How often you should get your hair cut depends on your hair length, texture, how much heat or chemical processing it goes through, and what you are trying to achieve. For most people, somewhere between every six and twelve weeks is the right range, but the right answer for you sits within that depending on your specific situation.
The most important reason to keep up with regular cuts is not style. It is health. Split ends left unchecked travel up the hair shaft, causing frizz, breakage and dullness that no product can fully reverse.
Why haircut timing matters
Hair grows roughly half an inch a month. For short or layered styles, that growth quickly changes the shape and balance of the cut. For longer hair, the ends are the oldest and most vulnerable part of the hair shaft, and they accumulate damage over time from heat, styling and environmental exposure.
A regular cut removes that damage before it spreads. It also keeps your style looking intentional rather than grown out.
How often by hair type and length
Precision cuts maintained regularly always look intentional.
What about fringes?
Most people trim their fringe roughly every four weeks, or whenever it reaches a length that bothers them. Because the fringe sits directly in the line of sight, it is easier to spot when it needs attention than the ends of the rest of your hair. Many clients manage this themselves between appointments, which is perfectly fine with the right scissors and a steady hand.
What if you are growing your hair out?
Trimming while growing your hair is not counterproductive. It feels that way, but leaving split ends to travel up the shaft costs you more length than the trim does. Even when growing, having a small amount taken off every three months keeps the ends healthy and means the length you are growing is retained rather than breaking off.
Ask your stylist specifically to maintain the length while removing damage. A good stylist will take the minimum necessary to keep the ends healthy without sacrificing length unnecessarily.
A precise cut maintained regularly always looks intentional.
For most women, your wedding day will be one of the most important days of your life. Whether you have been planning your big day since you were a little girl or have been planning for a few months, everyone deserves to feel like a queen on their big day!
Wedding planning can be a very stressful and time-consuming job. In the whirlwind of venues, buffets, and guest lists, tasks like choosing your hairstyle can be one of the last things on your agenda.
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. But look no further, in this post we will go through everything you need to know when choosing a hairstyle for your wedding day.
Ways to help choose your hairstyle
Choosing a hairdo for your big day is almost as important as the dress. Finding a hairstyle that goes with your dress and wedding aesthetic whilst ensuring your chosen do matches your personality can be a difficult task and knowing where to start can be challenging. Here are a few ideas to figure out the best style for you!
Inspiration board
A good idea to kickstart your hairdo ideas is by creating an inspiration board. Simply going on Pinterest and starting a wedding hairstyle board will help inspire you and give you different ideas for any styles you might like.
Hair trial
On your big day you want to ensure everything runs smoothly, and the last thing you want is your hair not going to plan at the last minute. To avoid this happening, book a hair trial before your wedding day. Going through possible looks with your hairdresser will give you peace of mind knowing that your style is exactly how you want it.
Be sure to turn up to your hair trial as prepared as possible, have photos of your dress, accessories, and your Pinterest inspiration ready. This will help your stylist achieve the perfect hair for you.
The Dress!
The star of the show… Your wedding dress is a great place to start when choosing your hairstyle. Looking at how the model styled the dress and the editorial photos, will help spark inspiration for what suits your dress.
For example, having a dress with a detailed back, it is a good idea to focus on updos to show the back off. If it is a dress with a high neckline you will benefit from high updos that will elongate the neck. Strapless dresses best suit long luscious locks falling over the shoulder. Research the different hairstyles best suited to your dress.
Think about the Veil
If you have a veil or a headpiece it is important to factor these in when deciding your chosen hairstyle. Ensure the style you pick can work with your chosen headpiece.
Just do you
The best advice for your big day is to just do you! People look the best when they feel the best, choosing a style you don’t feel yourself in can make you feel unconfident for your special day. Listen to your gut and go with whatever feels natural for you.
Types of wedding hairstyles
Once you have some inspiration for your wedding hairstyle, picking the actual do can feel overwhelming due to the never-ending list of possible hairstyles for your big day! However, here are a few of the most popular hairstyles to think about.
Updos
When choosing a hairstyle, most brides will look into updos due to the vast amount of variations available. Almost every updo can be adjusted to fit almost any face shape, not to mention you can get creative with it!
