HAIR REVIEW Wondrous waves at Amanda Marsden Salon

TENDER LOVING HAIR First post-lockdown haircut sees Harriet Noble going for a big repair job and some big waves

Ididn’t mind not going to the hairdressers during lockdown, I sort of enjoyed just letting my head of hair grow wild during those summer months and just, well, going with the flow of it all. But I was definitely heading for scarecrow territory when I visited the Amanda Marsden Salon recently. Dry, shapeless, very lacklustre and frankly unmanageable, my locks were in desperate need of some TLC, which is exactly what they got.

So as well as a chop and styling, I booked myself in for a Aveda Botanical Treatment. It’s designed to strengthen and restore hair and is packed with natural plant ingredients. The treatment is a three-level process, with shampoo and conditioner and a leave-in treatment which is kept on for about ten minutes. This is perfect relaxation time for me to appreciate the massaging chair and the gorgeous scents radiating from my head;

Hayley, the head stylist who looks after me on my visit, tells me it’s the avocado, green tea and oils in the treatment which all smell very summery and evocative.

Hayley cuts off a good few inches and adds in some much-needed layering and shaping; she also gives my hair some waves. My hair is naturally voluminous and prone to frizz. I’ve had experiences in some salons over the years where they poker-straighten my hair and then do waves and it just looks a bit artificial. Hayley is a master of styling though, creating big and romantic waves that make me feel like I’ve just stepped out of a Merchant Ivory film.

My hair feels super silky and smooth as promised but the botanic treatment also seems to have also made visible the natural different shades of my hair colour which were lost previously in dullness.

During my visit I also head down to their new spa spot downstairs where my eyebrows are given a good shaping. It’s a really calming little haven where you can have an assortment of treatments or massages.

above: Walking in style ; inset: Wonderful waves

And if you have worries about going out to a salon during these times, the team at Amanda Marsden are extremely ‘on it’ about precautions. As well as the normal regs, they’ve spaced out the chairs they use, and however many treatments you have done to your hair you’ll have one person that does it all, so as well as literally not crossing paths with anyone else you really feel like you’re getting a bespoke treatment.

It’s not a bad place to while away and hour or two either. The beautiful old building has classic huge proportions and high ceilings, yet also feels a thoroughly cool, calm and contemporary spot.

Dear hair, I’m so sorry I ignored you for so long. I promise I won’t do it again. n

For more: Amanda Marsden, AVEDA Lifestyle Salon & Spa, 75 Queen Street, Exeter; www.amandamarsden.co.uk

Helping your family

Charlotte Corr of OLD MILL tells us more...

Over recent months we’ve seen an increase in the number of people asking us about ways to help their family. Here are three ways in which you could provide financial help to your family:

1. BUYING PROPERTY Many people help younger family members by lending or gifting some, or all, of the deposit needed for their first property.

2. TAX EFFICIENT GIFTING

Lifetime Individual Savings Account (LISA): These can be highly attractive to first time buyers. The gift would have to be made to the individual who can then open and pay into a LISA. A gift of £4,000, which is the maximum annual contribution, would have a bonus of 25% – £1,000 added. The capital can then be accessed without penalty to purchase a property, otherwise it’s not possible to access the capital until 60 without incurring a penalty.

Pension contributions: It’s possible to make pension contributions to someone else’s pension and they will receive tax relief at their marginal rate. So, if your child is a higher rate taxpayer, a gift of £2,880 into their pension would result in tax relief of £720. They will then be able to claim a further £720 through their self-assessment tax return. Your gift of £2,880 will be worth £3,600 in their pension.

There are limits on the maximum amount that can be paid into pensions so you should take advice before making third party pension contributions.

3. GIFTS OF ASSETS AND MANAGING TAX With many investments having fallen in value, there may be an opportunity to gift your investments to family now at a depressed price.

Gains are likely to be lower compared to the

asset price at the beginning of the year. Given time, the value should recover and any recovery in value will be immediately free of Inheritance Tax. If you wait for values to increase the value will still be in your estate and what’s more if you decide to gift the investment, the potential gain for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes will be higher.

Transferring assets is a chargeable event for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) so if there’s a gain you’ll be able to offset your annual allowance (currently £12,300 in 2020/21) and then pay 10% or 20% tax on gains depending on your marginal rate of tax. n

If you would like any help working out the best way to gift money to your family, please do get in touch. Contact Charlotte Corr on 07702 808858 or email charlotte.corr@om.uk