Getting my hair cut is not usually a relaxing experience for
me thanks to a few disasters along the way. I usually see it akin to having to
book a dentist or doctor appointment, necessary but entirely put off-able and
ultimately given into just from necessity. I understand that is not how most people
I know treat a haircut however, and quite rightly so! The opportunity to head
into a salon, enjoy a bit of pampering and switch off while someone gives you a
new look and a mega confidence boost in the progress, is something that should
be enjoyed and definitely not seen as a chore. This all changed for me last
week when I headed along to the stunning city centre Anderson's to meet the
owner Keith and have him work his magic on me and show me what a truly amazing
salon experience should be like. From the moment you walk into the salon, this
place feels like home and I could literally feel my shoulders relax as the
super lovely receptionist took my coat...
Looking like an up-cycled haven, you can instantly get an
idea of the Anderson's ethos as you look around. From crates on the
wall to act as planters, to old church floorboards acting as the actual cutting
stations- this place has some serious eco style and it is no wonder they have
already bagged a Salon Design of the year award! There is not an air of
pretentiousness about the place or that really clinical vibe I often I feel when I
walk in salon that instantly makes me feel completely un-relaxed. With a
stunning leather couch to chill out on while you wait, sitting right next to
the most glam refreshment station I have ever actually seen in a hairdressers (
and most cafes for that matter!) this place is ridiculously cool without being
intimidating. Situated handily just off of George Square on South Frederick
Street, Anderson's has only been open for under a year but already racked up
some seriously impressive accolades, the most recent of these being the
prestigious Best New Salon at the Creative Heads Most Wanted awards in
September.
I was lucky enough to get to bend the ear of owner Keith who
is the most down to earth, passionate and seriously talented guy whose
creativity and style shines through in the salon. With a fascinating history of
his own (from footballer to club nights to hair dressing) he has an amazing vision
for Anderson's and alongside his partner Caroline, they have put together
something incredibly impressive and most importantly, unique to the Glasgow
salon scene. In the future there will be a second floor offering more cutting
stations, a bespoke barbering area, a bar and an event space that will allow the team to offer even more
and I am super excited to see what they come up with.
So aside from the fact I want to move in ( and possibly want
Keith and Caroline to adopt me) was the actual cut any good?? Yes, yes it was.
Keith took time to listen to what it was I was looking for,
what kind of time I put into my hair, and generally the lifestyle I needed a
cut to fit into. He was fantastic at talking me through his vision of how to
bring it all to life to suit my face shape and using semi permanent colour to
bring warmth into my skin tone and really make the cut pop. Over his years in
the industry, Keith has really been taken by the work of Davines, finding their
high-end products and techniques to be ahead of the game in the industry, so he set out to be
the first salon in Scotland to be representing the brand. Davines products are
guided by the principle of sustainable beauty and it ties in so beautifully
with the Anderson's ethos along with their shared passion for creativity and
quality. Keith talked me through a Davines technique he would be using to allow
for really natural application of the lighter colour to be worked into an over all warmer dark
shade on my hair which would really give it good movement and depth. Using what I can
only describe as strips of sticky fly-paper alike pieces, the Flamboyage technique means he could attach my
hair to them and get a light handed and not too ‘organised’ distribution of
colour through my lower lengths of hair. It handily also makes the colouring
process is incredibly quick and pain free without having to use all the foil in
the world and really hand pick every colour strand which was perfect for the
undone look I prefer.
With the dye on, I sat back and enjoyed a magazine and
some seriously impressive refreshments. I know I shouldn’t award
points to somewhere because they can bring me the greatest hot beverage of all
time, but it is my blog and I am going to. One minute you ask for a hot
chocolate and the next thing you know there is the most amazing marshmallow filled
creation sitting in front of you in a mason jar complete with biscuits and a
dusting of extra chocolate- I mean come on. If I don’t normally relax in a
salon, here I was endanger of getting a little toooo comfortable! It was this
level of attention to detail that just makes the experience feel so special. From guzzling delicious drinks, to being able to put my feet up on the
reclining hair washing station to the complimentary head AND hand massages the
lovely team provide- you just could not fail to walk out feeling on top of the
world.
With the colour off, and feeling insanely good about myself
already, Keith got under way with the cut as I interrogated him all about the
plans in the works for the new basement addition to the salon. This place already has a pretty magical
feel in it that goes far past ‘just a hair cut’ that I can totally imagine how
amazing a space they are creating. Before I knew it, we were done- and it
sounds ridiculous but I was having such a good time in the chair that I
actually completely didn’t notice my hair actually changing! But what a change
it was, I was completely bowled over with my new look- it might sound silly but
it just felt so me. It was effortless to recreate, the colour just made me look
much more polished with still retaining that undone feel and the cut was just
perfect for my face shape and gave me the volume I always crave. I was over the
moon and really could not believe just how good the finished effect was- I never
thought I would leave a hair salon feeling so happy!!
I was pretty sad my time for now had come to an end but
without a doubt I will be back to see what the team have come up in the future, with such a wonderful hand
picked team of stylists to choose from and such
an exciting direction from their passionate lead, Anderson's is sure to
be winning more awards soon.
You can check out the salons website to book online or call
the team on 0141 237 6250.
I have a couple of 20% off first time visit vouchers
for anyone booking ( just get in touch on Twitter) and it is worth pointing out students can get 25% off prices
every Tuesday and Wednesday too.
Thanks to team Anderson's for such a marvellous time
What a lovely cut, really really suits you :) sounds like a perfect place to go. I love going to the hairdressers and always end up with either a total chop or a completely different hair colour! Just had my hair chopped off really short last week but i'm thinking of colouring it now, might have to take a visit up!
ReplyDeleteLx
thanks so much Mrs. Ooooh I want to see the new hair- off to snoop :) defo worth considering for next visit or a spot of colour! xx
DeleteLove this pal! I'm dying to get my hair cut but not into the last few places I tried and feel kinda lost when it comes to picking somewhere new. Love the volume in the cut and the subtle colour! Got any of those 20% vouchers hanging about? I'm totally up for giving them a go! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how much you just don;t feel some places!! This is the first place in years that I am like- RETURN VISIT! I can send on a voucher- but if you just call and book and mention me as a referrer it will work too, that would be amazing ( obvs I get a discount too when someone refers.) think you will love it in there xx
DeleteI love it, its so nice and autumn-y I love the caramel coloured highlights.
ReplyDeleteYou look super! xx