Having a bad hair day? Did you spend the morning trying to flatten a halo of frizz, iron out a badly behaved kink, or just coax a few more strands to sit over a bald patch?
Well there’s an army of stylists in Abu Dhabi just itching to get their hands on your mop and fix it. Listen to what some of our favourite hairdressers had to say about taking care of your style and getting a cut that’s perfect for you.
Steve Hilal
How long have you been a stylist for and where did you train?
I have been a stylist for over 10 years. I started my career and trained in Lebanon with one of the top hairdressers there – Joe Raad.
What’s the most popular hairstyle you’re asked for at the moment?
The most popular colour at the moment is varying shades of blonde. Many brunettes are coming to us asking for a lighter shade with soft highlights. Of course, the degree depends on each client and what suits her skin tone and age. As for cut, women are favouring longer hair lengths with shorter layers at the front and longer at the back. However, the classic French bob for shorter hair is still a favourite among many clients.
Describe your own personal hairstyle.
I like to keep it simple for myself. A clean cut never goes out of style. However, styling is what I like to play around with. I can pull my hair back with some wax one day and give it a spiky effect the next, depending on my mood in the morning.
Do you have a signature cut or style?
I wouldn’t say I have a signature style or cut because I always like to keep up with the latest trends. However, I’m particularly strong with classic styles as these are always requested, for example the layered bob with the round clean neck.
Give us a secret for having great hair.
Great hair starts with a good cut. Make sure you have a good stylist who understands your hair type and style. Then, to get great hair at home, lightly dry your hair with a blowdryer using a round brush and a small amount of your hair product of choice. This will give you a soft natural look, which is the trend this season. I see many clients overusing the hairdryer and products, which gives an unnatural look to the hair.
What’s the hottest hair trend for this season?
The hottest trend now is the natural look. For colour, natural brown with honey strands at the bottom of the hair.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had from a customer?
One client, who had a drastic change from black to blonde, was stopped in the mall three times by strangers to ask who had done her hair. She sent me a message thanking me and saying I’m the most talented artist she has seen.
Does Amisque have any additional hair services you can recommend?
Amisque specialises in great lengths hair extensions, which are great for clients who want to add volume and/or length to their hair.
Ask to have your hair done by me if…
You’re looking for a stylist who will listen to you and make sure you feel glamorous and special.
Amisque, Vision Hotel Apartments (02 699 2699).
Sandi Hermann
How long have you been a stylist for and where did you train?
I have been hairdressing for 20-plus years – I can’t give too much away or you’ll guess my age! I trained in Tasmania, Australia, and have been working in high-profile salons for most of my career throughout Australia and now the UAE.
What’s the most popular style you’re asked to do?
The most popular hairstyles for locals primarily involve volume, curls and nice, natural caramel colors. For Western women, it’s mainly long, soft, blended layering with highlights to enhance their skin tone and hairstyle.
Describe your own personal hairstyle.
I like the casual look – smooth but still with volume. I am currently a brunette with a touch of blonde, but I like to change my style according to my mood and according to fashion trends.
Do you have a signature cut or style?
Foils, foils, foils! I love creating a natural look, two, three or even four colors to enhance the client’s hairstyle and complexion, and ensure they always walk out of the salon with a big smile.
Give us a secret for having great hair.
The secret to great hair, I believe, is the hairdresser/client relationship. To create great hair for a client we as stylists must understand the client’s lifestyle, personality and ability to maintain the style at home – keeping in mind the climate in the UAE, moisturising treatments are a must to keep the hair’s vitality, shine and lustre.
What’s the hottest hair trend for this season?
As we enter into autumn, natural, sun-kissed highlights to enhance locks that are smooth and feminine, but bouncy.
Ever had any hair disasters, either personally or in the salon?
I would be lying if I said no, we are all human, but I am very proud to say there have been very, very few throughout my 20-plus years.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had from a customer?