Some of the different options for updos could be:
- Sleek bun
- Messy bun
- Braids and twists
- Ponytail
- Chignon / low bun
- Fishtail braid
If your wedding is taking place in those hot summer months, an updo may be your best friend. Having an updo will keep your hair off your neck helping you stay cool, as well as it being a sure way to stop the frizz!
Down styles
Simple down dos are very popular for brides. Most say wearing your hair down gives the most confidence as it feels the most natural.
Some styles to think about for a down do could be:
- Sleek and straight
- Bouncy curls
- Beachy waves
- Side swept
- Polished blowout
- Pin up
Down dos can look effortlessly romantic as well as looking gorgeous with or without a veil.
Keep it natural
Natural hairstyles are just as versatile as any other wedding hairdo. Having more natural texture to the hair can create beautiful updos, down dos, half ups, and half downs.
A few natural ideas could be:
- Floral fro
- Braids
- Natural curls
- Messy bun
- Chignon
- Top knot
- Deep side part
Curls
Curls are a very popular and versatile hairstyle for brides. With many different curls to choose from they often draw brides in.
A few different ways to style your curls could be:
- Big, Bouncy curls
- Tight ringlets
- Pin curls
- Curly loose bun
- Half up half down
- Messy waves
- Curly ponytail
- Loose waves
- Soft waves
Half-up, Half- down
If you are stuck between that updo or letting your luscious locks flow, a half-up, half-down look could be for you. Have the top section tied into a bun or a ponytail which then leaves you with plenty of unrestrained tresses to style how you like.
Having a half-up half-down do, gives you the safety of having your hair down whilst also pinning back the hair from your face.
Hair accessories
Sometimes a simple braid or a chignon isn’t enough, why not go the extra mile on your special day and add a hair accessory. There are many hair accessories available. From hair pins to flower crowns, accessories can truly tie your bridal look together.
Do your wedding in style
It is important for everything to run smoothly for your big day, don’t let your hair get you down! Put your trust in us, here at NOCO, we have many services available to get you feeling and looking your best for your special day.
Regular trims are one of the simplest and most overlooked parts of a hair care routine. Not because they make hair grow faster, but because they remove the damage that slows everything else down.
A trim removes split ends and damaged lengths before they travel further up the hair shaft. What is left behind is stronger, healthier hair that responds better to styling, holds colour longer and looks fuller from root to tip.
Trim versus haircut: what is the difference?
A trim removes a small amount of length, typically around an inch or two, without changing the shape or style of the cut. The goal is to remove damage while maintaining the existing look. A haircut changes the shape, length or style. If you ask for a trim, your stylist knows to preserve the structure and simply refresh the ends.
How often should you trim?
This depends on your hair length, texture and how much heat or chemical processing it goes through. As a general guide:
A regular trim removes damage before it travels up the hair shaft.
What regular trims actually do
Signs it is time for a trim
You do not have to wait for a scheduled appointment if the signs are there. These are the clearest indicators that your hair needs a trim sooner rather than later.
Healthy, trimmed ends make the whole length look and behave better.
Curly hair is not difficult to look after. It is just different. The routines and products that work perfectly on straight hair can actively damage curly hair. Once you understand why, getting consistently good results becomes a lot more straightforward.
Every curl type behaves slightly differently, so some trial and error is part of the process. But these five principles apply across the board.
1. Get into a washing routine that suits curls
Natural oils produced by the scalp are essential for healthy, hydrated hair. The problem is that curly and textured hair makes it much harder for these oils to travel down the hair shaft due to its shape. This means curly hair dries out faster and is more sensitive to over-washing than straight hair.
Washing once a week or even less is the general recommendation for curly hair. When you do shampoo, focus on the scalp rather than working the shampoo through the lengths. The ends will get cleaned when you rinse. Shampooing the full length too frequently strips the moisture that curly hair needs most.
Healthy curl definition comes from consistent moisture, not product volume.
2. Moisturise consistently
Whatever type of curl you have, whether wavy, loose, tight or coiled, curly hair is naturally prone to dryness, frizz and breakage. The solution is not more product. It is the right product used consistently.
Nutrition also plays a role. Protein, iron and vitamins that support hair growth and condition come from what you eat as much as what you apply. Read more in our guide on how diet affects hair health.
3. Choose the right products
The curly hair product market is overwhelming. Most of it is not worth the price. A few simple rules cut through the noise.
4. Style correctly
Short curly hair styled correctly at NOCO Hair Bristol.
