Author Archives: Yvonne Blyth

1. Colour Allergy Testing

   19th September 2023 2:47 pm Comments Off on Colour Allergy Testing

   While allergic reactions to hair colouring are rare, it can happen, so an annual Allergy Alert Test is the only way to know if it’s safe for us to use the product on your hair.

   Skin Allergy Tests help prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions to hair colour applications. We follow the guidelines from L’Oreal Professional (our manufacturers) whether you are a new or existing client. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to hair colour can include itching, hot or burning scalp, blood poisoning or at its most extreme, anaphylaxis.

   To ensure that we are giving you the highest levels of customer care, we insist on Skin Allergy Tests for your comfort and protection.

   Without one, we will not be able to colour your hair!

   A patch test for colour has long been a requirement in the beauty industry. Previously we’d always used the AAT method (where we apply a small dot of colour just behind the ear. We then ask that you leave it on for 48 hours). 

   However, we can now no longer patch test behind the ear! This makes it trickier for you to monitor for a reaction. Instead, we now apply the pre-mixed formula to your arm. If you wish, you can leave the salon with this on, as long as your arm remains uncovered for you to keep an eye on (not always a suitable option even in a Scottish summer month!). You’re then able to remove the colour after 45 minutes. If you have not had a reaction, you are good to go. 

   Colourstart, however, is our preferred allergy testing option; have you heard of it?

   Testing for colour allergy at home is a relatively new concept, and you may not be aware of what Colourstart actually is!

   We think its a real timesaver, cutting out the hassle of an in-salon patch test. Let us tell you about its benefits.
   

   First, a bit of background…

   We introduced Colourstart as a patch-testing option in 2021. So far, hundreds of our clients have taken advantage of this time-saving addition to our health and safety measures. 

   We use the highest quality products in all our salons. So, it makes perfect sense to use the highest-quality product on the market to screen our clients for allergy. 

   As the only clinically proven screening test for hair colour allergy (PPD) in the UK market, Colourstart is a genuinely high-quality product to screen our clients for allergy. 

   Colourstart is classed as a medicine and regulated by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). They’re responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe. Due to Colourstart being classed as a medicine, the industry isn’t allowed to give these out for free. They must be sold at a recommended retail price of £15. You can read more about it here and on the Government website here.

   Now, let’s get serious.

   Reactions to PPD can range from mild irritation in the scalp (this might be itchy rashes, redness or blisters) to an allergic reaction that can potentially trigger serious symptoms throughout the body. The latter is extremely rare, but it is possible. 

   We’re often asked if we have a waiver for our clients to sign, or if we can just bypass the patch test, and in all cases, we have to a say a resounding “no”.

   We get it, sometimes you just want your colour done. Whether it’s on a whim, for a last-minute holiday, or you’ve got an event and you’ve just lost track of time. We truly hate to disappoint anyone… but your safety is far more important to us. 

   Hair dyes containing PPD are perfectly safe to use if safety instructions are followed. These products are strictly regulated and there’s a maximum limit to the amount of PPD the product can contain. 

   If you, or indeed your hairdresser, ignore the safety instructions that come with the dye, which includes the patch testing procedure, you could be at risk of a serious reaction. 

   According to NHS UK, “You’re particularly at risk if you have (or have previously had) a black henna tattoo. These temporary tattoos should be avoided because the paste often contains high levels of PPD, which can increase the risk of an allergic reaction the next time you’re exposed to it. So, you could even develop a life-threatening allergic reaction when you next use PPD hair dye.” 

   Colourstart Benefits: 

   Unleash your creativity – any colour, any time. 

   Some of us like to decide on the day of our appointment exactly what shade we’ll choose. 

   Sometimes, you can’t quite put your finger on what tone of blonde to go for, and that’s absolutely fine. We’re here to guide you through what suits best. But here’s where it can get complicated, not to mention disappointing. If we opt for a shade that isn’t of the same sub-brand as the one you were patch tested with, either we can’t use that colour, or we’ll have to patch test you with that and reschedule your colour appointment. Obviously, neither of those are ideal! We use L’Oréal colourants across all our salons, but within the L’Oreal brand there are many different sub-brands of colour. We tend to use Dia Richesse, Dia Light, INOA or Majirel. While they’re all sisters, they’re all different.  

   This is where Colourstart comes in. It covers you whether you decide to drastically change your colour, or are gradually changing it appointment by appointment.  

   Similarly, you and your colourist might feel that your highlights or balayage might benefit from the use of a few different colour types. Without Colourstart, you’d now have to be patch tested for all those different brands, but opt for the one-off payment for Colourstart, and you’re free to choose any colour combination you (and your stylist) desire. 

   Colourstart saves time – you can test at home, with no need to come into the salon. 

   We know every time we ask you to come into the salon for a patch test it is at least a little bit annoying, no matter how necessary it is. With Colourstart there’s no need for any more pre-appointment visits. You apply the patch test at home and log your own results using the Colourstart Digital Passport app.   

   Yes, the testing kit is £15, but train fares or city centre parking soon add up, and if you need to come into the salon multiple times, Colourstart is a no-brainer.  

   Peace of mind

   Colourstart is fully covered by insurance, regulated & clinically proven.

   It’s the only clinically proven screening test for hair colour allergy (PPD) in the UK. Because it’s a one-off application*, you’re less likely to develop an allergy due to “active sensitisation” (basically, the opposite of a tolerance to it). Sensitisation to active substances is defined as an increased effect from the substance following repeated doses. It also comes with its own product liability insurance. 

   Simple to use and mess free

   The Colourstart Patch Test is as easy to use as plaster. No more colour applied directly to your skin with the potential of getting it on your clothes or hair. There’s no chance of Colourstart ruining your favourite top! 

   You’re not just covered in Charlie Miller salons 

   There are many salons now using Colourstart. For example, if you visit another salon while you’re in London and they are a Colourstart salon, you don’t have to go through the rigmarole of getting tested again!  

   How does it work? 

   If you pass any of our salons, pop in and purchase one there. You can also call any of our salons to arrange for one to be posted out. 

   You will be prompted to download the Colourstart Client Passport, which is an app used to record your Colourstart test results at home and,  you must then share your results with your preferred salon. 

   Simply upload a photo when the patch is applied, and again after 96 hours (the patch is removed after 48 hours), then record whether there has been a reaction. 

   No reaction means a green ‘OK to colour hair’ digital passport. 

   Any participating Colourstart hair professional will accept a green passport, making walk-in colour a reality for the first time. 

   You can renew your passport any time by retaking the screening questions. Providing your answers don’t change and your health remains the same, the passport stays green and you’re free to colour again and again.  

   Got more questions about the benefits of Colourstart allergy testing?

   Your stylist, or our reception team, are more than happy to talk you through it! 

   Pick up your Colourstart pack from any of our salons.

   Find out more about the benefits of Colourstart allergy testing here.

   *Subject to the correct use and negative reaction to Colourstart® Patch Test as per the Patient Information leaflet, and an ‘OK to colour hair’ status in any participating Salon’s Colourstart® Professional Passport, Colourstart® need not be repeated. There are exceptions including black henna, live dermatitis etc, please read the Patient Information leaflet carefully. 

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2. Book your Ticket for some Smart Love!

   25th July 2023 12:36 pm Comments Off on Book your Ticket for some Smart Love!

   Save the Date and Book your Ticket

   We are excited to invite you along to our salon at Holy Corner on Friday 8^th September (6pm-8pm) where we will spread the word and shine a light on our collaboration with charity organisation, Smart Works Scotland.

   As a ticket holder you can expect fun chat, drink and nibbles, as well as hair, beauty & fashion inspo from Charlie Miller and Womankind Beauty. You will also have the chance to win some lovely raffle prizes that include:

   Charlie Miller Haircare Hamper
   1 x ghd Gold Styler from the Pink Collection
   3 course meal for 2 with wine – Maclaren’s on the Corner
   2 x Back, Neck & Shoulder Massages – Womankind Clinic
   Voucher for Beira Clothing Boutique
   Charlie Miller Cut & Colour Voucher
   1 x ghd Glide Smoothing Hot Brush

   There will also be an opportunity to shop with a purpose as Smart Works Scotland will be popping up one of their well-renowned sale rails. These rails will be filled with pieces from Aligne, Victoria Beckham, The Fold, Boden and more. You can also enjoy some hair retail therapy from Charlie Miller.

