For all you lovely ladies who would rather keep your hair down and super glamorous for the party season, why not take inspiration from the Queen of Glamour Cheryl Cole and opt for the big blow dry.

Cheryl Cole’s hair is the epitome of glamorous and luxurious style.   Her beautiful locks are low maintenance throughout the night and suitable for everyone with medium to long length hair.

A good blow dry is key to this look so ask your stylist for a blow-dry master class.  Blow-dry the hair with movement- the bigger the better.  If you’re not confident with blow-drying, you can also create this look with heated rollers; take medium sections of hair and roll in large heated rollers. Leave for 30 mins or until cool. Remove rollers and work through with fingers for a natural look.  If necessary, back brush the roots lightly for extra height and spritz with a volume hairspray, I love Goldwell Big Finish Volume Hairspray,  with your head held upside down to gain that all important volume.

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Now that the party season is well and truly upon us, I have been inundated with requests for ideas and party hair tips.  From now until Christmas, I will give you a quick and easy ‘How to’ on some of my favourite party styles each week.

This is such a simple yet effective look and will really have you top of the glamorous style stakes.

Dry your hair using Goldwell Double Boost Rootlift Spray for lots of volume, then set it on hot rollers to give added lift and hold.

Once the rollers cool, brush the hair through, then gently backcomb the roots at the crown for that much needed height. Spray with a gentle hold hairspray like Golden Spray by Goldwell, then carefully dress the front of the hair into a seductive sweeping fringe, smoothing through the crown. Leave the fringe and hairline soft and loose for an effortless look.

To complete the style, gather the hair at the nape of the neck into a Bardoesque ponytail. Remember not to scrape all the hair back too tightly and also be careful not to overload with products as the hair will become too rigid and lose it’s sexy and natural look.

Glamorous and chic, the perfect messy updo.

I am absolutely over the moon at being named Most Wanted Colour Expert 2010! 

Colouring hair is something I have worked hard throughout my career to become an expert in and with new products and technology being developed everyday, the colouring and styling process is ever changing .

I recently read in a magazine that colouring your hair damages it and I feel that this is a myth I need to dispel!  With new hair colouring technology, colouring your tresses no longer means damaging them.  In fact, some hair colour can actually condition and benefit your hair whilst colouring; Goldwell Elumen is my all time favourite.  The Elumen range actually tightens and closes the hair cuticle when applied, making the hair stronger and more durable.  They even offer a ‘clear’ shade that adds a stunning gloss to the hair and conditions is at the same time.

So do not be afraid of colouring your hair, it can really make an amazing difference to a cut.  Visit your stylist for a consultation and ask about Goldwell Elumen products.

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Congratulations to Terri Kay!

I want to say a massive congratulations to our top stylist Terri on behalf of the entire Mark Leeson Team! Terri has just won ‘Image of the Year Award 2010’ from Your Hair magazine.  Terri won Eastern Hairdresser of the Year 2009 at the British Hairdressing Awards and has finalised for the category this year again for the third time. Fingers crossed!

She actually pipped me to the post as I came second in the same category so it was a clean sheet for the Mark Leeson Hair, Body and Mind Salon overall.  Check out the beautiful, award winning image!

Well Done Again Terri!

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Hot off the press!

Nicole Richie has just revealed her brand new style.  The trend setting fashion designer has had her long, brown tresses chopped off and she has replaced them with a blonde bob and long sweeping side fringe.  This hairstyle is a favourite of many young, edgy celebs at the moment such as Alexa Chung and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

With a busy fashion business and a young child, maybe Nicole finds the shorter style easier to manage. I love the new style but I must admit I really loved her rich chocolate shade too; it was so on trend for Autumn.

So many star’s are opting for a shorter length, so why not make the move?  If she has inspired you, ask your stylist for a consultation and use a product like Goldwell Dualsenses Curly Twist Leave in 2 - Phase Spray ( £7.75) which will enhance curls, bounce and body whilst holding your new style in place day and night.

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Hey Guys,

Welcome to our new Mark Leeson Hair, Beauty & Mind blog. We will be bringing you our news, views, gossip and expert advice on all things beauty and fashion. Today, I will look at our top 5 favourite celeb hair trends of the moment.