It’s always a compliment when my clients recommend me to their friends and family, one of the biggest compliments, however, was when a very good client of mine asked to fly me all the way to Scotland from Australia, to do her hair for her wedding because she wouldn’t trust anyone else.
Does your salon offer any additional hair treatments that you can recommend?
With the humidity here in the UAE, Brazilian Blowout Keratin Smoothing treatment is amazing. It’s totally formaldehyde free, it gives you the freedom to blow-dry your hair smooth and straight at home in a fraction of the time it usually takes, as well as promoting radiant shine. Brazilian Blowout actually improves the condition of the hair resulting in a softer, silkier feel that people rave about.
Ask to have your hair done by me if…
Your hair is your 24-hour accessory; you want a hairdresser who will listen, understand and recommend what is best for your face shape, skin tone and lifestyle.
For the month of October Sisters Beauty Lounge Abu Dhabi is offering 50 per cent off a conditioning treatment when accompanied by another service. Sister’s Beauty Lounge (02 222 2501).
Milad Raji
New InterContinental Salon
How long have you been a hairdresser?
Since 1987, and working in Abu Dhabi since 1992. I learnt it in Beirut, in Dammam, Italy, many other places and then moved over to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and then back to Beirut again.
What would you say is the most fashionable cut in Abu Dhabi at the moment?
There is no really fashionable cut at the moment. It depends on the taste, personality, style of dress and the face of the client. These are the things that need to be taken into consideration. I do everything, right from funky cuts to hair colour. I’m a full-time hairdresser!
Have you ever experienced any style disasters?
No, not really. Although sometimes the clients tell us their hair is has not been treated when it has, so if we believe them and do something like a new colour, it doesn’t always work. So now I test the hair to identify the history Otherwise, I’ll be in trouble if they’ve misinformed me. Most of the ladies here don’t have problems as they have light hair or dark long hair so it is easier to do highlights, colour, etc.
What is the nicest compliment that you have had from your customers?
Lots of people have recommended me on web forums to each other – but I don’t want to talk too much about myself!
What kind of cut do you specialise in?
I specialise in short and bob style cuts.
New Intercontinental Ladies Salon, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888).
Kylie Bazely
How long have you been a stylist for and where did you train?
I’ve been a stylist for seven years now and I trained with Toni & Guy. I trained at the flagship Toni & Guy academy in Central London.
What’s the most popular cut or colour you’re asked to do at the moment.
Ombre colour definitely has to be the most popular colour at the moment. (Ombre colour is where darker roots fade into a lightened mid-shaft and end – it can be subtle or extreme depending on the client) It looks good on short or long hair. The bob is a classic cut that never goes out of fashion, and is a popular style year after year. Clients always ask for this cut, but what’s great is that there are so many different kinds of bob to choose from for all different hair types and face shapes.
Describe your own personal hairstyle.
My own personal hairstyle is always changing as that’s part of the fun in being a hairdresser. One thing I do love, though, is big bouncy hair – whether it’s smooth or curly, it always looks glamorous!
Do you have a signature cut or style?
I love curls, waves and natural body, but I definitely encourage my clients to work with what they’ve got. From big thick bouncy curls to fine poker straight hair, there’s a style to suit all hair types.
What’s the secret to having great hair?
The secret to having great hair is using the right products and treatments. Always have treatments, especially after any chemical service.
What’s the hottest hair trend for this season?
Red is massive this season, from a subtle auburn tone to the vibrant ‘Rihanna red.’ It’s about being bold, and that goes for cuts too. Big heavy fringes are back and so is volume, lots of volume! As for styles, big messy buns are bang on trend and so are braided top knots. Centre partings are very popular too, and the half-up Brigette Bardot look is a must for long locks – it’s feminine and super sexy.
Ever had any hair disasters?
