I recently dyed my hair a darker shade of brown after flaunting a golden, highlight-strewn mane over the summer and became somewhat addicted to the darker side...
I was suddenly enticed by the sultry allure of midnight-hued locks and craved a more intense, chocolate-rich shade to start the new year - as well as a fashionable, body-boosting layered cut...kind of like a less dated version of Rachel's from Friends.
After indulging in a stunning shellac gel mani pedi at the newly opened Guild salon on the Kings Road, I had got to know its charming co-founder Philippe Hostalery, who left me intrigued after singing the praises of his business partner and the salon's renowned Parisian hair stylist - Philippe Gentner.
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| Pretty, shiny nails that last for two weeks without chipping? DO I?! |
Gentner is widely known by glamorous Parisian socialites and well-coiffed celebrities to be a genius with a pair of scissors and a hair dryer, so I was keen to be booked in for a glorious new hair style created by his talented hands the next time he graced the London-based salon with his presence.
I also booked myself in for a colour session with Guild's senior designer, Sebastien Elissalde - a tress-transforming colourist with a creative mind and a hearty laugh...
My barnet-beautifying day at Guild began by bumping into half the cast of Made in Chelsea as I sauntered up the drizzly Kings Road on my way to the salon. When I arrived, a flurried, damp mess, I noticed another character/actor/reality star from the show getting ready to leave whilst swaying a beautifully styled head of long, shimmering waves that, quite frankly, needed to be Instagramed right then and there.
As I nibbled on hob nobs and sipped a strong cup of hot tea, Sebastien discussed my dashing delve into darkness - showing me examples on a colour chart and explaining which shade he felt would suit my olive skin tone the most.
Redken's Shades EQ Gloss - an ammonia-free, conditioning demi-permanent colour in a dark cocoa brown shade was chosen to dye my long, parched hair. I was told it would create an exceptionally glossy and hydrated result, gradually fading after 8 weeks.
After the creamy colour solution was slathered on and left to do its magic for the next half an hour or so, it was washed off while I lay back on one of Guild's swanky massaging chairs - with built in mood lighting (oh yeeeeeah).
I was then fabulously styled within an inch of my life by Gentner, who cut seriously sassy choppy layers into my hair, finishing with the mother of all blowdries.
The result was truly stunning - big, bouncy, layered hair that was vibrantly coloured and glimmering with multidimensional shine.
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| With the hair styling geniuses of Guild - Philippe and Sebastien |
In the days following my visit to Guild, I basked in a merry array of compliments on my sultry new look. My glam mummy, being rather partial to the odd trip to a swish salon...and pampering in general (hey, we're Persian, preening is like breathing to us) was keen to be booked in for a colour with Sebastien and a cut with grooming guru Gentner. This was due to her great approval of my newly decorated head. And she doesn't approve lightly. Oh nooo.
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| Maybe a spot of backcombing pls? |
Upon visiting the salon, my mummy silently admired the exquisite decor of the place and became somewhat attached to the massaging chairs. She opted for a ruby red shellac manicure, an intense permanent golden blonde colour and a sassy feathered cut, which I think made her look even more splendid than she usually does.
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| My freshly styled mummy with the talented Andrew |
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| ...and colouring expert Sebastien |
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| Philippe Hostalery and I at Guild, one week after my colour and cut |
Heck, I sang the praises of this place so much that even my good buddy Anseh popped in for a quick pre-interview blow dry by Guild's expert designer Andrew Mar after marveling at my magnificent mane.
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| Work it baby! |
After a good gossip, a black coffee and some serious ghd action, Anseh left Guild with advert worthy hair and a smug grin - what better way to start an interview...other than maybe arriving with a basket of pie?
Your glam Guild experience can be booked here.
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