Jamie.
Meet Jamie, one of the talented stylists at our Lothian Road salon.
Jamie is loved by our clients for creating bold short haircuts with a soft, flattering finish. He’s also known for his serious skills in creating gorgeous natural balayage highlights finishing off with ultra-glam bouncy blow-dries.
What inspired you to follow a career in hairdressing?
I always loved design, fashion, being creative and I decided I didn’t want to continue with higher education after school, but struggled to decide on a career path to follow.
Hairdressing was an option floating around my mind when I went to my next haircut appointment with Jayne at Cheynes West End. I remember noticing the whole salon having fun, the hairdressing team looked amazing and I knew then I wanted to work in a place where I could be as creative and happy as the team here. After doing work experience in a few different salons in Edinburgh, I applied for a job at Cheynes and never looked back.
How would you describe your personal style as a hairdresser?
I would say I create a relaxed and easy experience so my clients feel they are in a safe space to chat, laugh, chill or catch up on work, all the while knowing they’ll leave with hair that makes them feel fabulous.
I enjoy cutting hair into strong shapes with elements of softness and a fun or glamorous blowdry is something I love to offer. I like to be personable with my clients and to offer bespoke services that will enhance their own unique qualities and style.
If you could style the hair of any celebrity, past or present, who would it be?
Miley Cyrus, her style is constantly evolving from the longer elegant styling on her Gucci campaign to edgier textured punk styles. She’s not afraid to reinvent her hair with different colour placement and new cuts that reflect both her music and her personality growth. I also like to think we’d have a laugh and end up going for drinks together.
What’s the go-to product/tool you can’t live without?
K18 is my favourite go to hair treatment, especially for anyone lightening their hair colour, although everyone can benefit from it. It’s a bonding treatment that works on a molecular level in the hair and the transformation to the hair condition is incredible. It leaves the hair looking and feeling noticeably stronger, healthier, shiny and both myself and my clients love it.
What do you enjoy most about working with clients at your Cheynes salon?
One of the most special aspects of my career is the relationships I’ve developed with clients who I’ve known and looked after for years. Being there for the highs and lows in a persons life is a real honour, however having the opportunity to make my clients feel special and be an important part of their self-care regime is the part I enjoy the most. I love to educate my clients on the best products and styling techniques to use at home so they feel great about their hair both when they leave the salon and while living their lives between hair appointments too.
Favourite thing about working in your Cheynes Salon?
I’m passionate about education and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity through my role as Head of Training to share my knowledge and experience with the apprentices at the beginning of their hairdressing career. I’ve had many mentors over the years from the talented Cheynes team, each with their own unique skill set and approach to hair that has made me a stronger hairdresser and I get a lot from paying that forward to the next generation.
How are you spending an ideal day off in Edinburgh?
My ideal day off would be spent close to home in leith, starting with a walk around one of the many green spaces and stopping in a few of my favourite independent shops on leith walk like Seb’s Urban Jungle or Argonaut bookshop. Going out for dinner is my favourite thing to do and I love visiting Bodega, La Casa or The Walnut if it’s a more special evening. I’d round the day off either having a go at the pub quiz with friends at Brass Monkey or laughing over a glass of wine at Abode.
