All posts by miriam

Photo shoot interior-exterior
The mansion for the photo shoot

We are looking back today at the great month that September really was, wishing farewell to the British summer and welcoming the autumn with open arms. It has been something of a busy month here at the Lucinda Ellery head quarters with our Bristol studio in full swing, the photo shoot for our new extension site completed and with international no pulling week on the horizon I must say the buzz in our studios has been somewhat electric!

photos-team
The photo shoot team

We are updating our extension website and we are super excited about this, so excited in fact that we want to tell you all about it now! We have been looking into our extension offerings for some time now and with an array of extensions on the menu, including micro rings (for certain types of hair), skin wefts and Medi connections (for fine hair); we now want to give you a site which shows you just what they can really do for your look and style. In order to get the shots we wanted we hired the most stunning country home as the location which ensured we had the most amazing backdrops to showcase our fabulous extensions.

The Lucinda Ellery team were on hand to ensure the 5 models chosen for the shoot had hair to die for, Buster Knight (make up artist to the celebs) was also on hand to ensure they were picture ready and Lucinda herself was there styling the models with the right dresses and jewels to match. Xfactor’s Chloe Jasmine was also in attendance offering hints and tips from a modelling point of view, invaluable to us all. All in all it was a great team effort which has resulted in some outstanding pictures of which we are very proud. We hope you all enjoy the new site which should be up and running in the very near future. Here is a sneak peak of what happened on the day…

models1-630

Bristol now open full-time

bristol-team-360In addition to the excitement of our new site is the news that our amazing Bristol studio is up and running full time! The city, the team, the studio all ensures that our new location is one of our best yet! The team, currently being managed by long standing Lucinda Ellery team member Claudia, is in true Lucinda Ellery style, one of the most welcoming teams with their priority being to ensure that all our clients leave with a smile on their face! If you haven’t been to see us yet then you must! We look forward to welcoming you into our Bristol studio.

Opening times of our Bristol studio:

Tuesday – Friday 9.15 am – 6.30 pm and Saturday 10.15 am – 5.30 pm
Lucinda Ellery Bristol, 58 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3DT

Book your next appointment at our Bristol Studio by giving us a call on: 0117 905 1160

Save the Date!! 1ST – 7TH October
INTERNATIONAL NO PULLING WEEK

www.nopulling.org/

Raising awareness of Trichotillomania (TTM)

International No Pulling Week is aimed at educating people about TTM to help alleviate the suffering women go through in isolation and highlight the effects this secret syndrome can have on millions of women around the world.

lucinda-5-300

“I have worked daily, for over 30 years, with the most amazing women who sadly struggle with a hair pulling disorder called Trichotillomania (TTM). I believe that not only can women live and survive with TTM, but they can also thrive. One of the joys of working with these women is witnessing them, with the right help, become pull free. These women are then able to cope with their TTM with the love and support from their family and friends, not to mention me of course. Let’s make this International No Pulling Week all about spreading the word, educating people, and sharing this week with somebody you care for and love. A problem shared is a problem halved.”
Lucinda Ellery

Edinburgh Skyline

“Edinburgh – This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.”  – Alexander McCall Smith


Lucinda Ellery opened the doors of her Edinburgh consultancy in August 2013! Although we had ventured north to some extent in opening our Manchester consultancy some 3 years prior, we were still inundated by enquiries from Scottish clients asking if we had any plans to open something closer in proximity. Due to this high demand we visited Edinburgh and it was love at first sight. The people, the Scottish charm and the most beautiful city steeped in the most stunning history and culture……… and as they say the rest is history.

Lucinda

“I love Edinburgh, I love everything about it… our team, our clients, our studio… It is such a pleasure to visit! Whenever I go to our Scottish location I always leave with a smile and it is always at that moment that I realise what a fantastic decision we made in opening this location. As with any new studio, it takes time for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place, however I can confidently say we have one of the best teams in Edinburgh, clients always leave happy and the cards, letters and calls I receive from our Scottish ladies really is testament to this” – Lucinda Ellery.

Meet the team

Edinburgh team photoshoot
Our Edinburgh girls at our latest photo shoot! Managed by Studio Manager Robyn, (Centre), the Edinburgh team always take some time to have a little fun!

