Errol Douglas MBE has been a personal hero of mine for many years. Harnessing entrepreneurship and innovative hairdressing skills he is certainly a force to be recognised. A popular hairstylist to the stars, Errol’s clients have included such greats as Naomi Campbell, Diana Ross, Brad Pitt, Annie Lennox and Iman. Awarded an MBE for his services to hairdressing in 2008 and with a sleuth of awards under both his own and his salon’s belt I knew his Belgravia salon would be out of my price range and had never expected the day would come when I’d entrust my TWA (teeny weeny afro) to the hands of a stylist within the much coveted hair salon.
So when I found out that one of his apprentice stylists was in need of a model with afro hair to work on during their weekly skills sessions, I was more than willing to entrust my hair in their hands. The apprentiship programme at Errol Douglas is intensive and takes many years before graduating to full stylist because each trainee must show technical expertise within all departments, therefore they are competent with all hair types, regardless of whether they choose to specialise in Afro hair or European hair later on.
Personally this is vitally important knowing that I can book into a salon and know that all the stylists will be able to work on my texture of hair. There are no hairdressers for natural hair near my home or work and I found it near impossible to find a regular European salon who had the knowledge of my hair type to deep condition and cut my short natural hairstyle, so ended up taking drastic measures earlier in the year and chopped my hair into its current twa using a pair of kitchen scissors in my bathroom. I think more salons should use this training approach and teach hair stylists the knowledge and skill required to style all hair types.
I really enjoyed my experience at the salon. From the moment I entered, the receptionist greeted me warmly, knew who I was before I’d even opened my mouth to tell her who I was here to see (spooky!) and showed me to my seat whilst I waited on my stylist to be ready.
My trainee stylist was a charming guy called Daniel. I’ve actually known Daniel most of his life, which is another reason why I was happy to have him cut and style my afro hair. He’s very talented and asked all the right questions, making me comfortable and making me feel confident that he knew what he was doing, long before he started on my head. Wanting to find out what my normal hair regime was (I co-wash once or twice a week and other than running some product through it, I want minimal fuss in the mornings) before deciding on how to cut and what my long term hair goals were (I have none) so that he would leave me with a style that I’d be able to keep up between salon visits.
We decided to give the back and sides a lower profile and cut the remaining golden tips from the top, the only reminder of my last hair style and hair colour. With senior hairstylists on hand throughout the experience, asking technical questions and giving expert advice as the trainees worked on their respective afro hair clients, we were made to feel comfortable that we’d be left with professional finishes.
The trainees work on different skills and hair types each week so are always in need of models. If you’re comfortable having your cut, blowdry, colour etc carried out by a trainee then it’s worth reaching out to them. It costs you nothing to have your hair done and as the training programme lasts years, you can keep coming back, which is a win for both parties: they have models to help them on their way to being fully accredited and you have someone invested in making your hair look its best. Oh and did I already mention it’s free? I can’t believe it either!
Daniel was a diamond and really understood my hair. I would be happy to let him or his fellow apprentice colleagues loose on my head again, in fact I’ll be bugging him very soon to see if he can add some colour to my kinky curly coils.
Thank you Errol Douglas Salon for your brilliant salon. Your staff were all wonderful and courteous plus I think your trainee scheme is marvellous, I’ve seen first hand what world class stylists you’re creating through it!
For more information about the Errol Douglas Salon click here for their website.
Sounds like a great experience and you look radiant in that photo. What colour are you thinking? A good hair style really does come down to the hairdresser understanding the texture and condition of your hair and it’s refreshing to see a non-African hairdresser who really knows how to handle the ‘fro 😉 Absolutely agree that stylists in this day and age should be taught to work with all types of hair, and it would be a boost for most Euro hairdressers really as you know how much time and/or money Black women love to spend on their crowning glory! Thanks for sharing this x
Thinking an autumnal hue, various shades of brown maybe? It was lovely to have Daniel work his magic on my hair and the salon’s policy of training all stylists on all hair types was refreshing and very welcome. Wonder if it will trickle down to chains one day….