Yahoo News The tiny Kent hair salon named best in county that wants everyone to be their 'authentic selves'
Millie Davies is still "pinching" herself after her business, the fantastically-named Little Hair House, won the prestigious Muddy Stilettos Best Hair Salon in Kent. She had been overjoyed to even make shortlist and as she explained to customers the next stage was to vote again, she had not expected to win.
"I am a realist. I appreciate we are a very small team in a relatively small town. We have a lot of incredibly loyal clients. The others in the top five have big social media followers, and the online presence is big, and they have talented and amazing stylists, and Kent is a very big place!"
"I am so humbled. I am still constantly pinching myself. My partner keeps telling me, 'you own the best salon in Kent'. It is such a prestigious award. I was ecstatic to reach the top five."
"I kept thinking, we have got to the top five in Kent, our tiny salon!," said Millie, who had just returned to work from maternity leave with her second daughter when she received the good news.
Read more: The tiny village with Kent’s oldest pub and beautiful lakeside walk
"I've really enjoyed it actually. I have two under two, and both girls. We've started a bit of a girl gang here," she said laughing, as her little gang burbled away in the background.
Asked why she thought her High Street salon won, the warm and friendly 29-year-old said: "We are very lucky. There are so many salons in Thanet and Broadstairs specifically. There are a hell of a lot in Broadstairs and St Peter's and we all offer something different."
"And there are definitely a lot of clients who come around. No-one is putting anyone out of business. I would say we are not necessarily as formal as some of the other salons. We are a very small salon, only two work at one time, and we don't have a receptionist."
"If you come in or if you phone or if you contact us on social media, you will be dealing with the same member of the team when you come in. What you are getting is continuity. People get to know us very well."
"We are not for everyone. If people like a different level of service, that is slightly more pampering and all that jazz, there are salons for that. We are quite chilled, a seaside beach vibe. We want to carry that on."
She said the fact so many of her customers "took time out of their day" to vote for the salon moved her, as it showed their feelings went deeper than just the time they were in the salon "receiving a service".
"It's huge to know people really care and want us to do well. It's quite emotional really. The fact they are so invested in us as people is really quite special," she said.
Millie said the salon had "a lot of customers" and they didn't feel "judged" when they came. She said she didn't want people to feel they had to prepare their hair before their appointment, or wear make-up and their "best shoes".
"We have people come in off the night shift at the hospital, or a care home. They come as they are and might not be feeling their best and we feel no judgement in that," said Millie, who said staff were the same, with their different styles.
Some wear a lot of make up, some don't wear any, "some of us are heavily tattooed while others wouldn't dream of having one".
"We are out authentic selves. It is much easier for clients who come in as their authentic selves," she said. Millie, 29, has four-self employed people who cut and style hair at Little Hair House, and only two stylists work at once, adding to the "relaxed vibe".
'The beach vibe and surfboard'
The salon has been opened around six-and-a-half years and Millie worked there for three years before jumping at the opportunity to buy it when owner Abbie, a keen surfer and skater who loved travelling, moved to New Zealand.
"I have been there ever since. I loved the vibe. We are all quite relaxed. We all get on really well. It seems to get better and better," she said.
Millie credits Abbie with the name, the style and space, which includes a painted surfboard of Abbie's on the wall. "Everyone loves the name. Everyone asked when I bought it, was I going to change it and I said, no, it's perfect," said the Cliftonville resident.
Bursting with positivity and feel-good vibes, Millie would make a great ambassador for the area. "There are so many lovely boutiques. We have a lot of gift shops selling all kinds of exciting things."
"Lots of coffee shops and places to eat. You could definitely get lost for a weekend here. The beach is gorgeous. I just love Broadstairs and Thanet, it has something cool, there's something about it."
What's popular now?
Asked about what hair looks are popular right now in Broadstairs, Millie said: "Balayage (colour which is handpainted highlights onto the hair) is still very, very big because it is so low maintenance. And we have found that pretty much since lockdown, ladies who are finding they are having more grey, they are definitely wanting to embrace that. We do a lot of grey blending and colour work."
"In general, hair has become more natural. Another one is curls. Instead of having them smoothed out or straightened, people are embracing them. I am always encouraging people, because I always wanted curly hair!", said Millie, who said hers is "very thick and very straight!"
Millie and Abbie are both finalists for Colourist of the Year in the UK Hair Awards. Millie is also a finalist for Bridal Hair Specialist of the Year, and Abbie is a finalist for Hair Stylist of the Year in the British Hair and Beauty Awards.
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