Megan

Megan
Megan

Megan is our latest addition to the Edinburgh team but we are growing as this location gets busier so don’t be surprised to see one or two new faces next time you stop by!

What is your role at L.E?
I work as an assistant at Lucinda Ellery, but have recently started training as a lead technician

What do you like about working at L.E?
The best part about working at Lucinda Ellery has to be the clients. I am inspired everyday by these gorgeous strong ladies. I love catching up with them every six weeks and hearing all the latest. I also love working with the amazing Edinburgh team. I haven’t stopped smiling since I started working at Lucinda Ellery.

What do you love about Edinburgh city?
I love Edinburgh so much, it is a beautiful city. I love how I can take a ten minute walk from my house to the most beautiful beach! I love the castle (of course!) and all the gorgeous buildings around the city. I love how there is so much history, everywhere you go there is always a story to go with it.

Where is your ideal holiday destination?
My ideal holiday destination would have to be California. I’ve always been fascinated with America since I was a ‘wee’ girl and it has always been a place I’ve always dreamed of going. My partner and I are planning a trip to California next year so hopefully everything goes to plan and I get to live the dream.

Services available at our Edinburgh Studio

Our Edinburgh Studio offers the same range of services as our London Studio to include the initial application and the maintenance appointments for The Intralace System, The Intralace Minima System and The Intralace Freewear System. We also offer all services for our professionally-applied hair extensions and our Medi Connections to include application, maintenance and aftercare appointments. We offer a colour and styling service for our hair integration and hair extension clients.

Consultations to discuss hair extensions can be booked Tuesday through to Saturday. Consultations for ladies with thinning hair or hair loss concerns can be booked on specified dates. For more information please call our Edinburgh Studio.

All appointments need to be booked by telephone 0131 526 3222.

 

How to find us

We originally opened in Dundas Street, but later moved to 11A South Charlotte Street. Our central location means getting to us couldn’t be easier! If you are coming by train then either Edinburgh Waverly or Haymarket can be used – they are both around 10 minutes walk away. Edinburgh International Airport is a mere 30 minute drive away! Directions. Our studio is open 9-5.30 Tuesday to Friday and 9-4.00 Saturday.

Edinburgh client Hilary – how visiting the Edinburgh studio changed my life… and my hair!

HilaryHaving spent all of my adult life trying to cope with thin hair, I put Lucinda Ellery in my telephone book after watching a Documentary ‘Girls on the Pull’ aired on 16th July 2010 on Channel 4.

Over the years I would buy every hair product there was on the market proclaiming to thicken hair, all to no avail. As a retired registered general nurse I have always been interested in health and well being, taking vitamins for hair and nails over long periods of time.

I knew I had a good varied diet and that my health was at its optimum, so I knew my increasingly thinning hair was due to my genes. I suddenly stopped looking for a reason why my hair was thin, I knew I had inherited this embarrassing, soul destroying, condition from my mum.

I was so envious of others with thick hair; “oh if only”, “if only I had hair to style”, “to brush”, “to allow my granddaughter to play with. I would position myself at any social gathering, even at work to try to hide my parting which got wider as the years went on. These feelings never left me, it went on day after day.

I remembered putting Lucinda in my telephone book, looked up the web site and then read that there was a brand new consultancy in Edinburgh within driving distance. I arrived at The Salon on 22nd April 2014 not expecting to see Lucinda, but all of a sudden Lucinda was there to do my consultation, the surprise was so amazing, one that I will treasure forever.

Within a week my Intralace was in place. The whole experience was the best most positive thing I have ever done. The day for me was full of excitement not knowing what to expect. I would say I was happy, apprehensive, but feeling at ease immediately on arrival. I took a magazine picture of how I wanted my hair. Robyn, I knew straight away had a gift for just knowing how I wanted my hair styled along with the colour team who got the colour so good right down to the roots.

My daughter ‘gasped’ when she saw me that same evening. I thought “oh dear” but in fact she gasped because of how natural it was and she could not believe that the parting was not mine. From then on I have been adjusting to life with hair and trying family, friends and neighbours out to see what they notice. What I get is “I like your hair the way you have it” “It really suits you” “Your hair is lovely” to just nothing said. My clothes I know look smarter so I can now wear items not worn. There is now real pleasure in going out in company rather than my mind being taken over with ‘my hair’, ‘my hair’ and always that feeling of being inferior.

