Sunday Trading

We have been open for just over 16 months, we are almost too busy. So due to clients not been able to get into the salon we will be opening up on Sundays. I'm working Sundays with Jade who is the newest member of the team. Jade was the Manager from one of Sydney's best salons, coming with a pedigree of hairdressing which leaves me very excited about the future!
We are also in the middle of a few little renovations. The new look courtyard which will offer us a little more, and much needed extra space. I cant wait. I'm not sure of completion time as of yet, but watch this space.

Male Pattern Balding

No one wants to lose their hair. Hair is such an important part of our wardrobe. If your hair is not right you don't feel right. So when it happens to men it can be a real problem for them. Not everybody looks great with a bald head, not everybody has the face or head shape to completely pull it off. Of course Bruce Willis and the likes kill it but not everybody feels comfortable with their baldness. Now I'm a believer in confidence, and I always knew I would lose my hair. My grandfather's hair was very thin, my father is bald(sorry dad but its true). So I have always figured I would lose mine. And a really good mate of mine told me that when I was surfing he could always see my bald spot as I was cruising along waves- you can always count on your mates!

According to Andrology Australia, "the majority of Australian men will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime. For men between the ages of 20 and 45 who start to lose scalp hair, there is a 95 per cent chance they are experiencing male pattern hair loss." So it's official, I'm going bald.

Three months ago one my clients told me that he was taking a drug called "Poscar". Now this drug is used in the treatment of prostate cancer,and one of the side affects was hair growing back. Apparently hair grows back with constant use up to 7 years, that means I would have the full head of hair of 26 year old, well at least the head of hair I had when i was 26. I have been taking 1/4 of a tablet a day. I think for the treatment of prostate cancer you take 2, so the dose I'm taking is very weak. Of course I asked the doctor about side effects. His answer was, "Anytime you take drugs there are side effects, but with this drug its pretty minimal". I have not had any,except my hair is growing back and getting thicker. Kirsty who cuts my hair in the salon reckons it is, and my wife is in agreement. And I think it feels thicker. So I am three months into trialling "Pos car" and I'm going to get another lot tomorrow. It costs about $70 for three months. I have heard that centres for hair loss charge a small fortune.

I would not say I am a vain man, but I am a hairdresser and I work in an industry based on appearance. I was fine with my hair loss, but when I heard that it could be stopped, I jumped at the chance. What man wouldn't want the opportunity to get his hair back?

I just wanted to share my experience, and I will post another pic of my diminishing baldness in another 3 months.

Dockers San Francisco

A few photos that we have worked on are up on the Dockers clothing website. www.eu.dockers.com/ed_GB/ Simi, who is the main stylist we use in the salon, came up with the looks. Very talented guy. Adrian Alston shot them and some of the pics are on his site www.adrianalston.com again a real talent. Its always great to be involved in projects like these and its great to get your work overseas.

Your hairdresser Is Just Not That Into You

Well another great week at the English, BUSY. i have been Quoted in Aprils Women's Health Mag.
insits you'll look better in a Jessica Simpson-style extensions. "A good hairdresser is a good judge of Character ," says Steve Corthine owner of Stevie English Hair in Sydney. "When deciding what's right for you they should ask you about your job, your wardrobe and your routine." If they don't ask tell them. For instance, if you prefer to just shower and go in the mornings you don't want a cut that's takes a lot of styling. "I like someone who;s done their research," Corthine says. "Bring in a few pics, and tell me what you don't like as well as what you do." Honesty and communication are key, on both sides. And remember that ultimately, its in your hairdressers favour to do a good job on your hair as well. " That's my work walking out the door," Corthine quips.>
Some of the work that walks out our door is some of the best around. I am very proud of my team and the standard of work that we maintain. We rock!

So you think you can dance at Lawn Bowls

Some of the team at lawn bowls on Sunday

Another great week at the English, Verity was prepping hair for "So You Think You Can Dance" the salon was pumping. We are really lucky to get a nice mix of great clients and then get asked now and then to help on some cool shows. As soon as I have pics I will post.
We have a great relationship with lots of dancers and its always nice to help them out. While some of the team were prepping hair, the rest of us were at Waverley Bowls having a cool team bonding afternoon. Think the team was more into drinking than bowls. But it was a lot of fun.

Pisces

The strangest thing happened this week. My first 5 clients on Wednesday were all Pisces. I'm Pisces, a lot of my friends are, and now a large amount of my clients are. Is this a rarity? Or do we attract things and people to whom we are alike?

2009 Oscars Looks

I am sure you have all seen countless images of Oscar dresses, winners, and losers, but I just wanted to comment on my favourite hairstyles from this year's awards.

Sarah Jessica Parkers's colour looks amazing. It looks natural, the regrowth isn't visible because the lighter colour is underneath and the hair looks healthy and gorgeous. It is a great low-maintenance colour and a great look for autumn.

Jennifer Aniston always has great hair, and this year was no exception. Her lovely honey blonde colour suits her skin tone,and the casual blowdry-with-Bohemian braid looks done but not overdone. Her stylist must get paid very well ;)

My two favourite long-and-curly styles worn by Alicia Keys and Amanda Seyfried. Alicia's hair looks gorgeous and healthy (she must use O&M colour!) and glamourous. Amanda'a lovely natural blonde colour also looks great, and the smooth loose curls look easy and pretty.

This lady, Taraji Henson, is rocking the hell out or a sharp razored bob and a great blowdry. Not fussy, just well-groomed and very cool.

