“The Kids’ Theatre” is the fifth episode of the “The Great Italian Journey”, Great Lengths 2020 communication campaign, dedicated to Goethe’s Italian travel diary. This story celebrates the cheerful, playful side of Dolce Vita, that the two female foreign visitors discover by approaching a unique artistic expression, very peculiar of Palermo: the kids’ theatre, recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. The puppet show has always been a fun way to deliver education to both children and adults, way before the diffusion of the public school. It starts in the mid nineteenth century, with stories of bandits and saints, Shakespearean dramas and above all the very popular events of the paladins of France told by Ludovico Ariosto in his epic poem “Orlando Furioso”. Mixing realism and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, the kids’ theatre, known in Italian as “Opera dei Pupi” convey the values of Sicilian people, such as chivalry, sense of honor, the defense of the weak and the priority of boundless love. Besides their literary aspects, this theatre means a precious, rare, endangered and extremely skilled craftsmanship. Puppets are actually still made manually: forging their metal armor requires a month of work for each puppet. Every puppet, or pupo, is a wooden unique piece, different from any other, that can also be made on commission for a value of over 1000€ each. In Palermo the work of the puppets is linked to the names of various families. The theatre that hosted Great Length’s production is Franco Cuticchio’s one, now a the third generation of puppeteers (Franco is also displayed in the video working at a new pupo). The protagonist of this story is Agatha, a model and actress with an outstanding personality, who enters the micro stage herself to start making jokes with the puppet and playing the accordion, the music instrument that is still used for the shows’ live soundtrack. Her casual, fresh short curly look with a bang is easy, fun and practical. It perfectly shows a less obvious use of extensions: not applied to give length to hair but to build a full but still natural volume, boosted especially on the top of the head. Naturalness is also key to Agatha’s hair color choice, a warm chocolate shade, deep and intense, made possible with the application of GL Pre-Bonded in color 03, length 12”.
Salons around Southern Ireland and England have re-opened or in the process of getting ready to welcome you back into the chair. While it’s an exciting time for many, clients should also be aware that salons will be adhering to new rules and safety regulations for the foreseeable future We reached out to our expert educators to find out what protocols will be in place for clients getting back into the salon chair over the coming weeks. Great Lengths Ireland educator and salon owner of Streetlife Hair, Edwina Hayes, says, “One of the most important things is to give your stylist is a good recent history of your hair and desired look beforehand. This cuts down consultation time and ultimately time in the salon chair. Have you done a box dye to cover greys? Have you chopped off the ends yourself? Make sure to tell your stylist!” On getting colour done, Great Lengths educator, Aileen Barnby from Barnby & Brennan said, “I’ve asked clients to arrive with their hair freshly washed from the night before or morning of just so we can see the exact colour. It’s harder to see colour if the hair is on day 3 and full of dry shampoo!” Salon tips & guidelines Wear a mask. It’s very simple and safe. It protects your stylist and it protects you. Be responsible. If you feel sick or you have a cough, don’t attend your appointment. Be patient. Stylist’s will be getting used to the new regulations and safety measures in place so things may take longer than usual. Extra cleaning and specialised rotas will be in place. Many stylists are also extending working days and hours to accommodate their clients so be mindful of that. Leave coats and bags at home or in the car when you can. The coat/cloakroom areas in salons have been removed to avoid minimal contact. Bring your own tea, coffee or water as most salons are advised not to offer refreshments. Alternatively check with your salon if they are still offering refreshments if you bring your own travel mug. Bring a good book, your own magazine or download an audiobook or podcast. Magazines won’t be available in salons any longer. Don’t be late. Or early. Salons are under massive pressure to get through a backlog of clients so keep to your timeslot. You may have to wait outside if you’re early as there may be a limit on numbers allowed in the salon. Be prepared to use card payments – avoiding cash payments is best for the time being. Enjoy yourself! It’s been 3 months since you sat in the salon chair!! Great Lengths educator Maria Vaughan, salon owner at Urban Angels Hair suggests, ‘Bring your earphones and download a good podcast or a meditation app. It can be uncomfortable and hot to talk in a mask so it might be best to have something good to listen to during your appointment.’ Getting Great Lengths extensions removed or applied? Ask your GL stylist about how to prepare your hair at home using the new “Client Prep Kits” prior to the appointment to save time at the backwash. The kit contains a mini 50ml Clean Remover Shampoo, dressing out brush and instructions on how to use. Make sure to contact your salon well ahead of your hair extension appointment, this gives the salon enough time to order and check that your colours are in stock. To find your nearest salon, visit the salon locator page and book your free of charge consultation.
