HAIR MATTERS With Andrew Mulvenna

Hair Matters...

with Andrew Mulvenna

Andrew Mulvenna has been a hairdresser for over 30 years and his career has spanned the full spectrum of product development, global campaign shoots and shows, international education, session-styling and creating runway collections. His true passion is working at his three storey salon [a converted Victorian bank] in Belfast City centre, developing his 30+ team and making clients very happy.

PLEASURE PRINCIPLE

Salons over the last year have been looking very hard and discovering what customers will really want post 2021 ‘lockdown’. Many of us in business have asked directly via social media and the answers have been wonderful and enlightening.

It goes without saying a great, balnced cut and a knockout colour are top on that list, however next down (and no surprise really) is the hair wash. This special time in the clients salon journey is still to this day overlooked in many businesses, but when it is delivered with panache and energy it is without a doubt the moment when our ‘Relax/Reset’ button is engaged.

Yes, it is worth investing in great wash-chairs, we have ones in-salon that lift you up on a bed of air and will massage you too – a bit like a fi rst-class airline pod, but as with most things no matter how fancy it may be, it’s meaningless without a great pair of hands and an engaged person doing it. Hairdressing is the ‘Happiness Business’, it is person-to-person, it is wellbeing and unlike so many threatened industries of late, it looks like and hopes to be future-proof too.

LOVING AND MISSING THE CHAT

Simply just sitting down, relaxing and having a great chat with your hairdresser is by far one of the most deeply regarded aspects of our job and we (as hairdressers) love it desperately and miss it too – that’s a big reason why we are in this profession in the fi rst place, we do love a chat and I think we are all having withdrawls from those valuable interactions. We simply cannot wait to see our amazing clients this April and hopefully there will be no interruptions ever again.

PERSONAL CARE

Great news! The UK Hair and Beauty Council have been lobbying the Government for several years into creating a new status for Hairdressing and Beauty in the UK. Until this year our industry was classifi ed as ‘retail’ but now we have the new classifi cation of ‘Personal Care’. It may not seem much to the untrained eye but this is truly great news as it refl ects the deeper connection we as hairdressers have with customers in regards to overall wellbeing, mental health and our essential place in a healthy society.

TAKE THE HAIR-SPA HOME

Micellar water has become the big thing in skin and hair cleansing across the world. This miracle Micellar water is made up of micelles (tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules), which completely and gently remove all impurities without drying out the hair. Aura Botanica by Kerastase was a pioneer brand to launch this incredible game-changer.

Inspired by spa treatments, this detoxifying ritual uses the virtues of plants to gently but thoroughly remove impurities to then gorge the hair with the perfect dose of natural origin Moroccan Argan oil, Samoan coconut oil and Damascus Rose water. This gorgeous little range is all you need to bring the salon experience to your home. It will fi ll your bathroom as well as your hair with seriously good smells only found in the most luxurious of spas.

MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD SKIN CANCER THAN ALL OTHER CANCERS COMBINED

Laura Scott from Its4women is pictured with Leigh Osborne from Action Cancer.

ACTION CANCER URGES WOMEN TO SELF REFER

To mark International Women’s Day on Monday 8 March 2021, Action Cancer, the only provider of free breast screening to women aged 40-49 and 70+ in Northern Ireland (outside of NHS screening age range), announced that new appointments are now available.

Earlier this year, the charity reported that it was operating at full capacity and unable to take bookings. Availability of appointments had been significantly reduced due to measures to enable social distancing and to prevent COVID-19 spreading.

Action Cancer promised that it would make every effort to release new appointments as soon as possible and in the run up to International Women’s Day, the team is calling on women across Northern Ireland to make breast screening appointments a priority and to do so during the pandemic.

You can book your Action Cancer breast screening appointment by calling 028 9080 3344 or online at www.actioncancer.org/ appointments.

At Belfast Skin Clinic they believe early detection of skin cancer is essential. This is why they offer SkinCheck, a mole scanning and skin cancer screening service. If you have concerns about a new or non-healing lesion, or any moles which have changed in size, shape or colour, SkinCheck is now available to provide a complete skin cancer screening service. This involves a detailed examination of your skin by a Consultant Dermatologist to give you peace of mind and ensure early

Dr Pamela McHenry. detection of any problems. It is better to check for skin related problems before any skin cancer symptoms arise.

If you have moles you may be advised to have a total body scan. Belfast Skin Clinic have Northern Ireland’s first Total Body Mole Scanner. Any lesions or moles requiring excision can be removed in their state-of-the-art operating theatre by their plastic surgeons.

For more information or to book an appointment visit: www.belfastskinclinic.com or email: info@belfastskinclinic.com

WIN A POLISHED LONDON x LMD PR BOX

Vegan and cruelty-free luxury oral care brand, Polished London has teamed up with long time collaborator Louise McDonnell to create the perfect product that blends oral care with beauty – the Polished London x LMD Ultra White Toothpaste, RRP £11.99. Lending her superior beauty knowledge and expertise, Louise worked alongside Polished London to create a unique whitening toothpaste, perfect for both natural teeth, veneers and composite bonding, resulted in a product that will protect teeth while leaving them with a glistening gleam.

Containing a blend of natural oils derived from Wild Mint and Peppermint, Xylitol, which helps fi ght bacteria, and Sodium Bicarbonate, which gives a deep clean and aids in breaking down plaque build-up. The natural blend of ingredients means that the new Polished London and LMD offering is safe to use when pregnant and breastfeeding and is free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), artifi cial sweeteners and parabens. The Polished London x LMD Ultra White Toothpaste is available online via www. polished-london.com and stockists nationwide.

QUESTION

5 lucky readers are in with the chance of winning a Polished London x LMD PR box, which includes the new Polished London x LMD Ultra White Toothpaste with added treats including a Polished London cooking and hot chocolate.

What does LMD specialise in?

A) Beauty B) Building C) Banking