insideKENT Magazine Issue 84 - March 2019 | Page 79
FASHION+BEAUTY
EXCEPTIONAL STYLING, CUTTING-EDGE COLOUR TECHNIQUE, AND A UNIQUE
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE – WELCOME TO THE WONDER OF
Jerome Hillion
Hair and Make Up
AT THE WALPOLE BAY HOTEL
by Samantha Ready
Since setting up shop, quite literally, on the third
floor of the quirky Walpole Bay Hotel in Margate
in 2013, award-winning hairdresser Jerome Hillion’s
unique salon-cum-personal stylist experience has
continued to go from strength to strength.
His ‘unique one-to-one salon experience’ concept
is still beautifully simple. A dedicated space
where you are able to obtain the best cut, colour
and styling, but in a salon that is dedicated just to
you – the decadence of your own personal hairstylist!
And make no mistake, this is a salon, from the wash
bowl in the corner and rows of professional hair care
and colour options, to the somewhat less traditional
chair in front of the mirror, but it is so much more
than that.
This is hairdressing theatre, glamour and
sophistication – a place where you are truly the star
of the show, front and centre in the lights of the full-
size gilt mirror.
And more than that, this salon is eco conscious,
environmentally aware and vegan friendly, driven
out of the passion and vision of Jerome himself,
which is why this new year seemed like the perfect
time to give the intimate hairdressing space a fresh
new makeover.
Arrival is still through the main Edwardian hotel,
where salon visitors ride in the 1927 Otis trellis gated
lift to the 3rd floor before the door opens to the
beautifully refurbished bijou salon.
Still front and centre is the beautiful Hollywood
mirror where all attention is placed, as Jerome weaves
his colour and cutting magic; but attention is also
now drawn to the bold geometric, yet classically
simple wallpaper, offset with leather armchair seating,
and the greenery of selected pot plants. The result
is masculine, yet soft; updated and modern yet still
traditionally stylish and reflects the humble yet
sophisticated nature of Jerome and the hairstyles
that he creates.
Strategically placed are the products that he has
carefully selected, rigorously tested and
enthusiastically demonstrate; true natural, vegan
hair colour systems that have lasted longer, been
kinder to my hair (and sensitive scalp!) and produced
glossier, more sustainable colour than any other
brand I’ve ever had applied. The divine Windle and
Moodie shampoos, conditioners and styling products
were so good I took them home, where they have
been just as brilliant under my own hand as they
were when used by the the master to create my
swishing, gleaming finished ‘do’; which I should add
is still the best colour and cut I’ve had in two decades!
Just the right level of tone and colour, just the right
mix of edgy but still ‘me’ and just the right result of
‘oooh I love your hair’, which come straight from
the superb colour knowledge and expert cutting that
Jerome has honed.
I love this dynamic (and very affordable) hair concept,
and I am not the only one. There is still the pilgrimage
of his regular clients from London, a loyal band
of East Kent regulars and now an expanding
cohort of Kent hair aficionados clamouring to
secure a sought-after appointment. They, like I,
won’t be disappointed.
Jerome Hillion Hair and Make Up
at The Walpole Bay Hotel
5th Avenue
Cliftonville
Margate
CT9 2JJ
07971 324 347
www.jeromehillionhairandmakeup.co.uk
JHillionH
jeromehillionhairandmakeup
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