   Tickets cost £5 ticket each and can be redeemed on the night against raffle tickets or any purchases from Charlie Miller.

   Almost a year ago, Salon Manager Amber introduced us to Smart Works Scotland; an amazing charity that gives unemployed women the clothes, coaching and confidence to help them realise their potential, secure employment, and change their lives. We were so inspired by the charity’s positive support and its empowerment of women that we immediately offered our help.

   Come along and find out more about this wonderful charity and the impact it has on women’s lives and how you might be able to help too.

   Click here to book your £5.00 tickets before they sell out! Bring your friends too. Remember your £5 ticket can be redeemed on the night against raffle tickets or any purchases from Charlie Miller.

   Small changes make a huge impact. We look forward to seeing you there!

   To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, you can also follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok.

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3. A hairdressing career – what does it look like?

   16th March 2023 12:36 pm Comments Off on A hairdressing career – what does it look like?

   Ever wondered what drives our trainees? What they do in their day? If you’re considering an apprenticeship, we’re here to share the details on what a hairdressing career looks like.

   Why choose a hairdressing apprenticeship?

   Christie, one of our trainees from Stafford Street, tells us “An apprenticeship is a great opportunity for someone who learns better hands on, rather than academically”. She thinks they should be advertised more in schools, so people know more about them.  

   Sophy, apprentice from Stockbridge, adds “I knew I wanted to have a career in hairdressing from a young age. I felt like an apprenticeship was a better option for me than going to college. You get to learn the salon basics before you become a hairdresser. You don’t just get thrown in at the deep end.” 

   But Millie, who’s currently a third year trainee, warns that this isn’t just an easy alternative to leaving school. “Definitely make sure that it’s the thing you want to do. Sometimes people just go into it thinking “Oh, that’s what I’ll do, that’s an easy option”. But make sure that it’s definitely suited to you. Something that you’re genuinely interested in and something that you enjoy as well.” 

   What might their journey look like? 

   Our apprentices are the building blocks of our company. They’re essential to keep our business thriving. We’re almost continuously seeking out new trainees. As the others flourish and grow, we must have new generations of trainees coming through the ranks ready to learn and impress. 

   Trainees join us on an initial three-year contract. 

   In these three years they begin to cover the basics of hairdressing, which begins with a straight blow-dry.  They then progress through to more complicated cuts and colours. By their third year, trainees have advanced to more challenging cuts such as crops and sharp bobs, colour changes, and have had a taste of Avant Garde styling.  

   Their three-year contract is sown with competitions, seminars, workshops and their SVQ, which they must pass to advance through their career. They’re taught how to consult with their clients, problem solve, and how to be a hairdresser in every sense.  

   And it’s not just hairdressing skills and experience that these trainees gain. Millie is on her third year tour at the moment, and she feels her confidence in social situations has grown.  “I never felt like I could really just start chatting to anyone.” She says. “But now, because this is such a social job, I can probably go somewhere and feel a bit more relaxed. And I feel like I’m better at small talk!”

   What happens when they’re almost ready to qualify? 

   As the years pass, training becomes more intense. Their trainers look for perfection, whilst their model timings become shorter, and their columns become fuller. 

   A few years ago, those starting in their third year began a ‘tour’, spending a few months in each of the other salons. This gives them an opportunity to bond with all of the teams, work in a new environment and further benefit from the vast amount of expertise in the extended Charlie Miller family.

   Although moving salon is a nerve-wracking thought for many, our hairdressers look back on these memories as defining moments in their career. “It vastly expands your knowledge” says Ruth, who is now a Salon Stylist in South Saint Andrew Street. “As a third year you have a lot more freedom to grow.”

   Molly, also a Salon Stylist in South Saint Andrew Street agrees, and adds that aside from the invaluable hairdressing knowledge, some of her strongest friendships were formed on tour. 

   What happens once they qualify?

   As they near the end of their contract, their trade test is on the horizon. This usually spans three days, and their model column allows them to showcase their skills on almost every type of cut and colour.  

   These days are intense, there’s no room for error and the trainees know this. To be a Charlie Miller hairdresser, you must execute these cuts and colours to the highest standard.  

   It’s tough but fair; to provide the highest level of customer care as a hairdresser you must know your trade, and in turn the trainees must feel confident in their own abilities. 

   With such a wealth of knowledge and fantastic trainers, these youngsters have the support of the entire team, and qualifying is always an emotional occasion. The end of an era, and the hard work doesn’t stop there. In turn, the newly qualified hairdressers are taught how to educate the new trainees, and it’s been this way for generations. Most of the Charlie Miller team, with only a few exceptions, started their hairdressing life here as a 15 or 16 year old. 

   Constant Creativity

   Hairdressers are continually learning, keeping up with what’s current and relevant and striving to be the best they can be. Ahead of them are five more cutting levels and two more colour levels they can progress through, as well as adding specialities to their craft such as Keratin treatments, wedding hair and wig cutting.  

   What happens when they aren’t doing models? 

   Although their main goal is to qualify, their day to day duties see the trainees supporting the stylists. This means washing clients hair, assisting with colour and keeping the salon clean and tidy. A busy salon also means lots of colour bowls and hair strewn floors. the apprentices work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our salons spotless. 

   When they’re not doing this, they’re observing, soaking up all the knowledge they possibly can from their colleagues. 

   Ask a trainee how their first week as a hairdressing apprentice has gone, and they’ll always say their feet hurt! 

   What’s the best part of being a trainee? 

   “The most rewarding thing about being an apprentice is knowing the outcome and that my training will benefit me in the long run and that my apprenticeship is paving my future” says Christie, while Millie tells us that, “making people feel good about themselves is really rewarding and just learning new things all the time. Also, how sociable it is. You’re constantly chatting to people, and everyone gets along. It’s tiring, rewarding and fun”.

   Sophy tells us that she’s seen her confidence grow so much, and that “seeing other hairdressers with different techniques and people being creative every day is something that inspires me.” She continues: 

   “An apprenticeship is hands on, and you get a realistic experience of becoming, and training to be, a hairdresser. You also become part of a team with other people on the same level as yourself and it’s good to push each other to achieve more goals rather than doing it individually.”  

   Why else should you work for Charlie Miller? 

   Alongside our hairdressing program we also have an extensive learning timeline to support our younger stylists and help them be the best they can be. 

   As members of the Charlie Miller family, all staff have immediate access to our wellbeing support team. We provide a listening ear or signpost them to the relevant services. The wellbeing team are also on hand to promote awareness on certain mental health topics. They also offer learning opportunities to explore these topics further.  

   At Charlie Miller our staff wellbeing is of paramount importance. We go to great lengths to ensure our colleagues work in a safe and comfortable environment. 

   We’re also mindful that many of those in the hairdressing industry come under the Neurodivergent umbrella. We take pride in our diverse team. Those who have ADHD, Dyslexia, are on the Autism Spectrum, or display any other neurodivergence, are assured that there are certain adjustments that can be put in place to make their career work for them. 

   It takes all of our staff to be healthy, happy and feel valued to function as a successful business. Our trainees are the future. Without their hard work, dedication and determination we wouldn’t be where we are today.  

   Thank you to each and every one of our hairdressing apprentices, past and present!    

   Find out more about the role and how to apply to be a hairdressing apprentice here, or email iwanttowork@charliemiller.com.

   Hear more from our trainees as they teach you how to wash your hair like a professional.

   To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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4. Choosing and Maintaining a Creative Colour

   1st February 2023 10:00 am Comments Off on Choosing and Maintaining a Creative Colour

   Is it time for you to change up your colour?