5. Protect your curls overnight and day to day
The days become longer and brighter, which can only mean one thing: summer is here! Although summer means beach days and holidays, it’s important to know the dangers of those UV rays.
You wouldn’t step out into the summer sun without lathering up in sun cream, so why forget about those luscious locks?
Just like your skin, the sun will damage your hair too. Between sun, sea, and sand, your hair goes through a lot in those summer months. Without the correct hair care steps, the damage can really take a toll on your tresses. Read on to learn how to maintain healthy hair in the summer.
How sun can damage your hair
Those hot days and UV rays can be very damaging to your hair. It is crucial to understand those effects and the importance of protecting your hair from the sun.
- Cuticle damage – The cuticle is the outer layer of hair protecting the inside of the hair shaft from damage. The UV rays can break this down, causing your hair to dry out, your hair will then attract humidity and humidity means … FRIZZ!
- Inner damage – The sun weakens the internal structure of your hair and makes it prone to breakage and split ends.
- Colour damage – Coloured hair is even more prone to sun damage. Colour treatments can already leave your hair dehydrated, and too much sun can leave it even more vulnerable to damage. Not to mention – the UV rays perform as a bleach which will slowly but surely fade any colour. Some more colour treatment tips to come…
- Water damage - There is nothing like a dip in the pool or a splash around in the sea during those hot summer months! However, sometimes the things we love hurt us the most…
While you’re splashing about in the pool, chlorine is stripping natural oils from your hair, making your hair dry and weak. This can lead to breakages.
Salt water can have very similar effects to chlorine water, minus the chemicals. Salt water strips the hair of moisture, making it dry and more susceptible to breakages and split ends.
How to know if your hair is sun damaged
Exposure to sun for a longer period of time will make changes to your hair more noticeable. Signs of damaged hair are:
Split ends – the heat stripping your hair of moisture will make it more prone to split ends and breakages.
Texture – being in the sun or the pool will strip your hair of its natural oils, causing it to become much more dryer and brittle. So, say goodbye to your silky-smooth hair.
Discolouration– UV rays react with the melanin in your hair, causing pigment changes. The chemicals in chlorine can also react with your hair – especially if it’s dyed! – altering the colour.
Tips and tricks you need to know to keep your hair healthy in that summer heat
Start with a summer trim
It is important to give your hair a head start for summer. Visiting your salon and getting rid of those split ends will keep your hair healthy and easy to maintain in those hot summer months.
Mask the Mane
One of the obvious and simple answers to protect your hair from the sun is wearing a hat or a scarf. Wearing a hat or a scarf act as a physical barrier to protect from those harsh UV rays!
UV protection
The first thing you do if you know you are going to be spending a day in the sun is lather up your sun cream so why not use the same protection for your hair. UV hair protectants come in all shapes and sizes, from gel to powder. Research the best product to protect your locks!
Hydration
This is a tip you really shouldn’t ignore. You could be doing everything right to keep your tresses intact but, without correct hydration, your hair will start to show signs of stress. Drinking water will not only provide hydration for your body but to your hair strands too!
Keep away from heat styling tools
With the sun already scorching your strands, using straighteners, curling irons or hair dryers will add to the heat damage. Try using more natural methods of styling your hair in the summertime. Air drying and braids will be your best friend.
Washing your hair
It is likely that you will be washing your hair more frequently to help combat the dirt and sweat.
However, beware of the fact that overly washing and shampooing your hair will strip any natural oils, therefore further drying your hair out!
Try washing your hair 2-3 times a week and switching out your shampoo and conditioner routine for a more moisturising option. This will help with locking in any moisture in these drying months.
A pro tip from us this summer is to rinse your hair with cold water after you wash your hair for maximum shine. This is because it will close the hair cuticle and allow the hair to reflect more light.
Treatments
Hair masks and leave-in conditioners will help you with adding that extra bit of moisture. Using moisturising treatments will add an extra layer of protection from those UV rays, making it harder for the sun to damage your hair.
This tip is key if you are in and out of the water! Fully saturating your hair before diving into the pool will lock in that moisture it needs after sun exposure. Note that already wet hair won’t absorb as much saltwater or chlorine chemicals.
