Around two weeks ago I had a message on Instagram that piqued my interest.

Q.L, a salon in Northamptonshire had asked me if I would be interested in taking their ‘No Mirror Challenge’

QL Northampton

Well, I was totally unsure what this was so asked for a little more detail. A lovely lady called Louisa told me all about a series that they had been doing where clients put themselves totally in the salons hands and had their hair, make-up and even nails done without knowing in advance what would be happening.

The Lovely Louisa

As we were talking I realised that the salon was actually in my hometown! This totally surprised Louisa as she thought I was London Based. Well, it was a bit of a sign, wasn’t it!

As it had totally grabbed my interest, I told her that I was stuck in a bit of a rut when it came to my personal style. In the past I was so used to dyeing and styling and cutting my hair in various ways however due to the menopause, age and stress my hair had become something that I had given up a little on.

Honestly awful colour!

Other than going and getting it cut by the amazing guys at The House of Drewvid, I had stopped dyeing it and was cultivating a nice crop of grey hair. This had pretty much appeared overnight last summer when I was going through a very stressful time at work; couple that with stress eczema that had left my scalp covered in sores and scabs, I was loathed to put anything chemical like on it.

Before…..

And so I was stuck in a bit of a rut when it came to the colour. After all, if I wanted to look super special, I just put on my Carl Brown Vintage wig and all was good!

Anyway, I digress.

Louisa and I had a consultation last week where she asked me tons of questions and discussed what I would absolutely love and also what I would hate. I pretty much told her I was a blank canvas and was up for most things!

She put some dye and colours on my skin as patch tests and we booked an appointment for the following week.

Mental Health Advocates

I found out that the salon was run by Louisa and Janine and had been open for 5 years after moving up from London. It literally is a hidden gem in a private health club and they offer every service you can imagine. Not only that but they put a huge emphasis on promoting good mental health and trying to help do that with their services.

From a simple hair restyle starting from £25, acrylic nails with artwork from £37 and a whole host of aesthetic treatments, there is even a resident Osteopath, Coral. Well this really intrigued me further.

Chatting with Louisa she told me that she offers microblading where she is a level 4 qualified assessor (the highest grading you can get) which starts from £250. They also perform lip tattooing, eyeliner and even scalp pigmentation. With eyeliner starting from £270 and lips at £ 300 it really was a full service salon.

I was quite interested in the extensions that they do too as I really miss my long hair. However, I knew I might be even shorter by the end of the challenge!

Friday finally came around and I was literally fizzing with excitement.

I went to work in the morning but had the afternoon off and couldn’t wait to get to the Salon.

Fabulous artwork

Louisa and her gorgeous little girl, Isobelle were there to welcome me and I couldn’t wait to get started. Louisa got out the peroxide and started by lifting my hair to a lighter colour. Again I had literally no idea what her plans were.

No. Not and undercut

Whilst she had been working on my hair we had been discussing clothing and I had divulged that I had bought this most amazing skirt from Unique Vintage which was circus based AND a La Vidriola Circus necklace to match.

This obviously gave Louisa an idea and when she mentioned it, I gave her free rein to go with it. CIRCUS Nails it was going to be!

No Mirror Challenge

My hair reacted amazingly well to the bleach and lifted so well that Louisa couldn’t believe it. She then covered all the mirrors up so I couldn’t see just what she was doing. I knew she was putting different shades of colour on, but had no idea what she was actually doing.

Bleached Up

Once the colour was on, we went back to the nail bar to start beautifying them!

Louisa started of filing the stubby nails I had down before attaching long nails and getting ready to put acrylic over the top.

Super Long

Now I have had all kinds of acrylics. I have had nail art and colours and gels; I am no stranger to nail design. However I have never had anything quite like what Louisa came up with.

Short stumps

She put a mix of glitter in the acrylic powder. She inlaid layers of flowers to give an effect not dissimilar to the beautiful Murano Millefiori glass paperweights.

Millefiori Work

Full glitter nails and beautiful gems and pearls finished them off.

Glitter and Flowers

Then it came to the specific artwork; Burger and fries, Circus Big top Curtains and even a clown with a big cheesy smile literally made me laugh out loud.

All done

I honestly think that even if you are having the worst day, one look at Charlie the Clowns face (as I have named him)  and  you will break out in a grin.

Charlie

Eventually it was time to wash off the colours and style my hair; again all without seeing what was going on. Once dried and styled, the makeup came out.

Now as someone that relies on a black cat eye liner and red lips, anything more is slightly daunting. I explained to Louisa how I love a smokey eye, however when I have ever tried it, I just look like I have been punched in the face. I can’t do my eyebrows either and generally I just do a black cat eye liner flick and a red lip.

But I was looking forward to something different.

Eventually it was time for the big reveal.

Blown away!

The chair was spun around and I saw myself for the first time.

And I was simply astounded. A warm vibrant copper had transformed my hair into something so very pretty. The bob shape was flattering and I was over the moon.

So Happy

However the best was yet to come!!!

The back of my hair was a hidden rainbow. Something I was desperate to do, but know that for work it needs to be more subtle.

It’s a rainbow!

As for my make-up, Louisa had given me a beautiful base, a warm slightly smokey eye and a lovely peachy lip. All without me seeing or knowing. I absolutely loved everything!

Just beautiful

I just could not wait to get home and show the family. I was so excited that I was fizzing inside.

I just couldn’t believe it

The reaction was one of delight and amazement. They all loved the warm copper front and thought the back was epic and so did I.

All the colours

I honestly cannot thank Louisa and Q.L Salon enough. She really waved a magic wand and made all my dreams come true!

Just wonderful

So, what do you reckon? Did she work a miracle on me? Do you fancy having the same challenge? If so pop along to their Instagram and Facebook pages to have a look at some more transformations.

Totally love it

Louisa has also been kind enough to offer a 10% discount on their services. And boy do they offer a lot! Just quote SECRETGODDESS when you book an appointment.

All me!

I literally cannot recommend them enough! They have made me fall in love with my hair all over again.

Q.L are Magicians!

So, what do you think? Like the transformation?

Till next time,

SPSG xxx