GLAM SQUAD

Natasha Hodges

A BREATH OF FRESH HAIR!

Filled to the trim with super stylists, we meet Natasha Hodges to brush up on what’s available at this salon on The Pantiles.

Natasha Hodges Hair is a local independent salon located on the historic Pantiles, owned and run by Natasha herself. With a dedicated team of talented women behind her, from graduate stylists to balayage experts and front of house, Natasha strives to give her clients the very best experience when they visit the salon.

“Hi, I’m Natasha Hodges, and I opened Natasha Hodges Hair at 52 The Pantiles on the 3rd March 2020. I’ve always been in Tunbridge Wells, and I’ve always loved hair,” Natasha tells us. “I did my first apprenticeship at 14 years old in Toni & Guy and never looked back! I opened the salon here just before the first lockdown and I’ve seen it go from strength to strength since then.”

With its entrance on London Road, the salon itself is light, airy, and spacious, with luxurious reclining massage chairs at the shampoo station and shelves of specialist products ready for clients to take home after their appointment. Those visiting the salon are also treated to complimentary drinks, snacks, books, and magazines, and there’s even an order-in service if lunch is calling.

Describing her team as ‘hair magicians and wish-granters’, Natasha’s ethos is all about making sure that her clients leave the salon feeling (and looking) amazing. “That’s why I started out in the hair industry – hair is a big part of how people feel, so I wanted to create an environment where people feel looked

after and valued,” she says. “Our clients really appreciate the ‘me’ time that they get when they have their hair done here.”

Natasha has even been known to close the salon for clients who feel nervous in busy environments, creating a safe space for them to have their appointment. “Stress, mental health, cancer treatment, alopecia, neurodivergence, all of these things can have a huge impact on how somebody feels during a hair appointment,” Natasha explains. “Sometimes we deal with wigs, and the worst thing for that person is sitting in a salon full of people when they’re only just coming to terms with how their hair is changing themselves.

If someone is nervous for whatever reason, and we can offer a slightly different service to accommodate their needs and make them feel comfortable, then we want to do that,” she continues. “I will happily come in on a Sunday, just me and them, to make sure that they can have their pamper time and achieve the look that they want.”

A local employer that is always looking to nurture new talent, Natasha Hodges Hair boasts an all-female team, many of whom have moved back to Tunbridge Wells after living in London or elsewhere. “Lots of my staff have come back to the area – we do tend to employ local people, but we’re also respectful of the other salons in the town. I’m always keen to make sure that there’s plenty of talented people to go around!”

With a mix of skillsets and specialisms within the team, Natasha Hodges Hair offers a huge range of services, from balayage, highlights, and specialist smoothing treatments, to hair extensions, glamorous up-dos, and men’s cuts too. Every client receives an in-depth consultation with their stylist before the work begins, ensuring that the perfect end result can be achieved.

From her years of experience trying different techniques, Natasha now specialises in creating beautiful, natural colour transformations, precision cutting, and bridal work. “Colour and cutting is my specialism – I love effortless colour, so balayage, highlights that grow out nicely, I love creating glamour,” she says, smiling. “I also do a lot of bridal work, which is a real joy – sometimes our bridal parties like to come to the salon, away from the chaos, and sometimes they prefer to be in their home or hotel, so we do whatever works for them.”

It’s clear that there’s a lot of joy in the work that Natasha and her team do. “Making people happy is my favourite thing about being a hairdresser,” she tells us. “I don’t know what it is, but people feel like they can open up to hairdressers – they come in, they know that they can chat to us openly and say whatever they want without fear or judgement, and then a few hours later they walk out of our doors feeling amazing. They can face the world again.”

For Natasha, the salon’s location in the heart of The Pantiles is just another reason why she absolutely loves what she does as a stylist and business owner. “The location of

THE MASSAGE COMPANY

THE ALL FEMALE

TEAM ARE TOP OF THE CHOPS! the salon is my absolute favourite part about it,” Natasha says, showing us the stunning view of the bandstand from the window in the staff area. “Not only is the view fantastic, but the community spirit among businesses on The Pantiles and in the town as a whole is incredible. Clients will come in and say, ‘I’m starving’ and we’ll say, ‘don’t worry, we can order from Hatton’s or the Zero Waste Company for you, what do you want?!’

It’s so lovely that we can support each other as local businesses, and give our clients that extra something special that really elevates their visit and makes it memorable.”

The year-round calendar of events on The Pantiles also helps to create a bustling, thriving atmosphere that the salon staff and clients enjoy in equal measure. “At Christmas time we have the lights switch on, which is always so festive, plus there’s the markets and all the summer events – Gin & Jazz, Jazz on The Pantiles, they’re all brilliant,” Natasha enthuses. “My staff and I will often sit up here at the window, have a few drinks, and just enjoy whatever’s going on. We’re so lucky to be here.”

Above all else, it’s important to Natasha that her clients feel empowered from the moment they walk into the salon. “We want to create an atmosphere that is welcoming, calming, and friendly, with a focus on making people feel good about themselves – hairdressers can have a bit of a reputation for unfriendliness, but that’s not what we’re about here,” she concludes. “Ultimately, no matter what is happening in our lives, our hair makes us feel amazing. We’re just so proud to play a part in making our clients’ hair dreams come true.”

To find out more about Natasha Hodges Hair or book your appointment, call the team on 01892 320211, or visit www. natashahodgeshair.com ■