A shiny happy start to 2008 - andrew barton

The start of 2008 has been a real buzz. I've got a lot on but I'm feeling amazing thanks to my healthy new habits: a new exercise regime, a healthy eating campaign and I'm off the booze.I haven't actually given up alcohol full-stop, but I am stopping the terrible habit I'd got in to of coming home from work and opening a bottle of wine. The problem with having a couple glasses of wine in the evening is that you pile on the pounds, you feel less comfortable and you have less energy - and right now I am so busy that I need as much energy as I can get.At the moment, there's lots happening on Shiny Happy Hair, which has a press launch later in the week and goes live in Asda stores in the middle of February.

So far I have done three makeovers for the range and they've been well received so I am really excited about the whole world knowing about it because it is something new that looks and feels different in the market. Most hairdressers who launch their own product range sell their name for a royalty of the licence, but I am funding it myself so that I own the brand, which means that it has been my creation from the forumulation to the fragrance, design and marketing philosophy. With 25 years of knowledge of women's hair and tons of experience of working alongside manufacturers from Tigi to Kerastase I know the types of products that consumers are looking for and I wanted to take a no-nonsense approach that cut the bull-shit and reflected my personality. Despite the fact I am launching my own range I still heavily endorse the prescriptive elements of professional hair care. I wanted a brand and range with the hallmarks of professional products that was available to everyone and didn't attract the price tag sometimes associated with professional products. As well as working on Shiny Happy Hair, I have had my usual busy schedule with Saks and have had a different head on every morning. It's a crucial time for communicating and educating the new collection and we're also introducing the new art team members. We have to give them an induction that is tailored to their specific needs and helps us to find out where they are at and get the best out of them. As always they are exciting times. I'll have plenty more to tell you about next week.