So aaaages ago I posted HERE about my desire for pillarbox red hair and asked for peoples thoughts… Some people said I should go for it, some warned about the upkeep… But you know when you just think “I need to find out for myself, and I’ll regret NOT doing it more than I’d regret doing it”…? So I started looking into it, and pricing it up – It was going to be a big job basically requiring my hair  to be stripped of colour and then redyed, and then kept up at home.

I wasn’t deterred… But I needed to save up for it.

So I resigned myself to that. But then I was contacted  by a fairy godmother/PR laydee who offered to try to help. After much too-ing and fro-ing, shift swapping and emailing, a date was set and operation Red Hair was in full swing.

First of all a bit about the salon – Tommy’s is named after its proprieter Tommy Van Der Veken and won Hairdressing salon of the year in 2007. They now have two salons, and I went to the Chester branch which is set just near the city wall – Alice in Wonderland style, you poke your head through a passageway through the wall, and there is the salon. The setting is great – it is near the town centre, but seems to be quiet enough to offer a little haven…

Inside the salon is cool, clean and modern. I was also interested to see that they stock newer haircare ranges such as Morrocan Oil.

Oooh, and I HAVE to mention the chairs – usually in salons I find the hairwash a bit of a trauma – the whole water too cold/too hot, sink cutting into the back of neck thing really doesn’t set me up for relaxation. But here they have a sink with a comfy neck edge, as well as a chair that raises your legs up and gives you a massage… MUCH better!

The colour range used by the salon is a new launch from Schwartzkopf called Essensity, which is free from ammonia, silicones, paraffin oils and parabens. The stylists explained that this meant that the range didn’t contain more extreme colours, however they agreed to use a colour lifting solution before using the brightest shade from the range (mixed with a little copper to keep it warmer). My hair was also given a good trim and the layers were enhanced a little where they needed to be…

So before I looked like this;

And afterwards I looked like this;

no flash

with flash

Apologies for the lack of makeup, pasty face and general crapness of the photo’s – they were the ones that showed the colour best!

My experience on the day was amazing – I can’t fault the staff at the salon (Amy and Hannah were so lovely – I turned up late after managing to get lost in Chester and they were so nice about it!), and I am really pleased with the cut and condition of my hair, so Tommy’s salon gets a definite thumbs up from me.

I also think the quality of the colour system used on me is great – usually after hair dye my hair is left feeling dull, dry and lacklustre – As you can see my hair still looks shiny and well conditioned (this is after washing and “styling” it myself as well…), so I can’t fault that.

But just on a personal level Im still craving a more “out there” red. This is a fab system for people who want a permanent colour change without wrecking their hair, but if you are looking for an extreme shade, then you might want to try other systems. Like I say though, highly recommended for those who have had irritation to other salon dyes or irritants mentioned above, or if you want a more natural hue… so I’ll doubtlessly continue on my quest for Jane Goldman-esque locks…

What do you think of me new barnet then? Does the Essensity range which is more natural appeal to you?

Disclaimer – the treatment and haircut were given free of charge. This was arranged for me for review purposes. I was not paid, bribed or tortured to give this review, and all opinions are honest as always.