Kate Winslet definitely looks like an Oscar winner here. It's a classic upstyle with a bit of a modern twist. The super-sculpted look really suits

I don't normally comment on bad hairstyles BUT.... Jessica Biel here is a beautiful young lady at the ACADEMY AWARDS and she has what looks like dirty hair tied up in a half-hearted attempt at a style. I just think a shampoo and blowdry could have helped. You're still hot Jessica.

The New O&M Website

Well, I'm back in the salon after a pretty great holiday on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. Lots of surfing, sunshine and general relaxing and good times. I admit that I was nervous about leaving the salon for the first time but the girls have proven that I was worried for nothing. They had a great week and I feel very lucky to have such brilliant colleagues. You can't put a price on their value-thanks girls!

We have had some new press, and Originalandmineral.com.au website has just been launched and I make an appearance or two. It's so nice to have a product company that not only supports us as team, but offers great products and great opportunity. Thanks O&M.

A litlle bit of press

Its always nice when someones saying nice things about you.

The First Salon In Australia

We are the first salon in Australia to have the new colour lock Irons. We are actully the first concept salon in Australia who has become T3.
T3 is a company who has taken the styling irons to new levels, they have changed the way we will be doing hair. Their Irons Technology supersedes any other iron, the technology is three years more advanced than their closest rival.
They have also superseded the hair dryer, a hairdryer that with constant use the condition of the hair will get better and better, it doesn't blast the hair, it uses patented tourmaline infusion technology, which drys the hair using infrared. Leaving the hair less damaged and well conditioned. Also because of the technology they use less energy which means less carbon credits.

Kevin.Murphy

We have had the artistic director of Kevin.Murphy Europe in today. The salon has been a buzz with therapy centre ,the new treatments from Kevin.Murphy. Thanks Janelle your a star, and the girls had loads of fun. Georgie and Naomi made a little Podcast which will be making the rounds around Europe, to all the Kevin.Murphy salons. GO GIRLS!

The Cool Company O&M

I Can't believe we are at the end of January already- where does time slip away to? Kirsty has been on holiday, and next week I take off for two weeks to lovely Noosa.
This week I was lucky enough to be asked by O&M to talk about the future and product development, to help out with education and to give my ideas about coming trends. I feel really privileged to be asked and it's really nice to work with a GREAT haircare company that cares about the hair and the environment, two things that I'm passionate about.
We have had another great week! We were also involved in a little mens' shoot, Jake who works here did the hair and the modeling, and we all think it was pretty cool. Simi styled and rocked this shoot out! We love your work Simi.

The Paint Job

before

after

For a long time Stevie English Hair has had a pretty interesting colour job. When we moved in we only painted the bottom half, and then there was this god awful yellow at the top. So this weekend my stellar crew of my father, brother and myself fixed it! A huge Thank you to my Dad and bro, and amazingly no real arguments. It was a lot of fun ,although I will be perfectly happy if I never see a paintbrush again. It's very different from painting hair, and I'm pleased to say I'm a lot better at my real job.
See how good it looks! We are well chuffed!

The Pavlova

Clients are so nice,the team was brought in a Pavlova today, i have to say we all feel a little fatter and happier! Yum. Thanks Maria

A new year resolution

First week back-a new year. A time to make resolutions, a time for me to better myself and the business. What would I change from last year? What does Stevie English Hair want from the upcoming year? Last year was amazing, and I wouldn't change a single thing. But what can we do better this year? We recycle everything, well almost, a worm farm is coming. I would like to get a bit more involved in the Glebe community, I really love this area and how we have fit in here.
We are going to open "Alfresco Hairdressing" in our courtyard, hopefully in February. Later in the year we are going to open the Academy. (top secret i have said too much)
Our goals for the year:

1. Have Fun
2. Open the courtyard up
3. Open the academy
4. To be Talked about a little bit more
5. Have fun
6. To create trends not follow them
7. To grow as a team
8. To be involved in the Glebe community
9. Have more fun

Our clients come first, and anything else comes second. I'm putting goals up so we have not forgotten them by Australia Day. I feel really good about this year!

A Year In Reflection

It's been a year of milestones-I'm another year older, the salon had its first birthday, and:

1. We got published in Magazines (Instyle, Womens Health, Marie Claire, Oyster, Madison, Empower and a few more)
2. Winner of best salon in Sydney voted by readers.
3. Finalist for the city of Sydney business awards.
4. Nominated by the Lord Mayor for a Sustainability Award.
5. We directed hair shows for O&M and Nina Maya.
6. We worked on Sydney, and Melbourne fashion weeks, doing such labels as Gorman, Ginger and Smart, Finetti, White Suede, Antipodean, Camilla Frank, Nicholas Molli and many more!
7. Hair for the Sony Foundation ball, Chambord Shine Awards.
8. The Seafolly launch for their new collection( one of my personal favs)
9. We were chosen by Vodafone and Kahdo to be a sponsored driver!
10. I starred in Adverts for O&M and Vodafone they are coming out next year (scary, no really scary)
11. We also directed a show and commercial for Pushplay jeans.

Wow! What a year, and I'm sure there are things I have forgotten. 2008 has been a great year. The team has grown, our client base has grown. I am so happy with life here at the English, and its really down to the team around me, from my family, to the girls at work and my friends. To everybody who has supported us this year THANK YOU . Next year will be bigger, better and more fun. We came, we saw and we conquered!