Fight the frizz
In the heat and humidity, frizzy hair will be your worst enemy. Keeping your hair healthy and well maintained will help keep your frizz to a minimum. Keep your eye out for shampoos and conditioners with two ingredients: amino-silicones, and cationic surfactants, these two ingredients will help neutralise your hair and prevent the humidity from winning this round!
If the frizz is getting the best of you this summer, here at NOCO we offer Phrizzy-o-therapy treatment to help combat the humidity.
Colour care
Coloured hair is already tricky to maintain, let alone adding those summer elements into the mix. If you have coloured hair, exposure to the sun can have many negative effects on your tresses.
Chlorine chemicals can strip out the colour your hair is dyed and often turn the dye brassy or faded. Ensure you are using colour preserving hair care products during the hot summer months.
Dyed hair is a lot more prone to dryness as the strands are already stripped of natural oils more than undyed hair. Using hydrating products is your only answer at this time of year; don’t let your hair damage ruin your time in the sun.
There you have it …
Understanding the importance of hair care is vital during these summer months! Stick to our useful haircare tips for summer and help protect your hair.
Here at NOCO, we are here to help you with any hair care needs, whether you are wanting your start of summer trim or a deep conditioning treatment to help bring back your shine.
Contact us today to book this summer!
Over the last year, we’ve loved becoming a part of the Wells community.
We’ve had the pleasure of making hundreds of our guests feel amazing, hosted unforgettable events, and created some out-of-this-world looks.
However, all good things must come to an end.
We can now officially announce that we’ve made the decision to move out of our Wells Hair and Beauty Salon and will no longer be offering NOCO services there.
This was a difficult choice, since we’ve met so many amazing new clients we’d love to continue to serve. However, we’ve come across some difficulties concerning the salon space and feel it’s ultimately the right decision for the business.
We’re working on securing a fantastic new building to transform into our next NOCO location. We can’t confirm exactly where it is yet but we’re all very excited about this next step in our journey, so watch this space!
In the meantime, you can still find us and all of our hair services at our flagship salon in Clifton.
See you soon,
Noel, Corey, and the NOCO Team
Whether you trusted your hair to the wrong stylist or an attempt at home colouring went sideways, a dye mishap can feel like a nightmare. But no hair colour disaster is completely unfixable in the right hands. The first step is understanding what actually went wrong.
Colouring hair is a more delicate process than the box dye adverts suggest, particularly when bleach is involved. Here is what we see most often and what can be done about each one.
Brassiness and bad blonde
Blonde is one of the most popular colour results and one of the easiest to get wrong. Too much lift in one direction can leave you with green-grey ashy tones, orange brassiness or a yellow that reads more Barbie than beachy.
Colour correction work at NOCO Hair Bristol.
Hot roots
Hot roots appear when the hair at the root develops differently from the rest, creating a two-tone effect that looks unintentional. It happens most often when previously processed hair reacts differently to fresh colour, or when the heat from the scalp causes the dye at the root to develop faster and lift higher than the lengths.
A small amount of anti-brass or cool toner applied to the roots can help at home. In a salon, a colourist can correct hot roots using a slightly deeper shade at the root to balance the overall result. For future colour, applying the dye to roots last, after coating the lengths, reduces the risk of this happening again.
Colour that has gone too dark or intense
Left colour on too long? The first response is to wash immediately, several times if needed. A clarifying shampoo strips colour faster than a regular shampoo. Follow immediately with a deep conditioning treatment as clarifying shampoo is harsh on the hair structure.
From there, a stylist can advise the best route. In some cases the dye can be removed or lifted. In others, encouraging it to fade naturally over a few weeks while protecting the hair is the better option. Highlights or balayage can also be used to break up the intensity and lighten the overall effect without a full removal process.
Patchy or uneven coverage
Patchy colour coverage is one of the most common results of home dye jobs and can also happen with inexperienced stylists. The causes range from incorrectly mixed product to uneven application, damaged hair that absorbs colour inconsistently, or missed sections.
A professional can identify exactly what caused the patchiness and correct it using a combination of targeted re-colouring, toner, gloss treatments or condition work depending on the root cause. Colour often needs more than one pass to build depth evenly, in the same way that painting a wall benefits from an undercoat before the finish coat.
Stripey or chunky highlights
Bold, visible streaks rather than blended highlights usually happen when sections placed in foil are too thick. The result lacks the dimension and movement that makes highlights look natural.
Balayage used to soften and blend overly chunky highlight work at NOCO Hair Bristol.
The two most effective salon fixes are blending the base colour back through to reduce the contrast between highlighted and unhighlighted sections, or using balayage to hand-paint colour in a way that disguises the foil sections and creates a more gradual, natural result.
Hair dye on skin
Staining around the hairline, neck and ears is extremely common. At the salon we use a professional stain remover. At home, milk on cotton wool works surprisingly well. Regular soap and water clears most fresh stains. For anything more stubborn, baby oil, a gentle body scrub or a small amount of rubbing alcohol applied lightly without scrubbing will usually clear it.
Prevention is more effective than removal. Always use gloves when colouring at home, wipe any drips immediately before they set, and apply a barrier of moisturiser or Vaseline around the hairline before you start.
Damaged hair after colouring
Bleach and permanent dyes work by lifting the outer protective layer of the hair shaft. This is necessary for the colour to penetrate, but it leaves the hair more vulnerable to breakage, frizz, dryness and heat damage until that outer layer recovers.
We’re so happy and proud of the team to announce that we’ve been chosen as finalists for not one but TWO awards at The Salon Business Awards this year! #SBAWARDS.
Not only that, but we’re up for Salon of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business Awards.
Salon Team of the Year
Getting your hair done is more than just about the cut or colour (although it’s definitely an important part)!
It’s also an experience, a time to unwind and let yourself be pampered like you deserve.
Our team are dedicated to you – from complimentary drinks, head massages and a chance to talk (or not)! We hire based not just on skill, but making sure we hold the same core values – you.
Colour Salon of the Year
We know that changing your colour or even getting your roots done can be a risk and so disappointing when things don’t turn out how you hoped.
So we’re thrilled that our hard work and dedication to the craft has been recognised and we’re up for colour salon of the year!
There’s no better feeling or confidence booster than a fresh colouring, so book your appointment today.
We’re looking forward to the award ceremony on the 13th of June.
Salon of the Year 2
After being nominated for new salon of the year in 2021, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re a finalist for the second Salon of the Year Category in 2022!
Winners will be announced at a Westminster Bridge ceremony in July, and we can’t wait to mix with the best in the business once again.
We couldn’t have done it without our fabulous and loyal customers, so thank you for being part of the NOCO family.
The nature of thin hair can make styling it difficult. There are not too many styles that mimic the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. The search for easy hairstyles for thin hair has encouraged some to take hair growth supplements, hide under hats and hairspray, or spend a fortune on extensions.
Don’t despair! It’s not necessary to make a big chop when you have fine hair; there are several looks you can do with it without having to sacrifice length. We even have some natural techniques to increase your hair’s thickness.
Volumizing hair products make their sales by pushing the ‘horrors’ of dull, thinning hair. In reality, fine hair should be embraced, since it can be simple to look after and give a neat, refined look that puts the emphasis on your face.
Of course, if you’re after fuller-looking hair, there are several styles you can choose to help you achieve this.
1. The Tousled Bob
If you have fine hair, the thought of chopping it off might scare you. Understandably, it seems counter intuitive, but lopping hair off gives the appearance of fuller and healthier locks. A shorter length makes volumizing styles easier.
Adding multiple layers to your bob in a choppy style is a great way to add volume and texture to your hair, while adding body and hydration. Incorporate some styling cream into your hair as you rock the messy hair look to get effortless hold, bounce, and depth.
2. Angled Pixie Cut
In this style, your stylist will be able to create multiple layers of shorter hair in the back, while having the strands get longer in the front to disguise your thinning strands. This look can create an illusion of thicker and deeper hair even on thin, straight hair.
3. Framing Layers
Cutting layers into your hair might feel like you’re thinning out your hair even more. However, it actually works to add depth to your style, and draw attention towards your face.
If you feel your hair is limp, having framing strands of varying lengths creates some lovely movement and energy to hair. They’ll also look effortlessly elegant when you pull face-framing locks down from an up-do.
4. Blunt fringe
A chic blunt bob is a timeless statement of style. It also works wonders for fine hair by providing some eye-catching structure and clean-cut edges, which give the appearance of hair being fuller.
This style blends perfectly no matter your hair’s colour, length, or thickness. However, it’s important to avoid the temptation of cutting it yourself with kitchen scissors- mistakes with a blunt fringe are far from forgiving!
