Ever had that moment when you’ve tried to re-create the incredible style your hairdresser managed to achieve in the salon, but instead you look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge, backwards? Victoria Birch reports.

I think I’ve inherited my hairdresser mum’s skills when it comes to working magic on tresses. I’m great at working on other people’s locks – ask me to create styles for nights out and the compliments arrive in abundance. But when it’s working on my own, forget it.

I can never seem to get my hair sleek, or in a neat style, or even full of volume and bouncy.

Despite spending hundreds of pounds on products over the years, I struggle to use the right potions or tools to get the best out of my hair and I usually run to mum to ask for help.

Gemma Ashby from Blank Canvas salon in Beaconsfield Road, Farnham Common, addresses this common concern and offers ‘chair-education’ sessions to their customers – to show them exactly how to tackle their own hair.

Gemma gave me her best tips to tackle my long, thick locks, which had recently been added to with extensions, and had become a little dry.

She advised shampooing the hair, then towel-drying it, before putting theconditioner on and combing the hair through, leaving it as long as possible before washing off.

Then into the chair… Gemma did so many new things with my hair, that it was unrecognisable at the end.

She used six products, including a vitamin spray, a thickening spray for my roots, a thickening mousse, strong heat protector… But she also used a variety of tips that I hadn’t seen before. She took small sections of my hair at the roots and pulled these firmly, using a nozzle she dried underneath, and upwards, all over my head.

The ends were still damp, but it was apparent to see the roots had lifted and had given it a firm foundation. Gemma explained that the rest of the hair should be 95 per cent dry before using a hot brush or blow drying.

She kept the nozzle pointed downwards and used a large, round barrel brush to keep rolling the hair straighter, and created glam waves. She advised me to get one of the new hotbrushes that does the work for you. And if there is lots of time until the party, add in big rollers to lock it in place.

She finished off by using a special backcomb brush to gently add height to the crown, which looked amazing – and I duly bought one. It has made such a difference.

Dear reader, I’d love to be able to say I have been able to get my hair just as Gemma did it.

But if I was Cheryl Cole and could have a personal stylist, Gemma would be travelling the world with me. She knew exactly how to get the best out of my hair, and I had compliments galore.

However, I have still been able to perfect my style with the various tips she has given me.

But in the mean time I’m going to cheat – I’ve already booked more appointments with Gemma.

Blank Canvas are based in Beaconsfield Road, Farnham Common. For further information contact 01753 645992.