Just when you think Amazon can't get any bigger they go and open a hair salon in London. You read right, a hair salon. The tech giant opened the Amazon Salon doors on Tuesday but to Amazon employees only. The Amazon Salon, located in London's Spitalfields, plans to open appointments up to the general public in the coming weeks.
Everything You Need To Know About The Amazon Hair Salon In London
So what's going on inside the brand new two-storey Amazon Salon building? As you might expect there's a heavy emphasis on tech. It's all about the experience. Customers will be able to try on fresh new hair colour shades by way of augmented reality ahead of an appointment. Pay a visit to the Amazon Salon for a hair colour refresh and expect to sit looking at your selfie on a screen, swiping from colour to colour before you hit on 'the one'. Then there's the endless shopping possibilities. Like the smell of a shampoo your stylist is using on your hair? Scan its QR code and have it delivered to your home that same week. Not only that but you can while away the minutes of your hair appointment by flipping through digitalised magazines or streaming countless entertainment options through an Amazon Fire tablet provided to you on site.
Amazon might be able to take credit for the high-tech aspect of their new experiential salon concept but they've, thankfully, left the hairdressing know-how to the pros. Hair care and styling services are being provided by Elena Lavagni and her team of stylists. Elena is the founder and director of London's renowned hair and beauty destination Neville Hair And Beauty located in Belgravia and within the Bvlgari Hotel London.
So will you be one of the first in line to visit London's latest hair destination? Amazon have yet to release a price list but with a historical emphasis on value for money you wouldn't expect the price of a cut and blow-dry to be astronomical. But is state of the art equipment and AR at every turn what really we want from our go-to salon? If a series of lockdowns has proved anything it's that the bond between a hairdresser and a long-standing client is second-to-none. Once you find 'the one' few can be persuaded to stray. Then there's that niggling worry. When hairdressers and salon owners across the board have endured such a challenging year already, with many having to close their doors permanently because of the financial strain, is a company whose founder Jeff Bezos' net worth hit $194.9 billion earlier this year, according to Bloomberg data, really the best thing to hit the hairdressing market this year? We'll leave you to ponder that one.
Not your thing? Browse Grazia's pick of the best hair salons in London
BROWSE: Best Hair Salons In London
1 of 14Taylor Taylor London, Liberty
Who goes here: The A-list clientele are as diverse as Rachel Weisz, Sir Ian McKellan and Gisele.Why we love it: Everything about Taylor Taylor is catered towards making your cut and blow dry feel like a pampering experience, from the individual antique mirrors to the endless supply of mimosas.Best for: Colour. All four Taylor Taylor salons use pioneering olaplex and Davines products to ensure that the hair is left in the best condition possible after dying. Just one look at their Instagram shows you how successful they are in this area: we spent hours scrolling through trying to decide whose hue we wanted to channel the most...Who to ask for: Natalia Nadolska. She somehow translates your vague descriptions of a hair colour you saw on Instagram into the perfect hue for you.Follow them on Instagram: @taylor_taylor_londonBlow dry from: £35
2 of 14Hair Lounge
Why we love it: This multi-award winning salon sits prettily on Portobello Road and specialises in afro and textured hair. Run by the legendary Charlotte Mensah and her team of incredible staff, Hair Lounge offers a comprehensive list of salon serves and is the dream destination for those on the lookout for the best of the best in terms of natural hair stying, micro braids and cane rows.What to ask for: Natural hair styling, from £85Follow them on Instagram: @charlottemensah
3 of 14Hershesons
Who goes here: A-listers like Sienna Miller and Keira Knightley as well as a seriously long list of fashion and beauty editors.Why we love it: Founder, Luke Hersheson is a regular backstage at fashion weeks and brings his runway expertise straight to the salon.Best for: A flawless fashion wave. Be sure to get a beauty treat while you are at it. There's everything from waxing to IPL laser removal and manicures.Who to ask for: Jason P for soft, beautiful balayage. Follow them on Instagram: @HershesonsBlow dry from: £35
4 of 14Larry King Hair Salon
Who goes here: Poppy Delevingne, Pixie Lott, David Beckham and David Gandy. Plus too many models to count...Why we love it: Its major décor – risk stepping into the baby pink toilets and not emerging for 15 mins or more in aid of the perfect selfie Best for: A brand new cut. Larry and his team's hair cutting expertise is phenomenal.Who to ask for: Larry or colourist Amy Fish. Her baby highlights are something of wonder. Follow them on Instagram: @LarryKingHairBlow dry from: £45
5 of 14Glasshouse Salon
