I visited Harrods’ Beauty in Bristol to have my hair done at the Drybar salon

Of all of the hairdressers I have visited in my lifetime, I can safely say they have all fallen into the ‘watery tea or on the spot espresso’ class when it comes to drinks to sip on in the chair. Invariably so sizzling that by the time it is drinkable, it is virtually time to depart. So when I was supplied a glass of champagne upon settling into my seat at The DryBar, in addition to the common comfortable drinks, I might inform the expertise was going to be a bit bit extra glamorous. The salon has simply opened as a part of H Beauty at Cribbs Causeway, a Harrods model, and is certainly one of solely 5 in the nation. I shamefully confess that I’ve by no means stayed loyal to one explicit hairdresser – I have a tendency determine on a whim when I’m in want of a reduce, and both decide one based mostly on availability that day or whichever one is providing a very good deal on Groupon or Treatwell. Honestly, if I’m simply after a fast trim, generally I’ll simply decide up a pair of scissors myself and hope for the greatest. Read extra: Inside Cribbs Causeway’s Harrods Beauty because it opens its doorways With that in thoughts, I was a bit bit intimidated to discover out what a Harrods hair salon expertise could be like. I visited on opening day, when there was an precise crimson carpet outdoors the retailer and a flower wall upon entry for the final Instagram selfie. There was a DJ taking part in pop dancefloor tracks whereas folks browsed the counters, brimming with rows of prettily packaged make-up, skincare, hair and perfume merchandise from a variety of designer and high-end manufacturers. To the proper as you enter is the Harrods Champagne Bar, the place customers can calm down amid glitzy décor to get pleasure from a drink or a lightweight chunk to eat. On the left is the place I was headed: the DryBar, a salon chain unique to Harrods and H Beauty. You cannot get a hair reduce or color right here – it is all about styling and is marketed as the “elevated blow-dry expertise for each event”.

(Image: Harrods)

Having been greeted by a pleasant receptionist, I was launched to my hairdresser and seated in entrance of a glossy slab of marble countertop with spotless mirrors operating alongside its size. Bright yellow Drybar-branded curling tongs and hairdryers, paired with rows of pastel-coloured hair merchandise on the market on the cabinets, added a pop of color. My hairdresser Millie handed me a listing from which I might decide my blow-dry model based mostly on footage – I had no concept there have been choices. Each model is playfully named after a cocktail and, regardless of my hatred for the hangover-inducing drink itself, I selected the Mai Tai in hope of attaining beachy waves. Decision made, it was time to get shampooed and conditioned in the basins tucked away out of view of customers. An opulent perfumed scent washed over me, simply as I was pondering the query that at all times interrupts my rest at this stage of a visit to the hairdresser’s – is it extra awkward to maintain my eyes open or permit them to shut? Once my hair was deliciously clear and wrapped up in a towel, it was again to the chair for my transformation. My hair is of course a little bit of a frizz fest however I can by no means be bothered to blow-dry it myself, often selecting the lazy various of dragging a straightener via it as a substitute. I have tried to hair-dry it straight earlier than however at all times find yourself getting the brush caught or simply giving up, so I was eager to see how the consultants dealt with it. Millie sectioned off my hair and focused on one at a time, expertly wrapping every handful of hair round the brush earlier than hair-drying it clean.

(Image: Harrods)

Nothing new right here for those who’ve ever had your hair blow-dried at the hairdresser’s earlier than, however the expertise was a bit extra decadent with a glass of fizz in hand, a flat-screen TV to my left and sight of the swanky-looking bar throughout the store ground. I might additionally nonetheless maintain a dialog whereas the dryer was on – it had a gentler sound than the deafening hairdryer I use at house, which made all of it the extra enjoyable. I had a nostril at the menu from the cocktail bar whereas I was being pampered, simply out of curiosity. I think about you’ll be able to’t get the full vary ordered to the Drybar, nevertheless it may be helpful to know for future reference in order for you a post-shopping refreshment. The costs weren’t as costly as I was anticipating for a model as high-end as Harrods – cocktails had been all £12, which is not surprising as of late for a good Bristol cocktail bar. There had been additionally mild bites for breakfast and lunch – the cinnamon roll with caramel sauce caught my eye (£3.50 if my reminiscence serves me), and there was additionally a choice of salads, sandwiches and nibbles. After my hair was all smoothed out, Millie picked up a pair of curling tongs and started including extra form to my hair, spritzing on extra superbly scented merchandise to maintain it in place. I did query (in my head, not out loud) what the level in blow-drying it was if we had been solely going to use tongs in the finish, however the time funding appeared to repay – the roots had been far bouncier than I’ve ever achieved at house.

They had their work reduce out (left) however I was impressed with the consequence (proper)
(Image: Bristol Live)

As I was led to certainly one of the greater mirrors to try my new glossy look, there was a murmur of appreciation from a few of the different workers, certainly one of whom even rightly guessed that it was a Mai Tai coiffure. I walked out feeling the want to sashay barely to exhibit the shine, armed with a 25 per cent off voucher for subsequent time as an introductory provide. Without a voucher the worth of a wash and blow-dry is £40, which once more was lower than I was anticipating from a model that markets itself as the world’s main luxurious division retailer. Even for the standard excessive road Bristol salon you are wanting at about £25-£30 relying on size and elegance. The longevity of my new ‘do was what actually impressed me, although – even after an evening’s sleep and a fitness center session my hair was nonetheless wanting salon-fresh, with the frizz solely starting to reclaim its rightful place about 24 hours later. If I had a elaborate occasion or night time out I would undoubtedly make a day of it and return for a store, pamper and a drink at the bar afterwards. Sign up for our What’s On in Bristol e-newsletter filled with important tales to assist you to make the most of residing in the metropolis
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