I started hairdressing at the age of 15 in my home town of Portsmouth - to be honest, I was only really interested in the amount of girls I could meet! It soon dawned on me that I really enjoyed hairdressing and I made some very good friends, who feature hugely in my career, driving me towards my adventures today.
In 1995 I felt the need to explore, and soon found myself in Wimbledon. I grew as a hairdresser so much here, being involved in photographic and show work, which opened so many new areas of the industry to me.
The more I experienced, the more my skills evolved and, as I started to create more individuality for my guests, I realised that this was the type of hairdressing I really enjoyed.
After bouncing around ideas with one of my friends, we decided to open up a salon. This is how I ended up in Tunbridge Wells, where we married a relaxing environment and a total experience, with excellent hairdressing. In fact, our first salon was so successful that we soon moved to a bigger premises and created The Chapel, introducing therapies to compliment and enhave the experiences we already offered.
Whilst as The Chapel we achieved many awards and accolades, including global recognition, and we strived to show the industry just how good it could be. With The Chapel we created an amazing environment for both guests and staff and The Chapel family took shape, grew and took on an identity of its own.
I had always promised myself some time off and Brazil was my destination of choice. I had a great time relaxing and having fun - trust me, the experience was a fantastic healer - but I realised it was time to get Real; now the name of my newest adventure, which is what this salon is all about.
Jo, my business partner, and I felt it was time to get back to the *real* experience: good honest work, friendships and fun. We chose to work with Aveda as we love their approach to creating the best products using quality natural ingredients whilst, at the same time, caring for our planet.
So, this is me now...on my next adventure!
Starting Real with Stuart has given me the oppourtunity to express my beliefs, my personality, and to show off a standard of treatment that exceeds expectations.
During my 16 years within the hair and beauty industry, including 6 1/2 years at the award winning The Chapel, I have gained the greatest insight and knowledge to achieve a first class experience for every guest I treat.
The time I spend with you will be focused on your main concerns, lifestyle issues and your elemental nature - we will personalise the service entirely for you. Aveda works in harmony with my ethos and offers quality servies and products alongside caring for our planet. The environment we live in is so important to us all so, in every way possible, I endeavour to be 'green'.
My inspirations come from everyone around me, especially my family and the talented and passionate team at Real, and I love the industy I work in; forever changing with new treatments, techniques and products, it keeps me challenged, motivated and inspired.
This is a little part of who I am and, I hope, through my work, I can show you my love and passion for beauty, Aveda and of course, Real.
"Beauty is as beauty does!"
How excited am I to be invited to work alongside the Real team! I've been away for 4 years and now i'm back, ready to carry on where I left off...just a little wiser and a whole lot older!
Working with my guests through the years has been a great adventure and I really enjoy being taken on that journey - exploring the highs and lows, the life changing experiences and the getting-older-but-not-feeling-an-ounce-different. Meeting up again with Jo and Stuart has allowed me the oppourtunity to offer my guests the best service ever and, together, we work and have fun creating new and exciting looks to fit our time in life.
Enjoying life inspires me, and working around passionate people is what I need...and what I have found! x
I started my beauty career 7 years ago and I always strive to be the best, making sure I work in salons and spas which reflect this; this is why I have joined the Real team.
So far in my career I have worked in both salon and spa environments, both local to Kent and in London. The scope that this has given me has allowed me to provide great treatments with personal and friendly service, and I am now ready to re-enter the hair and beauty industry with fresh ideas.
Working at Real will alow me to establish a rappor with my guests, rather than a bland, functional 'in and out' experience of a spa. I love providing a wide range of treatments but, most of all, my greatest satisfaction is to see my guests leave the salon as if floating on a cloud...