   

   Creative colour to us is anything that doesn’t look like natural colour, be it vivids, pastels or two-toned hair. Choosing and maintaining a creative colour isn’t always easy, but we have the insider knowledge on how to get the most from your bright or muted hue.

   We’ve been working with bright and pastels for many years. While they once used to shock and surprise and were often reserved for Avant Garde hair shows, nowadays they’re highly requested fashion choices. What’s more, there’s certainly no age limit on creative colours; pastels look incredible in naturally grey or white hair, and since many of the more striking tones can fade faster than natural colours, they’re often favoured by those who are new to colouring their hair.

   Get all the facts before you change it up.

   For expert tips on choosing and maintaining a creative colour, we turned to Ellie, Senior Salon Stylist and Salon Technician in our Stafford Street branch. Ellie loves to work with beautiful bright colours, and here she guides us through the decision making that goes into getting creative with your colour. (more…)

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5. Give the gift of great hair

   20th December 2022 4:24 pm Comments Off on Give the gift of great hair

   Stuck for the perfect gift for that special someone this Christmas?

   A Charlie Miller gift card is always a winner for Christmas gifting, but why not impress with an amount for a service tailored just for them, and give the gift of great hair this festive season?  Here we share how Christmas gifting with Charlie Miller can be that little bit more personal. 

   Pre-party blow-dry from £38

   We might be biased, but we reckon nothing finishes off an evening look like perfect hair. For your friend, mum or daughter with an event coming up, a gift card for a blow dry before they head out could be a winning gift, Glam Hollywood waves are perfect for Christmas and New Year parties, but our hairdressers will happily share their techniques for your loved-one to recreate the look at home. Help them on their way to perfect party hair every weekend with a GHD wide comb and some Charlie Miller Gloss oil to properly dress those curls or upgrade them to a Kerastase treatment tailored to their hair care needs.

   For your workplace Secret Santa – £15 model cut and blow dry 

   Our hairdressing apprentices are always on the lookout for models to help them progress to the next step in their career. That colleague who’s always saying they want to change up their cut might relish the opportunity to support our young trainees whilst getting a new look. Either guided or supervised by one of our talented hairdressers, a model appointment is a great way to gift the Charlie Miller experience on the office Secret Santa budget. 

   For those tricky- to- buy- for dad’s, husbands, boyfriends, brothers…why not gift them a bit of male grooming? Gents cuts from £38.

   Gents haircutting has been a part of our heritage since Charlie himself first opened ‘His Hair’ almost 60 years ago. Across all of our salons, we cut, style and colour the hair of many generations of entire families. Why not introduce the important men in your life to us this Christmas? Add in a Soft Clay Wax to top off your gift.

   Ultimate indulgence from Charlie Miller and Wo:mankind from £58 (based on a wash and blow dry with a Salon Stylist plus a file and polish from Wo:mankind) 

   For the ultimate pamper day, look no further than our Stockbridge salon. With the addition of Womankind Beauty in our newest location, spoil that special someone with a facial before, pedicure during, or manicure after their colour and cut. 

   Cut and colour make-over- prices upon consultation

   We’ll be honest, the week up to Christmas is a popular week for partners, sons and brothers seeking out last minute gifts that will impress; but not a lot of them realise the extra steps needed before their mum, sister or significant other can book in a colour. Colour can’t really be a ‘surprise’ gift, but it can be the perfect one with a little tweaking.  

   Colour clients new to us require a consultation and a patch test. Our colourists want to get the process just right, and a huge part of that is getting to know their client, talking through their wants and needs. Their safety is paramount too, so we always carry out a patch test. To get the gift of colour just right, we recommend arranging a consultation for your loved-one and presenting them with a gift card for an amount towards their service or covering the price on the day if you prefer! 

   Of course, there is an abundance of gifts available to pick up in salon.

   We have so many gorgeous Christmas treats for a special person in your life.

   With luxurious haircare products from Charlie Miller, Kérastase and L’Oréal, and a range of hairdryers from GHD and Parlux (all of which our hairdressers use in salon) you can give the gift beautiful hair at home.

   Raise your gift game with the Charlie Miller Volume range

   Amplify your Christmas gifting with our Volume Shampoo and Volume Conditioner. Add the Volume Spritz or Volume Mousse for the ultimate lift!

   Give the gift of hydration  

   Our Hydrate Shampoo, Hydrate Conditioner, 10-in-1 Spray, Smoothing Blow Dry Crème and Gloss Oil is the ultimate hair care package for those seeking hydration from the first shampoo to the finishing touches.  

   Professional sized shampoo or conditioner from £54 

   Sick of your sister slathering on your silver shampoo? Fed up with your flat mate pinching your conditioner? 

   We offer these mega 1000 ml shampoos and conditioners as a salon exclusive, so stock them up for months with our backwash sized shampoos and conditioners. With three shampoos and two conditioners to choose from, there’s no excuse for them to be running on empty for a while. 

   For the jetsetter in your life, why not give them the gift of great hair on the go? 

   Each of our salons have a limited amount of Cordless GHD’s in stock, meaning sleek hair can be achieved anywhere, without the worry of sockets or adaptors. Pair this with some travel sized Kerastase products for extra brownie points!  

   Finally, a few extra little Christmas tips from us to you… 

   Our GHD tools fly off the shelves at this time of year! We recommend calling ahead to one of our salons to check we have what you’re after in stock! We will happily reserve that sought-after gift. Find your nearest salon here.

   For those seeking a particular gift from a loved one, feel free to ask our salon-coordinators to record exactly what you’d like from Charlie Miller on your salon record card. Friends and family need only ask when they pop in to pick up a present!

   For last-minute stocking fillers, we have Invisi-bobbles, Manta Brushes, Wow Colour Root Touch Ups and a range of mini Kérastase items in all of our locations ready to pick up from our desks! 

   Don’t forget we offer various discounts for anyone under 25, as well as students. View our price list here.

   View our Christmas opening hours.

   To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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6. Are you making mistakes with your wash and blow dry?

   14th December 2022 2:45 pm Comments Off on Are you making mistakes with your wash and blow dry?

   After more than 55 years in the hairdressing business, we’ve seen our fair share of hair faux pas. From home bleaching gone wrong to ill-advised YouTube tutorial fringe trims, we’ve fixed many a blunder. 

   

   Some errors are so subtle it can be easy to make them day by day, without realising why your hair is feeling lacklustre.

   Ever wondered why your hair feels greasy, despite washing it daily? How it feels like straw despite the fact you’ve just conditioned it? We’re here to share some of our expert tips that you can easily adopt into your haircare routine, to encourage your tresses to be the very best they can be!

   Today we talk you through the three most common mistakes you could be making when it comes to your wash and blow dry routine.

   1. Not getting your hair wash routine right?

   One of the most common mistakes with your wash and blow dry is to do it too often, or with the wrong product.

   Over washing can affect the integrity of your hair, especially when using harsh shampoos or the wrong shampoo for your hair type.

   Too much washing can remove the sebum your scalp produces, which is vital to shiny, healthy hair. If you’re noticing your hair looking more frizzy than glossy, you may well be overdoing it. A little oil isn’t a bad thing; over cleansing contributes to hair dullness, possibly creating coarse feeling, difficult-to-style hair.

   Ideally, we should be washing our hair when it feels unclean to the touch, and of course this often depends on our hair type.

   Fine hair often gets greasier quickly, while thick, wavy or curly hair can afford to leave a little longer between wash days. Hair can often be ‘trained’ with a little patience, trial and error to forego the shampoo a little longer. But what if we have a particularly oily scalp, work out daily, or feel the need to wash more often due to a certain style? Hair that gets oily, sweaty, plied with styling products or just won’t sit right without a daily blow dry can be cared for better with the right daily shampoo. Solve bed-head problems with heatless styling; experiment with sock curls and sleep in rollers.

   Shampoo with the product that best suits your hair type and hair needs. Your hairdresser can advise you on the product that suits you and your routine.