My husband is very ill and already I know I can cope with looking after him, hospital visits, whatever lies ahead, in fact it is making me a better person.

I am truly overwhelmed for how I feel, I am just so grateful to have come into contact with such wonderful people who have made my life very different in that I am no longer self conscious.

Hilary

Manchester studio lounge

The Lucinda Ellery Consultancy first opened our Manchester Studio in January 2010.  We had many ladies who had expressed their interest in using our services if we had a Northern location so due to high demand Lucinda Ellery arrived in Manchester!

Lucinda says:

“I fell in Love with Manchester in a nano second. It is a fun, bright, lively city and I adore it. Everything is so convenient – lots of great shops and restaurants. Our Manchester clients are fabulous and I have every confidence that our Manchester team are looking after each and every one of them. I so enjoy getting lots of positive feedback about our services and am delighted that we made the decision to bring our expertise to Manchester”.

How to find us

The Consultancy is based at The Old Exchange Buildings 29-31 King Street in the heart of Manchester city centre. Manchester Picadilly train station is approx a 15 minute walk from us. It takes approx 30 minutes to get from Manchester Airport to our Studio. We work Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am until 6pm and on Saturdays from 10.30am until 5pm.

Manchester exterior

 

Our Manchester Team

We currently have a team of 11 at our Manchester Location. Domonique is our Studio Manager and she first starting working with us in our London Studio in 2007. Domonique says:

“We are all very down to earth and try to make clients feel like part of the family. It is important to us that our clients feel comfortable. We enjoy seeing the same faces and of course welcome each and every new client. There is lots of singing, banter and laughter! We work hard but we also get great job satisfaction”

Domonique and some of the Manchester team
Domonique our Studio Manager and some of the Manchester team enjoying a recent day out at Alton Towers

Services available at our Manchester Studio

Our Manchester Studio offers the same range of services as our London Studio to include the initial application and the maintenance appointments for The Intralace System, The Intralace Minima System and The Intralace Freewear System. We also offer all services for our Professionally applied hair extensions and our Medi connections to include application, maintenance and aftercare appointments. We offer a colour and styling service for our hair integration and hair extension clients.

Consultations to discuss hair extensions can be booked Tuesday through to Saturday. Consultations for ladies with thinning hair or hair loss concerns can be booked on Thursdays and Fridays.

All appointments need to be booked by telephone 0161 8322857.

Manchester interior

Celeb Spotting at Lucinda Ellery Manchester

We have looked after some high profile Clients to include Kym Marsh from Coronation Street, Jorgie Porter from Hollyoaks and ex Emmerdale and Dancing on ice star Roxanne Pallett.

Roxanne Pallett
Roxanne Pallett, before and after her Lucinda Ellery Professionally applied hair extensions

What our clients say about us

We really enjoy all the positive feedback we get in the form of emails, cards and letters. It is very rewarding to know that our clients feel well looked after at their appointments. You may be coming to Lucinda Ellery Manchester because you would like to change your hair using our professionally applied extensions or you may be coming because you are worried about your thinning hair or hair loss. We have different options for different hair scenarios and a personal consultation will determine which of our techniques would be the most suitable for you.

Here are some snippets of the recent feedback received:

“I just wanted to pass on my thanks to Dominique and her team in Manchester. I was very nervous about my first appointment but I really love my new hair and the confidence that it has given me. My partner says it makes me look 10 years younger (must be good!). Am looking forward to my next appointment and thank you again for making me feel so welcome”, Ghitta, Cheshire.

Chris and Lucinda, can you please forward my comments to the Manchester team. I was with them two weeks ago for an all day appointment getting my new Intralace done. I was really looking forward to it as it is something that I have thought long and hard about. My new hair has restored my femininity and I feel like a new woman. Thank you to Lucinda for her honest consultation. Thank you to Dominique, Tom and the rest of the team in Manchester for giving me these glorious locks and for making the appointment so enjoyable. They are a credit to Lucinda Ellery” Barbara, Belfast

 

row of wigs

A wig is a head of hair normally made from either human hair or synthetic materials. The word wig is short for Periwig and first appeared in the English language around 1675. Historically wigs were classed as a status symbol hence the term “big wig”.

