FASHION + BEAUTY
kent business spotlight:
HARRISON’ S HAIR TEAM
Harrison ' s Hair Team arrived with style at its Evegate Salon 25 years ago. Approached to open a dedicated salon at the site, Sue Harrison transferred her years of hair styling and colouring experience to creating her own salon in its quaint barn conversion building just outside of Ashford. BY SAMANTHA READY
Fast forward a quarter of a century and Harrison’ s Hair Team at the Evegate Salon, as well as its Sandgate counterpart, driven by the passionate but truly professional Sue, has matured to become a slick operation offering a plethora of hair and beauty treatments, but with their own humble, friendly charm.
So of course it was with much excitement that I arrived at the Evegate Salon as the air of 25th birthday celebrations were taking hold on a busy Thursday afternoon.
They say first impressions count, and here every one was great – the chic waiting chairs, exposed beam ceiling, fancy chandeliers casting light across the shelves displaying a huge range of Redken products, and a friendly hubbub of chit chat and hairdryers. Clients were greeted like old friends, and for many that’ s probably the case.
The salon itself has been designed to produce dedicated client stations making the most use of light and space, as well as a comfortable wash area and a hidden therapy room. They also offer a dedicated nail bar which is where I headed first with the lovely Danielle.
Now by a stroke of luck or genius, I was actually placed into the hands of the most junior member of a very experienced team. Danielle, having gained her beauty qualification, is currently working hard to become a qualified hairdresser too, and whilst she expertly prepared my nails ready for their shape and polish( with a complimentinducing shade of lilac), she not only portrayed a sense of professionalism and knowledge rarely seen in more inexperienced juniors, she did so with an infectious enthusiasm and friendliness that gave me an added insight into just what makes this salon different. There are high standards and expectations, but these are backed up with a dedicated and effective training strategy and it is an obviously welcoming and careerbuilding place to work.
After having my nails restored to a handshakeworthy appearance, inspected by Sue herself, I was led to a subtly hidden treatment room at the rear of the salon.
With a dedicated basin, cosy footstool, mellow music and softly lit by candles it turned out to be the perfect place to have a hair treatment, something that I would thoroughly recommend in addition to any normal‘ cut and blow-dry’ appointment.
Still in the hands of the evidently capable Danielle, we ran through a short Q & A – hair type: normal but tendency to go greasy with too much shampoo; scalp: dry and easily irritated; hair wash routine including regularity, products and issues: very thick and naturally unruly. That enabled her to pick tailored products and treatments that would not only benefit my hair’ s appearance but condition too, all with an aim to leave it manageable.
So in the relaxing room with my feet up and eyes closed, the treatment, including a double shampoo and thorough conditioning, began. The products, Pureology by Redken, are 100 % vegan, 100 % natural and smell 100 % divine. Not only do they protect colour and strengthen hair, they left my hair silky smooth and totally fresh. And the added head and scalp massage during the treatment was total bliss.
Although reluctant to leave the cosy treatment room, I was of course eager to see if the finish would be as sleek as my visit so far, and Sami my stylist didn’ t disappoint.
With a claim to fame of being Harrison’ s newest employee having joined the team a matter of days ago, albeit with nine years of experience under her hairdressing hat, it was clear to see that she was well settled and keen to find her feet in the salon.
Settled into my chair, drink in hand, Sami worked to calm my unruly barnet, providing a
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