Looking for the perfect hair refresh in London? At Josh Wood Atelier in Holland Park, the expert team deliver flawless colour blending and effortlessly stylish cuts that leave you looking and feeling transformed. From tailored highlights that flatter your complexion to a modern cut that feels chic yet easy to wear, this salon experience is a masterclass in luxury hair care.
Having been an un-natural blonde for most of my adult life, with the occasional ill-advised red phase (thanks Joan from Mad Men for making it look so tempting), I’ve experimented with almost every shade imaginable. From bleach to gold, half-head to full-head highlights, I’ve tried them all. But recently I realised that few colourists have ever really paused to consider which tones would truly complement my complexion, my eyes, and my natural mousy-brown base. I wish I could come up with a more flattering description, but it is what it is. With this in mind, I decide it’s time to treat myself and book into the Josh Wood Atelier in Holland Park. The salon feels part gallery, part botanical escape, the perfect distraction if, like me, you’d rather not spend too long staring into the mirror.
I’m welcomed into the lively ‘colour’ floor and introduced to Creative Colour Master, Adam Russell, who takes one look at my mop and immediately knows what needs to be done. With a reassuring confidence, he suggests soft highlight tones to balance out the patchwork of shades I’ve been carrying around and blend everything seamlessly. I feel instantly in safe hands, and once he gets to work I can finally relax while the transformation begins. Adam is great fun to chat to and clearly very empathic, he seems to know which clients will want to chat (that’s me) and those that don’t. That can include ‘A-lister’ clients, one of whom comes and sits down next to me, as they are next in line for Adam’s skills. I’m going to be as discrete as Adam and the team and not reveal who they are, but it’s probably not a surprise that a salon of this calibre would attract well-known folk who appreciate the down-to-earth professional welcome afforded to everyone.
After a glorious head massage and wash, I’m whisked upstairs to the ‘Groom Room’, designed by Soho House, where Principal Stylist Marilyn Humphreys takes over. Warm, funny, and instantly on my wavelength, she declares the new colour a triumph before cutting my hair into a modern, choppy bob that feels both stylish and effortless. The end result? A colour that suits me better than anything I’ve had before and a cut that makes me feel polished without trying too hard. I leave the salon feeling lighter, fresher, and genuinely more “me”.