Wigs can be used for many purposes: as a cosmetic accessory for a fun change of style,  sometimes in the context of religious practice of cutting or shaving one’s natural hair. Actors of course often wear costume wigs in order to portray characters in film or theatre, but most commonly people use wigs to disguise hair thinning or hair loss. In recent years the demand for Human or Real hair wigs has surpassed the demand for synthetic wigs but it comes down to personal choice and there are pros and cons for both.

manequin with synthetic wigSynthetic Wigs

Synthetic wigs are made of artificial fibres. They can be handmade or machine made and are normally created on a base of lace. The key points about synthetic wigs are:

The Good

  • They are relatively inexpensive (prices range from approx £70)
  • They hold their style very well so this eliminates the need for daily styling
  • Synthetic Fibres hold their colour permanently, no dying required!
  • If you are open about wearing a wig then you can experiment with fun colours
  • Synthetic Wigs are normally what is supplied by the NHS for clients having chemotherapy or for clients with hair loss problems.

The Bad

  • They need to be washed carefully (not whilst on the head), it is important to follow the after-care guidelines of the supplier or manufacturer. You cannot treat synthetic hair like your own natural hair.
  • Synthetic hair has a shine to it which can look unnatural (like a dolls hair)
  • The strands can burn easily so you need to be careful with heat from a hair dryer and you cannot use straightening irons or curling tongs
  • These wigs are often ill fitting unless you pay for one to be made to measure
  • They can have too much volume, making them appear unrealistic

Human Hair Wigs

close-up of human hair wigs
Indian or Chinese hair are commonly used to make real hair wigs but European hair and Virgin Russian hair can also be used. It’s all about what suits your budget but Russian Virgin hair is apparently the best hair that money can buy. Here are some points to consider when thinking about getting a real hair wig.

The Pros

  • They are made with real hair so can be very natural looking
  • They can be treated like your own hair in terms of styling products, styling tools and hair dye
  • As well as looking natural, the hair is real so it feels real to the touch
  • You can wash it and brush it just like your own natural hair

The Cons

  • They can be expensive; especially if you are buying a bespoke one
  • They don’t tend to hold colour well and the quality can be affected if repeatedly dyed
  • Human hair wigs will need to be styled almost daily or at least every time you wash your hair
  • They have a limited life span

The Problems with both Human Hair Wigs and Synthetic Wigs

wig problems

While there may be arguments for and against for both, the common negatives for both synthetic wigs and human hair wigs are:

  1. They have to be removed at night, you cannot sleep in them
  2. They could come off at any time as they’re not secured to the scalp
  3. You cannot swim in them and many activities would be impossible whilst wearing a wig

Choosing a More Permanent Option – The Intralace System

afer the Intralace

Those three factors are the main reasons why many women choose to use something more permanent like the Intralace System.

If you’re suffering from partial hair thinning or hair loss then the bespoke Intralace System will give you more freedom than a wig and it also looks incredibly natural. It is integrated with your own hair so you can wash it, brush it, sleep in it and swim in it. You wear it 24 hours a day. You can use it while you are waiting for your own natural hair to regrow or if you are managing a permanent type of hair loss or thinning then you may choose to use it as a hair management option for life.

If you have total hair loss then you may choose to use the Intralace Freewear as this can be worn for longer periods of time than a wig or hairpiece. It is secured to the scalp using a combination of skin-friendly tape and liquid adhesive. You can sleep with the system still in place. The most scrutinized part of our hair is our hair line and the hair line created by the Intralace Freewear option is convincingly natural looking.

Wigs May Still be a Good Choice for Some

Wigs can be a good choice for many women while they are managing their hair loss. Perhaps they are more appropriate for temporary types of hair loss as it seems inevitable that you would get tired of the restrictions associated with wearing a wig. Much depends on your budget and your life style. Thankfully the appearance of wigs has improved dramatically over the last few years so take your time when choosing the right style and the right colour. An initial consultation with your chosen provider is the best way forward.

Here are some helpful contacts:

Trendco (large selection of both Human hair and synthetic wigs) head office 0207 221 2646, www.trendco.co.uk .

