April 13, 2012 at 12:31 pm
MISSED IT? WATCH ME ON ITV NOW
Earlier this week I had the privilege of working with three extraordinary women. ITV This Morning invited Debbie, Janet and Doris onto the show to discuss one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment – hair loss and re-growth. Each of the ladies had undergone various types of chemotherapy and had lost different amounts of hair. Anyone who has experiences hair loss knows that it can take away your confidence, and leave you feeling less feminine.
Debbie used to have straight hair but it grew back curly and she didn’t know how to manage it. For Debbie it was a learning curve, she had to figure out how to style her new hair and make it work for her. I gave her a permanent blow dry, which removes frizz and controls curls and taught Debbie how to blow-dry her new hair at home.
Janet ‘s hair fell out as soon as her chemo began and it had been pride and joy. Loosing it had a massive impact on her but thankfully it grew in quickly. Janet had a good amount of hair but was in desperate need for some texture and shape. After a good haircut, Janet’s hair instantly looked styled, with more volume and enhanced colour.
With Doris, her hair had started to thin at the front, which was due to bereavement, and the stress of finding out she had cancer three weeks after her husband passed away. I could tell from looking at Doris that her confidence had been shattered. The kind folk at Trendco donated a lace front wig, which I cut to suit Doris and as soon as I fitted it you could see the joy and confidence reappear.
The thing with chemotherapy is that it kills off the cancer cells but it alters other cells, including your hair follicles, which is why the hair can grow back differently in texture and colour. I would advise anyone having undergone chemotherapy to leave their hair for about six months before getting any colour or treatments applied and the hair needs time to settle.
It was a huge honour to work with Debbie, Janet and Doris, three beautiful women who at the end of the day began to feel like their old selves.
Leo x
February 12, 2012 at 2:30 am
Hiya, just a quick blog to let you know about a brilliant new product from Kérastase we have just launched in the salon: ‘Fibre Architecte’
The buzz on the product is that it is an ‘icon in the making’ as it is a the first product to have a double pump dispenser containing 2 different solutions which you mix together to activate. It contains complex Ciment-Cylane (intra-Cylane + Ceramide R + Pro-Keratin) which targets brittle, very damaged lengths and split ends and is ideal for hair that has been over-processed or damaged from excessive heat. You simply apply to dry hair and instantly reap the rewards of healthy, smooth hair.
I have left a bottle out on the reception desk so do pop in and have a try and see how amazing this product really is!
Kirstie x
February 7, 2012 at 10:12 am
Leo Bancroft, ITV This Morning Stylist
Happy New Year! I hope you all had some time off to relax and chill out over the holidays! It’s not something I’m very good at to be honest, but I definitely found some time to hang out with my wife and kids, watch Chelsea play and have a few drinks. It’s not all glamorous being a celebrity stylist I promise…
Although I am actually writing this blog from New York where I’m out working and having meetings about a few different projects that I have in the pipeline. Can’t quite give you details just yet but I’ll share as soon as I can, it’s all very exciting and top secret at the moment.
Anyway, I was flicking through some magazines on the flight here and the media darling Kim Kardashian was pictured wearing a cool clip-in fringe. Now I love things like this; anything that allows real people to change and experiment with their style on a relatively inexpensive level. Kim’s fringe is a great way to try out a new look before committing or just for a glam change on a night out. There are so many different ways to try out a new look – Balmain do an amazing range of clip in ponytails and buns which are particularly good for those with fine or short hair.
My top tips for working with temporary hairpieces;
1,Try to work with day old hair and use your natural hair will have a lot more grip and texture. Failing this, use a texturizing product like Shu Uemura Liquid Fabric Spray to add hold and grip to your style.
2,Backbrush the roots slightly as this will help disguise the join between your own style and the hairpiece.
3,Work with two mirrors or ask a friend’s advice to ensure that any clips cannot be seen.
4,Finish by misting the style with some natural hold hairspray to ensure it stays in place all night. And work with a little attitude – wearing a temporary hairpiece requires confidence
January 11, 2012 at 3:34 pm
As part of Leo’s summer residency, he took part in an amazing makeover with This Morning viewer Sara Jane. Sara Jane had lost her confidence and with the help of the ITV Summer makeover team – she was completely transformed. As well as new teeth, facials and a new wardrobe, Leo completely transformed her lifeless locks. From over ten years of experience in the industry, Leo knows that hair plays an important part in how we feel about ourselves and how self-assured a person we really are. Leo began by adding a deep violet shade through Sara Jane’s style which added shimmering shine and lots of depth, making the hair look super lustrous and healthy. Afterwards, he trimmed Sara Jane’s hair, as she hadn’t had it cut for over two years! A good cut is the basis of any great style – it adds bounce and helps add volume as long hair can be very heavy and lack movement. He then curled her hair using a wide barrelled wand, and pulled it to the side creating a glamorous yet flattering vintage inspired look.
The makeover wasn’t about making Sara Jane look prettier or more attractive, it was about instilling confidence and taking her back to the assertive person she had once been. After the makeover Leo noticed a remarkable change in Sara Jane’s demeanour; “Sara Jane instantly stood up straighter and looked far more happier within herself. I love being able to be part of such a change – we see it everyday in the salon, women leave happier and more confident. Hair is a very big part of this.”
