As many of you know, I am The Keuxtie of the Year 2021 and have been doing some work with the wonderful Lynsey LeKeux for the last couple of months.

The Winning Entry

I had a stunning haircut around 6 weeks ago with Sharleen and I was returning to get my hair dyed and styled, whilst having a photoshoot at the same time.

Lynsey had booked me in for 0930 which meant I needed to get a train during ‘rush’ hour which filled me with a bit of dread as my knee injury from a couple of years ago has dramatically deteriorated and I can barely stand for more than five minutes.

The thought of not being able to get a seat on the journey was quite frightening. To avoid this I got a much earlier train which meant I would be hanging around for an hour or so before the Salon opened.

However I would much rather be early, get a seat and on arrival, go and have a coffee, read my book and then catch an Uber to LeKeux when it was time.

Sharleen’s Beautiful Creation

This meant getting up at stupid o’clock or 0515 to you early birds.

I booked my ticket for the 0658 train from Northampton and had a few days to wait before my visit.

Sadly, Lynsey had a few issues and she contacted me to say she was unable to do the full photoshoot on the Friday. Whilst I was disappointed, I also was pleased that I wouldn’t have to drag a large suitcase along with me as my knee really was excruciatingly painful.

The train company wouldn’t change my ticket without a large admin fee, so I decided to just go with the flow and stick to the original plan.

Having had already packed my bag and thought I knew what I was going to wear to Birmingham. Getting ready, I did everything apart from my makeup which I planned to put on whilst on the train.

Face Half Done…

I had even bought my car parking the night before, to cut down the amount of walking I needed to do.

Travelling to the station was a doddle apart from it was pouring with rain.

I arrived at the station with about 25 minutes to spare, found a parking space very close to the entrance and locked and secured my little Mini.

The deterioration of my knee has been so severe that I need to walk with the aid of a walking stick constantly, so I clicked and clattered my way to the station doors.

My train was due to arrive in about 10 minutes which would be the amount of time it took me to go across the width of all the platforms, down in the lift, and walk down to the platform I needed.

The train arrived and I was lucky to get a seat at a table, which I thought was very fortunate.

Little did I know how unfortunate it was actually going to be.

The man diagonally opposite decided to take his trainers and socks off and put his feet on the chairs opposite. Then he undid his trousers to get more comfy (I am sure) and pulled his jumper up to his chin. He put his thumb in his mouth, sat stroking the side of his nose and proceeded to go to sleep.

No issue with that as such, except he started to snore and moan and groan in his sleep, constantly.

The was not helped at all by the man who was sat level with me on the table opposite.

He proceeded to have a very loud conversation on his phone and then spent the rest of the journey ‘hawking’ back phlegm in his mouth.

Lots of Selfies

I was so thankful when my Spotify picked up the free wi-fi and I could put music on and drown the sounds out.

The train rumbled along through Long Eaton and Rugby before heading off to Coventry. About five minutes away from the station, the train came to a standstill just before a tunnel.

After five or so minutes, the driver advised that there was a train at the platform and we would need to wait for it to move on before we could enter the platform. He also said he would keep us updated as to how long it would be.

Another ten minutes passed and we hadn’t moved so much as an inch. The time was ticking on but I still had a lot of time before my appointment was due.

Then the driver came over the tannoy and told us that there was a bit of a problem ahead. The overhead electrical cables had become damaged, which in turn damaged the train at the front of the queue. Until this one was removed, we would not be going anywhere.

I carried on reading my book and listening to Ella Fitzgerald and was pretty chilled out.

Then the train started to move.

We slowly pulled into Coventry station and then were promptly told to get off the train as it could go no further and to wait on the platform for staff to advise us what would be happening next.

What a nightmare!

There were a huge amount of people milling about on the platform, all with quizzical looks on their faces, just like me. The staff didn’t have a clue what was going on but we could hear a lot of transmissions going over the radios they all carried.

I was lucky enough to be able to find a seat and sat down to wait.

The train we had been on went back South leaving the platform empty. All we needed now was for the damaged train to be removed and get on with our journey.

