It looks like 2023 is the year of the big chop with short hair trends hitting the headlines and the runways. And we can’t think of a better way to kick off spring than a fresh haircut.

The sassy shag

Rock this undone look for natural texture and movement in your hair and cool-girl rebel vibes. The shag is the very opposite of a precision haircut – the more texture, the more sexy and edgy the cut becomes. There are many options, including the Pixie Shag and, probably the most popular of all, the Wolf Cut. There are no styling rules with the shag. It’s really versatile letting you play around with looks: sleek and smooth, super-textured, or somewhere in the middle. Experiment with styling products to find your perfect look or create varied looks for different occasions. Do consider your lifestyle when deciding the length of your shag and intensity of colour. 


Ooze confidence with ‘the Bob’

Has the classic cult bob ever gone out of fashion? Absolutely not! Haley Bieber  has embraced the trend, switching up her look to a choppy bob. While Lily Allen recent precision-cut bob conveys serious style and confidence with her sharp, one-colour ‘do’ complementing her simplistic clothes styling. Bobs look their best when kept a straightforward colour such as a deep chocolate mocha, a fiery red or an icy cool blonde. Pair with your favourite lippy like Lily for maximum impact. Toying with a bob? Your face shape is key to this style and for those with square or round faces, this cut might not be for you.

Let’s have a chat. Get Lily’s look Reach for your straighteners and heat protection spray. To achieve that super-sleek look, wrap sections around the width of your finger then do one smooth and steady run-through of the straighteners from roots to ends. This reduces static and leads to sharper styling results rather than repeatedly using your straighteners quickly on the same section.  

Ask your stylist for their tips and product recommendations – we love to help. Inspired to go for the chop this spring or maybe a seasonal colour reset? Book a consultation at Octopus and lets talk haircuts!

We want to colour you safe as well as beautiful, and that’s why we’re so hot on ensuring all our hair colour clients have regular allergy alert tests.

Are allergy alert tests really necessary?

The answer to that is a great big yes. Allergic reactions to hair colour can range from mildly irritating to life-threatening and everything in-between. You just don’t want to go there, so always, always ensure you have regular allergy alert tests if you colour your hair. This still applies even if you have been using the same product for years with no problems. Allergies can develop over time so it’s vital to remain vigilant. This is why regular allergy alert testing is essential.

What causes allergies to hair colour?

Allergies occur when our immune systems react to substances that are normally harmless. The effects are usually mild but can be extremely serious. A few people are allergic to the ingredients found in hair colour, particularly PPD (paraphenylenediamine).
ays do an allergy alert test if you’re new to our salon – even if you’ve recently had a test at another salon. We’ll also need to do a test if: You have recently had any type of permanent or temporary skin tattoo (see more on temporary black henna tattoos below). You’ve had a reaction to any products you’ve used since your last visit. We’re using a different hair product or brand on you. Otherwise, we’ll keep tabs so you don’t have to worry and will let you know when your next test needs to be done. Allergy alert tests normally have to be done 48 hours before your appointment.

Black henna tattoos and hair colour

When you come to the salon for a hair colour, it’s crucial you let us know if you’ve had a black henna tattoo since your last visit to us. This is because black henna can contain very high levels of PPD and may make you allergic to hair colour – even if you have never had a reaction before.

Using hair colour products at home

It’s not just when you visit the salon that you need to test. If you use home box dyes it’s vital to follow the instructions on the hair colour products. You MUST carry out the allergy alert test as directed on the packet before applying the colour to your hair. Don’t assume you’ll be OK because you ‘never’ have an allergic reaction to anything. There’s always a first time and it’s just not worth risking your health.

Book a colour consultation

Thinking of having a fresh new look or refreshing your colour? We can advise on the best colour treatments for your hair and do a free allergy alert test while you’re here (it’s really quick and simple) so you’re ready for your colour service appointment. Book a consultation on 01604 756685. And of course, if you have any questions or concerns please do call or pop in and we’ll put your mind at rest.

 
Is clean eating and ditching those processed foods part of your new year resolutions? We look at the vitamins and foods that are essential for healthy hair.
A balanced diet should provide all the vitamins and protein you need. But which are the most important ones for healthy hair and how should we make sure we are getting enough?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is vital for our health generally as well as healthy hair.
Because our bodies cannot store it, we must make sure we have it on a daily basis. Eat a variety of different coloured fresh fruit and vegetables every day to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin C. Freshness is important because vitamin C is easily lost from food through overcooking and storage.”
Iron
Vitamin C is also important for hair health because it enables us to absorb iron. A lack of iron (anaemia) can cause hair loss, dry and brittle hair and slow growth. Red meat, spinach and lentils are good sources of iron.
Loss of blood, illness and pregnancy can be causes of anaemia. If you notice thinning hair or it isn’t growing at the rate it used to ask your doctor to test your iron levels as these can be symptoms of anaemia. Always see your GP if you think you may have an iron deficiency and before taking supplements.
B vitamins
Complex B vitamins play a role in hair growth especially vitamin B7 (biotin) and B12 are important to strengthen and condition the hair.
B vitamins can be found in 100% whole grains, meat, fish, whole eggs, nuts and avocados.
Protein
Your hair also needs protein to maintain its strength, elasticity and ability to grow.This is because hair is mainly made of a protein called keratin, so a lack of protein will make your hair brittle and more likely to fall out before it’s reached its full growing length.
Eggs and other ‘primary proteins’ such as fish, lean red meat and poultry are all good sources of easily absorbed protein to help give your hair a boost.
Vegetarians and vegans can go for plant proteins such as beans, lentils, nuts, pulses and tofu – however, they are not as easily absorbed as primary proteins and don’t contain the same level of vital amino acids.
Zinc
Zinc is only needed by the body in small amounts, But low levels have been associated with hair loss and poor wound healing so eat plenty of zinc-rich foods including meat, beans, nuts and seeds.
As always do get medical advice if you are worried about hair loss, for example, if your hair is coming out in clumps or your scalp is inflamed.

