery.

Contact: sales@silvanamonson.co.uk and 07775 150228

The series will follow the founding brothers of the business, Nick and Jesse Bassi, and will take viewers behind the scenes as next season’s items are selected, new lines launched, shops revamped and amazing clothes sold.

We’ll see the impact of their fast-growing online operation, and meet the various customers of all ages who make Childsplay such a unique place to work and shop.

Each episode will see us jump into the extraordinary worlds of the customers via the events for which many of the outfits in Childsplay are purchased showcasing the growing popularity of children’s fashion and designer loving families.

Minors in Designers airs every Monday at 10pm, on ITVBe (Freeview 26 | Sky 179 | Virgin Media 119 | Freesat 118)

Jesse (L), Bubblee (C) and Nick (R) are available for interviews, quotes, expert commentary and profile pieces

Nick and Jesse Bassi, established Childsplay Clothing in the early 1990’s and offer an exquisite selection of luxurious children’s clothing, footwear and accessories from the world’s leading designer brands.

Nick possesses a great sense of passion, drive and ambition to maximise the company’s potential. He is involved in selecting the brands and lines to assemble a new collection of merchandise each new season. He admires the luxurious aesthetics of the brands and always lends a lavish touch to the interior designs process.

Jesse is a charismatic character, always cheerful and humorous, making employees feel relaxed in their surroundings so they are motivated to work. Jesse is a family orientated man, his children are his inspiration, and his wife Bubblee supports him to enhance the company and allow it to thrive and achieve its full potential.

As stylists at Frankie & Ruby, Jo and I recently asked ourselves this very question. What if we could style a series of fashion images showing the trends for Autumn/ Winter 2014 – but using clothes from second hand sources? We realised it would be great if we had a set of images that showed that you can shop second hand and still look up to date and amazing! This would be particularly great to show people who have never shopped this way before. Because we love a challenge, we decided to find out – by doing it!

We put together three key trends for this season with clothes that we’d either bought in charity shops, had in our dress agency, or were raided from our models wardrobes. The results are amazing – helped by beautiful make up thanks to MUA Anna Dora, and simply stunning photography from Shannon Robinson of SLR Photography.

Our beautiful models are not professional models, but they are all gorgeous ladies, inside and out, they did an amazing job and carry off each of the looks so easily. Our surroundings were also a source of inspiration as we were able to shoot at Pineapple Palace near Newbury, which is a beautiful shop, cafe and arts centre.

The three trends we chose are; 60’s Mod, Fairytale and Folk. It wasn’t hard to put the outfits together – for some looks we ended up having to pick our favourites as we had a number of outfits to choose from! After scouring the charity shops of Newbury, I found that the ladies in Helen and Douglas House charity shop really helped us by picking out things for us that they’d found in the shop that might work. We got the most amazing vintage coat in there, as well as plenty of other things that were just right for our shoot. We are absolutely delighted with the final pictures and hope that they encourage more people to consider trying second hand shopping.

For more information FrankieandRuby