We’re looking forward to warmer weather and holidays in the sun (fingers crossed) and hope you are too, says Dana.But in the excitement of planning to get away post-lockdown, don’t forget to step up your summer haircare routine. We love the sun, but our hair really doesn’t.

Why those rays will wreck your hair“The sun will very quickly alter the structure of hair, making it weaker, much drier and far more prone to breakage and split ends as it becomes less elastic”, explains Dana, “And just as the sun can burn our skin, it can also burn our hair – but we don’t think about it because we can’t feel it in the same way.”

Coloured hair will fade in the sun while hair that isn’t coloured may become lighter – but this is just another sign that your hair is being damaged by UV rays, so try not to be tempted by the idea of ‘natural highlights’. Professional colour is far kinder to your tresses.

Don’t forget your scalpAnd of course, says Dana the sun can burn the skin on our scalp leaving it sore and red just like the skin on the rest of our body.
Dana advises wearing a hat to protect your scalp if you can. If you have thinning hair or a receding hairline, then remember to apply your sunscreen over the exposed part of your head and also along your parting line.

It’s not all bad…More sun means more vitamin D is absorbed by the skin which is good for us and can give our hair cells a healthy boost. Plus sunny weather and a relaxing break is good for de-stressing – which will also contribute to healthier hair.
How to protect and care for your hair in summer, Here’s Dana's seven-point plan for sun-sational summer hair:
[1] Switch to a hydrating shampoo and conditioner for the summer months.Pop in or call to ask us for advice on which products will be best for your hair.

[2] If your icy blonde is looking a little ‘brassy’ after being in the sun a purple shampoo can help neutralise those yellow tones. Ask your stylist for their advice if you’re unsure – we love to help.

[3] In the same way as you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from damaging UV rays use a sun protector for your hair. “I like Keep Me Vivid range as it has Uv protection, heat protection and is super moisturising”, adds Dana.

[4] Hats are underrated! When out in the sun wear a hat or scarf – it’s a simple but very effective way to protect your hair.

[5] Book in for a regular cut or trim during the summer – it’s the best way to banish those dry and split ends.

[6] Deep conditioning treatments are king when it comes to summer hair. Treat yourself to an in-salon professional hydrating and repairing treatment – your stylist will recommend the right one for your hair. They will also advise you on which home-use self-care treatments will be best for you.

[7] Finally, it’s especially important in the summer to go easy on heated styling tools says Dana. Try turning the temperature down a notch or two and always use a thermal protectant. And, when you can, air dry your hair naturally after washing if possible.

Holiday hair coming soon: look out for our tips and advice blog in July when we’ll be taking an in-depth look at holiday hair and how to combat the effects of sun, sea, and chlorine.
Plan ahead: book your pre-hols consultation todayWould you like some expert advice on hair protection and holiday colour and styles? Call now to book a consultation or to ask about our home and holiday use retail products: 01604756685
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Remember: book your pre-holiday colour appointment for three to four weeks before you go away and also reserve a slot for when you return. Let your stylist know you’re going away so they can make any necessary adjustments to the treatment and recommend suitable products to keep your holiday hair in tip-top condition while you’re soaking up the sun.

Bad hair day? It could be stress related.April is Stress Awareness Month, says Dana , so this month we’re taking a look at how stress can affect the condition of your hair and what to do about it.
Stress can affect your hair and scalp:
If you’ve started to shed hair then stress may to be blame, says Dana. Our bodies produce hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline when we feel stressed, and these can raise your testosterone levels causing hair loss.
In the same way increased stress can affect your skin, it can also make your scalp produce more oil, upsetting your scalp’s balance and leading to flaking and itching. If you suffer with dandruff you may find it flares up when you are under stress. There are gentle yet effective at-home dandruff treatments available so do ask your stylist for advice – we’re always very happy to help and advise you.
Treating stressed-out hair“Always get your GP’s advice if you are worried about your hair or scalp. For example, if clumps of hair are falling out, you have bald patches or your scalp feels painful or is burning,” explains Dana.
“In the meantime – indulge yourself with some hair and scalp de-stressing treatment. It’ll not only make your hair look thicker, glossy and healthier, but a little pampering will make you feel better too. We’re happy to talk you through our range of treatments – just pop in or give us a call.”
Why not book a consultation if you’d like to discuss some different styling ideas. The right cut and styling can effectively help disguise thinner hair – or you might just fancy a mood-boosting new look.
We’ve also got some brilliant products for home use too including conditioning and thickening products as well as scalp treatments to really give your hair a boost.
Taking some time out to kick back, relax and give yourself and your hair some TLC on a regular basis will dial down the stress at the end of a long week and help you look and feel amazing.
Avoid comfort eatingIt’s so easy to reach out for a glass of wine or some comforting sweet treat when we’re feeling stressed – but giving in to temptation too often will make it even harder for your hair to bounce back from a period of stress. Hair shedding is often one of the first signs of a poor diet.
“As ever, the best advice is to follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and veg,” says Dana. “Stay active, drink plenty of water and avoid too much alcohol and junk food.”
Feeling anxious, depressed or overwhelmed?Don’t soldier on alone if you’re really stressed out and finding it difficult to cope. Always seek advice from your GP and look into self-help techniques too. The NHS has lots of information and guidance on its website.
Book a consultation todayWould you like some expert advice on how to cope with stressed-out or thinning hair? Call us to book a consultation or to ask about our selfcare retail products: 01604 756685

Dana can use her Derma scope to have a closer look at your hair follicles.