   Investing in premium haircare might be the best thing you could possibly do for your beauty routine. Using sulphates, drying alcohols and other damaging ingredients might be the reason your hair isn’t thriving. Look for high quality ingredients and tried and tested products with a professional seal of approval.

   A little goes a long way.

   While it might seem pricier, you need only use a small amount of product, and may well get away with an extra day or two in your routine. For fine hair in need of a boost, pump up the volume and give your hair body and bounce with our salon-quality Volume Shampoo, and quench thick, dry or curly hair with Hydrate Shampoo, which works wonders on dry hair and scalps.

   See our handy directions for how to wash hair like a pro.

   2. Not taking care of your wet hair after your wash might affect the final finish. 

   You’ve got that wash routine down, now it’s time to ensure you’re detangling your tresses properly! Even if you’ve remedied all other mistakes with your wash and blow dry, being heavy-handed with your just-washed hair can undo all of your hard work.

   Gently blot and squeeze the excess moisture from your hair. In salon, our trainees do this using a microfibre towel, but an old t-shirt will work as a great substitute.

   Our hair is at its most vulnerable when wet, so it makes sense that we should be treating it as gently as possible at this stage. However, it’s easier said than done when we’re in a rush.

    Despite being in its most delicate state, our wet hair is a utopia for nourishing products while damp.

   Even after using the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair concerns, your locks may still need further treatment.

   Much like our skin which often needs more than just a cleanser and moisturiser to look its best, our hair often cries out for a little extra TLC.

   When detangling, comb or use a wet brush and gently work from mid lengths to ends first. Only comb straight through the hair once your hair is carefully untangled. Our 10 in 1 spray is full of Charlie Miller magic! This leave in conditioner spray nourishes dry hair, protects your hair and scalp from the sun and prevents split ends – all with a formula that’s paraben and sulphate-free.

   The change in your hair’s structure allows ingredients to penetrate and nourish the hair from within, so this is your optimum time to treat it with your preferred (and recommended) product. We suggest Charlie Miller Smoothing Blow Dry Crème to protect your hair from heat of up to 230°C. Both paraben and sulphate free, this heat protectant treatment keeps hair looking smooth, soft and frizz-free after styling.

   3. Your final wash and blow dry mistake could be that your blow dry technique needs work!

   We’re all guilty of blasting our sopping wet hair dry when we’re in a rush. Learning some skills from the experts could save you time in the long run.

   Don’t tackle too much at once. Separate your hair into sections, starting underneath and clipping the rest away. Investing in a professional hairdryer with a nozzle can make the world of difference and use a vent brush for more control. Take a small section of hair in your brush, point your nozzle downwards and slowly work it down the section from root to tip.

   

   For the perfect finishing touch, apply an oil to your lengths and ends. A small amount of our Gloss Oil will give an extra boost of moisture, help repair any split ends and encourage shine.

   Don’t be afraid to ask for a demonstration on the best technique for your hair the next time you’re in the salon. Your hairdresser wants your chosen style to work for you every day; they’re more than happy to share their tips and tricks, to advise on products or tools to make every day a great hair day!

   The full range of Charlie Miller products are available exclusively in our salons, as well as our haircare website. Revamp your haircare routine today with free delivery when you spend £20 or more!

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7. How To Wash Your Hair Like A Professional

   25th November 2022 2:34 pm Comments Off on How To Wash Your Hair Like A Professional

   

   Have you ever marvelled at the technique used by hairdressing apprentices to get the right balance of clean yet manageable hair when they wash yours?

   Read on to find out exactly how to wash your hair like a professional!

   Having your hair washed in the salon just hits different. Often, we get a lot longer out of our wash after a visit to our hairdresser.

   But what makes a professional wash so superior to the routine we have at home?

   Having shampooed clients by the thousand, our hairdressers and trainees are the perfect people to teach you how to wash your hair like a professional.

   Not ones to gatekeep, we asked our team to share the secrets of their routine. They help us translate their technique so that you too can be a shampooing expert!

   The first reason you’re likely to get longer from a professional wash is that hairdressers use a salon approved shampoo chosen for your hair’s specific needs. 

   Finding the right product is a game-changer.

   Using the wrong product is more common than you might think, and while it might not sound like a big deal, it’s prime suspect when looking into what’s making our hair greasy the day after our wash, or why it feels like we can’t get any moisture into our manes no matter how hard we try.

   We’ve formulated our very own haircare range to help your hair feel salon fresh every day.

   For a lighter shampoo to encourage body, our hairdressers might suggest our volume range. For an intense hit of moisture, we’d encourage the use of our hydrate shampoo and conditioner.

   

   “Before I started, I didn’t realise I wasn’t washing my hair in the best way possible”, says Toni Partridge, one of our amazing Salon Stylists.

   Based in our newest location at Stockbridge, Toni has four years’ experience in caring for clients. Amongst many other things, one of Toni’s main duties before she qualified was to shampoo and condition our client’s hair, ready for our stylists to cut and blow dry.

   Perhaps the next reason you’re not getting as long from your at-home wash is that professionals tend to shampoo twice. Once explained, this makes complete sense!

   “People often wonder why we do two shampoos,” says Toni. “The first shampoo will cleanse your hair of any dirt, oiliness, or product. The second will treat your hair with the benefits of the shampoo. For example, if we’ve chosen a hydrating shampoo such as Charlie Miller Hydrate, the first one cleanses the hair and scalp while the second gets to work at its particular job; which in this case will be to intensely nourish the hair and scalp.”

   Toni has perfected her technique over the years.

   “Wet the hair with warm water, rubbing your hands together slightly for activation and to ensure you’re applying it evenly.”

   There’s no need to add shampoo to the lengths and ends of your hair.

   Concentrate on the scalp and roots, and the product will work its way through as you rinse. Your first rinse doesn’t have to be super-thorough; you’re going to repeat the process.

   You need only use a small amount of shampoo too.

   A little goes a long way with professional products, so start with a 20p size for each shampoo, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. “You shouldn’t need more than a 10p size amount” suggests Toni.

   For an experience more like your professional service, get to know their expert moves!

   “I always start at the nape of the neck” says Sophy, a hairdressing apprentice at Stockbridge. “Then I work my way up the head, concentrating on the crown and then the front of the head, being careful to reach every part of the scalp.”

   Toni agrees. “The crown and the nape of the neck are the areas people miss on their own hair most often.”

   This tried and tested technique calls for a relatively firm hand. Using the fingertips to push in toward each other, interlacing and then repeating this motion. Do this for around a minute, then rinse.

   Many of our clients tell us that having their hair washed- alongside a luxurious head massage- is their favourite part of the experience.

   Great for nourishing and thoroughly cleansing the scalp, enhancing blood circulation in the head and neck area and strengthening the roots. It also simply feels like a luxurious treat.

   Traditionally at Charlie Miller we introduce our head massage during the second shampoo.

   You can try this at home on yourself, by lathering up and then concentrating on your pressure points.

   Trainee Jodie gets many compliments on her head massages from clients. She recommends being firm yet slow.

   “The five pressure points are at the front of the head, the temples the backs of the ears, the nape of the neck and then the crown. Work your way round with your fingers in this order, keeping the pressure, and making three circles with your fingers at each point. Go back round, pressing on each pressure point this time.”

   You’ll probably find that the shampoo doesn’t lather on the first shampoo, because it’s getting to work on the oils. On the second, you’ll feel a lot more foam. This is a great way to check if you’ve got your wash technique correct.

   To truly wash your hair like a professional, condition the right way!

   Use around a 5p size amount of conditioner on your lengths and ends. Again use more if your hair is thick or particularly long. Comb through gently, and then rinse after 3-5 minutes.

   “Avoid your roots!” Warns Toni. “If you feel you need a little conditioner on the ends of a long fringe or around the hair framing your face, go ahead and apply it to them.”

   It can be so easy to over rinse your conditioner, fearing a greasy blow dry, but your hair shouldn’t feel squeaky clean. It should detangle easily without feeling oily if you’ve got the balance right.

