Tag Archives: Hair

Duck & Dry, Chelsea

Posted on by

‘Blow outs’ have been a major beauty trend in NYC for a while, but it is only recently that London’s most glamorous ladies consider it an essential part of their pre-party prep… and that’s where Duck and Dry come in. This super stylish salon is conveniently located in Chelsea in a spacious venue which allows a gaggle of girls to enjoy treatments simultaneously (perfect for hen dos and birthday bashes).

The pretty turquoise salon opened last September and has quickly become a favourite with local trendsetters and celebrities. The project is the result of Yulia Rorstrom’s ambition and passion for beauty. This business-savvy lady has created an environment which is both sociable and stylish; I can imagine friends hanging out at the drinks bar, and regular clients laughing in their seats as they choose a dazzling new hairstyle.

A few weeks ago, before attending a sophisticated spring wedding, I visited Duck and Dry for a speedy hair makeover. I’d been feeling a bit low about my drastically short hair so I was hoping a bit of professional styling would freshen my look.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the chic salon was their motto which is written in big pastel pink letters on the wall: ‘Fine feathers make fine birds’. In one corner the sinks and reclining chairs are found amongst the beautiful exotic tiles. There is also a little display of the carefully selected products which are available to buy, I spotted my favourite Davines haircare brand sitting amongst the collection.

My hair was done by the lovely Kirsty O’Brien, who washed my locks before chatting to me about what I wanted. At Duck and Dry they specialise in Blow-drys and Up-dos, and their glossy brochure illustrates the variety of styles available. I chose a mix of beach locks and low tide waves, loose movement which would add volume and character to my limp hairstyle. Using the hairdryer, thin tongs and a few rollers, Kirsty created an entirely new look for me that made me feel confident and proud of my hair! She backcombed a little at the back knowing that over the course of the day my waves were likely to loosen and drop a little. She’d thought of everything.

I highly recommend Duck and Dry, a heavenly place to get your hair in tip top shape and style ready for any big occasion. If I could afford it I’d be there everyday!

More information and book an appointment at Duck and Dry here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 247 – The Braid Bar

Posted on by

The Braid Bar has arrived at Selfridges London – an answer to stylish, braided hair on the go.

Open for two weeks only, this new pop up founded by West London duo Sarah Hiscox and Willa Burton is exclusive to the Beauty Workshop on G.

From French plaits and fishtails to stylish corn rows, you can choose from a menu of 12 styles named after supermodels and stars, priced between £10 and £25, and style takes no longer than 20 minutes.

After repeated requests from Sarah’s daughter Lucy to braid her hair – she realised that there was nowhere in London that she could take Lucy to get a quick braid and not have to pay a fortune for it. With the help of Willa, fashion stylist and girl about town, they saw there was a gap in the market that needed to be filled.

The Braid Bar was born! With Suki Waterhouse and Davina McCall, amongst others, giving them a name check on Instagram – they gained a huge following in a very short space of time. And the demand for braids seems to be growing at speed with stars like Rita Ora regularly sporting the look.

With my new short crop haircut I’m not sure there are many styles suitable for me, but I’ll be going along to Selfridges at some point this week to trial the pretty plaited look.

More information on the braiding bunch here: www.thebraidbar.co.uk 

To book call The Beauty Workshop, Selfridges, London on 020 7318 3647.

Ena Salon, Holborn

Posted on by

I only go for a radical hair change when I really trust the salon. At Ena Salon I immediately noticed the creative energy combined with a reassuring professionalism. And so I decided there and then to be bold and undergo a makeover.

Owners Pedro and Johnny both started their hairdressing careers at a young age at Vidal Sassoon. As colleagues and best friends, they opened Ena Salon in 2009 with a desire to do more with their experience. They have quickly garnered a keen following and have won many accolades over the last few years. Their close-knit team of stylists and colourists are a friendly family, fiercely proud of their workplace: a unique Georgian townhouse in Holborn. Inside they have created a salon, a beauty retreat, a teaching academy and a home. The interior is beautifully designed with charming original features and contemporary touches. If you look carefully you will spot baby photos of the staff throughout the building – emphasising the importance of the people who make Ena Salon such a success. Ena’s education company Allilon also continues to thrive, and the salon staff regularly travel to teach their craft to eager hairdressers around the world.

Ena is also the flagship store for Davines products, a sustainable and ethical Italian brand. The products are attractively packaged and the pastel liquids sit on the shelves waiting to be picked for application. They used a variety on my hair, helping to enhance the colour, strengthen and polish.

I was directed upstairs for my colour transformation where I was greeted by Madeleine, a cheerful colour director. We briefly discussed options and perused a colour chart before deciding on a dark reddy brown. The colouring session was blissfully quick and easy, and Madeleine’s expertise was demonstrated in her ability to attend to my hair efficiently and effectively. Within an hour I had my head in a smart sink and I was a new girl. An invigorating wash and massage followed, and my hair was left with a red tinted Davines conditioner.

Next it was master stylist Jonathan’s turn. I wanted to look different so we decided on a bob, about three inches shorter than my previous hairstyle. After shortening the length, Jonathan perfected the style, creating a sleek, chic look. I felt grown up, sophisticated and looked not dissimilar to Jessie J, which they assured me is a good look! Various Davines products were brushed and scrunched through my hair, a volumising mousse and a medium hold hairspray, both felt light and natural in my hair.

After a morning of enjoying copious tea, gossiping and reading magazines, I was ready to hit the streets with my new look. I had so much fun at Ena, I barely noticed all their hard work; it is only now that I am appreciating the thorough and brilliant job they did.

More information and book an appointment here: www.enasalon.com