As we move into the new and exciting Autumn trends, I will also give some handy hints how to achieve and maintain these fabulous styles at home.

Enjoy. x

NICOLE RICHIE 

Celebrity it girl turned designer Nicole Richie has ditched her trademark boho blonde locks for a rich chocolate shade just in time for Autumn.

This season we see solid colour make a big comeback, but this definitely does not have to mean flat or dull hair.  Olive skinned brunettes like Nicole should opt for warm shades like caramel, mahogany or chocolate to make hair look luxurious, luminous and rich. And blondes do not fret; you can also try out this style by adding golden, honey and strawberry hues to your hair to add some warmth. 

To keep your tresses shiny, it is important to use shampoo, conditioner and styling products that are designed for coloured hair. Goldwell Colorgow IQ (available from Mark Leeson, Hair, Body & Mind) offer a range that protects coloured hair to ensure it stays shiny and vibrant.  The Goldwell Colorglow IQ Color Shampoo (£10.45) has an advanced formula that will gently cleanse your coloured hair while retaining its colour, depth and radiance so you stand out from the crowd.  

EMMA WATSON

We’ve all seen the news that actress and model Emma Watson has ditched the long flowing curls that we associate with her Harry Potter character for a more grown up, edgier do. But do you think the grungy, gamine style complements her pretty, English rose features? I’m not convinced but I do love her tenacity.

If she has inspired you to make the daring change, ensure you talk it through with your stylist first. This is a style that suits those with slender and oval faces or with petite features.  The look will be much easier to maintain if your hair is naturally straight however, if you have naturally wavy or curly hair use a product like Goldwell Straight Flat Marvel Flattening Balm (£8.70).    Apply a little of this fabulous product to un-curl and tame unruly and rebellious hair.  This straightening balm will smooth and straighten your hair until the next shampoo.  Visit your stylist for a consultation and advice on the crop to suit you, but beware this look is not for the faint-hearted.

 LEIGH LEZARK

New York it girl, DJ and model Leigh Lezark has stayed true to her trend setting, fashion forward ways and worked a number of Autumn trends into her new style.

Leigh has opted for a long graduated bob, but has opted for a deep black shade to ensure she remains edgy and grungy.  This cut is very versatile and one that flatters most face shapes; other celebrities to have adopted this style are Gwyneth Paltrow and Cheryl Cole.  Use a product such as Goldwell Brilliance Jewel Shimmer Cream Wax (£8.90) to give your hair texture and ensure you achieve that messy, deconstructed style. If you think this look is for you, complement with lots of black eyeliner and attitude for true grunge deluxe.  Rock on.

FLORENCE WELCH 

Florence and the Machine have been everywhere this Summer, and although I am getting a bit weary of the festival messiness and the colour; her fringe is a big hit this season.  Fringes are easy to maintain and can instantly update your look.  Remember, fringes enhance your cheeks so if you have a round face or wide cheekbones this look may backfire and make your face look wider; why not try a heavy side fringe instead? On the flip side, thin and oval faces will benefit from style.  If this look is for you, invest in a good radial brush to ensure you can keep your fringe smooth.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS & ED WESTWICK

Don’t worry guys, I haven’t forgotten about you.  Men’s trends have split into two camps this Autumn; both are really strong and exciting so get in quick to make sure you stay ahead of the pack. Styles will be either really messy and disheveled or tailored and preppy so choose a look that fits your individual style.  For the messy, grunge trend invest in a good product like Goldwell Wild Mellogoo (£8.20) and work into the hair to create that just out of bed look.  To create the slightly more tailored look as seen on Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick and Robbie Williams at his recent wedding - who kept it slightly more tailored; ask your stylist for a side parting which you can slick down for a cool preppy look.

Mark recently hit the road, travelling up and down the country sharing his skills, knowledge and passion for hairdressing with stylists everywhere.

During his 25 years in the industry, Mark has developed and perfected his art. He is renowned for his beautiful finishing skills and on the Colour Carousel Tour he let his eager audience into some of his secrets.

Creative Head cover 2010

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