Anne advises on the latest developments in hair extensions in this Q&A session:
What are the latest advancements in the world of hair extensions? Applications are now made very easy by enabling the stylist to fix 5 extensions at a time e.g. Balmain’s Systeme Volume.
How has the industry moved on in recent times? There is much more transparency about where the hair is sourced and the ethical issues around this.
Which are your favourite systems and why? Balmain as I love the Double Hair system. No more hair shedding and very fast application. Fantastic quality. Systeme Volume too, see above. We also stock Racoon which is great for pre-bonded full and partial heads.
Do you think all hair salons should offer hair extensions and why? Yes, as it has almost become part of every day wear and it widens your horizon in term of creativity and the choice available to clients. For e.g. it’s a chemical free, completely safe colour service.
What are the benefits of adding the service to their menu? You’re viewed as an all around hairdresser, you widen your client base.
When it comes to choosing an extensions system for their business, what would salon owners consider? Easiness of application, quality of hair, choice of colour, availability and speed of delivery, education and back up. Ethical sourcing.
How much profit can be made from hair extensions (can you suggest average client cost and earning potential for salons please?)? Varies according to extensions products but for example, a full head of high quality hair extensions might cost the client £4
0 and the appointment £300. Our gross margin on this would be £350. We charge a 15% admin cost on cost of hair and then service is £70/hour ( £84 with Anne)
Which different types of extensions systems should salons offer to ensure they have something to suit all clients? Hot bonding as it is the longest lasting extension. Micro ring for the clients who don’t like the idea of keratin bonding. Clip ons for more temporary styles, these are ideal for weddings, parties.
What are the pitfalls to be aware of when offering extensions? It’s a very high earning service, but potentially very high risk in term of customer complaints. Be sure you’ve done a very thorough consultation. Don’t hesitate to turn a client away if she’s not suitable for the service. It’s an expensive service so client will have very high expectations, make sure they are realistic. UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER!
How can salon owners ensure that clients are given the best possible service to avoid any potential problems? By running a very thorough consultation and offering ( insist!) on a complimentary follow up appointment a week after the original appointment.
What do you see happening in the future in terms of innovations and breakthroughs? Maybe synthetic hair which will be so similar to hair, with the same styling property. It would mean a reduction in the cost of hair and would deal with any remaining ethical issues around who has supplied the hair.
What are the latest advancements in the world of hair extensions? Applications are now made very easy by enabling the stylist to fix 5 extensions at a time e.g. Balmain’s Systeme Volume.
How has the industry moved on in recent times? There is much more transparency about where the hair is sourced and the ethical issues around this.
Which are your favourite systems and why? Balmain as I love the Double Hair system. No more hair shedding and very fast application. Fantastic quality. Systeme Volume too, see above. We also stock Racoon which is great for pre-bonded full and partial heads.
Do you think all hair salons should offer hair extensions and why? Yes, as it has almost become part of every day wear and it widens your horizon in term of creativity and the choice available to clients. For e.g. it’s a chemical free, completely safe colour service.
What are the benefits of adding the service to their menu? You’re viewed as an all around hairdresser, you widen your client base.
When it comes to choosing an extensions system for their business, what would salon owners consider? Easiness of application, quality of hair, choice of colour, availability and speed of delivery, education and back up. Ethical sourcing.
How much profit can be made from hair extensions (can you suggest average client cost and earning potential for salons please?)? Varies according to extensions products but for example, a full head of high quality hair extensions might cost the client £400 and the appointment £300. Our gross margin on this would be £350. We charge a 15% admin cost on cost of hair and then service is £68/hour ( £79 with Anne)
Which different types of extensions systems should salons offer to ensure they have something to suit all clients? Hot bonding as it is the longest lasting extension. Micro ring for the clients who don’t like the idea of keratin bonding. Clip ons for more temporary styles, these are ideal for weddings, parties.
