If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I’ve become very DIY with my hair colouring and cutting, generally because I really struggle to find salons and hairdressers that I click with. Yesterday, I went to try out a new Brighton based salon and get a new cut and colour from Creative Director, George, who has actually been recommended to me a gazillion times from when he was based elsewhere, so yea, it was fate that we work together!
So yea, I head to Lipstick and Gunpowder yesterday, they’re based just off Brighton seafront on King’s Road, just such a great location close to everything and bang in the middle of town. I love the colourful, retro decor of block colours and neon lights, inviting, playful but not at all pretentious.
I was so excited to meet George, who had already been recommended to me so much as someone who would get my taste and do a good job and the recommendation was so good! Not only was he lovely and with some mega style of his own he also really knew his stuff, a product nerd just like me, so that was brilliant as we shared product tips and he gave me all the details of the products he was using.
Love the cute tea tray which came with a dinky individually wrapped Mr. Kipling cake too! So sweet. Lots of other drinks on offer too, even wine! So that’s a nice touch, it’s good to have these little details to make the experience that much more special and worthwhile. George and I had already discussed a little of what I would be up for with this cut and colour treatment so our consultation at the salon was pretty straightforward, George knows his stuff though and is not afraid of any quirky ideas you might want to bring life to.
George started off the treatment by lifting my roots and some areas of my existing colour that needed some help, he used an iNOA colour remover which has low levels of bleach and a beeswax base to make the lightening process gentle but effective. Had a little tingly feel as you’d expect but nothing major and definitely more pleasant than other salon products.
For the colour George used a mix of Colour Freedom Orange Sorbet and Crimson Red which I brought to contribute to the treatment (you can buy these from Superdrug and I really recommend them) he also mixed in some Crazy Colour Rose Red into a colour melt effect through the back and underneath layers, softening the colour around my face.
After the dye was rinsed out, George cut my hair, keeping the length and tidying up my DIY layers to give my hair a wonderful, bouncy texture and shape, it has such great movement now. George also gave my fringe a much needed trim and restored those curved edges which I’ve loved for ages. I promise to Instagram some better photos of my hair soon, as you really can’t see the magic of the colour in these snaps.
You can see at the back the strands of pink toned red gently melting into the orange base, it still looks like me but better! I love the colour because it’s still different and vibrant but without being too in your face, it’s still classy and smart, two words I wouldn’t have used to describe my hair for a long time.
Overall, really impressed with the quality, service and design of the salon. They’re friendly and professional and each staff member has their own bold sense of style and there to inspire clients. I love that Lipstick and Gunpowder still feels like a luxury, treat but without the awkwardness that some of us might feel going into an high-end salon. I’d particularly recommend George if you want a creative hair colour, he’s brilliant at creating unique looks and you’ll love his passion! Follow me on Instagram and I’ll post a better photo of my hair tomorrow!