   Toni warns us off wrapping our hair in a towel, as it can cause breakage. Instead, lightly dry with a microfibre towel then wrap it loosely.

   “Always finish with your desired heat protector before you begin your blow dry. Skipping this stage can undo all of your hard work. ”

   Heat protectors create an essential barrier between your hair and your styling tool. Our Smoothing Blow Dry Crème protects up to 230 degrees, and keeps hair looking smooth, soft and frizz-free after styling. Again, a little goes a long way- apply 1 or 2 hazelnut sized drops through your lengths and ends, then onto your blow dry!

   A professional and effective wash takes our trainees a few weeks to master, so don’t worry if you’ve not achieved the desired results straight away.

   With a little practice, you could be shampooing and conditioning like a professional, encouraging your hair to be the best it can be and getting a few more precious days from your blow dry!

   Alternatively, book online for a wash & blow dry in any of our city centre salons, and get some expert advice first-hand!

   Need a recommendation on the right shampoo and conditioner for you? Visit any of our locations for some friendly, complimentary advice.

   Our team de-bunk some more common myths in this Masterclass.

   To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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8. Help us Name a STEKAskills Hairdressing School in Malawi!

   24th November 2021 11:46 am Comments Off on Help us Name a STEKAskills Hairdressing School in Malawi!

   We are thrilled that with our clients’ help in the past 2 years we have raised enough money to kit out a STEKAskills* hairdressing school in Malawi.

   The young people at the Malawian STEKA care home are so thankful, they have asked us to name the school and we’d like your help!

   
   On our social channels you will have the chance to either suggest a name for the school or choose a favourite from the 3 suggestions below:

   1. Tsitsi Lokongola School – meaning beautiful hair in Chichewa (Malawi’s main language
   2. The Lotus-Miller Hairdressing School – the national flower for Malawi is a Lotus
   3. The CM School of Hairdressing

   We are selling the decorations again this year too. We are hoping to raise money to pay for a teacher, hairdressing kits and even some scholarships.

   These beautiful decorations are made by some of the people at the STEKA care home. They are available in all 5 salons whilst stocks last.
   

   

   *STEKAskills is a Scottish charity partnered with the Malawian charity STEKA (Step Kids Awareness) to support STEKA’s ambition to build a Centre for Vocational Skills & Community Enterprise in Malawi. Young people there are being helped to build a sustainable future.

   To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, make sure you are following us on our social channels. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find your nearest salon click here.

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9. Post-Treatment Hair Series – The Third Cut

   29th July 2021 12:40 pm Leave a Comment

   Sarah’s post-chemotherapy hair journey – The Third Cut

   Throughout her process, we have been publishing Sarah’s updates about her hair journey following treatment. In her first blog you can find out how her first visit after treatment made her feel normal. Her second blog describes her delight that by following the scalp hair regime as prescribed by her stylist she began to see healthy new hair growth, giving her hope of reaching her hair goals. The Third Cut brings you right up to date and with colour too!

   

   Identity Struggle

   I’ve been struggling with my identity these past few months. After the initial relief of my hair growing back last autumn, followed by my few cuts to encourage healthy growth and hone a style, I started to feel more like the old me. Then, lockdown II happened and my short crop lost its way. And, in turn, I lost my way too. 

   You see, I’ve been used having long blonde hair most of my adult life. It shaped how I dressed, what styles and colours I gravitated towards, even the makeup I wore. Now, with short dark hair that was growing wildly in places (sadly not on top as I wanted), my clothing choices looked frumpy or just plain wrong. My makeup needed extra oomph. My colour palette, an overhaul. I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror so I avoided going back to the hairdressers thinking I would forgo a trim to let it grow as quickly as possible. 

   Eventually, after seeing one particular picture of myself, I realised enough was enough and made an appointment. A teeny tiny trim, I told them on the phone. The third cut. 

   On the day, I plucked up the courage to explain how I was feeling. It was the biggest relief. The team instantly put me at ease, explaining precisely why my hair growth had led me to this stage. When you have short hair, and especially when you have short hair post-chemo, little and often is the way to go (as often as every three weeks). Small trims every few weeks would have kept my hair looking sharp, and stimulated my much-longed for growth on top. Instead, I was left with no style. Oops.  

   Colour?!

   When they suggested colour to give me a further lift, I was initially reluctant. With hair this short, and my seriously warm undertones, it could easily look wrong. But instead of a typical all-over tint or woven highlights, the team recommended a hair gloss with just a hint of colour.   

    

   Hair gloss has been around for a while now and the service does much more than add noticeable radiance and mirror-like shine finish to your hair. It can even fine tune hair colour and add a subtle, semi-permanent tint for a natural-looking hue. For post-chemo hair, it offers a safe and much needed boost to fragile hair.

   The team recommended the best colour for me and it was quickly applied and left on for just 20 minutes before my hair was washed and trimmed. The result was a transformation for me. My colour was elevated and enriched, my hair looking super healthy. Even my husband noticed.

   And that teeny tiny trim? It made the biggest of difference, both to my look and my confidence. I was back.

   A

   We are delighted that stylists Roz and Casey at South St Andrew Street have been there for Sarah and although her hair goal journey is not over, she is looking amazing! We’ll keep you posted as the journey continues.

   And remember, you can keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find your nearest salon click here.

    

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10. Embracing your Curls

    7th July 2021 12:45 pm Leave a Comment

    Curls….love them or hate them! Where do you stand?

    

    Those of us with curly hair are always seeking out new ways to control waves, coils, kinks, spirals, S-bends and naturally textured hair. Some of us decide to leave our hair do its own thing instead of opting to style or straighten it.

    When blogger Sophie decided she no longer wanted to fight her curls but to embrace them, she asked Stafford Street’s Leigh for tips and guidance on how to work with its texture. The results are fantastic!

    In her first blog you can read all about Sophie’s reasons for embracing her curls. Her second blog reveals all the advice and techniques she was given from Leigh, and the products that worked for her curly hair.

    Prior to applying the colour, Leigh used an Olaplex treatment to help repair and protect the damaged and broken bonds in Sophie’s hair. She then applied Majirel copper tones in foils with a Dialight gentle toner that was taken through the mid-lengths and ends to diffuse the ‘lockdown’ root and tone in Sophie’s blonde.

    Sophie’s hair was shampooed with Charlie Miller Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner for added moisture. To help control the curls she also had a Curl Manifesto Instant Treatment from the new Curl Manifesto range by Kérastase.

    Before being diffused dry, Sophie’s hair was then twisted with Charlie Miller Gloss Oil mixed with Shu Uemura’s Kengo Feather. Leigh finished the look with a little more Charlie Miller Gloss Oil to shake out the curls once the hair was dry. Embracing your curls in 2021 can lead to beautiful results!!

     

       

    To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, make sure you are following us on our social channels. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find your nearest salon click here.

    You can shop our full haircare range online here, or on Amazon UK. 

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11. Embracing Your Grey

    20th April 2021 9:35 am Leave a Comment

    Gone are the days of ‘grey hair only suits men’. So many amazing women are showing up online to encourage others to ditch their preconceptions about grey hair, and fully embrace their natural locks.

    You might be warming to your natural grey but feel a bit apprehensive after years of colour treatments and have no clue how to begin your transition to a new look.

    Fear not! We have rounded up some of our top tips from our professional colour specialists, to help make your journey to silver locks as smooth as possible.

    

    photo credit: @silverstrandsofglitter on Instagram

    Create a Natural Transition with Colour Treatments

    Your stylist knows best. They know you and your hair and will be able to recommend the best colour treatment, specifically for your needs and preferences. They will advise the best combination of lowlights, highlights and toners that will tastefully phase out any existing colour.

    Some of our clients prefer this gradual process, but some choose to bleach their colour out completely, and use silver shampoo and toners to enhance their cooling tones as their hair grows out. Every head of hair is different, so speaking to your professional stylist is the best way to choose a method which will work best for you.