I decided to go and ask one of the staff members what was going on as time really was running away and I didn’t want to be late for my appointment. I asked if there would be a replacement bus service laid on so I could get an idea of what alternatives I had.

He advised that there was no replacement buses as a train would be coming in about 20 minutes.

Well, that was alright then!

Even put false lashes on…

Twenty minutes passed with no sign of a train. Forty minutes passed and still nothing.

Eventually nearly an hour had passed and a train pulled in.

Whoohoo!

You can imagine the frustration when all the passengers were told to get off that train too, doubling the amount of people all waiting on the platform. The train went back the way it had come, taking our hopes with it.

I sent Lynsey a message to say that the trains were all broken and I was stuck in Coventry and had no idea when I would be able to get to the salon. I was absolutely gutted.

Thankfully, Lynsay told me not to worry and to get there when I was able and she would still be able to sort my hair out. This caused me a sigh of relief and I just sat and waited on the platform as there was little else that I could do.

The next train in was headed for Blackpool and the first two stops were Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street. We all expected this one to be turned back South, but to our surprise we were told to get on the train as it would be leaving in five minutes.

Train to Nowhere…?

Getting on the train, I was really thankful to get a seat even though it was only a 25 minute journey, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand for that long.

The train started to slowly pull out of the station when all of a sudden there was a blaring alarm sound and we ground to a stop.

Some total idiot had set the Emergency Stop button off!

By this point my patience had reached the barest minimum. Had I of seen who pulled the cord, I would probably have ripped their head off!

The train eventually left ten minutes later and we travelled without incident right into Birmingham New Street Station.

My original train left at 0658 and should have arrived at New Street at 0810.

I departed the train at 1050, just shy of a 3 hour train ride and 1hr 20 minutes late for my appointment.

Whilst walking through the station I ordered the Uber for the 6 minute ride to Le Keux as I knew I just wouldn’t be able to walk the 20 minutes to it. I was greeted at the door by wonderful smiling faces and finally my stress level seemed to evaporate.

Lucy came to usher me to a chair and asked if I wanted a drink. A lovely cup of tea was arranged and I finally felt like I could breathe again. Removing my hair turban, Lucy was able to see just what she had to work with and made some suggestions as to what would look good.

A cup of tea cures all ills

I wanted to go for something more natural so that the grey hairs would blend in and it would not require massive amounts of upkeep.

Sitting in front of a vintage dressing table, Lucy sectioned my hair grabbed all the products she needed and set to work on foiling me up.

Before….

The atmosphere in the salon was marvellous; 50’s rock n roll was playing, people were chattering in the diner and I was being pampered.

Lynsey arrived and we had a good old chat about life, adventures, photoshoots for Keuxtie of the Year and my wonderful boy, Theodore who I keep promising to pop into the salon with.

Starting to get Foiled

Quite a lot of time passed as layers of foil, bleach and other colours were added to my hair until I had a full head of silver foil on me. This was left to sit for awhile before I was taken to get it washed off.

Almost all Foiled

I had also opted for an Olaplex treatment to put some goodness back into my hair, especially as bleach was being used on it. Lucy gave me a full head massage and I was very close to falling asleep in the chair.  I was so very relaxed.

Eventually the Olaplex treatment was washed off and I was ready to go back to the chair to get styled.

Getting Dried and Styled

When the towel was removed and I could see the colour of my hair, I was absolutely amazed. There were shades of blonde, grey, ash and brown, all blending and complimenting each other. It looked so natural too, I could hardly believe it.

The finished look

Lucy dried my hair off with a large round brush giving it some body and curl. It felt super silky and in such good condition, especially considering bleach had been used.

Look at that Shine!

Lynsey wanted to take a few pictures with the new hair and the Cherry Bomb lip colour and I was happy to primp and preen for her.

It’s the Bomb!

The appointment had taken a lot longer than I thought even with the massive delay but it was a total pleasure to be pampered by all the wonderful ladies of Le Keux.

Absolutely loving the end result

Not only did I get an amazing new hairstyle, but I got to experience one of their Freakshakes – The Ariel.

The Ariel

As I said, a Excellent Ending to a Shocking Start.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx