We are delighted to announce that our state-of-the-art Medispa is now open at Albemarle Street. Our aim is to blend luxury and relaxation with the very latest in beauty and medical aesthetic services within purpose built medical suites and exclusive treatment rooms.

Choose from a range of exciting and innovative treatments including facials from Anne Semonin, SkinCeuticals and La Prarie, laser hair removal using the painless Soprano laser, skin rejuvenation treatments by Harmony XL, waxing, tinting, manicures, pedicures and much more. 

For more information see the website or phone 020 7627 6969 for more details and to book your complimentary consultation with one of our expert beauty technicians. 

Stuck for Christmas present ideas whilst being besieged by so many high street offers? A guaranteed goodie are the numerous Christmas gift sets we have insalon from Kerastase, Morrocan oil to name a few or if you don’t want to go for beauty, try for a set of Luxe reader guides? And the packaging is perfect for a good stocking filler!

Our talented stylists are constantly getting both client and industry recognition, including across leading media and publications. Top colourist, Debbie Bhowmik, featured in Friday’s Evening Standard as part of their party season top beauty secrets.

For the full story, go to the link below. https://global.americanexpress.com/myca/intl/offers/emea/contentDetails.do?request_type=contentDetails&Face=en_GB&type=network&cat=Editorial&cid=Ed_ChristmasBeautyAliceHartDavis_2012

"    Rev up your colour

Get your hair colour right, and you instantly look healthier – and classier, too. Let Debbie Bhowmik wield her expert judgment along with her tinting brushes to give you a colour that suits you perfectly without shouting for attention, and which has other people – and hairdressers – saying ‘I love your colour…’ for months to come.
From £110 (for a basic tint) to £300 for a full head of highlights.

Michaeljohn, 25 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4HU, +44 (0) 7629 6969      "

At Michaeljohn, we have always liked to support the fact that although we are a hairdresser with a established reputation both amongst clients and within the industry, we welcome clients of all ages and taking all directions. Our in-house team of skilled stylists are happy to create anything from classic looks to something completely creative.

Here is our well celebrated, Senior Artistic Director, Michele Antiga, at work creating a plaited updo for a longstanding client.

Wherever we find ourselves walking around these days, talking with clients, ingesting all the beauty news constantly filtering through the Michaeljohn salon, there’s one buzzword which keeps being reiterated over and over; Argan Oil. So much so, we decided there was something to be said about it and we got writing this blog. And like any product deserving this much attention, there is a good story to tell.

Until awhile ago, Argan Oil was the secret of the Berber community in Northern Africa, who have been using it in their diet for centuries.

Some basic need to know facts:

·         The golden, nutty oil comes from the fruit of the argan tree, an ancient and UNESCO protected tree that grows only in South-Western Morocco making it one of the rarest oils in the world. 

·         It takes approx 15hours and 30kg of fruit to produce just 1 litre of argan oil – a skilled process passed down through generations.

·         Late summertime, the argan fruit ripens, falls to the ground and is laid out to dry. To extract oil, the dried outerfruit is removed, then, using traditional artisanal techniques involving stones, the seeds are extracted from the hard inner shell. The seeds are then cold pressed to extract the oil.

·         Argan Oil contains twice the amount of tocopherals and Vitamin E than Olive Oil as well as fatty acids, Omega 6 and 9, making it a powerful antioxidant.

FACT:The increasing popularity of argan oil has prompted the Moroccan government to plan for increased production: its aim is to triple annual production from approximately 2,500 - 4,000 tonnes by 2020.

Argan Oil has largely gained popularity for its countless benefits. Argan oil is effective across use on skin, face, body, lips, hair, nails and in the bath. It can be used as a moisturizer for face and body, to help prevent stretch marks and protect the elasticity of your skin, as anti-wrinkle, to alleviate symptoms of eczema and acne, as a massage to strengthen brittle nails and most notably as a nutrient conditioning treatment for damaged hair.

At Michaeljohn, we are a great fan of Argan Oil, and have long encouraged use of it for its nourishing and restorative hair qualities. Products in the salon particularly rich in it include the Moroccan Oil range and the new So Pure products.

Michaeljohn Artistic Director, Adrianne Jones comments on its current resurgent popularity: “I think it has come back in such demand because it’s a natural product, borderline organic, in a time when people are interested in all things ‘natural.’ It is also just so effective in making hair shine and can be left in overnight at home as a quick fix treatment. Moreover it has different  uses, such as for face and skin.”

Keune Haircosmetics is the leading luxury hair care brand to come out of Holland – an unlikely place you might find yourself thinking – but herein lies the key to its 90^th year anniversary occurring this year – every tiny drop the brand produces and manufactures is from start to finish executed in their Dutch laboratories. With widespread international acclaim and a concise set of ranges including KEUNE, CARE, BLEND, DESIGN, SO PURE and now a new Tinta colour set, the brand is neatly positioning itself as a niche, 100%natural range, only available in-salon, in a bid to make a mark where the market these days is saturated by samey products and flooded through online retail channels.

