Tag: MARKDAVID

Mark McCarthy of MARKDAVID collaborates with Foil Me Foils to launch limited edition foil design

Mark McCarthy, owner of the luxurious MARKDAVID salon in Stockbridge, is delighted to announce his collaboration with hair colourists favourite foil brand, Foil Me Foils.

Mark is the very first hairdresser in the UK to collaborate with the brand and the partnership arose from Mark’s great relationship with the brand and his passion for using the foils since opening his MARKDAVID salon just over two years ago.

Mark hails from Australia and has always had a strong affinity with the brand – loving their sustainable philosophy and admiring their ability to create a practical product that has an edge. 

Mark was using the foils, purchasing the special editions and regularly posting his work using the foils on social media. The natural affinity Mark and the team at Foil Me Foils had made the initial conversation easy. Foil Me Foils had created foils for salons out with the UK, but had never collaborated with a UK hair artist. 

The foils, named ‘The Stella’ capture Mark David’s love for Art Deco, his family and his gorgeous Cocker Spaniel, Stella.

All elements are integral in Mark’s life, meticulously illustrated and graphically designed by Foil Me artists, Emily Ciardiello and Chelsea Winter.

The distinctive parquetry design complements the luscious forest green background and golden palette of Stella. In a beautiful symbolic tribute to Mark’s close family members, the box design comprises of blue flowers on the light wood and gold parquetry, ensuring this foil is an exceptional representation of what art truly is!

As with all Foil Me Foils, the foils are 100% recyclable and are created to provide clients with a more enjoyable colour experience in the salon.

Mark McCarthy, Owner of MARKDAVID commented: “Creating the new foil design with Foil Me Foils was such a fantastic experience. I love being creative and it was so much fun to collaborate with the brand – they worked so hard to meet my vision and create the perfect foils for me.

“This includes nailing the correct tones, adding small finishing touches such as stems to the flowers and ensuring they had the exact type of lilies that I loved, not only for their look but also for the meaning behind them.

“I hope my team, clients and other salon owners and colourists will love the design as much as I do and I can’t wait to get everyone’s feedback!”

Emily, Foil Me Foil’s Co-Founder and Creative Director, said: “I really enjoyed working with Mark David; he is remarkably talented and his artistic vision is clearly reflected in his award-winning salon. I was so honoured and incredibly excited to illustrate Stella – her energy was captivating.

“With every custom foil we create, each element is scrutinised and we ensure the salon and Foil Me’s brand is reflected in the design. To depict the Art Deco beauty of Mark David Salon, and also include personal details such as the blue flowers, yet still make it accessible to other Foil Me movers by capturing the essence of Stella, was an amazing experience.”

For further information on MARKDAVID, please email Alex Hamilton at alex@ajc93.com.

Valentine’s Hair Inspiration

Mark McCarthy, owner of local salon MARKDAVID, on Valentine’s date night hairstyles and how to create them at home:

HOLLYWOOD WAVES – for romantic dinners out what better hairstyle than big, voluminous, Hollywood waves.

This is a fantastic and very popular hair choice for those who want to make an effort on their date nights, where they can come into the salon to receive a bouncy blow-dry or pin curls to help achieve the look.

I always like creating this look with pin curls to achieve curls with maximum bounce and volume. I also love pairing this style with a deep side parting, which as well as adding further volume and height to the style, also adds to the glamour of the look.

Before blow-drying and then styling with curling tong and pinning into place, I always mist some volumising spray to give the hair added volume and lift and finish with a hairspray to give the curls hold and a light shine.


CRIMPS – crimped hair and loose waves have made a major comeback for 2022 and for Valentine’s this is a great way to style your hair and experiment with a look out with the ordinary hair ups and curls.

Hair crimping instantly gives the hair drama and volume and is the perfect look if you want to make a lasting impression! If your hair is naturally straight, this is a great way to add texture and to update your hairstyle for date night.

Always use a heat defence spray prior to crimping your hair and once complete, finish by spritizing some texture spray through the finished look for further texture and hold for a more edgy look.

If you prefer a polished appearance, a shine spray, which will give your waves softness and a beautiful shine. If you don’t have crimpers on hand, sleep overnight with braids to create a similar look!


LOW SLEEK BUN – If you prefer a hair up, a topknot or low sleek bun are perfect choices for Valentine’s and look incredibly elegant and chic.

Decide on your bun style and ensure to use a hair serum such to sleek your hair off of the face and get rid of any frizz and flyaways before creating the bun. I love teaming a low with a bun to give the look added drama.

Firstly create your ponytail at the name of the neck and then create your braid (take your serum again and distribute a small amount through your mid lengths and ends before creating your braid for manageability and shine).

Once the braid is complete, gently pull at some sections of the braid to give it volume and then wrap it around the base of your ponytail to create your bun.

Local Salon finalises for seven categories in regional awards

Local salon, MARKDAVID, based in Stockbridge, has received the outstanding news that they have finalised for seven categories in the Salon Awards.