It’s good advice to get children used to haircare from a young age – and to avoid making it a dreaded chore for both you and your child, says Dana.But first, let’s take a quick look at hair and scalp care for babies.

Baby talk Washing baby’s hair will usually be done as part of their bathing routine. Remember that you should use only plain warm water on new-borns, says Dana. After about four to six weeks, you can start to use unperfumed baby bath products, but use them very sparingly to avoid damaging baby’s skin. If your baby has lots of hair (some grow their hair much later than others, so don’t worry if none has appeared yet) you can use a small drop of very mild shampoo, “Never rub your baby’s head with a towel or use a hairdryer as the skin is very delicate.
Their hair is very fine and will dry quickly if left.”

Coping with cradle cap Your baby may have ‘cradle cap’. Don’t worry, it’s a harmless and very common condition in babies. Look out for white or yellow scales on the scalp that may be greasy. On darker-coloured skin the scalp may look pink with white or grey scales. You can: Gently rub baby oil into the scalp to loosen the scales, then rinse it off with warm water and pat dry. Use a soft brush to gently brush your baby’s scalp and then wash it with baby shampoo. Hair may come away with the scales, but don’t panic as it will soon grow back. However, says Dana, if your baby’s scalp looks red or might be infected or the cradle cap spreads to the face or body always speak to your doctor or other healthcare professional.

Child haircare at home: getting the basics right Tangled hair and eye-stinging shampoo are two of the main reasons why children don’t like having their hair washed. But there are ways to prevent hair washing from becoming a dreaded chore. Here are a few of Danas tried and tested top tips:

Make hair washing a fun one-to-one time with your child. Ensure pain-free detangling is a priority. Before washing, use a wide-toothed comb starting at the bottom of the hair and gradually working up towards the roots to get rid of any tangles. For seriously knotty hair, try some detangling or conditioning spray such as miracle creator. Use baby shampoo for children aged up to three. Apply a small amount to wet hair and gently massage into the scalp, working from the forehead to the back of the neck. Don’t pile longer hair on top of the head as this can cause tangles again. Use a little conditioner on the ends of longer hair. I like miracle creator for this too says Dana. Squeeze the hair with a towel after rinsing – but don’t rub as this can break the hair and cause those dreaded tangles. Comb out the hair starting at the tips and working towards the roots. A comb is gentler than a brush for children’s hair. Leave it to dry naturally (young skin is sensitive to heat, so avoid hairdryers).

Soothing first-time salon nerves “There are no hard and fast rules about when your child should have their first salon appointment” explains Dana. “Children’s hair grows at very different speeds.” However, she suggests you can start getting them used to the salon environment by bringing them in for a visit before their first appointment and introducing them to the stylist who will be cutting their hair. You could also arrange to be there at the same time as another child is having their hair cut so they can see there is nothing to fear.
Also: Find a fun story book about a child having their hair cut for the first time. Avoid the word ‘cut’ – instead, say ‘a trim’ or ‘a new hairstyle’. Take your child’s favourite toy with you on the day. Arrange a special post-haircut treat so your child associates appointments with a nice day out. Do ask us about children’s haircuts, the best products to use and how to make your child’s first appointment as stress-free as possible. We’re here to help make haircare a pleasurable experience for both you and your child.

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Having a black henna tattoo may seem like harmless fun, says our Dana, but they can be dangerous – especially if you’re planning to colour your hair.

What are black henna tattoos? You may have got a black henna tattoo while on holiday abroad or at a fair or festival in this country. Black henna kits can also be bought online. So what’s the problem? “Black henna (sometimes called ‘neutral henna’) may contain high levels of the chemical PPD (paraphenylenediamine),” explains Dana “A certain amount of this ingredient is legal in hair colouring products – but black henna can contain way too much PPD making it toxic.” This means a black henna tattoo may cause: Chemical burns and scarring. An allergic reaction – either straightaway or later (sometimes years later) when using products such as hair colour.

 What the NHS says The NHS advises against having black henna tattoos either in this country or abroad. Keeping you safe Our number one priority when you see us for hair colour is to keep you safe says Dana. “That’s why it’s vital to tell us if you have had a black henna tattoo since your last colour appointment.” The tattoo may have had no bad effects at the time – but it may have made you more sensitive to hair colour dyes that contain a legal amount of PPD. Even if you have never had an allergic reaction to hair colour products before, a black henna tattoo may make you allergic – and this allergy can become worse over time. The importance of allergy alert tests Allergic reactions to hair colour products can be highly dangerous, so if you’ve had a black henna tattoo since your last tint or allergy test you must have an allergy alert test before we can colour your hair. The test only takes a couple of minutes and, of course, is free. It needs to be done at least 48 hours before your visit.

 Using hair colouring products at home? Dana adds “If you’re colouring your hair at home always follow the instructions for carrying out an allergy alert test before using the product. If you have a reaction to the allergy alert test do not use the product. There are serious health risks and it’s just not worth it.” Book a complimentary colour consultation Thinking about colouring your hair for the first time? Or perhaps you usually colour your hair at home but would love some professional creative colour for a change? We’ll be happy to carry out a free consultation and make recommendations. Call 01604756685 to book your complimentary colour consultation. And, of course, we’ll also make sure you’re safe with a free allergy alert test.