It’s certainly an engaging concept; including the inviting and delightful scent and packaging. As a key stockist of the SO Pure range, which has just been launched onto the UK market and is already garnering attention from our discerning customers here at Michaeljohn, we caught up with Lee Harper, UK managing director to get the lowdown and learn more about the 3 So Pure buzzwords, Phytopherapy, Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, and why Keune is happy to eschew the mainstream.

Jan Keune founded the brand in 1922.

You originally launched So Pure in 2002, why have you re-launched it in 2012? How have you noticed the hair industry to have changed in the intervening years?

Back in 2002, we still had this great natural product but our focus had been so entirely on that. We didn’t cater enough to the consumer with lively, visually pleasing packaging and strong communication material – so there was a groundbreaking product with none of the luxuries around the edge. Re-launching So Pure this year also fit in with the way that Keune runs all its retail lines, where they are cyclically revisited to keep them updated and cutting edge.

There have definitely been big changes in the UK industry over the last 9 years; the gap between professional and mass market has been narrowed continuously – whereby most labels are owned by multi-national conglomerates, such as L’oreal - changes and trends echo what they want and salons have got slack about recommending products.

You are the biggest selling brand in Brazil, but how does the UK market differ from International markets?

Countries such as Brazil, India, Pakistan are all in the middle of an economic boom, whereby their whole economy is growing, as a brand selling over there, Keune is very much part of that. Here the challenge is entering into an already saturated UK market, where you have to be ‘banging down doors’ to get your message across.

The brand philosophy is to make an uncompromised, 100% plant essential product, but can you let me in further on the process from sourcing right through to execution?

The key to the whole process is ‘Keune Control.’ Everything is administered under one roof, where a lot of other brands out there outsource different components, which ends up with an inconsistency in the product lines. Initially through research, we decipher what clients might like to use – e.g Argan Oil has had a huge increase in demand of late. From there and after further research, we make about 8 variants of the product on a very small scale in the lab, and carry out endless checks and tests including, health and Safety. Next products are passed to the studio to test on clients and get feedback on anything from hold to texture. Products are then deconstructed back to raw materials, tested again and manufactured. As we do it all in-house our production is quicker because we don’t have to ship anywhere.

We have a whole A-Z of the ingredients used in our products explained in our manual for reader benefit!

And what are proving to be the most popular products on the range so far?

I would say the Moisturizing range of shampoo, conditioner and treatment – I guess the British have dry hair!! Then probably the colour care range.

In a time when the market is saturated, how are you positioning it and in which UK stockists?

Currently we have 450 UK stockists. There are 35,000 UK salons – in 5 years we are hoping for a 10% increase across all the Keune products. So Pure is our flagship line – it has such a strong philosophy that it really lends itself to salons with a similar strong ethos and heritage of their own, such as Michaeljohn.

As a 100% plant essential, natural product, how do you differentiate yourself from an ‘eco brand?’

We don’t like to focus solely on the natural idea at So Pure. We don’t use the word ‘organic’ either as we think the term has been pulled out of shape as a concept and doesn’t represent anything anymore. We are happy to disclose our ingredients, which a lot of eco brands are not, but we are happy to promote the idea of balancing natural ingredients with a sense of reality and longevity. If a product was utterly natural, it would have to be kept in a fridge!

So talk me through these 3 buzzwords you base your philosophy on…

Physiotherapy, aromatherapy and homeopathy underpin our whole ethos. A balancing between the science of using natural plant extracts instead of chemicals, the belief that scent and smell can adjust mental state, and treatments to work through emotion and evoke memory.

How do you see the industry developing and growing over the next couple of years, where would you like So Pure/Keune to be then?

Ideally we would have liked to have launched a base of accounts and extended the range. We launched So Pure colour at the end of October at Salon International. A very niche, high end, paraben free, 35 shade colour range – it was met with much positive interest. I think colour will continue to dominate the industry over the next few years, and two categories will emerge; small, atelier style salons or large long running establishments.

A word of mouth led brand which has gone onto gain worldwide luxury acclaim, Moroccan Oil is always a popular product in the salon. However over the past week and in the run up to Christmas, Michaeljohn stylists have noticed a surge of interest in their Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner.

Transformative in restoring weak and damaged hair through colour, chemical processing or just heat styling, it’s no wonder the excesses of the year are calling for some rejuvenation. Moroccan Oil, rich in antioxidant argan oil and reconstructive keratin is the must have product to help hair along its way through the harsh conditions and environment into 2013. Purchase in Michaeljohn W1 or come in for a Moroccan oil treatment.

