Salon
WHIP
If you just catch a glance of WhiP as you walk past, you’d be forgiven for not realising it’s a hair salon straightaway. With a mix of second-hand furniture, plants, a set of decks and a stash of vinyl, it looks likes (a very cool) somebody’s lounge – it’s only the retro barber chairs that give it away. WhiP is an organic and eco-friendly boutique salon and they take the eco thing seriously, stocking vegan products from Evo and Oway, having refillable bottles for shampoos and only serving vegan bevvies.
This salon in Notting Hill is London’s first independent sugaring company, created with Instagrammers in mind – think millennial pink walls, cactus-lined shelves and wet wipes adorned with “I love my muff”. For those who don’t know what sugaring is, it’s an ancient method of hair removal using sugar, lemon and water to create a mixture that’s similar to wax. It’s said to be less painful because the therapist pulls in the direction of the growth and unlike wax, the mixture only sticks to the hair rather than the skin. It exfoliates the skin as it removes dead skin cells and leaves less ingrowing hairs as there’s no damage to the follicles. That along with the fact it’s completely natural and the most eco-friendly form of hair removal means we’re converts.
Located on one of London’s most famous roads, the Portobello Road outpost of Blue Tit is the group’s tenth salon to open in the capital. The decor mirrors the salon’s neighbourhood as well as following in the footsteps of its sister sites, with bright colours, striking artwork and a rather cool patterned floor. And we love the fact that it’s open until 9pm on weekdays, making it that much easier to fit that cut into your diary.
Young LDN is a salon designed with millennials and generation Z in mind with its cool decor, technology-led treatments and all round fun vibes. Young LDN’s founder Sue first decided to open the salon when she realised that London lacked a salon dedicated to teenagers, where they could discuss issues around acne and beauty with ease. Not only can they get treated professionally by the experts at Young LDN, they can also find some of the hottest beauty brands on the market all under one roof. That said, the salon also knows that being young is a state of mind and not just a number so it’s open to all.
It was one of the first boutique salons to set up shop on Kingsland Road and the OG Blue Tit is still one of the best. Like all the other Blue Tits, it’s got a very strong look – with a whole wall of picture frames, an original fireplace, vintage furniture and exposed brick, it’s definitely more-is-more. Whether you’re after the chop or want a whole new colour, your hair is in safe hands here.
Still London is a salon that’s better for your body and for the planet. Completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly, the products are the most gentle you’ll find on the market – even the gel polish won’t wreck your nails. Mani and pedi treatments use either Kure Bazaar 10-Free polish or Orly 12-Free gel polish – both brands are free from the whole host of the toxic chemicals usually found in nail varnish making them better for your nails and for the environment – and the salon also does facials too.
You don’t just go to Ruffians for a quick trim, you go for an experience. You can get a coffee or a bourbon and you can enjoy a seat by the open fire…yep they have an open fire right in the middle of the barbers. With exposed brick work, animal skulls, and cages acting as lockers for everything from cups to coats, it all looks very cool. The cuts, beard trims and close shaves are all done properly too, and there’s zero pretentiousness here.
Hair Organics is a salon offering organic treatments including colour, semi-permanent watercolour and smoothing treatments with the use of all-natural products. Their colours contain absolutely no dye or colour pigments and are 100% free from harmful chemicals and everything in the salon, right down to the tea and towels, is environmentally friendly.
HWDK looks the bomb, with bright white walls, clean lines and a black ceiling. It’s a smart place with an arty edge though without the pretentiousness, you’re made welcome and your experience there is important.The man behind the magic of all this is Ki, who spent many years working in fashion with his Hurwundeki label, clients of which were none other than Gilbert & George, Kate Moss & Pete Doherty. With his speciality being 30 minute haircuts, its the perfect place to drop in for a quick wash and a cut – and leave chuffed with your new ‘do.
Salon64 is the salon and ‘social hub’ of the future. Set over two floors, it has a bar serving up Vagabond coffees and cocktails, a style bar which features jewellery box mirrors for anyone to swing by and refresh their face whilst in Soho, and fire pits which is where hair is cut, coloured and styled. The fire pits come with charging stations – hell yeah – so you can make sure you’re phone is charged up for all those selfies and social updates.
Whether you’re after the perfect manicure or pedicure treatment, Shoreditch Nails offers high-quality treatments that promote healthy nails. So if you’re looking for modern nail art or a classic shellac style, the artists here will be able to give you exactly what you want.
It’s no secret that Ruffians is our fave barber in London and we regularly pop into their Shoreditch branch for a tidy up and not just because they have a whisky bar…They do a damn fine job and they have some of the comfiest chairs we’ve ever sat in.