Gina Conway Salon, Wimbledon
Elys Urban Beauty
20 Wimbledon Hill Road
SW19 7NU
Review: Kathryn Lewsey
Gina Conway has always been a big name in the barnet world. An expert on all things hair, Gina co-owns two Aveda salons in Wimbledon and Winchester. I was recently invited to experience the Wimbledon location and have my tresses revived by Gina herself – how could I refuse?
Based in the iconic Elys department store, the salon was buzzing when I walked in on a Friday morning. Proving that Gina also knows a thing or two about interiors, the salon’s fresh and airy feel was enhanced with low-hanging lights and an abundance of plants.
I was warmly greeted by Gina at reception and led through to the styling chair, where we chatted over different ideas for my hair. I wanted to keep my blonde hue, but with a low-maintenance upkeep.
Gina suggested keeping a touch of my natural colour at the roots, to ensure a more natural, gradual grow-out. But to freshen things up, she’d also add a pop of brighter blonde to the front strands – I was sold!
While Gina whisked away to whip up the dye, the lovely Niamh came over to give me complimentary mini head and shoulder massage – every guest getting their hair styled receives this treatment. Niamh gently worked Aveda’s composition oil into my scalp, making me feel instantly relaxed.
I was also going to experience the salon’s new Detox Pramasan Scalp Therapy treatment, which is a remedy for dry, itchy scalps – something that I’ve suffered with recently. Niamh did the first step of the treatment, which involved stimulating my scalp with a brush to prep the skin.
After a dreamy 15 minutes of relaxation, Gina started working her magic on my hair. Demonstrating her incredible skills, she separated and painted my strands with precision and ease. She also added Aveda’s Botanical Treatment into the dye mix, ensuring that my dry ends would get some TLC to counteract some of the bleach.
Once the colour had been applied, I was left with a cuppa for around thirty minutes to wait for the dye to take to my hair.
Next, Gina took me to a separate basin area of the salon, where my foils were taken out and the colour was rinsed out. With super-relaxing chairs, dimmed lighting and fluffy blankets, I was transported far away from my busy London week.
Niamh then came over to carry out the second step of the detox treatment. This time, she massaged a cooling Pramasana masque to my scalp, which would help to soothe and nourish the irritated skin. Its tingling feeling on the scalp made my skin feel instantly refreshed and rebalanced.
Once that had been rinsed off, Gina came back over and applied a toner to my newly-dyed strands to balance out the hue of my hair. Ten minutes later, it was rinsed off and my hair was given a final wash and condition.
Back out on the salon floor, I could already see the creamy colour that Gina had given my hair – and it looked great. After spritzing on some Aveda serums and heat-protectors, she blow-dried my hair into a sleek and straight style.
I was limited on time but desperate to get rid of my split ends. So Gina grabbed her clippers and expertly trimmed off those pesky ends with precision, creating a razor-sharp finish.
With my hair freshly coloured, split ends gone and even some TLC given to my scalp, I was more than impressed with my visit. Gina had created the creamy blonde that I was yearning for, while making sure the overall finish was natural and sunkissed. And, of course, her service and warm personality amped up the experience even more.
If you want great hair results and a good old dose of pampering (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) – then this is the salon for you.