“The Enchanted Tree” is the fourth episode of the “The Great Italian Journey”, Great Lengths 2020 communication campaign, inspired to Goethe’s Italian travel diary. This story focuses on the celebration of the female beauty in its very essence, without any addition, and - instead - with a soft and natural feel. The episode starts with the group of foreign women visiting Palermo standing in a very special setting, a sort of mysterious place, that only good connoisseurs of the city can recognize as a real garden, whereas the majority of people may think it to be an artificial set. The protagonists of the story slowly move in the shadow of a giant tree, a venerable 25m-high, 150-year old giant Ficus Benjamin, whose huge size and peculiar shape create a sort of protected, secluded and arcane wooden dome. Actually, the magic of this incredible Ficus are its thick aerial roots, as big as trunks, who hang in the air before they reach the ground again, looking like an elegant ancient colonnade or like outstanding hairs’ enlargement under the microscope. This wonderful and oldest tree in Palermo, is placed right in the city center of the city, in a small park in a very quiet square surrounded on all sides by elegant palazzi. This extraordinary setting makes of this story the most symbolic of the series: the explorers’ experience is not only a physical journey, but also an internal one, holding the power of imagination and the bliss of a youthful dream. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to Agatha, the woman in a dark pants suit with mid-length curly hair. Intense chocolate-shaded extensions are used on her not to build length, but to give a feminine volume to a full head of hair, that could be worn by any woman looking for a warm and sophisticated look. The Great Lengths international stylists’ team shaped for Agatha what is one of the most widespread women’s aspirations: voluminous, naturally wavy hair. In particular the Great Lengths’ US-stylist and trainer Nanci Lee used GL Tapes on the interior to give fullness and GL Pre-Bonded on the perimeter to create a seamless blend. She achieved the curl pattern by using a diffuser on the loose wave pattern of Great Lengths’ hair. This has made of Agatha, an incredible model and actress who has been mastering the set scene, a contemporary woman who likes to play with contrasts: a minimalistic professional clothes’ choice combined with a loose, sensual hair look.
The latest innovation for blonde hair is here...Silver Shine the best shampoo for blonde hair extensions from Great Lengths. Banish the brass and refresh your blonde every single week without the fear of damage or dehydrating your hair. For hair extensions wearers or those who prefer the au naturele look, Silver Shine Shampoo is the perfect remedy to fading blondes. Designed with bleached and grey hair in mind, the innovative violet colour pigment neutralizes and nurtures yellow and brassy tones. How Does It Work? The KERA-PROTECT-KOMPLEX (KERAPHLEX®) improves the hair structure, repairs hair damages and prevents new damages. The result? Hair will become silky and smooth to the touch. PRODEW 500 provides for new GL brilliance and protects the hair colour against premature fading. Image by Alanna Loughran at Petra's House Of Colour How and When Do You Use It? Ideally shampoo the hair once a week with your Silver Shine Shampoo. As with all professional shampoos, we recommend to shampoo the hair twice. The first shampoo can be lathered into the hair and then rinsed thoroughly. Repeat for the second cleanse. This is when the shampoo can be left on longer for the colour pigments to penetrate the hair. The longer the shampoo is left on, the ashier the tone will be. Silver shine shampoo is a maintenance essential. Naturally, blonde tones will become warmer over time. This is largely due to the natural hair being darker than the blonde tone it has been changed too. To reduce this warmth from building up in the hair, use once a week. For blondes, it is also a great way of softening a rooted or balayage effect. Cooling the blonde tone down, often creates a softer blend between the natural depth of the root and the lightened end. Using the Silver Shine shampoo regularly can aid that seamless finish. Speak to your nearest Great Lengths salon to find out how you can order and keep your blondes looking and feeling beautiful.