What are the pitfalls to be aware of when offering extensions? It’s a very high earning service, but potentially very high risk in term of customer complaints. Be sure you’ve done a very thorough consultation. Don’t hesitate to turn a client away if she’s not suitable for the service. It’s an expensive service so client will have very high expectations, make sure they are realistic. UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER!
How can salon owners ensure that clients are given the best possible service to avoid any potential problems? By running a very thorough consultation and offering ( insist!) on a complimentary follow up appointment a week after the original appointment.
What do you see happening in the future in terms of innovations and breakthroughs? Maybe synthetic hair which will be so similar to hair, with the same styling property. It would mean a reduction in the cost of hair and would deal with any remaining ethical issues around who has supplied the hair.
Being creative with your hair colour can quickly become a disaster if you constantly change it and use harsh hair dye (containing more ammonia and bleach). Try to stay as close to your natural hair hue as possible. And if you want to go for something more unusual and edgy, stick to a professional hairstylist as he/she will know how to do it appropriately without damaging your hair. The little extra you pay for makes the whole difference!
HOW the experts will persuade you not to do your own colour…this is what our stylists will tell you and its true.
When home colour does come up, acknowledge that the ingredients are similar, but home colour is created with no idea who is going to use it. So, to work adequately for a wide variety of women with various hair colors and types, it’s harsher, with a higher developer volume than you would use. This way, a woman with light brown and dark
brown hair can use the same product. But they won’t get the same results, no one will get what’s shown on the box and if a woman already has colour, there’s no predicting what will happen. Also mention:
1. The model in the photo on the box did not do her own colour!
2. Home colour can’t account for hair texture or condition. Porosity, curl and more can greatly effect colour results and hair health. Ask: “Would you use harsh detergents and hot water on every fabric you own?”
3. Application is extremely important. Even a “simple” root retouch can be messy to do yourself, and if you overlap the colour, you can get dry ends and colour build-up. Then, you’ll have dark ends and grey that still shows at the roots.
4. Ammonia-free doesn’t mean chemical free, and home colour could use a large percentage of an ammonia substitute.
5. Ask your client if she understands the “base” of a colour product, underlying pigment, and how to avoid getting orange when “just making brown hair lighter.” Explain, this really is chemistry that you studied during your training.
6. You can’t really get a dimensional look from box colour. The grey coverage client is most likely to use home colour, so explain your choices and the potential pitfalls, and offer easy, affordable options.
For more about hair colouring at Anne Veck salons visit https://www.anneveckhair.com/colouring.html
Anne’s Avant Garde Secrets…in which Anne reveals her passion for avant gare hairdressing….
Q Avant-garde hairstyles, Art of Hair – what is it for? What does it give? Why are you personally interested in it?
A I love the creativity, I hate the hours and hours of trial and error required to create a new technique or come up with a new concept! It’s art, for sure!
Q Are postiches and hairpieces a separate type of craft? Is it a separate skill or should hair stylists learn it?
A Postiche and hair pieces are similar. I’m self taught but I’m sure formal training on hair pieces and wigs is very worthwhile.
Q Has anything changed in hairpiece making for the past 20 years? Are there any new technologies? Are there any new constructions?
A I use use very unconventional methods like a coat hanger inside a wig to give the desired shape. I can’t speak for other hairdressers, we all have our “secret” techniques!
Q How is progress penetrating this ancient craft? How do you make such constructions (from the technical point of view)?
A What are modern frameworks? If you are building a house you need solid foundations and then you build shape on the top of it.
Q How are concepts worked out? How is fashion involved in designing concepts? And how is art involved?
A You have to find a direction for your collection. A mood board is a great way to keep on track of your ideas and communicate with the rest of your creative team. Link your ideas with fashoin by keeping on top of what is happening on catwalk during the international fashion weeks.
Q How long does it take to make a wig?
A Any time from 20min to 20hours it depends on how intricate it is.
Q How many people do you need to make one item (wig)?
