Ethical and Concious Hair Care at Jo Hansford luxury salon.
Harvey Nichols, Fourth Floor, Knightsbridge, London
www.johansford.com/our-salons/harvey-nichols/
Since November 2021 Jo Hansford’s newest salon has been up and running on the fourth floor of luxury department store Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. Jo Hansford has been in business for over 28 years as a leading authority in hair colour with a superb reputation worldwide. Her original salon is located in Mayfair. I was lucky enough to experience an afternoon at the newest Knightsbridge salon complete with a full menu of hair consultation, colour , haircut and blow dry. Upon arrival I walked up to the front desk where I was warmly greeted by reception who offered to take my coat and lead me to a modern and elegant seating area to wait for Bridget, my colour specialist. I was kindly offered a drink and quickly a sparkling water arrived and was poured for me. Though it was not a busy time of day in the salon I felt a buzzing but calm energy from staff who were ready to help at a moment’s notice. The décor was sleek, modern and tasteful with a good deal of light, which I always appreciate on these dark winter days. And of course everyone was masked to minimize the risk of any Covid exposure.
Soon Bridget came through and took me to her station where she introduced herself and provided a consultation about the needs for my hair, specifics of my hair type, previous colour treatments, and how I felt about my hair at present. She was patient and took time to educate and inform me as I am now experiencing some hair issues of dryness and thinning with middle age. In reading about the services at Jo Hansford I learned that my colourist Bridget originally came from New Zealand and has specialist knowledge in working with vegan, organic and cruelty-free products. I lived in New Zealand for a number of years so was excited to catch up with her about that unique country. I was also pleased to learn that she is similarly vegan and an advocate for healthy lifestyles as well as healthy hair. Her passion for a balanced life has lead her to pursue a degree in Sustainability as well. One can feel a person’s commitment and passion for their work and I could easily see from watching Bridget in action and hearing her stories that she has spent many years specializing in her field, but also has a strong interest and emphasis on health and women embracing the aging process with dignity and respect for themselves. Pushing into my mid 50s, I felt empowered and encouraged about my own aging process after our talk.
Bridget decided that with my fair darkish blonde hair growing in from recent colour highlights, she would do a full head of baby lights to diffuse the existing blonde into the new growth. She chose Organic Colour Systems powder lightener. She toned this with lightest golden blonde.
Here she explains her process:
I thought it might be of interest to give the background of Organic Colour Systems products. On their website they state: “Our journey started nearly three decades ago with one very clear mission; To give hairdressers a less toxic and more naturally based salon professional colour, care and styling range. Co-founded by hairdresser Stephen Landreth, who was forced to give up hairdressing when he developed a severe allergy to conventional hair colour, soon realised there were not many alternatives available. The solution? He made it himself. After years of research and development Organic Colour Systems was born. A range that is ethically made and healthier for hairdressers and their clients’, without compromising on performance.”
After Bridget completed the foils, it was time for setting the colour and an initial rinse of parts of the hair, while others remained a bit longer. I was taken to the rinse area by Georgia, a junior stylist who is at the beginning of her studies and works in the salon in a variety of roles. She was very pleasant and kept the conversation going with a delightful manner. She seemed enthusiastic about the prospects of her career and this was reinforced when I heard she practices her skills through work outside of the salon and study time. She fixed the heater to set and dry the rest of my hair colour while Bridget checked back in with me. Next was the Oway Colour Hair Bath which nourishes and prolongs colour shine and protects the hair from sun, water and pollution damage. I should mention that Oway products are also vegan, organic and cruelty-free. They describe their products as agricosmetics which means all natural ingredients including plants grown in a biodynamic way with products packaged only in glass or aluminum (no plastic which is highly polluting). Oway states: “Agricosmetics® is a way of thinking, a way of life, a conscious choice. It is putting care, conscience and attention in every choice and action, and creating quality products that respect environment and people”.
The last step in my hair treatment was the Oway Rebuilding Hair Mask which Bridget chose for its moisturising benefits and to replenish my hair. This mask restores protein material to the hair and nourishes, repairs and seals the cuticle. It softens and moisturises as well. An added benefit of Oway products is the olfactory sensation of lavender, basil, and lemon which add floral, sweet and refreshing notes to the scalp. It is recommended that both the Oway Hair bath and Hair Mask be used together for best results.
After a final wash and rinse it was time to move on to my hair stylist. Bridget introduced me to Jessie who was fully prepared to get started on my haircut. She was sweet and talkative, offered me a coffee, and we had a conversation about what style would flatter my hair type and what I wanted in a haircut. Jessie told me she started cutting hair at age 16 and had been in the business for the past 12 years. Many salons and many years in the field for looking so young! Jessie effortlessly trimmed my hair into a classic blunt bob. I had a question about the way my fringe (Americans like myself say “bangs” which Jessie smiled about) had been cut before and she was informative about types of scissors and why they are used. We enjoyed a short talk about what brought me to England and then she proceeded to the blow dry. I marvelled at her five or six hairbrushes lined up on the counter….tools of the trade. Jessie skillfully worked her magic with the hairbrushes and before I knew it she was getting a mirror for me to check her work. I noticed she styled a sweeping fringe with my longer front hair which added a bit of interest and texture. My smile told her I was very pleased. My delightful experience had come to an end but a refreshed colour and hairstyle would remain for weeks to come! I truly enjoyed everyone I worked with and I should also mention Lewis, who was kind enough to lend his fine photography and video skills to the experience.
The staff at Jo Hansford Salon are masters at the art of hospitality and conversation having clear knowledge of ethical/healthy hair products and processes and possessing hands-on expertise. I feel they take a personal interest in their clientele through dynamic conversation, making an effort to explore the style needs of each client and providing top notch services in all areas of the salon experience. I will definitely return. Thank you for a truly professional experience.
For a full list of salon services please refer to the website: www.johansford.com/our-salons/harvey-nichols/
