Ena Salon, Holborn

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

Blow Bar, Angel

A blow dry is an instant pick-me-up and I think it is only a matter of time before this quick beautifying treatment becomes a super fad.

Blowbar is a styling bar concept imported from LA. They now have two London branches, in Wandsworth and Islington, and are conveniently located so you can pop in for a 30 minute wash and high fashion blow dry in your lunch break, or dash in before a night out (on Thursday and Friday they stay open until 8pm). And for just £25 a go it feels very affordable.

I visited the cute venue in Camden Passage, Islington… surrounded by gorgeous boutiques and glorious smelling cafes, it is a lovely place to potter around for the afternoon. The Blowbar salon is slick and stylish but very petite with black walls, cream leather seats and two wash basins at the back for hair washing. I love the font used by the company, a vintage twirly writing like the programme ‘Bewitched’ – it has a retro feel.

Blowbar also offer colour and extensions upstairs in the salon but I decided to go for a simple blow dry, so I could experience the treatment that has made them so well known. Emily washed my hair efficiently with the L’Oreal Professional products whilst chatting to me about life at Blowbar. Hearing about all the excitable girls that come in for preening, it sounded like such fun to be here everyday. It would be an ideal place to hold a girlie party, with champagne and a nail varnish station on offer to guests.

I opted for a simple wavy, glamorous style. It only took 20 minutes, after scrunching through a little product, Emily blasted my hair with hot air whilst pinning in several rollers to add more shape. Then to hold the ‘do’ in place she grabbed one of the many cans of Elnett hairspray and blitzed my hair. It felt light and lovely and looked miraculously sophisticated and grown up.

The blow dry will last a few days, and I guarantee after a few sessions at Blowbar you’ll be hooked on this ‘feel good and look great’ therapy.

More information here: www.theblowbar.com