A Just me. Occasionally I will ask help if the fabric I’ve created with hair to make the wig will take too long to make or if I need lots of it.
Q What is used more often in the process of manufacturing hairpieces – synthetic or natural hair?
A I try as much as possible to use synthetic because of the cost, but you can’t beat real hair as it is a lot easier to work with especially if you need to curl.
Q How comfortable do models feel in wigs? As for colouring, – how difficult is it to choose the wig colour and the colour of the models’ hair so that they will match? Do you have any secrets?
A That’s something you need to keep in mind especially if the models need to wear the hair piece for long. There are a very wide range of colour available so matching the hair is reasonably easy.
To see Anne and Emmanuel’s award winning avant garde collections ( 7 times finalists for Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, visit https://www.anneveckhair.com/avant_garde_hair.html.
Anne answers some questions about what action Anne Veck Limited is taking to reduce its negative impact on the environment and what the industry could do overall…..
What role do hairdressers play in conserving the environment and how do you work to get this point across to customers?
Hair salons can use recycled materials and take other measures in the same way all businesses can but the big difference we can make is in reducing energy use and carbon emissions. Salons consume large amounts of energy, especially energy used to heat water and power hair dryers. The industry can set an example by using green sources of energy and by reducing energy use. At Anne Veck Oxford we have installed a “BlueGen” ceramic fuel cell which converts gas to electricity in an incredibly efficient way, cutting our energy use by 70% and our carbon footprint by half; we have water saving devices at the backwashes and we use Easy Dry biodegradeable towels instead of traditional cotton towels which of course have to be washed in hot water.
We have communicated our green message to our clients in the salon with posters and fact sheets and by educating the team to explain the main features to them. There is detailed information at www.anneveckhair.com and we post information regularly on facebook, twitter and our blog. Clients are really interested and, we hope, isspired to take action themselves.
What environmental elements does your salon have?
BlueGen ceramic fuel cell , LED energy saving lighting throughout, Easy Dry biodegradeable towels, water saving devices at the backwashes, stationery from FSC certified paper and card; all waste materials are recycled if possible.
What do you do with waste hair? Do you use refillable shampoo bottles?
Waste hair is an interesting problem. There is no where in Oxfordshire which will accept waste hair except to take it for landfill, because none of the recycling companies use the technology needed, which is called an aneorobic digester. However this is available in some areas, so salon owners should investigate locally. Start with your local council. You can compost hair in a garden compost heap but you’ll need a local authority license to remove it from the salon to do this.
Shame on us, we don’t use refillable shampoo bottles- but I’m going to work out how we can!
Do you make the most of any government legislation/grants etc?
We applied for government Green Deal funding to change the lighting at our Bicester salon to LED low energy. We were fortunate to be one of three local business to receive a grant which covered £4,000 of a £5,000 cost of doing this, for all our lighting, inside and out, including retial displays. The work was done as part of an interim refit and was completed in January this year.
At Oxford we receive government Feed In Tariff (FiTs) funds for all the electricity the BlueGen generates. This is the same scheme you can be in if you install solar power or other green energy .
How can stylists blow dry more efficiently?
(Jade I don’t know the answer to this, except work quickly! – can you help?) As well as blow drying more efficiently, stylists should switch off all their electrical gear at the end of the day and not leave it on to charge over night. This is not only wasteful of energy but a fire hazard!
Do you encourage clients to use dry shampoo?
Only when its the best option, for example so they don’t wash their hair too often which, of course can damage it by reducing oil content excessively.
How do you go about educating staff on the environment?
Constant drip drip approach! We introduced the eco salon’s features to them when we re-opened and since then it is a constant topic of conversation. They do enjoy explaining it to their clients and I think this is a very effective motivator. They are proud to work in one the most eco friendly salons.
How do you maintain green standards?