This is another product we are shouting from the rooftops about. K18 is a leave-in conditioning treatment used to reverse the effects of colour damage, bleach, heat overuse and chemicals to help bring your hair back to life.


The magic behind this product is all in the science. It works by bonding together any broken keratin proteins in the hair. This in turn will strengthen it and help it to look like new. 


K18 is used on damp hair and left for 4 minutes after shampooing. There is no need to rinse and you do not need to include your usual conditioning process either. It is THAT good! 

There's always a lot of excitement in the salon when we find out about new hair products, and today is one of those days. Our trusted favourite, Matrix, has introduced a new range of conditioners called Biolage Colourbalm, and we're really excited because as of today we are officially stocking them in the salon. 


The Colourbalm range comes in 7 varieties: Lavender, Chai Tea, Cinnamon, Earl Grey, Red Poppy, Saffron Red and Clear. Perhaps not the typical names you would expect for a conditioning treatment, but these have been created to improve the shade and texture of your hair depending on your tone and base colour. Don’t worry, we can advise you which will be the one most suitable for your hair, so please make sure to speak to us first if you are interested in purchasing a bottle. 

We're just amazed how you can have a temporary colour change AND such amazing condition. Although the 'clear' one wont change your shade at all!


The great thing about these treatments is they can be used on all hair types. They are also 100% vegan as well as sulfate-free, paraben-free and mineral oil-free which means not only are you doing your part for the environment, you can rest assured you are also using a product that is going to protect your hair and scalp from any unwanted chemicals that can be found in other conditioning treatments. 


To use this product, it is recommended to shampoo, rinse and towel dry hair as usual, and then generously apply with gloves and comb through. Sit back and relax for 5 - 10 minutes while the colourbalm works its magic and then rinse well. Once hair has dried, you will see the difference it makes. 


We have been testing the range out in the salon and are loving the results they have and we can’t wait for you to try them out too. You can try one treatment in the salon for just £5 or they are now available to buy from us at £23 for 250ml, so make sure you pick up a bottle on your next visit!

Anyone who adds bleach to their hair will be familiar with toners, but do you actually know what their purpose is and the impact it can have on your colour?
Toners are used in between the shampoo and conditioning process following a colour, usually left on the hair for anything between 5 and 20 minutes, with the sole purpose of adding a tone (‘colour’) without making your colour lighter or darker and stopping it look dehydrated. 
Mainly used on blonde hair, or those opting for pastels, a toner can make a huge difference to the end look and is something your stylist should always discuss with you during your initial consultation. 
Brunettes can also have toners added to increase the intensity of the colour and get rid of any unwanted orange. We do hear a lot of people talking about toning out dark colours but you have to be careful here because they only change the shade, not the level (light or dark) of your hair so if you are hoping to go from brunette to blonde, a toner isn’t going to do the job. 
They can also be added to your hair in between appointments too. If your colour needs a bit of a lift, it could be that it requires some toner love to bring it back to life. You can buy at-home toners, however we wouldn’t recommend it as the science behind them is quite technical, and we wouldn’t want you to put something on your head that could have a negative reaction. Instead, we offer treatments that you can have at any time in the salon, so rather come to us first. 
Of course, you can buy shampoos specifically designed to improve the tone of your hair, for example silver shampoos for blonde hair and blue shampoos for brunettes, and green shampoos for darker hair but we would rather discuss this with you to make sure we can point you in the right direction based on your hair colour. 
Ultimately, toners have a pivotal role in the hair colour process but are also an essential refreshment between appointments. They should never be underestimated because they can bring something special to your colour and who doesn’t want that!

December is here which means lockdown has ended and we can finally get excited about the salon reopening once again. Thank goodness! Although we are still having to deal with strict government rules, and a very different kind of festive period compared to what we would usually expect, we shouldn’t let this affect what we do to our hair. 
Ok, so the annual trip to the Christmas market might be off, and we may not be regretting our actions at the office party, but that’s not to say we still can’t go all out and make ourselves look and feel glam!
Here are a few of our favourite looks:
Curls
Always a popular choice, curls can be fun, sexy and an instant mood lifter! Whether you choose to use your tongs, straighteners, or rollers, getting curly is a must! Long or short hair, it really doesn’t matter. Curls can work with most lengths. 
Sleek 
If you’ve been living with top knots and high ponytails for the majority of this year, why not spoil your hair. Use a good conditioning treatment then grab your GHD’s and give yourself a sleek and straight look. We bet your hair will feel so much longer and it will make a nice change too.
Plaits
The trusted plait! So versatile and so easy to do. These can be teamed up with the above looks, or perhaps you just want something that still looks stylish and isn’t going to get in the way. You can then keep these in overnight and with a gentle comb through and bit of dry shampoo the next morning, you have another great look to feel good about. 
Accessories
Christmas hair wouldn’t be complete without a good accessory. Tinsel, pretty grips, novelty hairbands and glitter all make for fun additions to your hair so don’t be shy about using them!
Whatever you decide to do with your hair, make sure you have fun with it. This year has been tough so use the next few weeks to try something new. Finally, don’t forget to take a selfie of your festive look and tag us in it on our social pages so we can join in with you!

