LUX Autumn 2018

107 Tara Phillips owns a strictly by appointment only private salon specialising in non-surgical hair replacement systems, changing the lives of people of all ages and genders - whether it be alopecia or male pattern baldness, and everything in between. Recently, we profiled The Hair Lounge and Tara to find out more about the exceptional services both her and her team provide to clients. From the moment you step into The Hair Lounge, it is unlike any other salon. As soon as you walk through the door, you are able to sense the welcoming atmosphere and can see the luxury environment, with all the high-end finishing that you would expect to find in a Knightsbridge salon. Beginning this interview, we ask Tara to go into a bit more detail about the services that she offers, and how the team aim to provide the best possible service to each of their clients. “Here at The Hair Lounge, we are primarily well-trained hairdressers who have the ability of putting those with insecurities at ease. At time, we are similar to ‘counsellors’, but often the conversations are all very positive. As the clients return for appointments, we hear about changes in their lives as they gain back confidence they have lost due to hair loss and feeling isolated. We have small private social media groups for them to chat freely with each other, which eliminates the isolation which they have felt for a long time. “Also, we allow plenty of time for each client and can offer privacy for each of them should they wish. The salon is set up with a very relaxed, intimate environment unlike most hair salons which are noisy and busy.” When discussing the team at The Hair Lounge, Tara explains how she ensures that everyone within the business are aware of the firm’s aims and behaves accordingly. “Since there is only a few of us, we all understand that this work is strictly confidential and that the salon is very discreet. We all can show empathy, allowing the client to feel at ease which often allows people to open up knowing that they are never judged. Our fundamental belief is we can help people and make them happy. This makes our niche field incredibly rewarding daily” HBW18040 Bringing the interview to a close, Tara is keen to highlight some of the exciting developments that lie ahead for the salon. “As the salon owner, I am looking to offer more treatments to support those with hair loss in the early stages. Also, we hope to offer male grooming services very soon as all the guys can receive more treatments in an environment they have come to feel very happy in, and yet again enable everyone to enjoy some treatments that possibly aren’t feasible in other beauty salons due to not wanting to disclose they have a hair system.” Moving forward, we ask Tara to envision what developments within the health, beauty and wellness market as a whole she foresees and how will The Hair Lounge will adapt around these. “Looking ahead to what the future holds, I hope that the field I am in begins to gain credibility and starts to be socially accepted. As new non-surgical solutions are found, I hope that we can offer new services. You never stop learning, and as such we have an open door procedure to new information “Getting involved in this field only a few years ago has totally changed my life, as such I understand the importance of what we do. For those suffering from hair loss, we can see how we can help people in their lives, and I feel privileged to have met many strong individuals that have had to overcome huge hurdles in their lives. Which is why, we help them make the obstacles more bearable - as a simple thing like waking up in the morning and not having the first thought to be that they’ve lost their hair. It’s the one thing many people take for granted. As we are all judged in society by our image, I am unable to change society, but I can help someone wake up, walk down the road, go shopping, go on holiday and feel like everyone else. “This certainly helps put life in perspective. If something upsets you, be proactive and change it. Life should be enjoyed and nothing should ever be taken for granted. I am able to fix the hair loss (obviously there are a few restrictions) but helping people be happy again is just the most amazing thing. seeing them smile again. For me, that’s the best type of award.” Contact: Tara Phillips Company: The Hair Lounge, 3 Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1BA, UK Telephone: 01483 422007 Web Address: www.thehairlounge.club AWelcoming Atmosphere in a Luxury Environment