Constant monitoring – especially for recycling and reducing waste. You do have to be on the look out for team members chucking recyclables in the landfill bin and vice versa! With energy, it’s easy now the systems are set up. We don’t rest on our laurels, though. I’m still hoping to find somewhere we can compost hair and the issue of product packaging and content is important. Our main suppliers, Matrix, have made great improvements with their card and plastic packaging and the Biolage range is very environment friendly.
Do you have any innovative tips/tricks to going green?
The big issue is energy and carbon emissions. Change your energy supplier to a “green” energy supplier at the next opportunity.
How do you work with product manufacturers to reduce yours and their carbon footprint?
We have been involved as a case study in the L’Oreal Sustainable Salons programme and we have received a great deal of support from Matrix, who are actively making more sustainable both the contents and the packaging of their products, especially Biolage.
Here is Anne’s education offer for 2014. For Anne’s training videos, go to https://www.anneveckhair.com/training_videos.html
Hairdressing education by Anne Veck 2014
Long hair tuition, inspiration and motivation! Anne is renowned for her avant garde, bridal and red carpet hair and she also loves to share her cutting and colour expertise. At your academy, college or salon or at Anne Veck Bicester. Motivate your team with bespoke education by Anne Veck!
Anne has been nominated eight times for the British Hairdressing Awards and four times for the Creative HEAD Most Wanted. In 2012 she was a Finalist for the AIPP Grand Trophy, the ultimate international hairdressing accolade. The Anne Veck Artistic Team present regularly at the Alternative Hair Show at the Royal Albert Hall.
She is honoured to be Artistic Director for Matrix and Brand Ambassador for Kasho Scissors and Easy Dry eco towels. Anne owns two busy salons in which she works at least two days each week, ensuring her teaching is grounded in practical salon experience.
Anne Veck Avant Garde workshops in 2014
New for 2014, Anne invites you to join her in an intensive Avant Garde workshop, covering finding inspiration through to the finished look. Learn to create amazing shapes to produce fantastic looks for your collection.
The first date is Sunday 15th June at Anne Veck Bicester, with more to follow.
£120.00 inc. VAT per person, payable in advance. Price includes refreshments and light lunch.
One to one master classes Spend a day with Anne exploring the topic of your choice!
At your academy, college or salon or group bookings at Anne Veck Bicester
Anne will deliver the following at your academy, college or salon or she will tailor her teaching to meet your exact requirements. Alternatively she welcomes small groups to Anne Veck Bicester near Oxford.
How to organise a photo shoot which won’t cost the earth!
Discover how to organise models, stylists, photographer and make-up artist on a reasonable budget to produce a collection for publication or competition entry. One or two days.
For hairdressers working to a budget, interested in entering photographic competitions and creating collections for their own marketing and PR use.
Focus on the bride – introduction to bridal hair styling
Learn how to create fashionable but classic long hair styles perfect for brides.
Students will create beautiful shapes using chignon and French pleat techniques, freeing themselves from over dependence on hair pins and hair spray! You will also learn how to secure a tiara and veil.
For stylists with a basic knowledge of hair up and beginners with NVQ Level 2.
Participants should bring a hair up brush, pin tail comb, hair grips, elastic bands, sectioning clips, hair spray and straighteners to curl with.
Advanced bridal hair styling
Learn to incorporate clip on extensions and padding to achieve gravity defying volume, giving long voluptuous styles to delight your bride. Create amazing shapes to produce fantastic images for your portfolio. For stylists with at least one year on the salon floor and able to do basic hair up and ideal for those involved in photo shoots and show work.
Participants should bring hair up brush, pin tail comb, hair grips, elastic bands, sectioning clips, hair spray, straighteners, curling tongues or conical wand.
Avant garde behind the scenes
This advanced course starts with the story behind Anne’s latest avant garde collections, from finding inspiration through to the finished look. Learn to create amazing shapes to produce fantastic images for your collection.
