Review: Springing into the weekend with Patrick Gildea

By Rachel McLaughlin • 5 years ago

Feb
2019

DW Editor Rachel experiences signature hair styling and La La Lashes in Patrick Gildea Hairdressing Letterkenny.

If you could only use one makeup product, what would it be?

Mascara would be top of my list, and if it’s a night out then lashes are a close second.

Before this weekend, I called into Patrick Gildea Hairdressing Letterkenny for a refreshed haircut and a La La Lashes treatment in their new Allure beauty salon.

Spring visit to Patrick Gildea Hairdressing and Allure with Hair Style Director Jordan McPhilemy (top) and Beauty Therapist Kim Kelly (below)

Lashes in the blink of an eye

La La Lashes are individual eyelash extensions applied in just 30 minutes. They last for two weeks and are a great option if you’d like a bright-eyed look for a holiday or special occasion.

Beauty therapist Kim Kelly explained how the lashes are placed individually onto the lash line, so they are really quick to apply and there is zero discomfort. The luxury beauty room at Allure is so relaxing that the time flies in.

The synthetic mink lashes can be as long, short or full as you like. I got a medium set to do both day and night and I love the lift and length.

See the difference in the before and after here:

Kim had plenty of aftercare tips for me to ensure they last as long as possible (avoid getting them wet for 48 hours and skip oil-based make-up remover) and I’ll be returning in two week’s time to get them professionally removed. It’s as easy as that!

New La La Lashes, zero mascara needed!

Personalised Styling

I also got to experience a Patrick Gildea haircut for the first time during this visit. What makes a cut or colour different here is the consultation and personalisation that each client is treated to.

Style Director Jordan McPhelimy sat down with me to talk about my colouring and face shape before we decided on the cut. My hair’s ‘energy code’ was already on file in the salon’s electronic system after my colour last year.

Patrick Gildea Guest Menu guide to cutting

Patrick Gildea Hairdressing exclusively uses System Professional by Wella, so every product used on my hair is tailored to my energy code. In my case, that calls for smoothing and hydration from all the heat damage I put it through.

The team at Patrick Gildea are all about tailoring treatments to suit the client. Jordan told me about every product she was about to use, so when I mentioned that I didn’t really like oils, we found a happy compromise in the new Wella Blow-dry Hydro-Gel.

The Patrick Gildea Guest Menu book is opened for every consultation. Jordan showed me the Spring colouring options and suggested that I smooth down my balayage with a ‘bronde’ toner. This added a lovely rich colour and healthy shine to my hair, so I was delighted with the recommendation.

Also in the menu is a guide to face shapes and cuts. I’m a square, which means that long layers and a wispy fringe work best to soften the angles. Jordan worked her magic to tidy my layers and keep my hair length intact. Taming my strong and thick locks was no problem to her! We finished up with much lighter, healthier and happier hair.