The Salon Awards provide regional recognition for hair and beauty professionals and are the only hair and beauty industry awards where hair and beauty professionals can compete at a local level in their fields of expertise.

Focused on improving standards, elevating business, rewarding individuals, and showcasing the professionalism of their industry locally – it is no ordinary awards competition.

The Salon Awards community is a hive of hair and beauty salon owners, hair stylists, nail artists, colourists, barbers, beauty therapists, spa geniuses – young and old alike – all vying to compare, improve and be the best in their area.

To finalise in seven categories is a fantastic achievement for the MARKDAVID salon, which only opened in November 2019 and has since had to close twice due to the pandemic. Despite this, the salon has only got more successful and has even expanded, offering more space and services for their clientele.

The Salon Awards award ceremony will take place this November, where the salon will find out their fate and if they have won any of the following seven categories: Best Salon, Best Customer Experience, Best New or Refurbished Salon, Best Marketing Trailblazer, Best Colour Salon, Best Salon Team and Creative Image of the Year.

Winning the awards will not only bring the salon more business recognition and credentials for their expertise but will also improve their industry recognition and provide them with marketing opportunities and exposure to attract customers.

Mark McCarthy, Owner of MARKDAVID salon, commented: “To finalise for seven awards in this year’s Salon Awards is truly incredible.

“It’s been a hard couple of years with the pandemic and we’re thrilled that the Salon Awards have been able to notice our hard work and dedication towards our salon, our community, our team and our clients.

“We’re looking forward to the awards ceremony in November and hopefully we will be able to bring some awards home to display proudly in our salon!”

Top award for Edinburgh salon

MARKDAVID Salon wins Salon Design Category at the 2021 Salon Business Awards

The Salon Business Awards 2021 held at Quaglino’s in London on 19 July 2021 Photography by DFphotography.co.uk/Danny Fitzpatrick Credit : DFphotography.co.uk

Local salon, MARKDAVID, has won the Salon Design category in this year’s Salon Business Awards.

The glamorous awards ceremony, which took place at the decadent Quaglino’s in London, saw over 250 guests turn up in an event that brought the industry back together in the way we remember – with hugs, dancing and networking from start to finish!

Guests were greeted by a saxophonist before the awards announcement began and the MARKDAVID salon was announced as the winner of the Salon Design category.

Created by industry trade magazine Salon Business, the awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the industry and for the MARKDAVID salon to be awarded as the winner of the category amongst hundreds of entrants, is an incredible achievement.

Each entry was judged by representatives from prestigious professional hair brands including Schwarzkopf Professional, Remi Cachet, Paul Mitchell, iSalon and Unite, as well as award-winning hairdressers including Errol Douglas MBE and Guy Kremer.

Salon Business Publishing Editor Joanne Charlton said: “The SBAwards Grand Final brought the industry back together in the way we remember – with hugs, with dancing and networking from start to finish.

“We were proud to give the winners the recognition they deserve in glorious surroundings filled with friends. Each of the winners truly represent everything that’s good about our industry – dedication, hard work, creativity and togetherness.”

Mark McCarthy, Owner of the MARKDAVID salon commented: “When our salon was called out as the winner of the Design Salon category at this year’s Salon Business Awards we were absolutely thrilled!

“Last year we were awarded runner-up in the category and to win this year meant a great deal to us, having worked so hard throughout the lockdown period to expand the salon and make it even bigger and better for our clients.

“To have all of our team in London for the awards to celebrate was truly fantastic and a night to remember!”

For further information on MARKDAVID, please contact Alex Hamilton by emailing: alex@ajc93.com.

MARKDAVID nominated for prestigious hairdressing award

MARKDAVID in Edinburgh has been shortlisted for the prestigious Salon Design award at Hairdresser’s Journal’s British Hairdressing Business Awards 2021.

The awards – now in their 23rd year – recognise the hardworking names that have built outstanding salon businesses, helping to make British hairdressing the most respected in the world. From standout salons and exemplary teamwork to groundbreaking innovations and trailblazing individuals, HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards are an annual celebration of business brilliance.

MARKDAVID made the final stage of the competition after compiling a detailed entry outlining their salon’s design brief, budget and how it fits with the brand’s ethos. 

Winners will be announced at HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards on Monday 4th October at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, to an audience of some of the industry’s most prolific names. 

Mark McCarthy, Owner of MARKDAVID says: “We are thrilled to have made the finals of such a respected event.

“We poured our heart and soul into designing a salon space that would inspire us daily and provide the comfort and luxury that our clients deserve. I’m incredibly proud of the end result.’

Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of the British Hairdressing Business Awards says: ‘These awards are a celebration of the talented and passionate people that help make British hairdressing so revered.

“To make the Salon Design shortlist, finalists need to wow us with inspirational moodboards, an impressive design brief and details of how they rose to challenges throughout the project.

“In an extraordinary year that has seen hairdressing hit headlines more than ever before, MARKDAVID should feel proud to be recognised for their exciting ideas and stunning salon space.”