Beauty Saviours for the Christmas period:

Surviving this December month through Christmas and into the New Year is a task in itself. Whilst long term beauty solutions are always the way forward, there are a few instant pick me ups which can be essential to helping you navigate your way through in the best possible style.

Here we’ve rounded up a few which will give you that instant lift – all available at Michaeljohn.

Anne Semonin precious serum – intensive, super rich and powerful skin rejuvenator.

Essie Nail corrector pen - this innovative and creative tool will fix all those little mistakes and smudges of nail varnish, the clever pre-moistened application tip allows you to swipe away excess polish from cuticles and fingertips with definite precision.

Bellefontaine Repairing Nutritive night cream - An essential nourishing night care for all skin types, confers velvetiness and comfort to the skin while restoring its beauty and illuminating the complexion.

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage defence - Anti-breakage, heat protecting conditioning spray for all hair types.

La Prairie skin caviar eye complex - The Skin Caviar Eye Complex is fragrance-free and helps prolong eye make-up throughout the day. This anti-ageing gel acts like a mini eyelift that instantly tightens and re-energizes the eye zone.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime – uniquely versatile, this fantastic beautifying treatment enriched with a complex for four precious oils.

With the hairdressing industry saturated, new college courses and training programmes ever more on offer, securing solid apprenticeships and learning from industry leaders is becoming more and more difficult. However as trends go, it seems more and more aspiring hair stylists are looking to various courses and internships as the answer meaning sporadic and varied training. Here at Michaeljohn, where we like to remain true to the value of very precise and intense training, we caught up with one of team members, CJ Vineall, who talks to us about her time at Michaeljohn working and learning all the way up from apprentice through level 3, junior and now full time stylist, and the benefits of 5 years of in salon time.

“I really believe you should study hair in a salon. I am still so pleased I learnt from grass roots within the Michaeljohn day to day experience. I have never had a single day not learning or picking up something new and gaining new input,” affirms CJ. “I heard about the Michaeljohn apprenticeship and did some thorough research into the brand – it is so steeped in history and heritage, all my family who live outside of London knew about the salon, and plenty of people recommended it. I spent 2 years on the apprenticeship working full time from 9-6 to get to Level 2 learning the basics of cut and colour. I am not going to hide how thorough the programme was; I had to stay for evenings twice a week on model nights rotating on both cut and colour, but I can never undo the amount I learnt from these initial years and I think that compared to people I have met, who were studying at college, I just got so much more hands on experience. Unusually also Michaeljohn can accommodate for you, so I didn’t have to choose to go on and specialise in cut or colour, as most salons do make you, which I am so grateful for as I really enjoy both.

By the time I got to Level 3 – a more in depth 1 year training – I also was adept at dealing with clients, listening to their requirements, and an individually oriented service, which I think those who come out of college are really behind on. I have learnt a precision of cut and colour and a standard, which is so ingrained in me, it’s now just second nature. I am a creative person, so looking back I really enjoyed Level 3 as you are expected to have your own vision, to create different looks and can be part of salon style photoshoots. Michaeljohn is a relatively big salon so I think at this stage you get more freedom than you would do elsewhere, but it is all integral experience and learning. From here, I most memorably won the Wella Junior Competition in salon two years in a row. We worked on 3 models using the Wella set trends and patterns by interpreting oneself to create looks – my theme was 1920’s being brought into the modern day. I recall colouring the hair deep red and creating flashes of purple and red beneath the parting – I love being that creative. It will always remain a memorable moment for me of my hairdressing career when I was awarded the prize by the Wella judges.

We get so many opportunities at Michaeljohn that I think a lot of other trainees don’t get. I have been on numerous colour courses and specifically remember one cutting at course at Wella, where I learnt a whole new uniform way of layering – these techniques stay with you throughout the years. At Michaeljohn, there is also a very precise matching of juniors with stylists for a 3 month period so you get to learn and see the variety of work of numerous stylists. I really remember my time working with our renowned creative director, Charlie Chan. He has this incredible way of precision cutting in so little time – the shape is so immediate from the sections, he could just rough dry the hair and it would look the way it is meant to be. He is also always one step ahead and taught me to be more forward thinking, which you especially need in a big, busy salon like Michaeljohn.

I’ve never had a day’s regret about the way I’ve trained all the way up here – I still am conscious to challenge myself. I especially like doing highlights because you have to be so precise and the number of different looks you can create from it – the new ombre trend at the moment is fun and creative. I purposely don’t keep cards to keep me active and forward thinking and to keep tweaking my technique. I think Michaeljohn really accommodates for technique because the salon is full of so many different personalities and stylists push each other to keep refining their eye and vision.

I have done some shoot and catwalk looks – it is interesting because you have to work so fast and under real pressure. As far as the future goes, I want to keep developing my eye for colour, attending a creative course maybe but I am just really happy at Michaeljohn and all the opportunities it has and continues to give me.”