Holly Pemberton Har

Your gentle reminder

LAST MINUTE CHANGES, CANCELATIONS AND NO SHOWS HURT

I really hate to have to do this, it actually makes me sick in my stomach, but I'm into my 4th week of extremely late notice from clients needing to move appointments and just total no-shows.

This is slowly but surely going to kill my business. It's definitely killing my sparkle and joy.

The benefit of booking your appointment in advance is that you get the day and time you prefer. The responsibility of having that time allocated to you is to be respectful and make a note of it in your calendar. The reminders are a courtesy.

I send an email 4 days before your appointment to ensure you have the time to move/ cancel your appointment outside the 72 hour requirement. You them receive you final confirmation text the day before.

Please read and make yourself familiar with Bellissima’s booking policy.

In brief.

72 hours notice to cancel our move/alter your booking. This includes reducing your booked service.
A 50% charge of booked service will be charged if requested inside this time frame. This includes if you are sick. It will be at my discretion to credit towards your rebooking.
Movement or cancels from 8am the day before will require full payment of booked service.

Im requesting everyone to have a card securely and legally loaded onto their file so these can be charged directly. This can be done at your next appointment or I can send you the secure link.

It has come to my attention that there is not 1 sure fire way to reach everyone, so I apologise if you receive a similar message via email and text.

Again, I take absolutely zero pleasure in having to write this and enforce the policy at a time when everyone is feeling stretched.

If have concerns with your upcoming appointment, PLEASE reach out to me,

[email protected]
021 444893

December Reflection

I’ve been sitting on this, unsure whether to write it. But after seeing a number of industry friends share their own experiences, I thought… why not.

I think we can all agree — industry family — that we’ve created the monster that is December all by ourselves. Whether it’s wanting to close over the festive season, needing to make the money required to close, catching up on outstanding bills, or simply doing what’s expected.

So we work 10+ hour days. We fit everyone in who asks. We skip lunch breaks. We stay later. We stretch ourselves thinner and thinner to accommodate.

What I’m noticing now is that November is becoming just as hectic as December. For a few reasons: my books are fuller, and I now offer nanoplasty, which requires longer appointment times — meaning fewer clients in the same timeframe. These aren’t negatives. If anything, they’re exactly what I’ve worked towards my entire career.

This year has been busier — but also tidier. More intention behind how my time is spent, and a clearer structure around my days. Having an assistant has made a real difference, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who welcomed Sam into their space and trusted not just her, but me — knowing you would still receive the quality of care and attention you’ve come to expect. That trust hasn’t gone unnoticed, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.

But it does raise a bigger question: how do we manage this better moving forward?

I’ll be honest — I’m tired of being short-tempered on Christmas and Boxing Day with the people I love most because I’ve completely emptied my tank. Hit-a-wall, three-layered brick wall, zero give.

Every December I plan ahead. I set my hours for the following year… and every year I extend them anyway, “just this once,” to accommodate.

I often wonder — if I only worked my usual hours, how many people would simply go with it? Rebook as normal? Not go elsewhere or guilt me into squeezing them in? Maybe I’m too scared to actually find out.

Would it really matter if I took two days off before Christmas so I could show up in a better state on Christmas Day? If I worked the days in between, would people book — and actually keep — their appointments? I’ve tried this before and ended up standing there with scissors in my hands for half the day due to late cancels and no-shows. I may as well have taken the time off and done something for myself.

I don’t have the answer yet.
But what I do know is that I don’t want to do another year of this.

I’m deeply grateful for the loyalty and trust my clients place in me — this reflection comes from wanting to keep showing up well, for many years to come

What's the best way to spend your 18th birthday,

Having mum do your hair on her day off... in December!

Happy birthday Bede. The big 18!

Hard to believe this fine young man was only 2 when I opened Bellissimo Boutique Hair in Roxburgh 2010.

This FB page has had a few name changes over the time, but I think Holly Pemberton Har truly sums me up perfectly. So it's staying for good. IYKYK.

Anyhooo, this is potentially my only nod to 2026 Pantone colour of the year - white.

Let’s talk hair integrity, because at Bellissima, it’s everything.

Treatments aren’t what they used to be. They’re no longer those thick, slippery conditioners that feel amazing for a day and then fade away.

Today’s treatments are intentionally formulated haircare solutions, and that’s exactly what you get with Beautiful Things.

✨ Beautiful Things , our in-salon treatment dedicated to coloured and lightened hair. This range uses a chelating complex to neutralise and remove heavy metals and mineral buildup from hair, plus Biomimetic Botanical Fillers, Baobab extract, and vegan collagen to restore lipids and proteins, rebuild fibre structure, and deep-condition and protect hair from external stressors.

Just one application helps remove metal buildup, strengthen the hair internally, restore lost lipids, and make hair softer and shinier, giving a clean, healthy foundation before any colour or styling work.

Then, to keep that integrity vibrant between salon visits, we recommend using Heart of Glass at home.

✨ Heart of Glass, the perfect follow-up home routine especially for blonde or lightened hair. Its formulas are enriched with Baobab extract (a natural alternative to silicones) to deeply condition and nourish, Biacidic Bond Complex to strengthen and help repair fibre structure, plus a “Botanical Shield” to protect hair from heat, UV, and everyday wear.

Whether you’re using shampoo, conditioner, or treatments/ leave-ins, Heart of Glass helps keep hair elastic, nourished, manageable, and ensures your colour stays vibrant and your hair stays healthy, even with repeated styling.

At Bellissima, we’re putting this science to work.
We use Beautiful Things to detox, reconstruct, and fortify your hair — especially if it’s been coloured or lightened.
Then, we send you home with Heart of Glass, so you can maintain strength, shine and resilience between salon visits.

Healthy hair isn’t an accident. It’s a thoughtful routine and investment, built on deep-cleansing, structure repair, nourishment, and ongoing care.

Bellissima is committed to beautiful, healthy hair, always.

Let’s talk hair integrity, because at Bellissima, it’s everything.

Treatments aren’t what they used to be. They’re no longer those thick, slippery conditioners that feel amazing for a day and then… nothing.

Today’s treatments are scientific formulas that actually work inside the hair. And honestly? That’s exactly what we need.

Between environmental damage, mineral-heavy water, heat styling, and general life… our hair goes through a lot.
Mineral buildup alone can make healthy hair look dull and can mess with the way colour processes.

So we’ve brought in something special.
✨ Beautiful Things — our new in-salon treatment that primarily remove heavy metal build up on the hair, strengthens, and deeply restores.
And for at-home maintenance?
✨ Davines Heart of Glass — the perfect support system to keep your results strong.

Healthy hair is an investment, and we’re here to protect it every step of the way.
Bellissima is committed to beautiful, healthy hair, always.

Im going back to my roots, kind of.

Im dabbing my toes back into Davines ❤️

More to come soon ...

You know what to do 😉

💇‍♀️Cuts, colours, curls, and confidence! Which stylist has the magic touch to make you look (and feel) a million bucks? Nominate them for Best of Dunedin – Hair Stylist with Dunedin City Motors.

Only votes for the hair stylist will be counted NOT the salon

Voting closes at 3PM Thursday