Pretty plaits and beautiful braids graced the Red Carpet of Cannes 2013. From messy fishtails a-la Cheryl to knotted up-do's like Frida's, confirmed that messy, undone plaits are the look of the summer. 

Cara Delevingne

Cheryl Cole

Emma Watson

Nicole Kidman

Frida Pinto

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.

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.

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.”

With winter months often creating problem hair, there are ways to get a quick fashion fix without a salon blowdry and still steal the style show. One of the most misconceived and can be chicest hair do’s easily pulled off is the bun. Whilst I can hear most of you thinking impossible-to-achieve-sleek-ballerina-perfection, this style is quietly one of the easiest to put together and take you from day to night back to day. Whether you want to look effortlessly chic, elegant, or sexy, most styles can be achieved in less than 5 minutes. Whilst there are also multiple options to work with from something super sleek, high fashion style or just a messy look.

To achieve a classic, super sleek, ballerina style bun – Michaeljohn stylists have put together some top tips:

2)Next, sick a pin into the edge of the coil toward your scalp, just before the tip of the pin hits your scalp, turn the pin in the opposite direction (180 degrees) and push it back down into the centre of the bun. Four pins (one in each quadrant of the bun) should keep your bun secure.

3)Finally apply hairspray. "This isn't a style you'll be running your fingers through, so use a strong formula.  "It flattens rogue pieces and flyaways.” We recommend Sebastian or Wella.

Other options include:

Fashion shoot ‘messy’ style - A bit of back-combing can add volume to your bun. The traditional twist and wrap-around method may require more bobby pins, but it is classically elegant.

High on the head contemporary-style to bun - A hair doughnut is great for thickening your bun and keeping strands neatly tucked away. Roll your strands up for a perfectly polished ballerina ’do.

Quick and Messy Bun - Looping large sections of hair around the base adds texture to your bun. Be sure to tease you locks (and reposition them, if needed) after pinning to fill in any gaps in the bun’s structure.

Michaeljohn have previously brought you stories on how to achieve your perfect hair – and in a variety of styles from trussed, tousled and poker straight – however with an endless round of parties coming up pre-Christmas, there are also some all-important quick fixes to both maintain coiffed hair and to top up looks the day after the night before!

Party Hair handbag essentials:

Volumiser:

Key to putting together and holding any look (even poker straight styles) is a good volumiser. It’s an instant way to glam up any look and provides an instant party season boost. And this isn’t just restricted to the shampooing stage – where Philip Kingsley’s products work a treat. You can put in powder both pre-party and the morning after to create lift for an updo or glamorous ponytail look. Otherwise being bold with a volume spray for hair down, which may have lost some of its immediate post blow-dry finesse is effective but only if used with the correct spray – one light enough it doesn’t outweigh the hair. Again Philip Kingsley does a great Maximizer Spray and even a weatherproof version if you are contending with harsh climate conditions.

Smoothing serum:

With seasonal changing temperatures and central heating an inescapable issue for hair condition, dry ends and frizz can be overcome. Tame wild ends which immediately ruin the appearance of blowdried hair with a smoothing serum – they come in sample size bottles, which will take up no space even in a tiny clutch bag – but can have an overriding effect. It’s imperative to choose something light otherwise hair can look cloggy – we recommend the Kerastase range.

Shine Spray:

Again these now come in bottles fit to carry with you on a day to evening basis. Are a great way to restore perfect post blow-dry shine and finesse even days later, when you are on the run from the office and need that party shimmer. Make sure you use something light and airy and hold it well away from the air - Use Sebastian’s Zero Gravity Shaper spray for instant, glistening effect.

Something decorative:

And if you don’t want to play with products, there is always and easy fallback for attracting good attention to your hair and putting you in the party spirit. Hair accessories have come back into favour – in all their pop, colourful glory - and can be found both by designers and on the high street. Play with flowery or jewelled pins and hairbands for fun – we recommend the range by Olympia Le Tan for the right side of kitsch fun.

If you want a more glamorous look for the coming Christmas season or merely want to experiment with new colour shades but are fearful of permanent change, then come into Michaeljohn and have a vegetable gloss with renowned Senior Colourist, Debbie Bhowmik.

As a dark brunette, who frequently washes and blowdries my hair, I was growingly concerned about its flat condition but have always been reluctant at moving from my natural brunette colour. With an eight wash policy and guaranteed shine, L’Oreal Chromative answered all my requirements. Specialist Bhowmik added a subtle colour tone to just enhance and warm my heavy brunette, whilst giving me a party shine, I haven’t seen in my hair for years.

With this silicon based product, which contains no hydrogen peroxide and is completely non-abrasive, you can mix and match shades to create your own tone safe in the knowledge you can wash it out or merely just go for a clear gloss to match your own shade. The effect is like glass it’s so naturally enhanced.

DON’T: apply too much conditioner with it as can remove some of the product and on application leave the gloss on for at least 5 minutes for full effect. See the achieved look below after a straight blow dry.

And with Debbie’s well trained hand you will be in and out during a lunch break! Call to make a booking for added Christmas fun and will carry you over from Christmas Eve drinks, through Christmas Day and over Boxing Day lunch.