My mum says I’m a little bit vain.
That’s the caption she wrote on a photo on me, holding the sides of a cheval mirror at age 2. Apparently she knew even then I was going to be into fashion – Mum does know best after all. So here I am 28 years later, still desperately holding onto the sides of the mirror, always changing something in the hopes of improving on what mother nature deemed sufficient.
In the interests of being efficient, it’s always a good idea to start at the top, and a good haircut and colour will set you on the right track to getting your look right. Last week I visited Salon XVI, in Richmond, to get the ball rolling and begin the process of my winter ‘look’.
I was welcomed to the gorgeous salon with a cup of tea (in a charming china cup) and the latest mags from Europe (bonus points for international kudos!) and allowed to relax in the oppulent surroundings of the salon. Golds, crystal and baroque set the mood of the salon, with not a bench or fluro light fitting in sight. The pictures on the walls depict hair styings, perhaps for competitions or fashion events, and I immediately felt at home.
Sarah is the newest employee at Salon XVI and a bona fide genius colourist and stylist. We began with a quick chat about my hair – I wanted to keep the length (it’s taken me FOREVER to get it this long) but everything else was hers to play with. She suggested some lighter foils to add texture and a general clean up of the ends with some more shape around my face. My recent balyage, though I love the look, is beginning to show damage to the ends.
While Sarah applied the colour and foils to my hair, we chatted about her travels through Africa, hairdressing past and how she came to be at Salon XVi. I talked about my blog, horror hair stories and recent trip to Paris. I think we bonded. And then – and this is the really cool bit – she offered me wine. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon. I would have given her my first born. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to a ‘real’ hair salon (as in, not getting my hair done in my kitchen) and this was quite the treat!
Thirty minutes later I was cooked and a spell in the hairwashing basin followed. I love having my hair played with or washed so I was ready to fall asleep while Sarah put various lotions and potions on my locks.
The cutting process followed, and as anyone who has seen me get my hair cut can attest, I’m like a child in that I just can’t sit still or look in the direction I’m told to for long periods of time. I’m surprised I haven’t lost an ear yet. But Sarah perservered and soon, my hair was taking on a celebrity like quality. Shiny, healthy and fresh.
The final drying process involved using round brushes which were ‘stuck’ so they could set a bit volume and bounce but I simply couldn’t stop laughing at my ‘brushhead’ look. Apparently that style of blowwave is quite common (not to mention effective!) and I may be addicted. The result was fabulous.
I could have hugged Sarah when we were done. Not only had I had tea, wine and a good gasbag for 3 hours, my vanity was pleased with the result. My thanks to Salon XVI for having me – I’ll see you again in 6 to 8 weeks!
Salon XVI
First floor, 267 Bridge Road
Richmond 3121
(03) 9428 5545
