HAIR REVIEW Getting sleek and stylish at No.45

CLOCKWISE: No.45 has a new, slick look; Natasha Adams, now the owner of the Moorland Road salon; my fi nished look

GETTING THE CHOP

Lydia Tewkesbury visits No. 45 Hairdressing for a much-needed cut and blow dry

The truth is, I hadn’t had a haircut since February. Yes, lockdown happened in that time – it was a good excuse, for a while – but then salons reopened in July and it was past time for me to book an appointment. Why didn’t I? You could blame the apathy and anxiety that has characterised 2020, but the truth is a lot simpler – and more embarrassing. With the magazine on hold while we all navigated our way through the Covid crisis and therefore no reviews to write, I had no one holding me accountable for my own hair.

It turns out Bath Life keeps me presentable.

Fortunately for me, Natasha Adams, the new owner of No. 45 Hairdressing (previously Parks Hairdressing) on Moorland Road, was understanding when I explained The Situation – how I had begun referring to my hair by that point. She said she would sharpen her scissors.

Natasha is the new owner of No. 45, yes, but she’s worked at the salon for the past nine years in a managerial role. When the chance to buy came up mid-lockdown, despite the uncertainty for the country in general and her industry in particular, she took the leap. She’s given the place a fresh new look as well as a new name, and the result is modern and stylish.

One of my favourite things about my experience at No.45 was the convenience of it. Natasha stays open until 8pm on Tuesday and Thursdays – a total dream for working people resentful of losing a chunk of their weekend at the salon but never able to sneak out of the offi ce (or whatever your current WFH set up) for a quick chop. Now I truly won’t have any excuse for letting my hair get in such a bad way again. That, and it makes for a really nice treat to look forward to at the end of a hectic work day.

When it comes to instructing hairdressers, I am vague at best. ‘Kind of like now, but shorter and, you know, better?’ is my typical ask (hairdressers of Bath, I am sorry). Natasha was more than happy to take control of The Situation. My biggest hair problem – and the reason I should and will start getting cuts more regularly – is its thickness. If not kept under control, over the course of months my gently waving locks turn into a frizzy sheet that hangs heavy around my face – if I start exclusively sporting a pony tail, you know I’ve let it happen again. Because of the way my hair waves an intricately layered cut doesn’t tend to work for me either (it goes all kinds of fl icky). Natasha expertly took the weight out of it without pushing me to go for layers, leaving me with a cut that falls light and natural around my face with minimal fuss needed, and I couldn’t be happier.

No. 45 Hairdressing is luxury and relaxing space to unwind while you have your cut, and Natasha an expert but friendly and thoroughly approachable stylist – I had total confi dence in her from the off . A lovely option in the midst of the thriving and eclectic Moorland Road, I’ll defi nitely be back. ■

For more: No 45 Moorland Road, BA2 3PN; tel: 01225 448887; www.no45hairdressing.co.uk

SPRAYS & SERUMS MOROCCANOIL Treatment Formulated for the needs of light hair, this anti-oxidant rich treatment left my hair shiny and soft

TIGI BED HEAD HEADRUSH Shine Spray A lightweight shine mist with a conditioning complex that softens and improves manageability

WELLA PROFESSIONALS EIMI Thermal Image A heat protection spray that works in two phases. Phase one nourishes and protects from heat and phase two smooths.