    Metallic and ash tones are hair trends that aren’t going anywhere, so there really hasn’t been a better time to make the transition.

    Keep Your Grey Fresh with Silver Shampoo

    Silver shampoo is our number one hero product for silver/grey hair, bleached or blond highlighted hair as it’s formulated to neutralise and remove yellow tones. Using a Silver Shampoo once a week in your hair care routine will help to keep your grey looking lively and fresh. Our Charlie Miller Silver Shampoo is also formulated with antioxidant rich sage oil, which promotes hair development and helps your hair to retain moisture.

    

    photo credit: @k_growing_gray on Instagram

    Master Your Grey Hair Regime

    White and grey hair has a very high porosity, so it is crucial that you invest in some good quality haircare to keep your hair looking its best. Grey hair can be silky but can often be a little coarse in texture too, so it’s very important to use products which encourage smoothness and add moisture to your hair. Always use a heat protectant when heat styling, and finish with a nourishing oil.

    Don’t Underestimate The Haircuts

    Finally, invest in a great cut. Short, cool, choppy styles work great and help speed up the process to full head grey. A chic bob, if it’s really sharp, can also look just as fabulous. No matter what your hair goal is, haircuts are essential to maintaining the health and condition of your hair.

    If you need more inspiration to embrace those natural greys, have a look at the following hashtags on Instagram: #silversisters #silversistersinternational #greyhairmovement

    

    photo credit: @the_gray_gal on Instagram

    To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, make sure you are following us on our social channels. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find your nearest salon click here.

    You can shop our full haircare range online here.

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12. Post-Treatment Hair Series – The Second Cut

    31st March 2021 10:57 am Leave a Comment

    Long-term Charlie Miller client, Sarah Howden, is sharing her post-chemotherapy hair journey with us.

    Throughout the process, we will be publishing updates from Sarah, as well as sharing advice and recommendations from her stylists Roz and Casey. Along with other stylists across the company, Roz has a wealth of experience in helping clients deal with hair loss during cancer treatment and giving guidance on how best to encourage growth and optimise the health of the hair.

    If you missed Sarah’s first blog, you can catch up here.

    Reflecting on the First Cut

    I have to admit, I was nervous about my first post chemo cut. It has taken me an age to grow what little hair I had, and I was reluctant to lose any length. But, I never forgot stylist Roz telling me pre chemo to come back early for a cut to encourage healthy growth.

    Wow, she was right. Trimming the ends of my hair, which were chalky from the effects of chemotherapy, left my hair glossy-looking. The expert cut also injected some much-needed depth and texture, fine-tuning my short hair into a stylish pixie crop. However, as Roz and the team highlighted, I had work to do too – namely, looking after my scalp and hair health to help stimulate cell turnover and maximise growth.

    Haircare At Home

    Their eponymous sulphate and paraben-free haircare range, which is designed to lock in moisture, sooth scalps and encourage new hair growth, was used religiously and felt seriously indulgent. A little of their products go a long way too making them great investments. As was my Manta hairbrush which I massaged onto my scalp daily to encourage hair growth. After each wash my hair was glossy and healthy looking, the results make for addictive usage!

    That first cut – and my new haircare regime – stimulated some serious growth on my sides and back. And just five weeks later, in December, I was in need of a tidy up. I was self-conscious about the lack of growth along my hairline so Roz recommended I add a new product to my skincare regime – L’Oréal Pro Serioxyl Denser Hair Treatment. Just like I would diligently use a facial serum every morning and night, this water-based scalp treatment was applied every evening along my hairline and massaged into my scalp, using my Manta brush, to stimulate my follicles and encourage more growth. Then, it was re-applied every morning after my shower.

    It’s now January and, if it wasn’t for lockdown, I would be back for another trim…my scalp care regime is clearly working and my hairline has had a serious growth spurt. I suppose this month will allow me to focus on my whole scalp and haircare regime in the hope my next cut gets me more to my cropped hair goal.

    

    Sarah’s hair after her first appointment

    

    Sarah’s hair after her second appointment

    
    

    Sarah will be back in the salon soon for her first appointment post-lockdown. So keep your eyes peeled for her next update in the coming weeks.

    If you don’t want to miss this series, make sure you are following us on our social channels. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find your nearest salon click here.

    Products mentioned in this post:

    Charlie Miller Haircare – Hydrate Shampoo (also available in Charlie Miller Salons)

    Charlie Miller Haircare – Hydrate Conditioner (also available in Charlie Miller Salons)

    Manta Brush (also available in Charlie Miller Salons) 

    L’Oréal Pro Serioxyl Denser Hair Treatment

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13. Post-Treatment Hair Series – The First Cut

    3rd December 2020 11:32 am Leave a Comment

    We all know that hair loss is a common side effect when undergoing cancer treatment, and something that effects thousands of people every year.

    Our hair is a very important part of our identity and losing it can be a distressing experience in an already challenging time. But what happens post-treatment when the hair starts to grow back? It may have changed colour and texture. It may have grown back unevenly and at varying speeds.

    Following treatment, our very lovely, long-term client Sarah Howden experienced just that and asked us for help and advice. And, to support others in a similar position, she has kindly offered to share her journey in a series of post-chemotherapy hair blogs, this being the first.

    Throughout the process, we will be publishing updates from Sarah, as well as sharing advice and recommendations from her stylists Roz and Casey. Along with other stylists across the company, Roz has a wealth of experience in helping clients deal with hair loss during cancer treatment and giving guidance on how best to encourage growth and optimise the health of the hair.

    The First Cut

    I have been having my hair cut at Charlie Miller Salons for over 30 years, originally sitting on a booster cushion as I was so young, and having Charlie himself trim my long, thick hair. I absolutely loved the whole experience, always left feeling so special and it is why, as I enter my 40s, I wouldn’t consider anywhere else.

    

    Sarah back when Charlie cut her hair as a child

    

    Sarah’s weddng day in 2013

    

    Sarah’s son Daniel’s first cut with Roz in 2014

    
    

    The team have styled and transformed me through every big moment of my life. My graduation. My first red carpet movie premier (for work, sadly!). My wedding. The birth of my three children. And my cancer diagnosis last year. My stylist counselled me through wig choices and took the time to look at my selection, guiding me to the best one. She cut into my selected wig to ensure it looked as natural as possible and chopped my own hair short in preparation for it falling out. The team made me feel normal and gave me the confidence to enter this new terrifying stage with my head held high – hair or no hair.

    My hair did fall out, just two weeks after my first IV chemotherapy. I was so unwell with the cocktail of drugs and the extreme effect it had on my body that I actually didn’t care. Losing your hair does strip you of your femininity and it was hard to look at myself in the mirror. However, I was prepared, and my wig looked great on the days I was well enough to put it on.

    Now, more than a year later, after six rounds of chemotherapy and a gruelling stem cell transplant, I have new hair. It is dark (I used to be blonde), it is messy, it’s different lengths and textures but it’s back. And so, my first cut was a big deal to me. It was symbolic. I had made it to remission and my new stem cells had grown me a new mane.

    I was only ever returning to Charlie Miller Salons and, as ever, I felt instantly at home. And special. First up was a bit of an education on scalp and hair health to stimulate cell turnover and maximise my regrowth. I invested in their eponymous haircare range as all are sulphate and paraben-free, formulated with jasmine extract, organic calendula flower extract and organic sage oil to lock in moisture, sooth scalps and encourage new hair growth. Post cancer, you become extremely aware of what you put on and in your body.

    I also picked up a Manta hairbrush, a super gentle and anti-breakage innovative brush that also hugs the contours of your head, massaging the scalp to encourage hair growth. Funnily enough, it was developed by a professional hairdresser who created this brush for his wife who’d lost her hair after cancer.

    

    

    
    

    Then it was haircut time. My consultation had revealed that the ends of my hair where almost chalky with the effects of chemotherapy and needed to be cut away to promote healthier growth. After a wash, head massage (oh how I’d missed the Charlie Miller massages!) and hydrating treatment, my stylist trimmed and tidied my hair, expertly working it into the choppy pixie look I was hoping to achieve down the line. I was then shown how to style it and the best products to use to add depth and texture.