Mandeville Wigs (High end Human hair wigs) 020 8741 5959, www.mandeville-wigs.co.uk
Update 2023 – they appear to have changed their name and site address to www.mandevillelondon.com

and of course ourselves
Lucinda Ellery Consultancy (Intralace System and other permanent hair loss solutions) head office 0208 741 8224, www.lucindaellery-hairloss.co.uk

What to expect on the day of your new Intralace System

So you’ve had your consultation and you’ve booked your new Intralace appointment. Of course you will wonder how it all works and probably be a little nervous. The first appointment is a long day and although we just need you to sit in the chair while we do all the work, you will be tired, exhausted almost, and we understand that comes from the anxiety often associated with the first appointment and the expectation of having beautiful hair again.

Be assured you are in safe hands! You are our guest for the day and we will guide you every step of the way. This is an outline of what to expect and what you need to know.

Arrival and Guests

London front door
Front door of our London studio

We need you to arrive bright and early at 9.30am. That allows the procedure to be relaxed and everything to run smoothly.

Can I bring a friend for support?

By all means bring a friend but they are only allowed in the waiting rooms. Our main Studio areas are for staff and clients only; guests are not permitted in the studios as we have to respect the privacy of our other clients. The exception to this would be where the client is under the age of 16 – they are welcome to have an adult sit with them in the main studio. Our studios are open plan but you can request screens if you would like more privacy.

Space in the waiting rooms is rather restricted at some of our premises, so you may want to mention to your guests that you will be with us for most of the day (usually around 8 hours!) so it’s often a good idea for them to go shopping, visit museums, etc. and return at intervals.

Who’ll be looking after you?

A team of two technicians will be looking after you for the day. At the beginning of your appointment a Studio Manager will come and see you and also a colour technician and stylist will consult with you. Some clients are clear about their colour choices for their new hair but others need some guidance so we can help you with that. If you want your own hair coloured then please contact us prior to your new Intralace appointments so that we can explain what needs to be done (there is a skin test which is compulsory).

Likewise, a stylist is on hand to help with what would suit you if you don’t have something specifically in mind (some people bring photos of styles that they like). There are numerous hair style magazines scattered throughout the studios so you may find inspiration from them, but if not don’t worry, we have experts on hand to help you decide!

Refreshments

We serve a selection of Teas, Coffee’s, Smoothies and soft drinks throughout the day, we also serve Red or White Wine (not available at all Studios) and these refreshments are all complimentary. We also have to hand a selection of menus from local restaurants so when it comes to lunch time you can let us know what you would like and we can organise that for you. The choices include luxury sandwiches, baked potatoes, pasta and salads. Your team will need to have their lunch so this is also the perfect time for you to eat.

Passing the time during your appointment

The daily papers, numerous magazines and a choice of DVD’s are available to you throughout the day but of course you may choose to bring a good book with you to help pass the time. Laptops are also available (not at all Studios) so just ask your team if you would like to check your email or access the internet etc.

What happens during your appointment?

Manchester studio
Manchester studio area

The initial application of the Intralace System takes many hours in order to achieve the best possible results. You’ll probably be very interested in it to begin with but as time passes you’ll probably find that the detail becomes less fascinating.

We start by shaping the mesh over the areas of concern. Your own hair is then gently retrieved through the material mesh. Once the mesh is in place we can then start to add the new hair to the mesh, building it up to achieve the intended effect.

Styling

The hair that we use is quite long (approx 16 inches unless you have requested Virgin Russian hair or specially ordered longer hair) so you may wonder about there seeming to be lots of it. However this is to allow plenty of scope for styling – it then needs to be cut and styled to suit you.

Your stylist will guide you on what is most suited to you. It can sometimes be difficult to envisage the possibilities if you’ve got used to having thin hair, but if you are still undecided about your finished style then remember we can tweak it when you return for your first wash and aftercare (normally 1 to 5 days later).

We use real hair for the Intralace system which means you can treat it like your own hair. We will talk you through how to care for your new hair and also demonstrate this in detail at your first wash appointment.

