The Blurb
In the heart of Mayfair, Michaeljohn has long held its reputation as one of London’s most valued destinations for beauty and wellbeing. Set across multiple floors of a luxurious period terrace, the clinic marries cutting-edge treatments with the reassurance of a name that’s been synonymous with style since the late 1960s. From advanced skincare and aesthetic treatments to state of the art hair services… Michaeljohn is a hit with its discerning locals and well-informed tourists alike.
The Consultation
I visit Michaeljohn on a bright and sunny autumn day – the staff offer a warm welcome, furnish me with some piping hot mint tea, and whisk me downstairs for a consultation with Nicky.
I’ve got about three months of grown-out highlights that are lighter at the tip than the root. Nicky suggests remedying the disconnection with a half head of balayage and a subtle smattering of face-framing highlights to balance what is currently quite a ‘heavy’, high-contrast look. He’s also keen to fix some of the overly sun-bleached brassier sections and with some strategically placed lowlights in a slightly darker, warm honey blonde tone peppered throughout.
The Process
Nicky gets to work with the foils, placing the darker shadow lights next to the brighter blonde so that they ‘pop’. Since the brassy hues will be toned down later, Nicky informs me that we need to ensure the foils are well-placed to avoid a monotone look.
It seems that the more highlights one has, the less they stand out, and the more monotone the overall look becomes. Since I’ve been embracing this technique for a while, it’s necessary to switch the process up a bit. Roland is adamant that by contrasting the placement of the colour, he can fix the problem areas and unify the look.
The Results
As the hair starts to dry, it soon becomes apparent that the shadow lighting technique has paid off. The hair is still luscious and bouncy, but the individual strands are much more defined. The use of a slightly cooler toner makes the colour appear natural and sun-kissed, rather than overly processed.
Clearly a perfectionist, Nicky finishes the blow-dry with a wispy fringe trim. The finish is polished, subtle and creamy with plenty of bounce. A much healthier-looking blonde all over. In a matter of hours, my hair has gone from ‘brassy’ to ‘classy’, and with winter now in full swing, it’s a look that’s giving me much more mileage out of this colour session.
The details
25 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4HU