    The result was perfection, a masterclass in transformation. Friends and family loved it, strangers in the street complimented me. I no longer looked like a cancer patient and, importantly, for the first time in a long time, I felt good. Pretty, even.

    

    

    Sarah’s hair after her first appointment

    

    
    

     

    In the next post, Sarah will share an update on her progress with her hair: how it is growing and feeling, and how she has felt getting to grips with her new products and routine. Roz will also be sharing the wisdom behind the products she is recommending, as well as other advice for promoting hair health.

    If you don’t want to miss this series, make sure you are following us on our social channels. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find your nearest salon click here.

    Products mentioned in this post:

    Charlie Miller Haircare – Hydrate Shampoo (also available in Charlie Miller Salons)

    Charlie Miller Haircare – Hydrate Conditioner (also available in Charlie Miller Salons)

    Manta Brush (also available in Charlie Miller Salons)

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14. It’s Here! Charlie Miller Volume Mousse!

    4th September 2020 9:06 am Leave a Comment

    Introducing the latest addition to CM Haircare;
    Charlie Miller Volume Mousse

    Volume Mousse is the perfect add-on to the Charlie Miller styling range. It’s a lightweight mousse that will add volume and lift to dull, lifeless hair,  giving it a fuller, thicker look. This hair mousse will add natural body and lift without weighing your hair down. It also provides heat protection and helps boost texture.

    Key Ingredients and benefits:
    Adds volume and body to the hair and provides instant detangling, de-frizzing and combability
    Helps boost texture and provides thermal protection
    Nourishes hair from the inside, out
    Leaves a lasting shine
    Paraben-free, vegan and gluten-free

    With its refreshing fragrances, Volume Mousse will tickle your senses with top notes of green tea, orange and lemon combined with soft jasmine, rose and lily, gentle herbs, musk and oakmoss.

    The expansion of the Charlie Miller haircare range has been the ultimate goal for Joint Managing Directors, Jason and Josh Miller. “We’re thrilled to be expanding our product range and couldn’t have anticipated the amount of success that it has already received. It’s a dream come true!”

    You can buy Volume Mousse and all our other styling and haircare products in all 5 Charlie Miller salons or online at www.charliemillerhaircare.com.

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15. 500 Free Haircuts For NHS Workers

    29th July 2020 12:46 pm Leave a Comment

    ALL 500 FREE HAIRCUT APPOINTMENTS HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED. Thank you to all our lovely clients for your support, and to all our NHS staff for your incredible work.

    During our closure, team Charlie Miller announced that we were donating at least 250 appointments to NHS staff when we reopened our salons. In additional to this, we gave clients a chance to help us pay it forward further.

    We sold online e-vouchers for clients to redeem off future appointments. For each and every £100 online e-voucher purchased, we added an additional appointment for an NHS worker to our total.

    We are thrilled that, thanks to the help of our amazing clients, we have reached our target of 500 free haircuts for NHS staff.

    

    Until now, appointments have only been available for existing Charlie Miller clients. We are thrilled to announce that our 500 free NHS haircuts are now open to new clients!

    If you would like to redeem one of the 500 appointments, please email all of your contact details to info@charliemiller.com, along with which of our salons you’d prefer to attend for your appointment. Please note that appointments will be allocated dependent on salon and stylist availability.

    All salon locations can be found here.

    This offer is of course still open to existing clients. If you have an upcoming appointment, please get in touch to let us know you would like to redeem this offer. If you have had an appointment since we reopened and missed out on this offer, you can contact us to book your next appointment in advance to make sure you secure your slot before the appointments fill up.

    These appointments will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis, and are already filling up fast! Get in touch with us soon to secure your slot.

    You will need to present a valid NHS staff ID at your appointment to redeem this offer.

    We will announce on our social media channels once all 500 appointments have been filled.

    To keep up with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

     

     

     

     

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16. Hair SOS: How to Look after Your Scalp at Home

    24th April 2020 11:37 am Leave a Comment

    Happy scalp, happy hair. If you want your hair to thrive in-between salon visits, you must pay attention to how you look after it at home.

    Your scalp can become dry and sensitive whenever it loses too much of its natural moisture. This can be due to all kinds of factors like cold weather, build up of hair product, general dehydration, or over-washing your hair. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, getting your sensitive, dry scalp in check will allow your hair to grow and thrive. 

    

    As we are all at home, now is the perfect time to put a little bit more thought into your self-care routine and get rid of your dry scalp woes for good.

    Here are some easy tips we recommend for improving the health of your scalp, and some products we would recommend to make a big difference. 

    When washing your hair…

    Be careful with your temperatures. When showering, use warm water instead of hot, and don’t stay directly under the water for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Too much exposure to hot water can strip your skin and scalp of its natural oils. 

    This is why it is preferable to leave an extra day or two in-between washes, as this time will give your scalp a chance to preserve its natural oils and keep your hair well moisturised. 

    When you do wash your hair, make sure you shampoo twice. The first shampoo will remove oil, dirt, and product build up from the scalp. The second shampoo will then be able to effectively treat the hair. 

    To really treat a sensitive scalp, we recommend the cleansing hair of impurities. It’s enriched with Zync Pyrithione, a significant anti-irritant and antioxidant, as well as Salicylic Acid, which is known to help reduce visible flakes and form a protective barrier to seal in moisture. Suitable for oily or dry hair types.

    If you have an extremely dry scalp and dry lengths, we recommend the Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Riche Shampoo from Kérastase, to nourish both your sensitive scalp and your dry lengths.

    This product is packed full of botanical extracts to help rid hair of impurities and grease whilst calming scalp irritation and hydrating the lengths. It’s infused with comforting Calophyllum Oil as well as Glycerin, which works to repair from within and form a protective barrier. Piroctone Olamine revitalises dry ends and seals in moisture, whilst Menthol extract adds a burst of refreshment.

    Our number #1 tip to get the most effective treatment with whatever shampoo you choose, is to massage your scalp while you do your second shampoo. The s the perfect brush to use for this. Massaging the scalp with a Manta brush will not only insure you are getting a deep clean, but it will also stimulate your hair follicles and the blood vessels in your scalp which carry oxygen and important nutrients to your scalp. 

    When styling your hair…

    Make sure you are using products which add a boost of moisture to your hair. Leave in conditioners and oils are a great place to start. 

    You shouldn’t use oils or conditioning products directly on the scalp day-to-day, as this might give the appearance of a very oily scalp. Instead, apply oils and hair masks as overnight treatments the night before you wash your hair. This will give your hair the injection of moisture that it really needs. 

    When styling your hair, try to avoid heat as much as possible. If you need to use a hairdryer, make sure you keep it on a low to medium heat setting, to avoid drying out your scalp. If possible, allow your hair to air-dry, and if you’re worried about frizz, you can use a light smoothing product through your lengths and ends. Our Charlie Miller Blow Dry Crème is our hero product for keeping hair smooth and silky in between washes. 

    Finally, have a look at your diet. A well-balanced diet full of nutrient dense food and protein will not only promote the health of your scalp, but the overall health and condition of your hair. 

    Take this time at home to give your scalp the little bit of love and attention, and we promise you and your hair will feel the benefits. 

    At Charlie Miller, we are using this lockdown period to provide our clients with lots of helpful and educational content which will help them to take better care and to feel better about their hair at home. If you have any dilemmas you’d like us to solve, please get in touch! 

    Check out our full series of Hair at Home videos on our Instagram. 

    Finally, to keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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17. THANK YOU NHS: Help us Pay it Forward

    30th March 2020 2:11 pm Leave a Comment

    When we re-open our salons we will be donating more than 250 free haircuts to our extraordinary NHS staff.

