I have a habit of letting my locks lapse into a serious state of disrepair – colour appointments, though indulgent, are also time consuming. But I’ve managed to secure a slot with one of the best colourists in town and I hear his latest technique is blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fast. He’s worked with some of the most beautiful women in the world, so I am more than a little embarrassed to present my woeful roots to Jack Howard. L’Oréal Professionnel’s UK Colour Spokesperson is credited with bringing the balayage technique to the UK. Little wonder, then, that his client list reads like an A-list who’s who (Poppy Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse…). Settling me into my chair at Paul Edmonds’ Knightsbridge salon, Jack runs an experienced eye over my current colour and talks me through his plans – if he’s fazed by the task at hand he doesn’t let on. And in just 30 minutes, he has worked his magic – opting for balayage, and micro-balayage in two different tones (à la Gillian Anderson, I’m told). I emerge with glossy hair and a grin that won’t be suppressed, and skip down the road admiring my reflection in every window that I pass. If this is the future of hair colouring, I can make time for it.
Hair colour with Jack Howard (jackhoward.co.uk) at Paul Edmonds London (pauledmonds.com) from £140. 217 Brompton Road, SW3 (020 7589 5958)