There is nothing we love more at Octopus Hair than shouting about the amazing work our team does, and today is one of those days. We have recently been celebrating after our trainee Morgan has passed exams to become fully fledged graduate stylists and we are SO happy. 
The lovely Morgan, who has been a regular feature at Octopus Hair for quite a few years now. In fact, she started working with us every Saturday when she was only 14 years old. Five years later and we have seen her not only grow into the lovely young woman she is today, but also excel from a beginner to the wonderfully confident stylist she is now. 
Recently celebrating her 19th birthday, Morgan is an absolute delight to have in the salon. She always greets our clients with so much happiness and enthusiasm and loves nothing more than making sure everyone who walks through our doors is looked after, and most importantly, has fun too! 
Morgan’s confidence is growing every day, especially as she is now starting to build up her own client base. Seeing the great work she is already doing makes us so proud, and the best thing is, this is only the beginning for her. She isn’t afraid to try new things, offer advice and make suggestions; we are so proud of everything she has achieved and can’t wait to see her grow even more over the coming months. 
Morgan still has space available to take on new clients and is eagerly waiting to welcome you in and show you just what she can do. Whether you, or somebody else you know, are looking for a different stylist or want to try something fresh, why not let Morgan work her magic and show you what she is made of. She is eager to get her hands (and scissors) onto some new heads so give her a call at the salon and book in with her today!

​A big warm Hello to you all from Dana, Aimee, Kylie, Lauren, Eli, Lula and Morgan.
We have missed you and can’t wait to catch up and welcome you back to the salon.
As you can appreciate, we have been closed since March and as such have a slight backlog of appointments to manage.
We have planned a phased return of hair services with the appointments pre booked first, followed by those who had added themselves to our waiting list. We have been working very hard over the last 16 weeks planning our return and putting into place extra procedures to keep our staff and customers as safe as possible.
Some of the services we WON'T be doing straight away include:

• hair extensions
• kerastraight treatments
• complete colour changes/colour correction
• children’s hair cuts
• fringe trims
• wash and blowdries

We humbly ask for your patience in this first phase of return and rest assured we will be seeing you all for your routine hair appointments in due course. Your hair is extremely important to us and we are very eager to have you back and make you feel amazing. With this in mind the salon will be opening extended hours to facilitate an easier road back to the resumption of normal service for you.
Different Journey
Due to extra safety measures to minimise the spread of the Covid-19 virus and keep you safe, your visit to the salon will be a little different to the usual experience.
Before you leave home please use the toilet to avoid the need to use the salon facilities.
Please arrive on time. Early arrivals will have to wait outside and late arrivals may miss their appointment slot. Don’t be concerned if the door is locked.

• As you enter the salon you will need to wear a face mask. We’ll ask you to sanitise your hands and we’ll take your temperature. We will also ask you not to touch any door handles.
• You will then be shown to your seat. The familiar team will still be the same underneath but will look a little different due them wearing extra PPE.
• Please come alone, and only bring a small bag or purse. Please only bring a coat if you need to, you’ll be asked to put this in a bag so please bring one that it will fit into.
• Please don’t wear jewellery, if you wish to wear your wedding rings please cover with a strip of micropore sticky paper tape.
• At this time we wont be having magazines or drinks, we’ll provide water. You are welcome to bring your own drinks.
• We’ll only be accepting card payments

Pricing
I was grateful for the government grant we had, by no means did it cover the costs for the whole of lockdown. I need to ensure we get back to a viable business and continue to offer you the best service we can.
For this reason we will be suspending most of our discounts including Tuesday colour rescues and Thursday colour sale. We will continue to support our NHS and continue to offer this discount to NHS workers Tuesday-Thursday!
THE GOOD NEWS IS you can continue with your loyalty scans on the app...if you haven't updated it or registered now's the time! You can also use any gift vouchers and I'm freezing our annual price rise which normally takes place in April!
We're also going to have extra costs involved in providing you with a safe service and so there will be an unavoidable £5 covid charge added onto your service.I know this is not what anyone wants to hear and this will stop when we no longer need it.
Extra Precautions
As a salon we follow strict infection control procedures and our salon has always been a safe place to visit due to continual training and public health guidance. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 we have put into place additional safety measures always following current evidence to minimise the spread of the virus.
I’m hoping we’ll all adapt to this ‘new normal’ very quickly and I’ll be looking at changes in the guidelines regularly. I will be doing everything to ensure your visit is as fantastic as it’s always been.
Meanwhile ‘Enjoy the sunshine and we will look forward to seeing you soon’.
With very best wishes
Dana .