    You can help us to pay it forward and help them even further. We are currently selling online e-vouchers for clients to redeem off future appointments. For each and every £100 online e-voucher purchased, we will donate an additional appointment to an NHS worker on your behalf. Also, as an extra thank you for your support, you will receive a complimentary Charlie Miller product when you visit the salon for your next appointment.

    Buy your vouchers online

    Full list of Terms & Conditions:

    Purchasing a Charlie Miller £100 E-Gift Card

    • For every £100 E-Gift Card you purchase we will give one complimentary haircut to a member of staff from NHS Scotland.
    • As part of your purchase you will receive one complimentary Charlie Miller Haircare product, of your choosing, at your next appointment.
    • The £100 E-Gift Card can only be purchased online at charliemiller.com. There is no limit to how many E-Gift Cards you can purchase.
    • The E-Gift Card will be delivered electronically to the email address you registered your Charlie Miller account with. We cannot be held responsible if the address is entered incorrectly and someone other than the intended recipient uses the E-Gift Card.

    Redeeming a Charlie Miller £100 E-Gift Card

    • Our E-Gift Cards can only be redeemed in salon as full or part payment of products and services. An E-Gift Card cannot be used to purchase a further E-Gift Card.
    • The E-Gift Card must be brought to the appointment in order to be redeemed. This can either be printed out or viewed on a phone/tablet device.
    • E-Gift Cards cannot be exchanged for cash.
    • E-Gift Cards may only be redeemed against products purchased in the same currency as the E-Gift Card.
    • We are not responsible if an E-Gift Card is lost, stolen, destroyed or used without permission and no replacement will be provided in these circumstances.

    Validity

    • All E-Gift Cards are dated and expire 12 months from the date of issue.

    NHS COMPLIMENTARY HAIRCUT APPOINTMENT

    Booking an appointment

    • When the Charlie Miller salons re-open, appointments can be made over the phone and in salon. Please state when booking that the appointment is for an NHS Scotland staff member.

    Appointment Validity & Availability

    • Valid for one haircut appointment. Additional services can be added at the time of booking and paid for at the appointment.
    • The haircut appointment is valid Monday to Saturday, at all salons and with all stylists. Subject to availability.
    • Appointments will be available until all complimentary haircuts have been donated.
    • The NHS Staff must bring their NHS Staff Identification Badge with them to their appointment or they will be required to pay for the haircut.

    Charlie Miller reserves the right to update and change the terms and conditions of our Charlie Miller E-Gift Cards at any time. This does not affect your legal rights. Use of your Charlie Miller E-Gift Cards constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. 

    Keep an eye on our socials, as all announcements regarding when we will re-open will be shared here. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    In the meantime, take care & we can’t wait to see you again soon.

    Team Charlie Miller

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18. Hair SOS: Make Your Colour Last at Home

    24th March 2020 12:31 pm Leave a Comment

    How to make your colour last at home…

    This is a tough and unprecedented time for all of us. Everything is uncertain: our routines have been flipped on their head, and we are all having to make a huge amount of change in order to adapt. It’s a challenge, but the one thing that is certain is that we are all in this together.

    Whilst our salons’ doors remain closed to ensure the safety of our clients and staff, we would love to use our social channels to help you keep feeling your best (even if your biggest social engagement is with Netflix and the sofa).

    We all know that how you are feeling on the inside often reflects on your outside. That’s why in these challenging times it is crucial that you practice good self-care. Use that little bit of extra time to do things that bring you joy and confidence. Your hair is a very good place to start…

    We will be posting regularly throughout the next few weeks with our top tips, products, and regimes to keep your hair looking and feeling fabulous from home. We will also be sharing the rituals our Charlie Miller family are adding into their personal lives to keep a sense calm, hope, and mindfulness.

    Today, we would like to talk about colour maintenance. Understandably, many of our lovely clients have reached out to us to express their concern about not being able to maintain their hair colour during self-isolation.

    Here are some of the top questions we have received, and some helpful solutions…

    1. Can you sell me my colour pre-mixed so I can apply at home?

    Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. The colour we use in the salon has a delicate shelf life, and needs to be mixed with accuracy immediately before it is applied to the hair. If we were to pre-mix colour to deliver it to clients, it would go off before it could be used. All our colour services are completely bespoke, so you would need multiple combinations of colour, and oxidant. Colour is chemically formulated and must be handled with caution. To be blunt, it could end in a disaster.

    2. Can I use a box dye?

    We completely understand the temptation for a quick fix, but please consider the lasting effects that using a box dye can have on your hair.

    As mentioned, the colour services you receive in salon are completely bespoke and multi-dimensional. Box dye is one formula, one flat colour. ONE application of box dye can undo all of your stylist’s hard work to get you to your desired colour.

    The condition of your hair will be compromised. Box dyes are packed with huge amounts of pigment and ammonia, this is a completely unnecessary overload which applied without expert care will have a drastic effect on the health and condition of your hair.

    Even though it might seem like a quick fix, undoing the effects of a box dye is a lengthly, and pricey process in the long run. Please resist the temptation, you will thank us later.

    3. What can I do to maintain my colour while I can’t go to the salon?

    There are some fab products on the market which will help you in the meantime, without having detrimental effects on your hair in the future.

    If roots are your concern, we recommend a temporary root spray. They come in a multitude of shades; you apply them to dry, clean hair, and they will last until you shampoo them out.

    Our stylists recommend Color Wow Root Cover Up or ProL’Oreal Professionnel Hair Touch Up.

    If you’re worried about tone, you can keep the brassiness at bay with a good silver shampoo. The purple-toned pigment in the shampoo will neutralise and remove yellow tones in highlighted, bleached or grey hair. You can order our Silver Shampoo here.

    There are other simple steps you can take to elongate your colour and stop it from fading. Give it a break – over-washing your hair strips the hair of its natural oils and dislodges colour molecules, causing your colour to fade. Use a good heat protectant, frequent heat styling can also cause your colour to deteriorate. Finally, give your hair a little TLC, use gentle and sulphate free formulas, and deep conditioners. Keep your eyes peeled, as we will be sharing our stylists’ hero products which you can use at home over the next few weeks.

    We know this is a stressful time and we are here to help you through it. Please let us know what helpful tips and tricks you would like to see from us in the coming weeks.

    Stay safe and take care,

    Team Charlie Miller

    To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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19. How To: Create Perfect Curls at Home with India Miller

    4th March 2020 5:03 pm Leave a Comment

    The #1 question our clients ask their stylists is how to recreate salon curls at home. In this tutorial, Salon Director India shows a step-by-step on how to create perfect curls, and recommends the best products to make your curls look even better & last even longer.

    Book your next appointment here.

    Shop our product range here.

    To keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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20. Little Princess Trust & Team Jak Event

    18th February 2020 3:03 pm Leave a Comment

    On Sunday 1st March 2020, 29 amazing individuals will be visiting our Stafford Street salon to donate their hair to Little Princess Trust & raise money for local charity Team Jak.

    

    The event is a celebration of leap year and is also hugely inspired by our lovely friend Agatha King. Back in February 2015, Agatha was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and lost her hair during treatment. On being told that she was going to lose her hair Agatha asked for it to be cut off and donated to the Little Princess Trust which, Charlie Miller Managing Director, Jason did in the ward on 3rd March 2015. Fast forward to 2020, Agatha is now 2 and half years in remission and is a healthy happy 9-year-old. Her hair has fully grown back, and she is having it cut again on the day by Jason.

    Agatha and her family are also tirelessly fundraising for Team Jak. Team Jak was created at the request of inspirational teenager Jak Trueman following his own journey with childhood cancer.

    Inspired by Jak’s dreams, they provide practical, social and emotional support to children and young people with cancer, aged 0–25, as well as their families, friends and those bereaved. Agatha and her family were helped immensely by Team Jak’s services, and they want to help them continue to provide support to other families going through incredibly difficult times.

    If you would like to show your support, you can find the fundraising page here. All donations, big and small, will be gratefully received by Team Jak.

    

    

    To see all our coverage of this exciting event and to keep up to date with all things Charlie Miller, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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