Here I am in Sweden. I mean Notting Hill! Nestled in its heart is STIL Salon. Just fifteen months old this holistic, cool, haven is style simplified. Their aim is to provide exquisite colour and precision cuts, tailored to each individual.
Behind this Scandinavian oasis is the charming Christel Lundqvist. A creative mind with a background in creative, education and product development. Triple winner of the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards British Colour Technician of the Year and brand ambassador for some of the biggest names in the product industry, her pedigree is pure and she has worked with many very high profile names in both fashion, TV and beyond.
On her superb team, I am lucky enough today to be getting my colour done by the Colour Director, Craig Clark. A master in his field too with over 16 years experience, 3 of those teaching, if anyone can produce your dream then he can. He’s also no stranger to awards having won the Wella Professional UK Colour Award and the Global Platinum Colour Vision Award in 2015 amongst others.
The salon uses Tigi products. As we go through my consultation, Craig brings out colour swatches to talk through my complexion (gold undertone), eye colour ( light blue, apparently) and skin tone (cool). I wanted to go lighter and now I know that instead of the ash colour they I keep requesting – something that washes me out – we are looking at ‘cleaner’ ivory, jasmine and vanilla tones. Framing my face rather than blending in with it! Fine highlights on half a head, a gloss, a toner and some evening out of the ends this is as bespoke as colour gets. I’m also going for a couple of candy floss pink streaks – I couldn’t help myself!
Eve Barker, their Senior Stylist is cutting today. She is the crème de la crème of stylists. With a big fashion influence her cuts are precision based excellence. I’m having a good 3 inches taken off my tired, 6 month growth of locks. I’m also going eighties curl for a party tonight!
The team is close knit but growing as two new additions loom. A lovely head massage from the lovely Christel herself – a choice of two aromatherapy oils – and I’m getting my hair cut. The colour looks fabulous even wet. I can see how it actually complements my skintone for once and brightens me up. Eve worked her cutting magic quickly and tongs at the ready, I’m going 80’s.
Overall results were amazing. The salon uses Tigi products instead of the more commonly used Wella – Craig tells me they work better on lifting blondes with no brassiness, a much cleaner more Scandinavian blonde – and the oatmeal and honey mask smells divine to boot.
I think we may have a new go to London salon for blondes on our hands here. Jo Hansford, where’s the crown please?!
STIL Salon 2A Chepstow Road W2 5BH
Phone 0207 243 1521
