THE GEORGE NORTHWOOD LOB

At the risk of sounding trite, I'm starting this blog post with a quote from Coco Chanel: 'A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life'. At least that was the mantra with which I went armed to George Northwood's esteemed eponymous salon on Wells Street. Like many other lobbers before me, I'd just emerged from a break-up with someone who grimaced at any mention of cutting my waist-length hair. Chopping off six inches seemed like the perfect rebellion, a hirsute symbol of a new beginning. And besides, if it's good enough for Rosie...

I presented my catalogue of Pinterest-sourced snaps to Lotte - George's right-hand woman - who remained patient even while viewing the 45th inspiration photo and listening to me spew contradictory adjectives: 'blunt and shaggy', 'short but medium-length', etc. etc. She even counselled me through a moment of hair cutting crisis, offering me the option of one of her signature braids rather than a dramatic chop. After confirming that I did in fact want to shed my mermaid-like locks and talking me through exactly what the cut would entail, she started work on my Break Up Lob.

The key to this cut - a George Northwood signature - is that it's slightly longer at the front (though crucially, not asymmetric by Posh Spice proportions) and features invisible layering at the ends. That's the secret to Rosie Huntington's swish and Alexa Chung's shag, and what happily unleashed new life into my old 'do. Lotte finished with an artful twirling of tongs - the GHD Curve to be exact - something I've been attempting to recreate ever since.

Call it hair karma, but the dawning of my lob has coincided with some positive life changes (not least of all the fact I spend considerably less time with my hair dryer each morning). Coco was right.

Thanks George Northwood and lovely Lotte for the new 'do!

Visit George Northwood at 24 Wells Street, London W1T 3PH; call 44(0)20 7580 8195 or book online at georgenorthwood.com

Top | H&M (similar here) Neckace | Accessorize (similar here) Hair Tongs | GHD Curve Lipstick | MAC Ruby Woo (mixed with Vaseline)
*Hair cut courtesy of George Northwood.