I can do nothing else but say thank you so much for your wonderful letters. One of which I want to share a part of with you. It truly touched me.
"Dear Lucinda, I have been a client in your London salon since March 2013. I imagine that you have heard many times how you have transformed people's lives with the work you do at Lucinda Ellery salons all over the world. You have changed mine too and every time I have my appointments at your King Street salon I am amazed how you are able to transform what could be a difficult, painful and sad time for those that come every 6 weeks into such a pleasant, joyful experience from where we all leave feeling reinvigorated and with a boost in confidence. For that contributes the beautiful setting but most of all everyone from the lovely, dedicated and passionate staff that always treats us like friends using first names and asking about our families. For all this I truly admire your company, not only the clever designs that make so much difference in the lives of those affected by thinning or hair loss but also the way all the staff are so genuinely happy about the work they do."
The beautiful young lady that sent me this will recognise her words and may join our team going forward.
I saw something that made me stop and pause for thought, I decided to find a tiny miniature key ring with a pink skeleton waving about to remind me always, this is what we become and I must therefore do all I want and can RIGHT NOW !! The more mature I get (because it's nothing to do with age) the more I am aware how truly important it is to understand that NOW is all we have for sure, hence living in the moment is imperative. A very dear friend of mine ...an Olympian no less, fit as a flea and young, young, young by today's standards, a personal trainer into health and fitness had a stroke at Christmas. It is heartbreaking and there is virtually no help afterwards for those that survive to have to relearn to walk and talk and much, much more.
I attended a fund raiser and heard Andrew Marr speak and walk, remarkably so, since a few short months ago he could do neither.It seems to be everywhere I look that there are constant reminders to us all, to live totally and fully NOW and with any challenge or misery that we experience we should pop a little mental reminder to watch our thoughts keep ourselves busy and giving BECAUSE TIME GOES SOOOOO FAST... and the more we give the more we receive. They say that if you do what you love and love what you do you will never work a day in your life and I am living proof I haven't worked a day in my life! SINCE I STARTED THIS ENTERPRISE! And I am blessed because of you all!
PS. I needed them, so get your tissues out to read Holly's letter.
Thank you. A million times over won't be enough to fully express just how much you have done for me.
I developed alopecia areata after my dad passed away when I was 9. I struggled during school years with absolutely no confidence following a series of bullying. No one understood why I wasn't "normal". I guess that stayed with me – so I began covering up. My coping mechanism was denial. If no one else saw it, was it really there? Obviously it was so hiding it from everyone became part of my life.
I have now spent 22 years in hiding - tying my hair up, changing my parting to cover patches, using cover up sprays, head bands, extensions etc. All this gave the illusion that I was "normal" but came at a price. It took me ages to get ready every morning just to look – average. I never felt good. I never learned to swim because wet hair was a no go. I didn't go on any rides at theme parks. I avoided days out if it was windy. Staying at friends' houses or holidays with groups of people were a no-go too and I avoided relationships through fear of rejection. It was half a life.
In the last year things got even worse, I began having panic attacks every morning as I struggled to cover up for the day ahead. My career began to suffer as I would be late in or not come in at all. My relationships were struggling as I attended less and less events with friends. The final straw came when I had to tell my best friend I didn't think I could face being her bridesmaid because of it – that broke my heart. I had changed from the outgoing sociable person I really am to a recluse.
After confiding in my Mum we researched and found Lucinda. I was a ball of nerves during the consultation and my best friend held my hand the whole way though. Priya talked me through everything and I was so comforted to know all of my emotions were normal. That was a first for me. Priya could see how much I needed this and managed to get me an appointment the following week.
I cried for about 2 hours the night before. I was terrified that if it didn't work I had no other options left. The journey was nerve wracking and I was scared. As soon as I walked through the doors to meet my team for the day that all went away.
The environment Lucinda has created is beyond perfect. I felt instantly safe and my confidence has been growing ever since. I walked out of the studio a different woman to the frightened girl that went in. I feel like my old self again. The girls did an amazing job, they listened to me and understood what was important to me. Nothing was too much trouble and I knew I wouldn't leave there until I was happy.
From the receptionist, to the consultants, to the technicians, to the stylists – everyone there made me feel a million dollars. I will never be able to thank you all enough for what you have done for me. I am now sitting here planning my bridesmaid hair for my best friend's wedding.
I look forward to my appointments and no longer wake up starting my day in fear.
Thank you Lucinda and the angels. You have changed my life.
Sometimes life is hard, and sometimes life gets even harder.... but sometimes life throws you a lifeline. And this is what happened to me.
My hair started to thin many years ago. I had had four wonderful children in ten years and after the first one I began wearing my hair up. It was very practical, could not be tugged at by any babies and I really liked the elegant style. But as time progressed I noticed small areas where my scalp was visible at the edges and on the fringe. I became so worried that I was sent to see a Trichologist in Harley Street. The address gave me confidence and he was very kind. Bloods were taken, tests were done, tablets were given, but there was no improvement. Eventually he said that the person I needed to see was Lucinda Ellery.
How right he was! Meeting Lucinda was the most perfect gift to many problems. I remember meeting her in 2008 when she explained the options of connections and systems, which would give me the chance of having a full head of hair. I paid my deposit and looked forward to the transformation.