5. Bouffant updo
This style gives some major volume to hair of any thickness. You can work this look to provide the level of drama that suits you by simply teasing out the hair around your crown in an up-do. Your hairstylist will have some great techniques to create the ultimate bouffant that won’t leave you looking like a poodle.
6. Highlighted Waves
Wavy hairstyles can add instant volume, shape, and movement to your style- perfect for camouflaging finer hair.
This can be achieved by a trip to your stylist, who can use the right tools to give you curls as tight or loose as you’d like, and a colour palette that matches your skin for some gorgeously toned highlights.
This type of wave is also easy to create without using heat, which means less damage! Simply wash your hair, then braid it overnight before going to bed. In the morning, simply remove the braids to reveal gorgeous waves!
Highlights add to this effect as they add more definition and depth to hair. They can also liven it up and emphasise the shape and movement of the waves. Combined, the result is gorgeously bouncy fuller looking hair.
7. Asymmetrical Bob
Having a bob is a great hairstyle for women with thinning hair, since it provides volume without the thinning ends or roots. No one will notice your thinning hair as the dramatically chic cut is the star of the show.
The length of your cut can vary depending on your personal style. Women with fine hair are more likely to opt for a shorter style, while those with voluminous hair are more likely to choose a longer cut, but the choice is entirely yours.
8. The Clifton Cut
This is our own signature hairstyle, carefully designed to look good on every hair type.
The Clifton cut will enhance the layers around the crown to enhance the volume of your hair while protecting the weight line and external shape of your hair. This works to enhance your volume by lifting the hair whilst retaining your length.
The Clifton Cut was created by the NOCO experts as an energetic, full style that adds volume to your crown and is easy to maintain. The structure of this style makes your hair look thicker, and it holds layers together when tied back. The cut reduces split ends and leaves you with stronger, fuller looking hair.
No matter your hair texture and thickness, this versatile cut can be styled curly, wavy, or straight. Talk to your stylist about adding a fringe or adding elements from other styles to make a bespoke cut.
Natural ways to help thin hair
Think about your diet
Much like the rest of your body, your hair needs the right nutrients to grow healthy and strong. If you’re after thicker hair, there are vitamins that can encourage this. Try to eat more healthy fats, protein, and omega 3- these can be found in foods like avocado, nuts, lentils, and fruits and veg. We have 3 great recipes that are as delicious as they are good for your hair! Read them here.
Don’t over wash
You may have heard that overusing shampoo can remove the natural oils from your hair. This is true, and if your hair is dry and unprotected it is more prone to breakage, leaving your hair thinner and more limp. Whilst you should still maintain a good washing routine, take care to preserve your hair’s natural moisture.
Use the right products
If you aren’t using products that fit your hair, you may risk damaging it and encouraging breakage and hair loss. Those who have over bleached their hair risk having it snap off or even melt away! You should always think carefully about what goes on your hair. If you are unsure or need suggestions, your stylist can help you out.
Consider aspects of your lifestyle
Unfortunately, there are some situations out of our control that thin our hair. This includes your hormones, genetics, the menopause, and even stress. Whilst there may not be much you can do to prevent this, looking after your general wellbeing and health can have an impact on your hair.
Ready for a new look?
Remember, there is no ‘right’ way to style thin hair. What works for someone else won’t always work for you, so it’s important to choose what makes you feel good regardless of the thickness of your hair.
Whatever you choose, do what makes you feel beautiful and confident: wear your thin hair with pride, don’t hide yourself! Whether it’s short or long, layered or bobbed, or a mixture, remember that your hair is what makes you, you.
If you’re ready to make a change with fabulous new hair, NOCO is here to guide you every step of the way from choosing your style to finishing it off with a gorgeous flourish. Our experts can even give you advice on how to maintain and care for your look after you’ve left the salon.
We can’t wait to meet you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about your hair, and you can book in here. See you soon!
Why is my Philosophy Different About Cutting Hair?
When you’ve been in hairdressing as long as I have, you begin to notice the way that cuts and styles ebb and flow. Whilst change is a constant in this business, there’s a steady shift that’s been ongoing for the past two decades. This is a shift from cutting as a service to styling as an art form, with power moving to the hands of the clients.
How and why has Hairdressing Changed?
I started hairdressing back in 1998 and worked through to the early 2000s. Then revisited hairdressing in 2008.
