Balham's chicest new salon

Love London

Balham locals can’t fail to have noticed the terribly chic new opening that joined the High Road this summer and while it may have taken the spot vacated by a favourite local brunch haunt, its offering is every bit as delicious.

162 Balham High Road is now home to the third studio from celebrated celebrity hairdresser Edward James, winner of Salon of the Year 2018 and peddler of superb hair styles, following in the scissor snips of the Clapham Junction and Putney spaces. You can’t miss the super stylish salon; with its slick black and white exterior, highlighted with glimmers of gold and dazzling lights, it’s a showstopper of an exterior.

Inside is no different; with cosy sofas scattered with cushions, exposed Edison bulbs hanging above a parquet floor, teal walls and a brass palm tree lamp that looks suspiciously similar to the one I coveted in Fez recently but couldn’t ship home, it’s got the makings of a glossy mag’s interiors spread.

Edward James has built a reputation of excellence through his creative team of award-winning stylists and colourists; and the Balham studio is no exception. It’s a luxurious experience from start to finish, with each client getting a glorious head and shoulder massage, optional meditation to listen to during the treatment and prosecco on tap. I think it’ve found my new favourite salon.

After a year of neglecting my hair, the time rolled round for my annual cut and colour and with the lure of this chic new space mere minutes from home I paid a visit for Balayage with the delightful Harriet followed by a (very unadventurous) trim. Now let me make it clear, I am lazily low maintenance when it comes to my hair. Despite having been every shade from peroxide to black in the 15 years I spent dyeing my locks, these days I prefer a colour that I can ignore for six months and it still look great, hence my penchant for a Balayage.

The gorgeously chatty Harriet expertly painted my locks freehand with a delicate dose of blonde, adding more from the root around the face as a bit more of a framer, whilst I sat nattering away with a glass of fizz and a stack of magazines. Just how every Friday afternoon should be spent. After a SERIOUSLY indulgent head massage during my wash - not to mention the use of some delightful scented hair products - a swift trim followed and a beautifully bouncy blow dry. It’s the kind of place you want to stay… I’d recommend booking a full head of foils perhaps so you can spend as much time in the salon as possible? Whatever you book in for, you will undoubtedly love it and you will undoubtedly be back more than once.

Check out their full range of services at www.edwardjamesloncon.com

Posted Date
Sep 29, 2019 in Love London by Laurel