I don’t think there is a girl on this planet who doesn’t dream of having a daily blow-dry. I once read that Anna Wintour’s hairdresser pops by each morning to ‘fix’ her hair and, quite frankly, I am green with envy. We all feel (and look) better with smooth, silky salon-blown hair. That said, a recent girlie debate unanimously agreed that there is nothing more unrelaxing than a disappointing blow dry. A hairdresser who clearly doesn’t know how to style, curl and root-lift is not worth a visit. So, I challenged myself to find three of the best blow-dries in west London…
- 77; Could easily be mistaken for anything but a hair salon. The French owners live locally, are cool, handsome and deliciously foreign. Interior designed in reaction to the ennui of regular salons (with enclosed hair stations and a bored hairdresser feel), I loved sitting in 77 watching the team and their equally fashionable clients buzzing around as if they were in a bar or coffee shop. My blow dry snack of homemade cheese straws and pile of current-yet-quirky magazines added to my enjoyment. My hair was done by Noa and looked adequately glamorous, but it was the enjoyment time-out factor which won me over. £32. Available at 77 Westbourne Park Road, Paddington, London, W2; Tue–Sat, 9.30am–6.30pm; 020 7221 6794
77 salon
- Urban Retreat; Navigating the labyrinth that is Harrods, I finally found myself on the fifth floor of the world’s most famous department store, entering their salon. Josh Rees-Hole, of reality TV show Great British Hairdresser, greeted me to discuss how my locks should look, once he had finished with me. As a senior stylist aged only 24, you would imagine an ego as big as his quiff. But no. Josh is as down to earth as his Welsh roots and gave me a Kate Middleton do with cascading curls. In my dreams, Josh lives next door to me and pops in regularly for a cup of sugar…with his brushes and dryer. £45. Available at Fifth Floor Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X; Mon–Sat 10am–8pm; ?Sun 11am–6pm; 020 7893 8333
Urban Retreat
- SAS; Having reviewed the trendy and the ultimate, I felt I should conclude with a local blow-dry for this round-up. SAS is a Turkish salon in the heart of Maida Vale and was recommended to me by a girlfriend with a great head of (blown) hair. Alan was not out to impress me. However, in record time (with a back-to-back day of clients breathing down his neck) using his power drier at full force, he had me volumised, glam-styled and ready to party. I’d definitely say that this is the efficient option if you need to be styled and run. Just don’t look for time to put your feet up. £26. Available at 9 Clifton Road, London, W9; Mon 9am–6pm; ?Tue–Sat 9am–7pm; Sun 10am–5pm; 020 7286 9988
this article appeared on West London Living
