Oxford Street and its surrounding area wouldn’t normally be my first port of call for a cut and colour. Oxford Street is usually the place I go into battle with when it comes to dodging tourists for the shops but off a quiet side street on Winsley Street there is a peaceful hair haven and it’s strictly for ladies only – ColourNation. Actually I know Winsley Street for an entirely different reason – I used to work in Mappin House directly opposite. Talk about taking a stroll down memory lane…
From outside, ColourNation is rather unassuming but step over the threshold and it is a bright and spacious place, far from intimidating. It is also huge, something I did not guess from the shop front.
Previously ColourNation was based in Covent Garden (and prior to this, Soho and West Hampstead) before moving to the heart of the West End in 2011. The location is perfect – bang in the middle of the hustle and bustle of shopping central yet hidden away from the chaos, not to mention convenient and easy for pretty much anyone to travel to.
As I wait to meet my (senior) stylist, Salma, for my initial consultation and patch test, a lady wearing a hijab scurries past which raises a very interesting feature about ColourNation. It is one of a handful of London salons offering private hairdressing to clients so ladies who wear a hijab, headscarf or burka/niqab can be confident of complete privacy whilst receiving an authentic salon experience with an all-female top stylist team. In fact ColourNation introduced this service in 2007 and was the first West End salon to provide a private salon-within-a-salon.
While I don’t wear a headscarf (except to the mosque), I have a number of friends who do and I know they will welcome this news. Other than home visits from a mobile hairdresser where the service will invariably differ not to mention the limitations it brings with products and equipment, I can’t see any other way hijabi ladies can get their hair done in a relaxing environment to a professional, high standard. It’s a wonderful, forward-thinking idea that the salon has embraced. ColourNation caters for all hair treatments – cut, colour, straightening, extensions and more.
At present there is a small room at the back which accommodates up to three clients but this is about to change very soon as ColourNation will be extending the private area to meet demands. They will also be introducing beauty treatments like manicures and pedicures.
I meet Salma who is extremely sweet, softly spoken and chatty and we hit it off immediately. Salma took the time to ask me questions and address my concerns before patiently weaving in her ideas.
Examining my tired caramel blonde-esque highlights (which were starting to go ginger) after having been rinsed dry through the summer, Salma recommended toning down the colour by going back to the dark side for autumn with a subtle ombre effect. My treatment would also include a dose of Olaplex to help repair and strengthen the damage inflicted on my hair from colouring.
Yeuch! Look at it. *hangs head in shame*
Happy and excited for my transformation, I returned to ColourNation for my treatment, laden with shopping bags (because obviously I had to), which Salma very kindly took from me and locked away in a safe place. Suitably exhausted from traipsing from one of Oxford Street to another, I flopped back in my chair and let Salma get on with her mission.
Three hours later and with a blow-dry that made me feel and look glamorous, my hair looked like this:
Salma revived my harsh-looking locks with natural tones and added bounce and volume with a superb blow dry without snipping. This is the longest my hair has been and it’s finally at a length where I can carry off this style. I just wish I could do this!
To find out more about the treatments ColourNation offers and its price list (including special offers), go to www.colournation.com.
ColourNation is based at 5 Winsley Street, London, W1W 8HG and is open six days a week (excluding Sundays) including late nights. If you require the private hairdressing service, you must book in advance which can be done by calling the salon on +44(0)20 7580 3669 or online.
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