Of all of the hairdressers I have visited in my lifetime, I can safely say they have all fallen into the 'watery tea or instant coffee' category when it comes to beverages to sip on in the chair. Invariably so hot that by the time it's drinkable, it's almost time to leave.
So when I was offered a glass of champagne upon settling into my seat at The DryBar, as well as the usual soft drinks, I could tell the experience was going to be a little bit more glamorous. The salon has just opened as part of H Beauty at Cribbs Causeway, a Harrods brand, and is one of only five in the country.
I shamefully confess that I've never stayed loyal to one particular hairdresser - I tend decide on a whim when I'm in need of a cut, and either pick one based on availability that day or whichever one is offering a good deal on Groupon or Treatwell. Honestly, if I'm just after a quick trim, sometimes I'll just pick up a pair of scissors myself and hope for the best.
Read more: Inside Cribbs Causeway's Harrods Beauty as it opens its doors
With that in mind, I was a little bit intimidated to find out what a Harrods hair salon experience would be like. I visited on opening day, when there was an actual red carpet outside the store and a flower wall upon entry for the ultimate Instagram selfie.
There was a DJ playing pop dancefloor tracks while people browsed the counters, brimming with rows of prettily packaged makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance products from a wide range of designer and high-end brands. To the right as you enter is the Harrods Champagne Bar, where shoppers can settle down amid glitzy décor to enjoy a drink or a light bite to eat.
On the left is where I was headed: the DryBar, a salon chain exclusive to Harrods and H Beauty. You can't get a hair cut or colour here - it's all about styling and is marketed as the "elevated blow-dry experience for every occasion".
Having been greeted by a friendly receptionist, I was introduced to my hairdresser and seated in front of a sleek slab of marble countertop with spotless mirrors running along its length. Bright yellow Drybar-branded curling tongs and hairdryers, paired with rows of pastel-coloured hair products for sale on the shelves, added a pop of colour.
My hairdresser Millie handed me a catalogue from which I could pick my blow-dry style based on pictures - I had no idea there were options. Each style is playfully named after a cocktail and, despite my hatred for the hangover-inducing drink itself, I chose the Mai Tai in hope of achieving beachy waves.
Decision made, it was time to get shampooed and conditioned in the basins tucked away out of view of shoppers. A luxurious perfumed scent washed over me, just as I was pondering the question that always interrupts my relaxation at this stage of a trip to the hairdresser's - is it more awkward to keep my eyes open or allow them to close?
Once my hair was deliciously clean and wrapped up in a towel, it was back to the chair for my transformation. My hair is naturally a bit of a frizz fest but I can never be bothered to blow-dry it myself, usually choosing the lazy alternative of dragging a straightener through it instead.
I have attempted to hair-dry it straight before but always end up getting the brush stuck or just giving up, so I was keen to see how the experts handled it. Millie sectioned off my hair and concentrated on one at a time, expertly wrapping each handful of hair around the brush before hair-drying it smooth.
Nothing new here if you've ever had your hair blow-dried at the hairdresser's before, but the experience was a bit more decadent with a glass of fizz in hand, a flat-screen TV to my left and sight of the swanky-looking bar across the shop floor. I could also still hold a conversation while the dryer was on - it had a gentler sound than the deafening hairdryer I use at home, which made it all the more relaxing.
I had a nose at the menu from the cocktail bar while I was being pampered, just out of curiosity. I imagine you can't get the full range ordered to the Drybar, but it might be useful to know for future reference if you want a post-shopping refreshment.
The prices weren't as expensive as I was expecting for a brand as high-end as Harrods - cocktails were all £12, which isn't shocking these days for a decent Bristol cocktail bar. There were also light bites for breakfast and lunch - the cinnamon roll with caramel sauce caught my eye (£3.50 if my memory serves me), and there was also a selection of salads, sandwiches and nibbles.
After my hair was all smoothed out, Millie picked up a pair of curling tongs and began adding more shape to my hair, spritzing on more beautifully scented products to keep it in place. I did question (in my head, not out loud) what the point in blow-drying it was if we were only going to use tongs in the end, but the time investment seemed to pay off - the roots were far bouncier than I've ever achieved at home.
As I was led to one of the bigger mirrors to check out my new sleek look, there was a murmur of appreciation from some of the other staff, one of whom even rightly guessed that it was a Mai Tai hairstyle. I walked out feeling the need to sashay slightly to show off the shine, armed with a 25 per cent off voucher for next time as an introductory offer.
Without a voucher the price of a wash and blow-dry is £40, which again was less than I was expecting from a brand that markets itself as the world's leading luxury department store. Even for a standard high street Bristol salon you're looking at about £25-£30 depending on length and style.
The longevity of my new 'do was what really impressed me, though - even after a night's sleep and a gym session my hair was still looking salon-fresh, with the frizz only beginning to reclaim its rightful place about 24 hours later. If I had a fancy event or night out I would definitely make a day of it and return for a shop, pamper and a drink at the bar afterwards.
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