Names: Tatum Pittendrigh and Chloe Martin
Job Title: Team Assistants
How did you get to where you are today?
T: We came straight from school to start our apprenticeship at Rebecca Carr Hair Salon and to learn the craft of hairdressing on the job. We will be regularly assessed by college until we are fully certified.
C: I started as a Saturday girl, helping at the salon in my weekends. I’ve now gone full-time as a fully-fledged assistant.
What does your job entail and what is your favourite part?
T: We work alongside stylists ‘running their column’ which means we are assisting them throughout their day so that it runs smoothly. This includes looking ahead and planning for their next appointments, meeting and greeting clients, looking out equipment, washing hair and taking off colour treatments and anything else the stylist needs to delegate.
C: A big part of our job is applying special treatments on clients. We recently took a Hair Spa course building on our knowledge of the Kérastase treatments we use in the salon such as Fusio and Smart Bond. This helps give us confidence to explain to customers the process and the benefits of the treatments and it also gave us the opportunity to try them out ourselves!
What is your own hair type and how do you make sure it looks great?
T: I have long thick hair and so I like Kérastase Elixer shampoo and conditioner and blow-dry cream. If I leave it to dry naturally it takes on a bit of a wave so I don’t like putting too much product in it.
C: My hair is like Tatum’s and I like to keep it looking and feeling natural.
What product can’t you live without?
T: I don’t tend to like using hairspray but like Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique blow-drying cream for heat protection.
Can you tell us about a favourite colour/style/transformation you have seen?
T: We had a training session on L’Oreal’s My Colourful Hair and it was great fun to experiment with some unusual colours. Generally seeing the difference that different toners can make is fun.
C: I like someone going from long hair into a bob. If there is enough hair length it can be donated to the Little Princess Trust which provides wigs to children who have lost their hair because of health reasons.
Who is your hair icon?
T: Khloe Kardashian – I love how she experiments with different styles like half up and half down with curls and space buns.
C: Caroline Flack has great hair, a fab example of a transformation from longer hair to a good bob.
Where do you get your inspiration?
T and C: Really from anywhere – online and social media including YouTube tutorials, TV and from experimenting on ourselves and each other’s hair.
How would your family and friends describe you?
T: Loud, talkative, enthusiastic and an all-round positive person.
C: I would say enthusiastic and game for a laugh or as my dad would say ‘ill-tricket’ (mischievous).
What do you do in your spare time?
T and C: We are always busy at the salon so like to meet up on our days off so we can catch up properly or meet friends and get our nails done.
What is the most important lesson you have learned?
T: I think to be calm under pressure and how to be diplomatic in tricky situations.
C: We learn a lot from the older stylists in the salon, they are generous with their knowledge and take us under their wing.
Describe working at Rebecca Carr Hair Salon in one sentence?
T and C: Fun but with a professional side!
