Quick disclaimer: this review was written by a tomboy who doesn’t take care of their hair.
When visiting La Lucia Mall’s Carlton branch, you’ll feel the revamp even more than just seeing it. The store opened on 4 November downstairs from its previous location. As the second branch to adopt the earthy look (Rosebank was the first), Carlton La Lucia represents a brand new vision the chain is trying to push. The look goes hand-in-hand with a change in services, providing natural products, ammonia-free bleach and using recyclable material. Eco-friendliness aside, the salon also sidelines as a make-shift college during the week. Since early November, students are able to use these facilities to get better practical experience.
Back to appointment – I was a bit nervous about the colour, treatment and trim I had booked. I’m getting married in a few months and wanted to keep the length I had for a traditional hairstyle. This also meant that I didn’t want to take any risks with my hair colour. Hence the nervousness. I was going to be that person. You know, the person who enters a salon and is super demanding before they’ve even taken a seat. Like pulling off a plaster, I just went for it and let them know from the start that I didn’t want to lose length but still wanted a reasonable trim. I wanted a colour wash for shine but wanted to be conservative about colour and most of all, I needed a good treatment.
Here’s where my fears got washed away. Jodash and Gwen were my stylists for the afternoon and they took all my requests in stride. Not only were they great stylists but they were friendly, listened to my needs and tried to accommodate me as much as possible. My session started with a colour wash (ash brown, which was chosen because it drowned out red undertones). I never mentioned any of this nor did I suggest a colour which made me realise how intuitive Jodash was. I’m sure he would have let me choose a colour had I wanted to but I trusted his judgement and was pleased with the result. The colour wash was mixed with the miracle treatment on the market at the moment: Olaplex. I’ve been told that this is the same treatment that let Kim Kardashian go from dark hair to blond without any damage. It’s a 3-part treatment: mixed in with the colour wash to rebuild your hair whilst colouring it, a leave-in treatment after washing your hair and a home treatment (not-mandatory).
After approximately 30 minutes of a nourishing colour wash with Gwen, I was taken to the sink to wash this off then had the second part of the Olaplex treatment placed on my wet hair whilst I waited for about 15 minutes. This was followed by a revitalising head massage (much needed after a session of Christmas shopping). A final wash followed and then it was time for the dreaded trim. I’ve been quite specific about my length in the past which didn’t often translate into the final cut. And so began my session with Jodash, who was friendly and most of all understanding of my needs. I got the perfect trim with a straight cut (again, I didn’t request it but actually really wanted that). My hair was then blow dried with some added bounce on the fringe that it so desperately craves it. He then added an oil to the straightener which locks in the shine and enhances the treatment. The porous plates on the straightener allow the oil to be spread in a mist over your hair.
And then voilà! The shiny, healthy looking hair I wanted with a colour that wasn’t dramatic and the length I needed. Amongst the good service, meeting the client’s demands and great products, Carlton La Lucia is highly recommended. Check out my before and after pics if you don’t believe me 😉
To make an appointment, call 031 572 6113.