To watch Leo in action on This Morning CLICK HERE
January 1, 2012 at 10:24 am
ITV This Morning Christmas Crackers – WATCH MAKEOVER HERE
I can honestly say, hand on heart; the current Christmas Cracker feature on ITV This Morning is my absolutely favourite yet to work on. We chose three women from hundreds who were nominated by family and friends and we set out to give them a complete body overhaul. The aim of the makeover is not to make the three lucky ladies look better, but to make them feel better, feel more confident and a little more polished.
First up and shown on ITV today (you can still get it on ITV Player) is the very lovely Joanne Sparks. Joanne has had a bit of a rough time of it in recent years after splitting with her husband then losing her son. The absolutely devastating events had taken their toll on Joanne’s hair, skin and teeth and we set about changing this. As well as a teeth whitening treatment and skin light treatments, I invited Joanne for a day of pampering at the Leo Bancroft Salon. Joanne’s hair was looking tired and lank – she has been home colouring for years and this had built up creating a dark, dense base, which left her skin looking washed out, and pasty. I spent an entire day safely lifting this colour whilst conditioning and nourishing her dry hair. I lifted to two shades lighter and added a stunning warm caramel shade to add warmth and depth. Joanne has a petite face and her hair over powered this so I cut it into an angular bob that highlights her fantastic cheekbones and gives her a younger, fresher look.
I’m sure you will agree that Joanne looks absolutely stunning, and I think I got the ultimate seal of approval live on ITV – her mum loves it! Result!
Cheers,
Leo x
December 12, 2011 at 11:43 am
One for the guys…
So I hear there is a film out this weekend, Twilight – Breaking Dawn? I’m kidding, I haven’t heard about anything else for about three months. But seriously, as well as hitting media headlines on a daily basis Twilight has created a serious trend that has affected the fashion, beauty and hair industry massively. The dark gothic, black lips and lace trend that is all over the high street just now is a direct product from the Twilight trilogy.
But it’s not just one for the ladies – men’s’ trends have also experienced a major impact. Just looking at the images from the red carpet from the Breaking Dawn premiere; it’s clear that grooming is a major part of the appeal. The Twilight boys are all working a similar look – short sides, height and movement on top with light stubble. But don’t be fooled, this isn’t lazy stubble – this is impeccably trimmed.
Finish this look with a dapper, well cut suit and a hint of tan – but remember this is more vampire than Jersey Shore.
Leo
November 16, 2011 at 1:06 pm
I’ve just been flicking through the December edition of Vogue for some inspiration and came across the New York Cool feature shot by one of my favourite photographers Terry Richardson. I take inspiration from everywhere I possibly can; for example my recent Redken TRIBE show was totally inspired by all things digital and I wanted to portray the significance of social media in our lives with my looks. It’s always important in any creative industry to keep your eyes open; visit museums, read newspapers, talk to everyone you possibly can…
So anyway, Terry Richardson is the king of cool and he captures in images what I like to capture when I’m styling hair; natural, candid, raw shots with minimal (none if I can help it) post-production. Hair is a real thing, it’s not perfect – I love a few flyaway and imperfections. It’s edgy, grunge and very street style, which I love.
I also love that he doesn’t use conventional models, in my recent collection Starlight I went for a return to the 90s heroin chic but with a feminine 2011 twist with clean hair and fresh faced nude skin. I was actually inspired from all of the amazing street style blogs that have appeared over the past few years like fashiontoast, Style by Kling, Susie Bubble etc I love that there is now an outlet for young people interested in art and fashion and they’re now so successful that they’re sources of inspiration for some of the world\s best glossy ad campaigns!
I’d love to know where you find your inspiration and what makes you tick so get in touch and let me know!
November 14, 2011 at 11:29 am
Last weekend, the Leo Bancroft team travelled to the beautiful new Fetcham Park wedding venue to session style backstage at the launch event and catwalk. Now I won’t deny that often wedding hair and bridal shows can be so cheesy and really old-fashioned, but this couldn’t have been further from that, and that’s why we got involved. The dresses, make-up, flowers and venue itself oozed London style and we worked with the lovely Penny at Tigerlily, Emma at Miss Bush Bridal Wear and Laura at Fetcham Park to come up with a theme and style that smashed it. And well, to be honest, we did.
Check out the photo gallery below courtesy of the guys at efc photography (www.efcphotography.co.uk). We worked with different bridal styles including the vintage bride, the rock chick bride (definitely my favourite) and the natural bride so there was something for everyone and every look. I always say on your wedding day you should look like you only better – not like an entirely different person. I think the photos speak for themselves so have a look and let us know what you think.
Leo x
November 7, 2011 at 10:39 am
I love this season – it’s a great excuse to go darker, bolder and more underground than ever before but in a sleek, contemporary way. The A/W 11 and S/S 12 catwalks were awash with glossy black make-up, sleek wet look hair and grunge style matte dressed hair so there is something to suit everyone and all levels of daring.
Wet look hair, as seen at the Alexander Wang S/S 12 show and on the downtown streets of New York, is big news and a really dramatic way to add edginess and attitude to short hair. It’s a simple look to achieve and won’t take long, just slick your hair back with argan oil and work with lots of attitude and eyeliner.
Grunge glam is also a key look for the coming season and can be worn and adapted in many ways. The most important factor is that there are no set rules. Hair should look unpolished and slightly messy, taking the bed head look to the extreme. The glamour factor comes in the form of shine. Hair still needs to be in good condition and the look is a combination of rough and glossy. You can use hair powders to slightly mattify, but on the whole, you want to look cool, not as though you actually have neglected your hair.
October 31, 2011 at 9:01 am
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