For stylists involved in show work and interested in creating their own photo shoot collections
Participants should bring hair up brush, pin tail comb, hair grips, elastic bands, sectioning clips, hair spray, straighteners, curling tongues or conical wand.
Classic cutting – foundation cutting
Develop your cutting skills on the classic haircuts, including one length, graduated bob and layers, which every cut is based on. Working with mannequin heads you will learn skills and ideas to increase your confidence and delight your clients. It will also prepare students for more advanced cutting techniques.
Fo r hairdressers with NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, recently qualified stylists or those returning to the trade who want to perfect their cutting skills.
Participants should bring scissors ,brushes, combs, tongs/straighteners and hair dryers.
Progressive cutting – razor and point cutting
Explore the techniques of texturising, razoring ,point cutting and finishing techniques to achieve the perfect look. Participants will learn to personalise the cut to suit each individual client’s face shape and hair type. Working with mannequin heads, participants will practise two different looks using various techniques and tools. The results will incorporate challenging and interesting angles to give commercial but edgy looks.
For experienced stylists and NVQ Level 3 students, with a minimum of three years on the floor.
Participants should bring cutting tools, including razor, cutting comb, sectioning clips, hair dryer and styling brushes.
Colour with confidence – theory and placementof packets
Gain confidence in darkening, lightening or changing the tone of previously coloured hair. Participants will learn the basic principles of colour numbering systems, lose any fear of colour correction and equip themselves to deal with difficult colour situations. Theory in the morning, followed by practical session in the afternoon, working with mannequin heads?
Forhairdressers with NVQ Level 2 or a minimum of three years on the floor.
Participants should bring hairdryer, brush, tail comb and sectioning clips.
Perfect blow dry
Learn how to create volume, lift on the roots and perfect curls, to achieve fabulous styles which will increase your clients’ loyalty. Demonstration in the morning, practical in the afternoon, working on mannequin heads or live models.
For apprentices and learners with at least one year’s experience.
Participants should bring hair dryer, brushes, sectioning clips and comb.
Recommended minimum participants at academies, colleges and salons 4, maximum participants 12.
Running time 6 hours including breaks, e.g. 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Anne’s fees
£800.00 per day exc. VAT. Travel – mileage charge 45p per mile or by train or air at cost
Over night accommodation if necessary at cost.
At Anne Veck Bicester £750.00 per day exc.VAT.
Fees are by the day, irrespective of number of participants
Deposit A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking.
Cancellation fees
More than 4 weeks’ notice no charge / Less than 4 weeks’ notice 25%
Less than 3 weeks’ notice 50% / Less than 2 weeks’ notice 75%
Less than 1 week’s notice 100%
Testimonials
I just wanted to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to Anne for a fabulous day at the ‘Extend your limits’ course on 2nd July. I flew down from Scotland to attend it and I absolutely loved meeting Anne and learning from her. I will certainly book again! Louise Chrystal, bridal hairdresser
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your course. It gave me my passion for long hair back again …how motivated my team were after your visit to the salon Natasha Pearson, Pearson-Clark Hairdressing
Just a quick line to thank you for an excellent course. All the girls were really enthusing about it. It is so nice to have such positive feedback for a change. Please send me details of other courses you do, as we would certainly like to send our staff on more Peter Daniels, Chapters Hair Design
I must say I love your enthusiasm with your work and your approach to teaching Vivienne Moore, Vivienne’s
Anne was absolutely brilliant at Salon Smart and I overheard lots of the delegates saying how impressed they were with her work Carole Taylor, Director ClientWave Ltd
I attended ‘Focus on the bride’ at Aston and Fincher. Thank you very much, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learnt so much from you. You are an inspiration. I have been practising lots, my confidence is growing and I now enjoy experimenting doing different styles. Ilana Halter
For further information and bookings, call Keith Mellen on 01865 744612 or e-mail keith@anneveckhair.com. For information on Anne Veck salons visit www.anneveckhair.com and w
Press release by Newcastle-under-Lyme College about an event to promote apprenticeships to local hair salons…to find out more about careers with Anne Veck hairdressers visit https://www.anneveckhair.com/careers_anne_veck.html
Top hair stylists showcase apprenticeships
Top hair stylist Anne Veck showcased her work to local hairdressers in a bid to encourage apprenticeship recruitment.
Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) organised the event which was free by invitation to local hairdressers interested in recruiting an apprentice.
The event was held at the College’s £60 million campus on Knutton Lane and featured hairdressing demonstrations by Anne Veck who was supported by current NULC apprentices and colour work by Matrix.
Anne Veck is one of a selection of the UK’s top hairdressers working with the College throughout the year to educate fellow hairdressers and highlight the benefits of apprentices to local employers.
Phil Davies, Business Development Manager, at NULC said: “The event was the second in a number of events working with top hairstylists and was another huge success with over 100 in attendance, including more than 30 employers.”
Phil continued: “The events are designed to showcase quality work by top UK hairdressers to local businesses and let employers know that we can support them to develop quality apprentices whose training may be paid for and who could attract a £1500 grant.”
The National Apprenticeship Service will provide AGE 16 to 24 grants, with an individual value of £1,500, to eligible employers in respect of qualifying apprentices. AGE 16 to 24 is available to employers of less than 1,000 employees, who can confirm they are not able to employ the apprentice without the initiative and who have not had a new recruit or existing employee start an Apprenticeship in the last 12 months
NULC offers an Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship in Hairdressing, NVQ Level 2 in Barbering, and an Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship in Beauty Therapy.
Anne Veck has been named ambassador for Easydry and here she explains why she has switched to disposable towels.
Sustainability guru Anne Veck has taken her commitment to the environment one step further by dumping her cotton towels and onerous laundry system to sign up with pioneering disposable towel producer, Easydry. At the same time, she has become an ambassador for the crusading eco brand to spread the word of Easydry’s highly absorbent, luxuriously soft and hygienic eco disposable towels.
‘I began looking at the environmental differences between using and laundering cotton towels and disposable salons earlier this year and I found there was so much unnecessary waste with cotton,’ said Anne, who earlier this year converted her salon so it has an almost zero carbon footprint. ‘And when I looked in more detail at disposable towels I knew instantly I wanted to work with Easydry. It has gone much further than any other company in seeking out the greenest, most sustainable ingredients and partners, and all its processes are completely transparent.’
Anne Butterly, CEO of Vytal, producer of multi-award winning Easydry was keen to work with Anne to help dispel some of the myths that surround disposable towels.
‘Technological innovation by Vytal has allowed us to develop a next-generation textile that is luxuriously soft, highly absorbent and hygienic,’ said Anne. ‘It is a high-end eco product that salon clients love without it carrying a luxury price tag. Salons can actually upgrade their service to one-use only and eco-friendly towels while cutting costs. We are delighted to work with Anne to spread the word through the rest of the industry.’
Easydry enables salons to reduce their carbon footprints as the towels are 100 per cent biodegradable, and are made from natural wood fibres sourced in a sustainable way and made into towels using eco-friendly processes. Easydry are the only disposable towels to have been awarded the highly recognisable FSC certification.
Here is Anne looking lovely in her official PR photo – to find out more about Anne Veck salons’ environmental actions visit www.anneveckhair.com and to book an appointment on line go to https://www.anneveckhair.com/book_online.html.
A lovely review of Anne’s Avant Garde and Advanced Long Hair course by Louise Chrystal at http://www.louisechrystal.com.
Thank you so much Louise!
I was up with the birds to catch a flight down to Birmingham for Anne Veck’s Avant Garde course.
I have always been hugely influenced by Anne’s work so I was quite nervous to meet her! I need not have worried. She intoduced herself and was so personable and friendly that I felt like I had known her for years!Anne took the time to find out exactly what everyone was hoping to learn from the course and she ensured that we left with that knowledge.