During that early era, the common thing to be done was a client would look for a magazine when they came into the salon. They’d find a picture of a style that they liked, or they’d bring a newspaper cutting in, and we’d make a variation of it to suit them. Hair cutting was very much in the hairdressers hands back then.
After my second stint in hairdressing, things started to change dramatically. The Digital Age dawned, and people came in more clued up than before, as they did their own research on the latest trends and techniques.
Social media and the internet gave us things like Pinterest or Instagram, which played a huge role in how people wanted their hair done. This was great, because it gave us a whole new world of content. However, it also meant that clients were coming in with high expectations, hoping to achieve the same trendy hair as seen in edited Instagram pictures.
The power has now shifted into the hands of the clients, who are more up to date than ever on hair trends.
What this Meant for Hairdressers
What we found was there was a massive swing from funky haircuts to colouring techniques. Particularly, from dip dye into balayage and ombre, creating that perfect colour blend. From a cutter’s point of view this was interesting, but a little unoriginal at the same time. In a way, the stylist is given far less creative freedom because people were coming in wanting long, straight hair.
From a technical point of view, hairdressers gave up on cutting in a sense. This is where we think it’s a bit of a lost art.
The standard of hairdressing throughout the world really dropped from a cutting point of view. This was because hairdressers were more focused on colour, and clients didn’t really notice whether their hair was an inch and a half longer on one side than the other. This let some hairdressers get away with murder. A good haircut just became harder to find.
I’m grateful for the fact that I managed to learn my craft in a time where hair cutting was prevalent and respected. In the 10 years following, colourers gained a lot of this respect and attention instead!
Hairdressing and Covid
When lockdown came, people stuck at home grew bored and wanted to change up their look. Many grew out their hair since they didn’t know how to cut it themselves, or thought a long period alone was the perfect time to grow. Lots of people chose to accept their natural colour and embrace the grey. And of course, we all know people who chose to completely change their hair colour with box dye (to varying levels of success).
People also had a go at cutting their own hair at home, and particularly their own fringes. I think we can agree that after this period of DIY styles, hair cutting became a little bit more respected. Since we’ve come back from lockdown, we found that cutting hair is an essential- especially hairdressers who are knowledgeable enough to achieve perfection, and this is the level that we perform at NOCO hair.
The NOCO Philosophy
At NOCO, we’ve created our own philosophy, because we understand the power of a good haircut. If your hair looks great, you stand a little taller. You’re more confident, and you breed more success. When you feel bad about your hair, it has the reverse effect. It can make you feel drab, down and you might want to hide yourself away.
We have the formula to make you feel fabulous. There are two things we have to look at before we give you an amazing style; the fixed analysis, and the variable.
The first thing we look at is our fixed analysis. These are all things that we can’t change. This might be a person’s proportions, their nose, their eyes, their mouth, a scar, hair loss, the texture that they’ve got, the thickness of each hair, and the amount of strands on the scalp.
And then we also look at the variable analysis. The variable analysis is things that we can change, such as choice of length, the products that we use, the colours we apply, and the chosen technique. Should we raise the head, use a blanket, or chip into their hair? What size of comb do we use? All these variables make a massive difference to our haircuts, and our stylists have the experience and know-how to make the right choices every time.
The Art of Haircutting
But it’s more than just a one size fits all formula. We like to experiment to find the very best, and that’s why we’ve designed our two original haircuts. These are the enigmatic Vitality Cut and the Clifton Cut.
The Clifton cut is designed to give you volume around the crown and maintain weights around the external shape. You’ll find that it actually makes you feel like you’ve got more hair than when you started!
Then we designed the Vitality cut. This one is a super versatile haircut that can be worn with or without fringe, curly or straight. The cut reduces weight around the face, giving you a framing look and more volume, more shine. Our aim is to give you hair that looks and feels healthier, whilst still being easy to maintain.
Experience the art of hairdressing with NOCO
The utmost point of our philosophies in life is that we want to change the world. We want to inspire and educate hairdressers, and empower them to have the skills to be able to go out and make real change for somebody. We think it’s an amazing thing to be able to make a person feel great about themselves by doing their hair.
The power of a haircut is amazing. And we would love to offer out a complimentary consultation for anybody who has any concerns or would like us to really look in depth about finding the perfect style for you. We would love to see you and create something really special together, so please don’t hesitate to book in.