There’s something magical about the Bettystown Tresses and Talons, the one Hazel jokingly calls the O.G., in the winter time. Fairy lights strewn overhead, twinkling trees in the front garden and artists and clients chatting comfortably as a community gathering, amidst the coffee, the music and the hair artistry. Anyone who has ever been mid appointment at this salon knows that feeling everyone else describes. It’s a cosy atmosphere, friendly, welcoming and it doesn’t look quite like any other salon. It’s cute, cute, cute. That’s not to take away from the Balbriggan Tresses and Talons, which many clients describe as their favourite of the two, small but perfectly formed for the identical vibe of intimacy, warmth and unrivaled hairdressing.

Today we have the pleasure of a coffee with Hazel Boshell, an accomplished entrepreneur and inspiring leader in the hairdressing industry. She has turned her love of hair, business, education, marketing and photography into a longstanding recipe for success, while remaining true to herself. In her usual warm, sincere way of conversation, she reveals her passions, her challenges and her hopes for the future of hair and hair artistry.

Hazel has created an extremely loyal community, not only of longstanding, regular clients, but also unique artists, who stay with her through the years. Her simple, original vision of a salon where the experience of beautiful hair and wonderful service are delivered in equal abundance, is the same today as it was in 2011. “The name Tresses and Talons, known now by many as simply Tresses, chosen a very long time ago, came from two oldie worldie words to describe what I’ve always believed are most women’s two favourite treats – hair and nails.” This name is now recognised across the entire country.

Despite winning dozens of awards over the years, both nationally and locally, Hazel remains modest about her success. “The real me is the one behind the chair, getting excited one-on-one with my client about what we’re going to create for them within the hour. It’s not the person in a gown going on stage to compete or give a speech to a full audience. That happens just a few times in the year. But it’s the aspect people see most online. I don’t always realise the impact I’m having on potential clients and the reach I have online, until new faces pop up to book me and they admit to watching my work sometimes for months before they contact me, or I get sent stacks of C.V.s from up and coming artists who feel they could connect better with successful hairdressing working alongside and learning from me. This happens a lot at Christmas. There’s something about this time of year that makes people evaluate switching salons, whether it be for their hair services or for their hairdressing career. For potential clients I would advise doing your homework – make sure you’re choosing a salon that has a professional intake, such as patch tests, consults, that they use a renowned brand, truly this matters for the result, and finally that you have inspo that aligns with what you’ve seen of their work online. For hairdressers in training – before accepting a position check that the top three services at that salon, the brands, the media, and the career paths of existing staff all align with your career hopes.

Far from the glamourous images on social media, Hazel cultivate a simple hair regime for herself. “My own natural hair is wild and wavy. When it gets too heavy and I can’t see out anymore, I do a big chop, usually every two years. I prefer it silky and straight, courtesy of my trusty Steampod. I do my balayage every five months or so, sometimes by myself, yes, I know, or sometimes a Tresses artist will do it. There has been a big move since the pandemic towards grey blending, lived-in colour and especially balayage and I think it’s going great. Our artists have upskilled in these areas to deliver long lasting, natural hair finishes that are custom, beautiful  and lower maintenance. Toners are our fastest growing service and I tell my clients to come down once a month to the salon, get their toner, twenty minutes, we towel it off, brush it out and put it up in their claw clip for them, and they fly home. It’s cost and time effective, and their hair always looks fresh, when they maintain their toner like this, for glossiness and colour revival once a month. At heart, I think I’m the same as most people who live on the East Coast. I like to spend a bit of time outside, down the beach, with the dogs and family. I always say to my clients when they apologise for wrecking their hair with sun or swimming , live your life. You were living. It’s allowed. Now watch me sort out your hair in one sitting!”

This sincerity is also reflected in her business projects. “At the start of this year, I was offered the opportunity to create our very own hair product. The offer came from an international industry leader who kindly noted us as an iconic brand and as the one other salons watch in the industry. I was not going to do it just for the sake of doing it. I said at the start the world doesn’t need another shampoo. It has enough options already. I was determined to create something I felt was missing and needed, and that solved a problem for our clients if I was to create anything at all. It took six months. The result is Beach Bunny, a crystal oil which repairs split ends, gives glass shine and perfumes the hair with amber and driftwood. Without overthinking, we launched Beach Bunny at a summer nibbles and bubbles party, in Bettystown. What a day. The salon and the sunny gardens were full of clients and their friends. We introduced my wonderful client, Bond Bakery’s work to everyone and it was scrumptious. Her oven didn’t stop for a week solid thereafter. Best of all, the feedback we’ve had since on Beach Bunny from the many who purchased has been an absolute joy. One client had theirs stolen by an admiring house guest. That really tickled me. Others have mailed it abroad to friends and family. I love this. This Christmas I launched the second product, Beach Bunny Sea Mist. It’s a tiny 15ml hair perfume that lives in your handbag. It’s designed for a spritz of hair freshness when you need it. I was thinking about those times at 5pm when you’ve been working all day, maybe cooking and cleaning too, and you just don’t feel fresh anymore, but have to go to a meeting or a catch up or to answer the door. We’ve all had this. Sea Mist packs a punch of amber and driftwood that lasts and lingers in your hair and on your shoulders. It’s a beaut.” Packaging, product quality and affordability are all key elements for Hazel in what she offers to her clientele.

When it comes to inspiration, Hazel doesn’t stick to a single source. “It’s not one particular brand or artist that inspires me.  I think hair should change, even if it’s a subtle thing or a little thing, because people change and life changes and your image can reflect that. Looking for that model or that pinterest picture to bring to your consult, that is similar to you, in terms of colour, texture, thickness etc. is a smart move. I would give most people credit nowadays with being pretty good at this. I’m a big fan of delivering each individual their own signature cut and custom colour.” This desire to give each client something new and personal, is what makes her so strong in the industry.