Follow
Often my TV Production and media work involves discussions around inclusion diversity and safe spaces in the creative world.
When I mentioned to a friend that I was dying to get my haircut she mentioned a great salon to me in Portobello Road. She said it has a hipster reputation but it’s values and ethics are in line with mine 100% So I had to check it out.
It’s called Blue Tit @bluetitlondon and with a beautiful synergy – it’s in my fave local haunt of Portobello Road.
I’ve walked past it a million times not being aware of the stellar situation behind the front door! Firstly, it doesn’t look like your typical hair salon. It’s minimal with Notting hill spirit and energy. Earthy wall tones with an abundance of green plant foliage. This design reflects the organic products they use and their focus on being environmentally friendly.
My pal told me that I’d love this place because everything that their stylists are trained in is to do with inclusion and diversity at it’s heart (Initially I thought well that’s strange?…I mean with a hair salon how does that work? What does it even mean?) The journalist in me asked a hundred questions and soon found out.
At @BlueTitLondon they’ve trained all their Stylists to work on all hair types, specially textured and afro hair. They want everyone to feel welcome. They also want to eliminate the barriers in salons for textured and afro hair types. To that end they are also the UK’s first Bcopr certified Salon group.
Firstly they train their stylists in their salon to be totally accessible, sensitive to and supportive various different groups of people and to understand their needs. They have an educator called Mads who trains the stylists in hair industry inclusivity..
They are trained in disability awareness. So if you had someone for example who was blind or needed sighted guidance, they would know how to make their customers feel safe and supported both verbally and physically, where to stand, how to touch and guide, as well as how to use language and words to describe hair procedures and looks as well as accommodate their guide dogs.
The stylists are also trained in race inclusion. For example, you don’t just go to any salon if you know you have a certain hair type. If you have afro hair then you are likely to go to a specialist afro hair salon who specialise in working with black hair. But at Blue Tit every stylist is trained in basic afro textured and the next step is all their stylists will have enhanced training various different hair textures.
There’s also an emphasis on hair care for pregnant and breastfeeding women. In fact whilst I had my own hair washed, my neighbour was a young woman with a baby gurgling away happily.
Speaking of the hair wash area, omg! It’s the first time in my life that the wash basin has comfortably accommodated by neck and head as I’m only 5,1”(shorter people like me need inclusion awareness too LOL!), and like airport lounges – the chairs are bed loungers. Bliss is the only way I can describe the wash and head massage that my colourist Leanne gave me.
They are trained in being on alert to various people’s needs and being on an emotional wavelength with each client.
I was intrigued about my area in the salon which had the possibility of being sectioned off with a heavy velvet curtain around us. I was told that this area could be a private and curtained off cubicle section for people who might want to be more discreet for medical (chemotherapy which leads to hair loss), or religious reasons (removing a scarf in public) .
I have to say I was shocked I didn’t realize so much thought could go into hair industry inclusion. It was brilliant to learn about all these things that can make a big difference to people. After all, after the pandemic we all and know how much we value both our safe spaces and our hairdressers!
We don’t just let anyone touch our hair. It’s the reason we have our favourite hair stylist , the reason we wait months to see our favourite hair salon , and why our hairdressers know our deepest secrets.
So Blue Tit is somewhere that ensures that everyone is included in a safe space.
I also salute their commitment to being a sustainable and responsible business. They believe great hair should not come at a cost to the environment.
So alongside their latest collaboration with hair care brand Oway, Blue Tit uses 100% biodegradable towels, EcoHeads, recycles over 90% of its waste and use recycled or upcycled materials wherever possible in all their spaces….,. surely all salons should be doing this in the current climate
All the products in the salon are natural and paraben free. In fact, If you buy products from here, when they run out, you can bring back the empty bottle for a top up and get 15% off. So even the planet loves this place.
It’s also the first time I’ve experienced Biodegradable reusable towels, which saves energy as you’re not washing big heavy towels daily. Furthermore all their hair treatments are totally natural.
At the back of the salon there is a cocktail bar full of a huge array of drinks both alcoholic and soft as well as herbal teas! It was too early in the morning to indulge in a cocktail so I had an elderberry water with a thin slice of orange which was lush!
The stylists all had a sense of fun and are all very warm welcoming and friendly to everyone.
My hair had been looking like a brassy blonde block instead of the textured “I spent the last year on a Brazilian beach” look’ that I wanted. But the lovely Leanne fixed me up!
My cut was by Charlie who was charming, so much fun, upbeat and asked questions about my hair and needs like no other stylist before. He told me that he’s worked all across London and the part of London where people live, tend to dictate various hairstyles that people request. Charlie tells me that when he worked in Bethnal Green for example, clients would request their favourite K Pop band hair styles, vegan mullets and more lol. (London is a stereotype of itself now!).
My colour was by Leanne who was chatty, friendly and clearly a huge advocate for inclusion. Both shared how powerful their inclusion sessions had been and why every hair salon in the country should be able to passionately cater to every single member of society.
I only spent three hours at Blue Tit but felt like I’d been on a mini spa break. Yes it is hipster and uber cool – created with the instagram generation in mind – but that made me love it more! I really recommend it.
There’s a Blue Tit in Dalston, Peckham Brixton, Oxford Street and here in Portobello Road.
Even if it’s for a one-off treat it’s worth experiencing what true inclusion means when it’s juxtaposed with values and ethics in the hair styling industry. 10/10!