She took us through her award winning photoshoots and broke down the styles for us divulging tricks of the trade as she went along.
On Scalp fishtail braid by Anne
Chic Bun by Anne
Perfecting her finger waves by Anne
Anne demonstrating the Hepburn-esque style
I can now do perfect finger waves using modern day tools which is invaluble for brides and shoots. Something that no other teacher has ever broken down enough for me!! We then covered different techniques for setting, hair padding, weft work, braiding and all things Avant Garde.
I cannot wait to experiment for my upcoming photo-shoots!
Fab finger waves: My work!!
In the afternoon, Anne was hands on while we worked on our dolly heads. This was invaluable as we learned from each other’s work and Anne imparted advice on technique.
Audrey Hepburn-esque: My work
My Hepburn style from the back
My Hepburn style, front view
She was delighted to hear about our inspirations and experiences. I was delighted to hear that after my query with the Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation, Anne was invited to meet with them. I hope she is able to offer training to members – Result!! I will definitely be attending more of her courses.
She is a true free spirit, not a product of a big name salon group. Nonetheless, she has carved out her niche at the top of the industry.
While waiting on my flight home I looked up some people that Anne told me about, Haute Coiffure Francaise, Laetitia Guenaou and Christophe Gaillet. This information along with the ‘how to’ magazine, pictures and videos Anne allowed us to take has given me enough food for thought for the next few months!
I can’t thank her enough for a truly inspiring day that I will never forget.
– See more at: http://www.louisechrystal.com/2012/07/inspiring-anne-veck-course.html#sthash.JxeGvZGd.dpuf, or to see Anne’s amazing avant garde collections, go to https://www.anneveckhair.com/avant_garde_hair.html
What are the latest advancements in the world of hair extensions? Applications are now made very easy by enabling the stylist to fix 5 extensions at a time e.g. Balmain’s Systeme Volume.
How has the industry moved on in recent times? There is much more transparency about where the hair is sourced and the ethical issues around this.
Which are your favourite systems and why? Balmain as I love the Double Hair system.No more hair shedding and very fast application. Fantastic quality. Systeme Volume too, see above.
Do you think all hair salons should offer hair extensions and why? Yes, as it has almost become part of every day wear and it widens your horizon in term of creativity and the choice available to clients. For e.g. it’s a chemical free, completely safe colour service.
What are the benefits of adding the service to their menu? You’re viewed as an all around hairdresser, you widen your client base.
When it comes to choosing an extensions system for their business, what would salon owners consider? Easiness of application, quality of hair, choice of colour, availability and speed of delivery, education and back up. Ethical sourcing.
How much profit can be made from hair extensions (can you suggest average client cost and earning potential for salons please?)? Varies according to extensions products but for example, a full head of high quality hair extensions might cost the client £400 and the appointment £300. Our gross margin on this would be £350. We charge a 15%admin cost on cost of hair and then service is £68/hour ( £79 with Anne)
Which different types of extensions systems should salons offer to ensure they have something to suit all clients? Hot bonding as it is the longest lasting extension. Micro ring for the clients who don’t like the idea of keratin bonding. Clip ons for more temporary styles, these are ideal for weddings, parties.
What are the pitfalls to be aware of when offering extensions? It’s a very high earning service, but potentially very high risk in term of customer complaints. Be sure you’ve done a very thorough consultation. Don’t hesitate to turn a client away if she’s not suitable for the service. It’s an expensive service so client will have very high expectations, make sure they are realistic. UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER!
How can salon owners ensure that clients are given the best possible service to avoid any potential problems? By running a very thorough consultation.
What do you see happening in the future in terms of innovations and breakthroughs? Maybe synthetic hair which will be so similar to hair, with the same styling property. It would mean a reduction in the cost of hair and would deal with any remaining ethical issues around who has supplied the hair.Beautiful Balmain hair.