“The Magic of Majolica” is the third episode of the “The Great Italian Journey”, Great Lengths 2020 communication campaign, inspired to Goethe’s Italian travel diary. In this episode Yzan, the Asian woman, welcomes us by opening the doors of a special place. She invites us to enter and discover one of Palermo’s hidden gems, The Casa Museo Stanze al Genio, a unique museum located in a baroque palace in the very heart of the historical centre. The museum collection consists of 5000 glazed square floor tiles from Southern Italy, manufactured between the 15th and 20th century for the pleasure and enjoyment of the aristocracy, the wealthy middle class and the religious communities. Besides the outstanding beauty and modernity of the tiles’ decorations, what is unique about this museum, is that it is hosted inside a fully furnished and functional private apartment, which is still used by its owners. Such an incredible combination of private and public living is a fascinating demonstration of how much Italian creativity is woven into everyday lifestyle and personal choices. The protagonists of the story sit on the floor, a perfect graphic framework, that enhances their elegance and majesty. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to Gintare, the only blonde woman of the group. Her timeless beauty stand outs in the cozy atmosphere of the room. With her soft gaze, her warm honey blonde hair color, she is the emblem of a gentle femininity. The Rossano Ferretti team shaped what is one of the most widespread women’s aspirations: long, voluminous, naturally wavy hair. Gintare’s look is so aspirational because of her light hair color, as if she had been spending time in a Sicilian beach under the radiant sun for several days or weeks. Her roots are darker, whilst the ends and the longest locks have degraded tones. Technically speaking, Gintare’s look is achieved by using 150 GL pre-bonded hair, in a combination of colors: Rooted 68/23 where 5 cm of dark roots drastically transition into a shiny blonde and Bronde 63/23 where the darker roots smoothing transition into much lighter ones on the ends.
It’s a worrying time at the moment without the added stress of hair woes. With that said, many women will be scrutinising their locks in the mirror over the coming weeks. So, to help manage hair while salons are closed, we've put together some hair dos and don’ts during isolation. DOs Do lay off the heated tools while we are in isolation. It’s a nice break for your hair. Style your hair into buns and pony tails and put down the straightener. Do use a good hair mask. Pop it in for the whole day if you’re WFH (Working from home). Make sure you comb it through thoroughly. Do use professional shampoos, conditioners and styling products. For extension-wearers we recommend products specifically for extensions or products that are sulphate free. Do ask your salon to pop you on a waiting list for bookings when they re-open. Do plait/braid your hair whilst resting or sleeping, especially if you wear extensions. This will give you beautiful heat free waves when you wake up! Do brush your extensions daily! We recommend 2-3 times and brush row by row over the bond or tape. For Great Lengths bonded extension-wearers - Do separate your bonds daily. Separate with your fingers to prevent matting. You may need to do more regularly if your extensions are due out during this isolation period. DON’T’s Don’t ever try to cut your own hair – even your fringe. It’s never a good idea! Don’t try and dye your own hair. Box dyes and professional dyes work in different ways and you could end up creating much more work for your stylist in the long run. Don’t wash your hair every day. Leave a few days between washes and give your hair a break from styling. Don’t forget to wash your brushes. Remove the loose hair, soak them in some fairy liquid and leave them out to air dry. Most importantly for extension wearers - Don’t try and remove your hair extensions at home. This will do more harm than good. Leave it to the professionals! Practice daily maintenance and your extensions should last a few more weeks with no damage to your natural hair. Finally, don’t be afraid to contact your stylist for advice. If all else fails, drop your stylist a DM with your questions or reach out on our social pages, we would be happy to answer your queries! We'll get through this, let's keep talking and supporting our salons, together.
