Salon Review: Gustav Fouche

Gustav Fouche

82 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RT

www.gustavfouche.com

Review: Kathryn Lewsey 

Bustling Westbourne Grove In Notting Hill is always thriving with cool shops and luxe salons, so when I was invited to check out the Gustab Fouche hair salon, I knew it was an offer I couldn’t turn down.

 

The salon was created by hairstylist Gustav Fouche, who has snipped the barnets of an array of A-listers. His passion for hair led him to opening the doors to his own salon back in 2019.

Arriving at the salon on a sunny Friday afternoon, I was struck by the warm presence and calming vibes. Busy hair salons can often feel hectic, but I felt instantly relaxed as I was gowned up and taken over to the styling chair.

 

With its chic grey-hued walls, circular gold mirrors and stylish furniture, the salon is a comfortable and elegant space to have your hair transformed. Upstairs, there’s also a beauty floor, where you pick from an array of carefully curated facials, manicures, waxing and massages.

First up, it was time to say goodbye to my split ends. Hair stylist Anamaria came over to assess my locks, advising I snipped off just over an inch to revive my barnet. Expertly cutting away my straggly strands, she neatened up my hair, bringing it back to life while maintaining the blunt ‘do that I like.

 

I was then booked in with colourist Debbie, who was in charge of giving my grown-out blonde strands some TLC. As she assessed the roots and hue, I explained to Debbie that I wanted a low-maintenance, more-natural look.

 

She recommended I go for balayage, but rather than hand-painting the colour directly onto my hair, she’d use foils, to create a brighter blonde that was naturally blended.

Leaving it up to the expert, I relaxed with a cuppa while Debbie meticulously painted and foiled my strands. The back of my hair had grown out into a big block of roots, so Debbie did reverse balayage, correcting the stripey look to create a soft shadow instead.

 

And keeping it lighter at the front, Debbie added a pop of colour with some moneypiece highlights to frame my face.

 

We all know how damaging bleach can be, so I was relieved to hear that she had added Wellaplex into the dye, to help strengthen the bonds in my locks.

 

I browsed the latest fashion mags as I waited for the colour to develop and after a speedy half hour, Debbie took me to the basin where she washed out the dye. She then worked two toners into my hair – one for the blonder section at the top and a different one for the darker strands underneath.

Once that had worked its magic, Debbie was back over to wash and condition my hair. She used Gustav’s new haircare range on my hair – and they were a treat. Silicone and sulphate-free, the range consists of different formulas created to target hair concerns such as limp hair or damaged strands.

 

Back over in the salon chair, stylist Andre was there to dry and style my new hair. I watched in awe as he teased and brushed my locks in a way I can never do, giving my locks a healthy dose of volume. Andrew then used a wand to create some soft waves in my strands, leaving my hair with the soft, beachy waves I always dream of having.

 

I was made up with the final result. My hair felt lighter and healthier than before – and the soft, sun-kissed blonde that Debbie had created, made it look like I’d just returned from a two-week holiday in Spain rather than a trip on the tube.

 

Next time you’re in need of a hair revival, I couldn’t recommend Gustav Fouche more.