But then life had other plans. In 2006 the husband whom I adored left me. (He had packed his suitcase the night before whilst I had taken the children to see a film). The next year my father, whom I also adored, became hospitalised. For 9 months my mother and I visited him daily. My father died in May 2008. Six weeks after his death my ex-husband started divorce proceedings. It was a very sad, long process and surprising. There was no real reason but obviously he just wanted to go. The name of a good solicitor was given to me by Lucinda who was amazing considering that I had only met her once and had to cancel my treatment with her studio. The divorce took 18 months and to cheer myself up I signed for the system again, (my deposit had been repaid without a qualm) and in November 2009 I went to Lucinda Ellery's Studio in London to have my new hair.
It was unbelievable! The Studio was full of women with gorgeous, luxurious hair and it was hard to believe that soon I would be one of their company. The atmosphere was joyful; the essence of Lucinda was everywhere. The process was impressively carried out by a qualified team of people, including members who initially washed and blow dried the hair, then those who fitted the connections of new hair and then a stylist who created the look desired by the client. And all the while there were drinks and magazines and even films to watch on individual laptops! It was magical.
I entered Lucinda's with hair that was weak and fragile and I left with the most magnificent mane of glorious, shiny, tresses. I have been going to Lucinda's for nearly 8 years now and due to my ill health the last of my hair slipped away. It is a hard thing to accept - when one knows deep down that she wants to have the hair of Farrah Fawcett Majors or Jerry Hall. On my last visit I was so worried that I would not be able to have any hair.
BUT the thing is my body might decide it's not going to play ball and will hold out on my hopes and aspirations but I have got the PERFECT solution. I have become part of the Lucinda Ellery world-wide family and the word 'impossible' does not live there. Lucinda is a champion of the Power of Thought and it is something that I am learning more and more each day. Through Lucinda I can now choose the hair I want and achieve it. HURRAY!
One of the things I do every day without fail is lose myself in thought about gratitude and, just for a few minutes, think about being grateful for everything I have in my life. It's kind of turned into a conscious habit over the years so that I now do it without thinking (not that this was always the case), but a combination of practice and really tuning into what's going on around you, or being present and paying attention to what you notice, your awareness - you can learn to make small changes in the ways that you experience the world. That's not to say that every day is wonderful, but everyday does have some element of wonder in it.
Let me invite you to give it a go right now! I'm guessing you're reading this in one of the Studios, or if you're at home reading online then maybe save this for your next visit. So, just get yourself comfy, sit up a bit, relax and drop your shoulders. Now, look up and take in everything around you – what do you see, hear and feel? Whenever I do this at Lucinda's I feel safe, cared for and free, I think it's freedom from judgement for having TTM because never once have I felt judged in all the years that I pulled and that in itself is very uplifting.
I remember on one occasion striking up a conversation with another lady in the loos and within two minutes we were both talking about the love, care and attention that makes Lucinda's studios so special – we'd never met before but we certainly shared the same sentiments. Sure it's about the excitement of going home with new hair and feeling glamourous, but it's also about the fuss and undivided attention you get when you have your hair done. It's unavoidable; having your head and hair touched for a few hours is a very personal experience. I also recall feeling tinges of guilt when I was pulling, because the team worked so hard to repair and restore the damage I'd done, but then something else amazing would happen and suddenly I become aware of another feeling; the sensation of hope. The whole place just fills you with it; hope for the future, hope for growing your hair, and hope that the damage isn't permanent and that is priceless.
Where am I going with all of this you may well be asking? Well I think it is easy to forget or even take for granted all that we already have and so for me there is absolute truth in the idea that the best things in life aren't things at all, they are our experiences, our family, our friendships and our own personal journey touched by the special moments and memories we create along the way and I'm grateful for that more than anything and I wish the same for you too.
NICO YOU SEEM LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER NOT JUST A FEW SHORT MONTHS, WHAT IS IT ABOUT LUCINDA ELLERY HAS MADE YOU FEEL AT HOME?
This is very true, it seems like I have been here a lot longer! I guess it's down to how nice and welcoming everyone is and this made it easy for me to blend in with the team. I really enjoy being here!
SUMMER IS FAST APPROACHING AND WE ALWAYS WANT TO DO SOME NEW STYLE TO WELCOME THE NEW WEATHER, WHAT HAIRSTYLE TRENDS DO YOU THINK WILL BE POPULAR THIS SUMMER?
There have not been any drastic changes compared to the last season. I'd definitely say that we're moving on from the big static 'perfect' blow dry look. Hair should move and shine, have natural waves, fringes, internal structure and stronger outlines.
WHAT ARE YOUR 3 TOP STYLING TIPS TO KEEP OUR HAIR AT ITS OPTIMUM?
It's really simple! The best thing we can do for our hair is to cleanse thoroughly with L'Oreal Pure Resource or Intense Repair shampoo, hydrate it with Love Your Hair masque or a good conditioning masque and protect it from the heat with Kerastase Nectar Thermique leave-in conditioner. We forget sometimes that our hair needs its own regime just like our skin, it also needs to be looked after to always look amazing.
WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU A LITTLE BETTER...... IF YOU COULD BE A SUPERHERO WHICH ONE WOULD YOU WANT TO BE AND WHY?