Catch what’s happening in 20 of the Illawarra’s leading hair salons in support of Highlights for Hope, with Australia’s first lady of hairdressing ROBYN DAVID TE VELDE. Well-known Illawarra identities will be featured with blond or colourful highlights over the coming seven weeks, during Mental Health Month until the end of October. We will feature a different salon and identity every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
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What better way to mark the centre of Mental Health Month than with a visit to "cloud nine"?
While we have featured many high-profile business identities and sports celebrities over the past few weeks, today we feature someone who takes us to the core of what Highlights for Hope is all about.
Helen is one of the members of the Light and Hope Clubhouse who this week was treated to the luxury of a fully complimentary hairdo and make-up at Artique Salon, Figtree.
As Helen left the salon, she said: "I am on cloud nine, I can't stop smiling."
This outstanding gesture is available to all clubhouse members as part of the hairdressers' support of the campaign. Each of the 20 Highlights for Hope salons have offered to do a makeover for club members, with an open choice of services. It may be a style cut, colour, conditioning treatment, scalp massage or perhaps a beauty service, manicure or a little nail art.
Helen chose to have a style cut and new colour, which was further enhanced with highlights. She had not had a colour for many years and the natural tone of her hair had become mousy with the ever-increasing grey invasion. There is nothing more ageing than this process that occurs sooner or later.
This special day began for Helen when she left her home in Gerringong at 5.30am.
Salon proprietor Natalie Taylor and the staff welcomed Helen and began with a relaxed consultation to determine the best service package.
A new colour was most important to Helen, so a special formulation was mixed to produce a warm honey-beige light brown - highlighted with a soft pearl blonde, a perfect tone-on-tone choice for Helen's complexion.
As the colour was completed at the basin, she was treated to a 20-minute treatment massage, where her level of relaxation through personal pampering took her off to cloud nine and she actually drifted off for few minutes.
Helen then enjoyed a style cut and her naturally curly hair was smoothed and styled to flatter her face shape.
Finally, the Artique beautician, Jenna Gillette, completed Helen's new look with beautifully applied make-up, another first for Helen.
Helen was elated with the result, and her lovely smile said it all. "The girls have made me feel so accepted and comfortable," she said.
I had the pleasure of witnessing this transformation and was heartened as I observed the sensitive, caring manner extended to Helen by all the girls in the salon.
The sincere joy of the salon team was evident as a result of giving and doing for someone as special as Helen.
Natalie said: "I feel privileged to be one of the Highlight for Hope salons, supporting this community campaign to raise the very urgently needed funds to maintain the two days per week that the clubhouse is struggling to sustain.
"It would be a terrible thing to learn that good people like Helen have no place to go."
All the Highlight for Hope salons are selling raffle tickets for great prizes and there are just two weeks left to raise adequate funds to keep the Light and Hope Clubhouse going for two days a week. Our local members rely on this facility for many reasons including the opportunity to interact with the community through organised projects and to gain that sense of place and purpose we all need to live full and meaningful lives.
Mention Highlights for Hope to enjoy a 20 per cent discount (max $20 discount) off one hair or beauty service in a Highlight for Hope Salon of your choice. Discount on one service per month. Not redeemable with any other offer.
Participating salons include Artique, Aria Hair, Brittany Hair Boutique, Colours at North Beach, Dapto Hair & Beauty; Hair on Gladstone; Wollongong and Shellharbour Hairhouse Warehouses; La Mode, Moore St Hair, Phoenix Hair & Beauty, Salon 66, Sisters Hair Design, Soho Spa, The Chelsea, The Fox & The Hair, The Palace, Total Bliss and Unity Hair.