We understand this is a big day for you and some people may find it takes them a few days to adjust but be prepared to get lots of compliments on your new look!   You will be leaving the Studio with a fabulous new head of hair and remember we are here to advise and support you as much as possible.

Departure

Please allow lots of time to get to the train Station or airport as having to rush for a train or plane will really add pressure to your appointment. We recommend that you call us prior to arranging your travel so that we can give you a realistic finish time.

A final word before your first appointment

We really want you to enjoy your new hair and your overall experience with us. Please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email if there is ever anything you need. We look forward to taking care of you and returning your hair to its full glory.

Increasing media interest in our work

Now magazine article
One of our clients
featured in Now magazine

In recent years there has been more and more interest from the Media about the work done by Lucinda Ellery. We’ve had numerous articles written about us in newspapers and magazines from The Times to Woman’s Own, Now and New!, and some of our clients have also been featured on some very popular TV shows including 10 Years Younger, This Morning, Daybreak and Radio 4’s Woman hour.

(You can see and watch many of these on our Press Articles pages  and our Videos pages )

Press Features

We have a PR Company (Instinct PR) and they are always actively looking for new recruits for our model register.  They look for clients of all ages with different types of hair thinning or hair loss.  When we do get enquiries from the Press they tend to be very specific about what they want, so for example they will specify an age range and a specific hair loss type.  We then look at our Model Register and approach the client that best fits the brief.

Andrea Maylor is a senior account executive at Instinct PR and regularly coordinates with journalists and Lucinda Ellery clients to help make these great articles happen.  Andrea says:

‘Once you become a client of Lucinda Ellery – you never want to leave! She is the ultimate fairy godmother and through all her hard work she has helped thousands of women who suffer with all forms of hair loss. By signing up to the model registry, you can help us to raise awareness of the work Lucinda and her team does. Lucinda adores helping and supporting all her clients but there are so many women who suffer with hair loss across the world that she can also help who have no idea the studios even exist! Not only do you help us to spread the word, you’ll also get to attend a glamorous photoshoot and have a make-over and some pampering!’

What we need you to do

a-before-after
before and after photos

We always need “before” and “after” images so this would naturally mean using images of you before you had your hair done with us and then after you’ve had your hair done.   As you know we take photos of you at some of your appointments so these photos can be used for your “before” photos.

Our PR Company would initially contact you and ask you a series of questions which allows them to build a profile on you.  If you were selected to be part of a press feature then a journalist would contact you to interview you.    Some publications will arrange a professional photo shoot.  We recently did an article with the Daily Express and they provided a make up artist, clothes and even shoes!!  Needless to say our client really enjoyed the experience. Other publications are happy to use the “after” pictures we have on file or where appropriate we may organise a professional photographer to come to the studio to take photos of you.

If you are selected to be part of a TV show then a member of the Lucinda Ellery team or a member of our PR team would accompany you and fully brief you on what to expect during the interview.

What you get in return

One client even made the front cover of Essentials
One client even
made the front cover
of Essentials

If your story is published then we will add a credit to your Lucinda Ellery Account.  This amount can then be used towards your future appointments with us.  The credit amount varies depending on the publication and the size of the article but the amount is always agreed with you before any interview takes place.  Likewise with a television piece, we would agree everything before it goes ahead.

If the publication decide to organise a photo shoot then this would be a great experience – you would be the centre of attention!!

In-house marketing

Client R appears in our galleries
Client R appears
in our galleries

We sometimes have opportunities for our own in-house modelling. We like to keep our websites updated so we are always looking for new images to add to our galleries.  Last year we added some client testimonial videos to our websites and these have proved to be extremely helpful for clients that are enquiring about our services. We hope to organise additional videos this year so do let us know if you would be interested in taking part. You can email us on press@lucindaellery.com.

You can see examples of before and after images on our Intralace System gallery.  We’re also looking for models for our Medi connections, Intralace Minima and Intralace Freewear.

Your Choice

We understand that not all clients are comfortable having their photos or stories published, so there’s absolutely no pressure to take part, but many clients are happy to do this so if you would like join our model register then simply email your name and contact number to press@lucindaellery.com. Some clients have described the experience as liberating!  Most opportunities are suitable for existing Lucinda Ellery clients but sometimes there is an opportunity to involve a new client so please do get in touch to register your interest.