Advertisement

Tried and tested: Blush Lights, Charles Worthington's cocktail of colouring techniques exclusively for blondes

With platinum hair the shade of the season - or, perhaps, the year - and Charles Worthington Salons celebrating its 30th anniversary, it seems only appropriate that the masters of colour honour the occasion with 'Blush Lights' - its freshest and brightest launch to date which is exclusively for blondes.

Appropriate, too, therefore that I - an avid fan of theirs and bleached hair enthusiast - should get wind of this launch mere moments after I catch a glimpse of my reflection and bemoan my bland blonde barnet.

Having impulsively booked in for an appointment, I decide to take a proper look at the procedure.

'Shine this summer'... sounds good. 'Striking, sun-kissed colour'... absolutely. 'Hi-definition blonde'... bingo.

Flicking through the outrageously cool campaign imagery I had a moment of panic. Without the bone structure for 'Ruffle' or the hair density for 'Flo', I wondered if I'd dived in a little prematurely.

But with the appointment booked I decided to be brave and rely entirely on the advice of Creative Manager Katie Allan, who was not only behind the campaign shots but who I trust with my life. Or, rather, my hair's life. One and the same.

Arriving at the bustling townhouse salon just around the corner from Holborn station, I was welcomed with a cup of tea and brownies as Katie snapped some 'before' shots and we caught up on Love Island (essential).

As I had had my hair lightened by Katie using the 'layage' technique a year previously, I still had relatively blonde ends. Focussing, therefore, on my heavily grown-out roots, she miraculously mixed colours while I sipped away and returned armed with her paintbrush and foils.

An innovative cocktail of the two, Blush Lights incorporates an intricate mixture of classic foils and freehand balayage which can drag the colour as high (if you want colour to the root) or as low (if you've never had colour before) as you want.

Once Katie had finished painting my hair with relaxed and carefree strokes, I had it washed and my head massaged - an underrated element of any salon trip - before returning to a fresh cuppa for the blow dry.

While she may be the salon's Creative Manager - and a total colour genius - Katie's blow dries are among the best I've ever had, creating the perfect wave with not even a smidge of over-curl.

Watching my hair dry, any concerns about the nonchalant nature of the earlier brush strokes - and possible subsequent stripes - quickly disappear.

The dreamiest, most luminous blonde, the colour was somehow a neat scattering of flattering shades blended seamlessly into one another.

If you had any trouble lighting up a room before, you certainly won't any more.

Location: 28 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BB

How much does it cost: Blush Lights are available from £75

Website URL: charlesworthingtonsalons.com