Hairdresser Review: Pastel Balayage at Head Studio, Perth.

For the low-maintenance lady with a love of sun-kissed locks, balayage has been pretty hard to beat. A popular hair trend that has seen a slew of Erin Wasson hair doppelgangers emerging from salons since 2009, I too jumped on the band-wagon. But this summer, I wanted something different. I’ve seen another band-wagon travelling past, and I have jumped straight on. If balayage was the zeitgeist of a care-free summer beauty routine last year, this summer will see 90s style pastel pretty hair making a come back. You might have also seen it referred to as Ombre, from the French ‘to shade’. It’s basically a dip-dye effect where the hair is dyed from light to dark, or dark to light.

♥ Model Dree Hemingway

I decided to make the switch on a whim, and having heard wonderful things about King Street’s Head Studio, I book myself a last minute appointment. Having called at 10am, I manage to get myself down to their swanky studio by 10.45am. If I wasn’t thoroughly impressed already with their flexibility, Head Studio’s antique decadence leaves me feeling like I’ve entered the royal frontiers of Perth’s hair dressing salons. Perhaps not the place for those looking to relax, Head Studio feels a lot like a busy Northbridge café, with a playlist made in indie heaven (I believe I listened to Wolfmother’s first album) and a staff of very fashionable and talented young things. With some of the hair dressers responsible for the glorious manes of Perth’s Fashion Week, I know I’m in good hands.

♥ Model Charlotte Free

I’m greeted by two lovely ladies who escort me through as we discuss exactly what I want. I’m thinking more along the lines of a subtle hue a la models Charlotte Free and Dree Hemingway rather than My Little Pony, so we decide upon a tasteful and understated magenta. After a complimentary head and shoulder massage (bliss!), my colourist retouches my balayage so the magenta will come up brighter. After that’s developed and I’ve caught up on the latest Oyster magazine, we then get down to business. The magenta is actually a mixture of pink and blue mixed in with toner, and I’m told that sadly, will fade within a few washes.

After a light trim, my hair is then dried and loosely curled with a GHD.

The colour completely washed out after 3 washes, but my hair is notorious for being hard to maintain colour. I’m not too disappointed though – the staff were perfect conversationalists, and if you check in on Foursquare you get a free milkshake! I’ll definitely be back there soon!

Cost: $235 for cut/colour/blow dry

Web: www.headstudio.com.au

Salons:
PERTH SALON 08 9481 6464
64 King St, Perth CBD

SUCCESS SALON 08 9498 7577
Shop 20A, Gateway Shopping Centre, 816 Beeliar Drive, Success

ROCKINGHAM SALON 08 9527 1697
Shop 4/7 Railway Tce, Rockingham Beach

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/headstudio
Twitter: @headstudio

Pastel hair – 90s raver faux pas? Or fashion forward? What do you think?

Review by Camilla Peffer, pastel haired princess (for a brief time anyway) and curator of Cunning Copy.

Be well,

xoxo