Why we love it: After a trip to Glasshouse, you'll be a full convert to their eco-friendly haircare philosophy. All of the products you'll find here, from shampoos and treatments to dyes, are as natural as possible and don't compromise on results. Plus, what's not to like about an Instagram-friendly salon set up and an extensive menu of herbal teas? Best for: Whether you're after an icy Scandi blonde or something a little more vibrant, Glasshouse is our new go-to for fresh, modern colour. We'd also recommend the nourishing quinoa protein treatments, which leave hair feeling soft for weeks afterwards.Who to ask for: Senior stylist Mia gave new life to our reviewer's tired highlights.Follow them on Instagram: @glasshousesalonBlow dry from: £40
6 of 14Richard Ward Hair & Beauty Salon
Who goes here: Mr Ward's clientele includes the Duchess of Cambridge. Probably best not to expect her to swing by the salon, but Pippa Middleton, Liz Hurley and Sam Cam have all been spotted on site.Why we love it: It's set in the idyllic Duke of York Square in Chelsea, minutes from the King's Road. Pop out for some shopping after.Best for: Natural highlights and bouncy Chelsea blow dries.Who to ask for: Shelley Pedersen. She's a genius at recovering bad dye jobs and finding your perfect shade.Follow them on Instagram: @RichardWardHairBlow dry from: £30
7 of 14Hiro Miyoshi Hair & Beauty
Who goes here: Model Neelam Gill and the Made in Chelsea crowd.Why we love it: The salon is calm and oh so chic. We challenge you to turn off your phone while you're there.Best for: Their one-of-a-kind Nashi Filler Therapy Treatment, from £35, works to plump the hair shaft from within, for thicker, healthier swish.Who to ask for: Hiro Miyoshi himself. His wealth of knowledge blew our tiny minds. Plus his haircare line is excellent too.Follow them on Instagram: @HiroMiyoshiHairandBeautyBlow dry from: £45
8 of 14George Northwood
Who goes here: The fashion cool crew, aka Alexa Chung and Rachel Weisz.Why we love it: It's so relaxed it feels like you're getting your hair done in a seriously trendy sitting room.Best for: A cool, shaggy cut.Follow them on Instagram: @GeorgeNorthwoodBlow dry from: £35
9 of 14John Frieda Salon
Why we love it: It's speedy and the people watching is excellent.Best for: A fabulous yet affordable finish. We recommend their Fade Out treatment for those who wish to grow out highlights.Who to ask for: Nicola Clarke is a colour genius.Follow them on Instagram: @johnfreidasalonsBlow dry from: £60
10 of 14Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa
Why we love it: Each service comes with a wellness ritual using your chosen aroma and a head, neck and shoulder massage. Best for: The colour service menu is seriously extensive and includes balayage, tints and highlights. Who to ask for: Andre for a catwalk-worthy blow-dry. Follow them on Instagram: @AvedaUKBlow dry from: £40
11 of 14Hari’s Hairdressers
Why we love it: Because they have a snack menu as long as our arm. Tuna mayo on crackers, anyone?Best for: Styling. There are endless menus: Choose from countless blow dry styles.Who to ask for: If you're after a colour change, Salvador in the Parsons Green salon will do just the job. Follow them on Instagram: @harishairBlow dry from: £30
12 of 14Blue Tit London
Why we love it: When you walk into Bluetit, you can almost immediately tell that you're going to leave with a good hair cut. Why? There's just something about an aesthetically-pleasing space that always makes us instinctively trust the salon, and Bluetit is very easy on the eye. With a modern Scandi-esuqe feel, thanks to copper accents, wooden floors and rustic furniture, reading material from the likes of Heroine and 78-87 magazines, and a fridge stocked with beer and wine, there's a chilled out vibe that's perfect for settling any pre-haircut nerves. The salon uses Oway products, and can throw in a hair mask if your hair is damaged or dry, but the best part of the washing process is undoubtedly the little head massage, which is a rarity in many wash-and-go salons these days. Who to ask for: Christoph, the salon's wunderkind. Or pay a visit to the newest salon location in Greenwich headed up by Lee.Follow them on Instagram: @bluetitlondon
13 of 14Tatiana Karelina
Who goes here: Made In Chelsea fave Sophie Hermann. Best for: want a clip-in ponytail to make you feel as glam as Ariana Grande, or to copy Sophie's signature braid? Tatiana Karelina is the place to go. (Yes, Ari has even worn the hair extensions herself on tour! Talk about a seal of approval…) For more permanent extensions, the salon also offer micro ring extensions, which - as they don't use glue - means there's no damage to your hair. Oh, and the salon - located in Chelsea - is absolutely gorgeous, too. Who to ask for: Tatiana, who founded the salon, is a genius - but there's three salons: one in London, one in Manchester, and another in LA, if you happen to be across the pond. Follow them on Instagram: @tatianakarelinaofficial
14 of 14Simply Gorgeous Afro Hair Salon
Why we love it: This hair destination is family run business founded by Deborah Johnson and her mother. They offer braids, weaves, gel twists, cornrows, colour, cuts and treatments including relaxer at affordable prices. The services are exemplary and garner stellar reviews time and time again. If you're based in North London it's around the corner, if you're not, it's a salon that's well worth travelling for.What to ask for: Any of the above! Follow them on Instagram: @simplyg_hair
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