Newcastle Hair and Beauty driving the ‘Ferrari’ of hair extensions

By Maurice Garvey

NEWCASTLE Hair and Beauty recently hosted a customer appreciation night, with staff and clients mixing to celebrate the success of a business that has been serving the community for close to 10 years.

Owner Lorna Flannery identified Main Street in Newcastle as an ideal location to establish the business in 2007, citing free parking, a good catchment area, and celebrity clients, including Vivienne Connolly and Fair City actor Saoirse Furlong.

Originally from Rathcoole, Lucan resident Lorna is also the Irish and UK educator on human-hair extensions – regularly appearing on TV3 programme Xposé, to expertly discuss trends and styles associated with the product, which is available in the Newcastle salon.

Lorna’s bubbly personality, reflects the sense of adventure for a staff of 10 who know “how to let their hair down” – something Lorna confesses may be down to a working environment often engulfed in clouds of aerosol spray.

However rather than letting hair down, it is letting hair up – for hair extensions – which has become an important part of the business.

“I’ve been doing 100 per cent human-hair extensions for 12 years,” said Lorna, who has 20 years experience in the hairdressing industry.

She continued: “All the hair comes from the biggest hair extension company established in 1982 – Indian temple hair. About 100 hairdressers in Ireland are doing it.

“It’s like the Ferrari of hair extensions, very versatile, suits all hair types, long, short, and is ideal for older women – and looks great on Cheryl Cole, Holly Willloughby and Celia Homan Lee (former Irish model).

Often travelling to Britain and Belfast in her role as a hair-extension educator, Lorna recommends that clients call in for a colour and match, then setting an appointment.

“It lasts up to six months, is available from 20cm to 50cm, and takes two hours.”

Newcastle Hair and Beauty is open six days a week, offers call-out services for weddings, communions and confirmations.

For further information, visit Newcastle Hair and Beauty of Facebook or newcastlehairbeauty.com