“A Magnificent View” is the second episode of the Great Lengths 2020 communication campaign, inspired to Goethe’s Italian travel diary. This episode is the metaphoric sunrise of the protagonists’ journey, a beginning full of desire to be open to new experiences, in a new place. A woman opens the book and suddenly it’s a fresh autumn morning, with a weak sunlight seeping in through the shutters. So the story begins in an intimate mood, as the protagonists wake up in a peculiar place, which is not so obviously connected to the sicilian tradition: it is actually a Chinese Palace, a gorgeous building located inside a park just outside Palermo, and former royal residence of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies designed in the style of Chinoiserie. Today it is a museum and a rare example of eclectic architecture. The atmosphere of the location, full of contrasts, suggests the shape of the mind, where everything co-exists at the same time: past and future, memory and imagination. Different places appear and the physical journey becomes a dreamy one. Contrast is the leit-motiv of the female aestethic look&feel: outfits range from bright or pastel solid colours to black&white, while all hairstyles are contemporary, minimalistic pull-ups, of different shapes, ranging from chignons to braids to ‘60s volumes. Romana, the main protagonist of the story (she’s the woman who kicks off the day by opening the windows on an enchanting Italian garden), wears a mix of GL TAPES and GL TAPES+, both in 04 and 06 shades, applied skillfully by the international Great Lengths hairdressers’ team.
“Wandering the City” is the first episode of the multi-faceted storytelling created by Great Lengths for its 2020 communication and entitled “The Great Italian Journey”, as a tribute to Goethe’s travel literature masterpiece “Italian Journey”. Why Sicily and why Palermo? Sicily, first of all, offers a rich point of departure to reimagine a new Italian identity, where made-in-Italy coexists with innovation. Palermo, actually, is not a random choice: the Sicilian County Seat is a treasure of historical beauty, one of the liveliest European cities and finally, an urban labyrinth, where colourful folklore is still alive whilst at the same time, an artistic rebirth is taking place. This rebirth stems primarily from the recent private initiative to undertake the renovation of Palazzo Butera, an extraordinary 18th century estate, located right on the seafront in the historical city centre, and to transform it into a library, a set of galleries for temporary exhibitions and the display of private art collections. Wandering the Palermo streets is a taste of Dolce Vita, that tranquil lifestyle that tourists coming to Southern Italy have been looking for, since the end of the 18th century, when artists from Northern European countries ventured to Italy for its warm light, bright colours and ancient heritage. Inspired by this kind of cultural experience of 19th century, five women, coming from every corner of the world, travel to Sicily to discover the sweet magic atmosphere of the lemon-trees land. Their elegant, minimalistic beauty stands out in the pop setting of the food-markets, in the baroque one of Quattro Canti or in the Renaissance one of the Pretoria Fountain. How could the artistic team create such hair styles, that are discreet protagonists, with their tiny fullness? On the Chinese woman, whose name is Y-Zan, GL Tapes and GL Tapes Plus (shades 1B and 02 in 18”) were applied. Her hair has been cut with the Ferretti’s invisible cut, to make the extensions completely imperceptible. On Laurel, coming from NYC, GL pre-bonded were applied in shades 01 and 01b in 28”. The enhancing of everyday, natural, personal beauty goes on. And it’s still “hair like you“!
Inspired by the cultural experience of the 19th century, the new Great Lengths campaign recalls the time artists from Northern European countries ventured to Italy for its warm light, bright colours and most of all, its ancient heritage and tranquil lifestyle. The campaign title is a tribute to the German Goethe’s masterpiece, “Italian Journey”, a best-selling travel literature classic, telling the beautiful elements of the landscape and the culture. Inspired by the cultural experience of 19th century, five women, coming from every corner of the world, travel to Sicily and discover the sweet magic atmosphere of the lemon-trees land. Stay tuned to discover the full campaign starting from March 2nd 2020. The enhancing of everyday, natural, personal beauty goes on. And it’s still “Hair Like You”.
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