Review: Sixth Sense Salon Experience and System Professional Energy Code Launch

Sixth Sense Salon in Sutton Coldfield has long been on my "to visit" list. A few weeks ago, I was invited to the official launch of the System Professional Energy Code range at the salon. Although I couldn't make it, I was able to come in last week to find my Energy Code and sort out my unruly locks with a cut and blowdry.

Just off the high street, the salon was easy to find and I parked up nearby. Dean was on hand to welcome me when I arrived and I even got to sit and enjoy a coffee.

My appointment was with Style Director Tash who went through some questions to find my Energy Code before we got started on the cut and blowdry.

The questions were all around your derma (scalp), fibra (hair fibre quality) and forma (hair texture), looking at what you do and don't like about your hair, the products you use already and how you treat your hair with colour, heat and styling products.

From this, I found my unique Energy Code which is S1, H1, L4 and B5. This translates to the Smoothen Shampoo, Hydrate Conditioner, Reconstructive Elixir and Balance Lotion.

After the consultation with Tash, Morgan washed my hair and I even got a mini scalp massage too. This was done in a separate room which was fully equipped with a TV which was a great touch.

Onto the cut, Tash was really thorough in asking what I wanted without leaving me confused. It can be so difficult to answer the question when it's left wide open, but by leading me through each part of the style Tash gave me a fabulous cut that I was really happy with. For example, I was happy to cut off quite a bit of hair in order to get it back to being really healthy, but I had the option to remove just the ends too if I wanted to keep the length.

Finally, I asked for a bouncy blow dry. This is where I was most impressed. Using a round barrelled brush as a roller, Tash teased my hair into a big bouncy style. What's most impressive though is that the style lasted 5 whole days before I washed it. To be honest, I probably could have left it for a week, and it remarkably didn't get greasy in that time. What miracles Tash?!

Overall, I was really happy with my experience at Sixth Sense Salon. The staff were all really professional and talented, I loved the fact that there are screens everywhere to keep customers entertained, and the salon itself is really modern and clean.

Here are 5 reasons why I'd go back:

• The longest lasting blowdry I've ever received
• Stylists who listen to what you want and need
• A haircut that works for me and is easy to look after 
• Relaxed and modern salon 
• Great parking nearby (don't laugh!)

A big thank you to both Dean's, Tash, Morgan and the team.

L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Masque - Review

As much as I love the caramel colour my hair goes when it's been highlighted to high heaven, what I don't like is the dry straw like texture it gives to treated hair.

On my search for a good hair mask, I came across this; L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Masque with reinforcing serum.

L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Masque available here

Here's what I love about this product:

1. The size - it's a huge 300ml pot of product and at around £5, it means you can afford to slather on the product.

2. The price - £5 is pretty decent for a hair mask

3. The smell - it smells like a salon, one of my favourite smells :) 

The product itself is a glossy white and a comfortingly thick, gloopy consistency. I leave it in for around 10 minutes, just because I'd rather leave it in for longer and make sure it has time to sink in. It washes out easily and leaves hair definitely softer, smelling lovely, less tangled and is smoother after blow drying.

Overall, it's a really good value conditioning treatment that can be used every week guilt free.

Salon Secrets: How to blow dry your hair

Round Barrel Brush and Sectioning Clips from Primark

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been lucky enough to have had my hair played with as a hair model at Toni and Guy. My hair’s been tonged, curled, pinned and teased into an array of different styles.

One of the first things any hairdresser in training needs to perfect is a blow dry.  I’ve picked up a few tips as I’ve had my hair done a few times now and wanted to share the secrets of how to get a salon style blow dry at home.

First off, your tools. You’ll need a round barrel brush with bristles, sectioning clips like the ones pictured to section and secure your hair with, a protein spray such as this one and a blow out spray such as this.

First off, wash hair and spray your protein spray all over. This will give the style some hold and texture and also protect it from heat damage. Dry, coloured hair can often be lacking in protein and using a spray like this can help restore your hair, improve the condition and keep the colour from fading.

Next, roughly dry the hair all over (you don’t need to part your hair yet) using a hairdryer without the nozzle. On a medium warm heat, take the hairdryer close to the root and use circular motions to dry the roots and give them volume. It’s really important that it’s not too hot so check that you can stand the heat against your hand before starting on the roots to ensure the scalp doesn’t get too hot! Make sure your hair is about 80-95% dry.

Next, spray a blow dry spray all over and part the hair. Section the bottom into two first then wind the rest of the hair into two buns using your sectioning clips by twirling, wrapping into a bun and the clipping straight against the scalp.

Using a large round barrel brush in one hand and a hairdryer with the nozzle on in the other, pull hair under and dry using a medium heat. Go over the ends a few times by winding back up and pulling down to ensure the ends are curled. Once you’ve repeated this pulling and rolling back movement a few times, roll the first section back up so it’s wrapped around the brush and blast with cold air to set. To avoid messing up the rest of your hair, direct the nozzle upwards just onto the edge of the brush nearest to you so the air is blowing upwards and not towards the rest of your hair. Unwind the first section in the direction that is away from your face.  Repeat on every section! Make sure that the first smaller layer has two sections, the next has 3 with one in the middle (across the parting) to make sure you don’t end up with a split in the middle of your head! Each layer can have up to 4 sections. The last, top layer should also have 3 sections and take care to pull everything away from your face to give you a natural look.

Once you’ve finished, tip your head back and rub a few pumps of serum onto your palsm. Workign from the top of your head, shake hair loose and use your hands as a comb.

Ta-dah! Salon style hair at your fingertips!

Let me know how you get on guys.