Nicky Clarke’s True Colours

CHANGING hair colour is a big deal. Not because we’re scared of change – it’s estimated that somewhere between 65 and 75 per cent of women dye their hair - but because it can be damaging to both your hair and confidence if it’s not done correctly.

Rachel’s in high demand because she understands both the art and science behind colouring hair. 

With hair akin to a Rocket ice lolly - a thick band of raven roots, rustic middle section and straggly sun-singed ends - I was long overdue some expert help. Nicky Clarke has a vast range of colour options on offer at the huge salon in Spinningfields, Manchester. Now, you probably automatically associate luscious layered haircuts with the Nicky Clarke brand, but their colour expertise is also second to none.

Before - 'Rocket' Hair

Rachel Fountain has been in the hairdressing game for 25 years and has worked at Nicky Clarke for 12 of those. As Senior Technical Director specialising in colour, she knows her stuff and has seen everything. From having to fix the work of hairdressers from hell, to learning directly from Nicky himself – she’s a real industry insider.

She said: “Some hairdressers at other salons make promises they can’t keep. Also, much of the quality in colour services derives from the products you’re working with. We are in a good position at Nicky Clarke as we use Wella colour products which are some of the best in the business.

“We once had a young girl with naturally very dark hair who had been to a different salon and had her hair bleached all over because she’d asked to be platinum blonde. She was left with orange roots and reddish ends and was understandably upset.

“We definitely wouldn’t have agreed to do what she had asked as we know what is possible and what isn’t. Instead we’d have advised her on what would look better. In her case that would have been very finely weaved highlights to get the lightness all over without the damage.”

Before - Dark Underneath

Luckily, Rachel was able to correct the girl’s colour but had she have paid Nicky Clarke a visit in the first place, it would have saved a lot more time and money in the long run.

Going from jet black to bleach blonde isn’t the only dramatic request the team have had of late. Rachel has seen a huge demand for celebrity inspired colour with Rihanna and Cheryl Cole reds as the favourites last season. A far cry from the salons of yesteryear, Nicky Clarke prefers to offer the latest celebrity and fashion magazines for colour inspiration, rather than the old-fashioned, traditional hair catalogues.

Rachel said: “The Nicky Clarke signature style has always been a classic and glamourous look where the hair is smooth and has natural movement. The same goes for colour. This winter will see requests for richer, deeper colour – that’s the direction trends are heading in. We find that colour is often determent on the haircuts that are in fashion. The two work hand in hand.”

Back to my own colour and it’s safe to say my hair was in expert hands. At Nicky Clarke new customers have to do a skin test before their colour appointment. You get a little transfer to take home and you simple apply it to the inside of your elbow with water 48 hours before your appointment.

Allergy Test

Certain there was no allergic reaction, Rachel assessed my hair in detail, picking out my current wishy-washy colours. She explained that as the underneath was largely dark brown, it’d make sense to take it a lighter shade to blend better with the honey tones she’d add on top. This would give me an all over refreshed and uplifted colour without actually having to dye all of my hair.

Rachel is a perfectionist and it was almost therapeutic to watch her apply the dye and foils in an effortlessly regimented fashion. It’s second nature to her after all these years and proof that the technique at Nicky Clarke is unique to the company. The level of in-house training required has to be grade A standard (In NVQ courses at colleges, grades B and C are accepted as passes). Foils are also added in accordance with the Nicky Clarke sectioning pattern which is different to other salons too.

Rachel said “Unfortunately some hairdressers, normally in smaller salons, have no structure and technique to the way they colour hair. It’s the section patterns and usage of the head shape that makes the hairdresser in control of what they’re colouring and guarantees a better result.”

After rinsing off my colour and checking the immaculate results it was straight on to the next client for Rachel, but that’s always a good sign. Rachel’s in high demand because she understands both the art and science behind colouring hair. It was then over to Style Director, Zeb Luke Gethen for the finishing touches to my do while I also got the princess treatment from Laura, manicurist from the Jo Pallan Nail Bar which can also be found in the salon, and trainee hairdresser Ashley, who makes the damn finest hot chocolate in all of Manchester. Fact.

Manchester's Best Hot Chocolate

With its grand setting, Nicky Clarke has become a one-stop shop for style. The beauty offerings are a reassuring addition as, let’s be honest, not many of us feel our look is complete by just having our hair done. We want it all. And at Nicky Clarke you can get your hair, nails, eyebrows and eyelashes in one fell swoop and, just like me, leave feeling fabulous. It’s all about glamour you see. Nicky Clarke wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lynda had maxi-lites at Nicky Clarke in Spinningfields, Manchester. See below for information on the different colour options available:

Finished Nicky Clarke Highlights

Finished Colour - Side

Finished Colour - Back

Nicky Clarke Colour Options                                                                                     

Retouch: Permanent block colour to the roots. Colour can be lighter or darker than the client’s natural colour.

Full head tint: Permanent colour for virgin hair. Same as a retouch but the colour is applied through to the ends.

Semi-permanent: A temporary non-peroxide dye that gives extra shine and washes out in 6-8 weeks. Hair cannot be lightened with a semi-permanent.

Quazi colour: Same as a semi permanent but contains a small amount of peroxide to make the colour last longer before fading out gradually over 10 weeks.

Full head: A full head of highlights. Roots will start showing in 10-12 weeks.

Maxi-lites: Half a head of highlights or lowlights.

Micro-lites: A few highlights across the top section and crown areas. Great for clients with shorter hairstyles and clients with long hair who want a bit of sun kissed colour.

Vari-lites: Similar to micro-lites but even more subtle as highlights are placed on the top and sides only.

Mezzo-lites: Full head of highlights with block colour in between highlighted areas to add warmth and gloss.

Half mezzo-lites: Similar to mezzo-lites but half a head of highlights with a colour base on the rest of the hair.

Corrective colour and colour change: This depends on the client’s hair and/or the problem.