Sometimes finding the right salon can be pretty terrifying. We've all been given a dodgy chop or somehow emerged with an undercut and assured the stylish we loved it before crying every morning and purchasing a vast array of hats. So last week when Because was invited to visit Paul Edmonds' prestigious salon in Knightsbridge we obviously had to go in the name of research.

We know, it's a tough job but the people need to know about these things and who could refuse an invite to a salon referred to as Edmonds' "House of Luxury".  So off we went.

We were welcomed by his hand picked group of stylists and sprawled out on velvet arm chairs awaiting our luxurious fate. The glow of Paul Edmonds' own range of candles then lead us through the intimate corridors to the cutting room. Lined with ornaments and family photographs, we quickly felt right at home. Admittedly feeling a little peckish before the pampering was set to begin, silver trays brought an array of snacks and fresh coffee. Seated in the leather bound chairs, we were poised to receive one of Edmonds' three bespoke hair treatments. The Ultimate Protein Rejuvenate Treatment enriches dried and damage locks, exactly what a girl needs after too many hours under the sun.

Our hair was initially washed with an exfoliating shampoo to open the cuticles, and then applied with an all natural, pure protein. Glossy and masked with an egg like mixture, it was then set in a dryer for thirty minutes. A sealant conditioner from Shu Uemura's hair care range was then applied, and we were ready for the prestigious blow dry. Curled with a wide barrelled brush alone, the stylist took time and care to create the perfect glamourous messy curls that we had requested.

Edmonds and his team had given us the perfect glamourous, healthy and bouncy hair - a barnett fit for a princess (or a royal wedding at least).

This season, larger than life make up has been a popular tool for evoking the drama that every memorable show requires. Viktor & Rolf saw red for their flame-faced femmes, while multi coloured polka dots ran amuck upon the faces of Louise Gray's ladies. But leave it to Vivienne Westwood to smear her models faces with what can only be described as war paint - more fear inducing and awe striking than anything else we'll see this Fall. As she flounced through a downpour of golden confetti, Westwood took her bow whilst surrounded by women who would look more comfortable at a carnival freak show than a runway. Though never one to shy away from bold, theatrical make up, Westwood has truly outdone herself with black on white, chaotic punk-warrior face paint. 

Once again enlisting the aid of make up extraordinaire, Val Garland, the resulting looks were darker than ever - and what else would we expect from the First Lady of Punk? With skin painted a pasty white, it quickly became apparent that these were nothing less than blank canvasses. The MAC Cosmetics team was on hand to apply ink using paintbrushes and paper, while haphazard shapes were scrawled across faces, vaguely worked around the outlines of models' features. Combined with mirrored nails by Sophie Robson, the beauty for this collection was nothing short of art. 

Unsurprisingly, when Garland was asked about the make up artistry involved, she said, "We wanted to take it a little Tim Burton." The dark, wispy shapes that crept across features had suggested as much, reminiscent of Burton's animated masterpieces such as Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. Despite the obvious link, this was not the most popular cultural reference to Westwood's warrior women. As the last model strutted down the glitter-strewn runway in a bright white bridal gown and flourishing a bouquet, eyes were focused on her blacked-out eyes that bore striking similarities to Natalie Portman's costume makeup in 2011 blockbuster, Black Swan. Making a stark contrast to her snowy white dress as she blew air kisses to the audience, the resulting effect was positively ghoulish - and the perfect finale for a show, which boasted make up artistry at it's most effective.

Words by Lore Oxford.

Session Stylist Ranelle Chapman is enchanted by this season's big hair...

Double double toil and trouble...I said that a few times growing up! The afternoons I spent with my two sisters making potions, at the back of my Grandma's garden by the compost heap, dancing around as we mixed lavender, rose petals and dirty water! Is it any wonder I have a fascination with witches?

Being a child of the 80's my life was surrounded with perms, those spiralling curls could easily resemble those more likely to be seen on a poodle. That's not to say I don't love them. The hair in the 1987 film "The Witches Of Eastwick" was nothing but amazing. And totally of the minute.

Block colours in honey, caramel, vibrant coppers, vivacious reds and shadowy darks were seen all over the Spring/Summer 2011 catwalks. We even saw it in the front row of Tom Ford's womenswear comeback. His private viewing saw few guest and no cameras, except for photographer Terry Richardson.

Tom used women who inspired him including Beyonce to ornament his beautiful creations. Beyonce's lively curls remind me so much of flame haired, fiery witch Jane Spofford played by Susan Sarandon. Meanwhile at Topshop Unique there was a definite resemblance to Alexandra Medford and Sukie Ridgemont played by Cher and Michelle Phfeiffer as it had that wild savage quality the witches possess!

Hair was fiercely bouncing down the catwalk at Charles Anastase, the block colour, texture and sexy fringes were enough to inspire me into losing a bit of length. Topshop Unique took it to a whole new level though, with hair that was like a soft maze of fuzziness with colourful tips that gave it a modern edge and in some ways is my favourite of the season. I am definitely going to be casting this look over the summer.

Now before you go out and start asking for a perm at your local hairdresser, think again! You can achieve this look without going to those extremes. The Afro is fun, full of attitude and great for getting you noticed. Start by washing your hair with a Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. Spritz with Bumble and Bumble Prep then layer with Thickening spray. Blast your hair upside down with hair dryer. This will give some extra lift at the root area and make your hair fuller.

Get the Look - The Afro

Styling Tools

Pins / Straigtheners

Step 1

Prep the hair using Elnett Hairspray. Taking 1 inch sections, wind a figure of 8 round a hair pin, starting at the root and working towards the ends. Then fold the pin back on itself to secure.

Step 2

Continue that all over the head. Once complete, clamp over the hair pin with a straightening iron to set.

Step 3

Leave to cool. Start at the nape of the neck and begin to remove all the pins. Once removed, brush out to give the hair the frizzy afro look. Spritz with Bumble and Bumble Shine Spray.

Alternatively you could use a micro tong to create a similar look. The smaller sections of hair you take the finer the frizz. Once you have curled all your hair with the tongs you can brush out as we mentioned before. Again you need to prep your hair with Elnett Hairspray and finish with Bumble and Bumble Shine Spray.