HAIRTODAY, GOINGPLACES TOMORROW
Stylist to the stars shares the secrets of her success
BACK when Pam Docherty left school to become a hairdresser, she says no one thought it was a good career move.
But now she travels the world dressing the tresses of brides, celebrities and glamorous WAGs.
Pam, 38, from Glasgow, often teams up with friend and make-up artist Jennifer Peffer in their business Asteria Bridal.
And she’ll be writing a regular column in the Daily Record to share hair tips, while fans can also follow her video tutorials online.
Pam said: “I’ve worked in hairdressing since I was 14.
“It’s what I always wanted to do.
“I left school to be a hairdresser when everyone thought it was a rubbish job.
“I was the youngest trainer for Wella at 23, working in London’s Mayfair training other people in cutting hair.”
She’s been invited to give motivation talks to pupils and has been a judge in the Confetti Awards celebrating the leading lights of the Scottish wedding industry.
Pam, who is married to James, 40, and has a sevenyear-old daughter Tyler, said: “I never thought I’d get to the point where people would want me to go into a school and give a talk and also judge awards.”
She’s looked after the hair of some high-profile brides including Charlotte Rodgers, when she married Celtic boss Brendan, and Tracey Davis, when she tied the knot with Rangers star Steven.
Pam has styled Corrie actress Helen Flanagan’s hair and coloured her Hoops ace boyfriend Scott Sinclair’s hair blond.
She’s also cut hair for Neil Lennon, Ally McCoist and Mrs Brown’s Boys star Gary Hollywood.
Katie Price has also been styled by Sam on the model’s appearances in Scotland and the talented hairdresser has looked after the locks of Towie stars, including Danielle Armstrong, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs.
She said: “I didn’t know what Katie Price would be like but she was lovely. I was blowdrying her hair and styling it in her hotel room and she kept asking if I wanted food.”
Pam even gets to jet off to exotic locations.
She said: “Former Miss Scotland Ellie McKeating is flying me to the south of France for her wedding this year when she marries rugby player Richie Gray.”
Part of her job doing weddings is to help the bride enjoy the experience and relax. Pam said: “As long as they’re well prepared and have had trials and come to see me a couple of times it’s absolutely fine. We don’t have any bridezillas or anything – we have bridechillers.
“We believe it’s our job to keep them calm as well and focusing on enjoying their day.”
Pam styled Lorraine Kelly’s hair at STV and the Scots presenter made a big impression. She said: “She was amazing – so kind to Jennifer and I.
“We had a young girl with us who had leukaemia and Lorraine invited her down to the show in London.
“The young girl was on work experience. She had lost her hair and had a hair piece and I offered to do her hair.
“Lorraine overheard me chatting to her and invited her down.
“Lorraine was a laugh and so down-to-earth. She said she’d see us next time she was in STV so we were delighted.
“I also did Nicola Sturgeon who was lovely as well and very down-to-earth too.”
Pam has noticed many changes in hairdressing over the years she’s been in the profession.
She said: “Everyone is on Pinterest now and shows you a picture of what they want. It’s easier than it used to be to find out what people want.
“So much more is available as well. Years ago you had to say, ‘No. you can’t have that, it wouldn’t work for your hair.
“Now with extensions so much more is possible. And you can colour hair that you would never have been able to colour before because it would have been too damaged.”
And Pam loves every moment. “It’s the best job in the world, I can’t believe how good a job it is and how lucky I am.”
BRUSH UP ON STYLING TIPS WITH PAM’S NEW COLUMN STARTING SOON