St Helens salon owner boosting confidence with new hairstyles and wigs

She opened The Secret Halo in 2019 specialising in hair dressing as well as hair loss, wigs and extensions.

Having suffered from alopecia and losing her hair at the age of 19, Gemma, who is from Eccleston, wanted to learn more about wigs and how to style them, so she could incorporate them into her job as a hairdresser.

Here the 32-year-old, who scooped one of our Best of 2022 awards last year, tells us how she trained with Trevor Sorbie in London and how a pink Christmas gift sparked her interest in hairdressing.

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Salon owner Gemma Dean

What’s the name of the salon?

The Secret Halo.

What’s the address?

256 Boundary Road, St Helens, WA10 2PT

* Now on Hardshaw Street, St Helens

Are you the owner/manager?

I am the CEO here at The Secret Halo. I specialise in all forms of hair dressing, hair loss, wigs and extensions.

How many employees/staff do you have?

We are a diverse group of individuals who make The Secret Halo one big family. We all have our own specialities and work well together. There are ten of us with different specialisms in hair, nails and beauty.

When did the salon open?

We opened on June 14, 2019

Inside the spacious new salon, which opened earlier in December.jpg (Image: Newsquest)

Has it always been in the same location?

Yes, this has been a great place to set up my salon. There are great transport links and it’s just outside the town centre.

Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

Yes, I grew up in Queens Park and went to Rainford High School. I have always lived worked and trained in St Helens.

Tell me a bit about your salon?

Hair dressing is my passion but I wanted to incorporate my expertise in wigs. I love how my salon is so diverse and caters to everyone’s needs, from young to old, different styles and tastes in fashion and most importantly we are able to make people feel like more than just a client. Everyone is part of the wider Secret Halo family. We have helped and supported each other through some of the toughest moments in our lives. Never underestimate the power of a good cut and blow dry.

The Secret Halo has an extensive range of wigs on display

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Why did you decided to open your own salon?

I’ve always wanted to own my own salon since I started hairdressing at 16. I’m ambitious and focused so when an opportunity arose, I was able to open The Secret Halo.

What’s your hair and beauty background?

At 16, I started hairdressing as an apprentice and achieved my level two and three in hairdressing before finishing my level four in business management. Having suffered from alopecia when I was younger, I knew I wanted to specialise in hair loss and wigs and went to train with Trevor Sorbie in London.

Before and after a wig fitting

Why this type of business?

As a young 13-year-old, I remember opening a Christmas present and finding new pink breast cancer awareness GHD straighteners and this was the start of my hairdressing passion. I would experiment on mine, my family’s and my friends’ hair, creating GHD curls before they were a thing. The more I experimented with hair, the more I loved it! I love helping people and the creativity, and I enjoy being able to fix a problem.

How did the covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

The pandemic was a roller coaster of anxiety and uncharted territory even for the most experienced of business owners. Having to close my doors and not knowing when they would open again was distressing. I had to think of my staff, the bills and the rent that needed paying. Doing all of this and not be able to work and earn money was a scary concept and I seriously considered what was best for the salon and its future. The rules around what we could and couldn’t do were a minefield. Dealing with the pandemic goes further than not being able to run the business. We sadly lost clients and staff lost family members to Covid-19, which was heart-breaking.

Clasic waves and a stunning colour

What sets your business apart from your competitors?

Our biggest highlight is the hair loss and wig department. There is nothing like this in St Helens. Together with my team, I continue to strive for excellence.

Why do your loyal clients return to your business?

Clients love the high-quality hair experience that comes with a personal touch and a fantastic cup of tea. Everyone is always welcome!

What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your salon?

We have an announcement to make in the new year. Something new and something bold is coming to St Helens that will give people stars in their eyes. I can’t say anymore than that, for now, but it promises to be fantastic.

Gorgeous glossy locks