When I was training, an artistic director came to give our salon a demo on the season’s trends. The model for this demo didn’t show up and I volunteered myself. He didn’t ask what I wanted and I wasn’t about to tell him what to do considering he was the expert. There was no mirror in front of me and I could only feel what he was doing – I soon wanted to cry as I realised he had cropped half my hair off! It was very trendy at the time but I hated it and had to live with it for what seemed like a lifetime! It made me very understanding of clients needs and wants because I know how it feels to be unhappy with your hair, and for most women their hair is their crowning glory!
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had from a customer?
I had one client cry from happiness! That had to be the best compliment. She had her hair ruined so many times that she was overjoyed she had finally had it done the way she wanted.
Any additional service you’d recommend at Glamour?
We offer the Brazilian blow-dry, which most people know as the keratin treatment. The difference with ours is there are absolutely no chemicals. The brand we use is called nanokeratin, which is one of the only brands approved by the trading standards in the UK – it’s an amazing product that guarantees to take your hair back to its natural state. It doesn’t completely straighten your hair, but relaxes, de-frizzes it and makes it far more manageable.
Ask to have your hair done by me if you’re looking for…
That perfect blonde or funky ombre style!
Readers who book an appointment for colour during October can receive a free treatment if they quote this article. Glamour Hair Salon El-Nilen Bank Building, 4th Street by Corniche Road (02 626 3002).
Elie Hanna
La Finesse Salon
How long have you been at Le Méridien?
I’ve worked at Le Méridien’s salon for 28 years.
What is the most popular hairstyle among your customers?
There is no one popular hairstyle, because we cater to the taste of the ladies who come in, and their taste varies from one person to the next. I specialise in blonde colouring and highlights.
What is the secret to having great hair?
Make it shiny so it looks like virgin hair [untreated, uncoloured] again. This is always what we are trying to achieve.
What is the best compliment you have ever had from a customer?
We’ve had many compliments when we give clients a great cut!
La Finesse Salon, Le Méridien (02 644 1299).
Lyndal Stokes
Hairworks
How long have you been a stylist for and where did you train?
Twenty years altogether. I trained in Australia and did my advanced certificate in the UK.
What’s the most popular cut or colour you’re asked to do at the moment?
Natural highlights are still huge. However, global [full head] solid colours are making a comeback and short hair has been popular also this year.
Describe your own personal hairstyle.
Classic and simple. I like easy hair these days. My hair falls a lot here, so I don’t play with it too much.
Do you have a signature cut or style?
No, I’d say my strength has always been that I’m an all-round stylist, I love all aspects of styling.
Give us a secret for having great hair.
Out here in the UAE, you have to use a water filter, so your hair stays healthy and colour doesn’t fade away.
What’s the hottest hair trend for this season?
Anything goes really, big hair is still around, and warm tones are huge for winter.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had from a customer?
I’ve had clients cry, in a happy way of course, and hug me, even fly from other countries to see me, but the biggest kick is seeing someone’s confidence grow from the inside, I love that.
What else does Hairworks offer?
Kerastase chronoligiste, known as the caviar treatment, is heaven for the hair, it adapts to what hair needs, so oily fine hair benefits just like dry thick hair does.
Ask to have your hair done by me if…
The health and integrity of your hair matter to you.
Hairworks, Second Floor Spinney’s Khalidiyah (02 681 6678).
Izaac Zeidan
Gents’ Hair Stylists
How long have you been a stylist for and where did you train?
I’m a men’s hairdresser and have run the gents’ salon in Abu Dhabi for the past 30 years.
What’s the most popular style you’re asked to do?
Basically, most of my customers are European and looking for a hairstyle that is trendy and stylish. The Ashton Kutcher hairstyle is very fashionable this season, razoring and texturising the hair, then using styling product to define the haircut. Also high, tight cuts, clipper cuts and crew cuts are back. Medium length, with a touch of colouration, lowlights or highlights is also popular. Most of my customer are looking for colouration but also asking for a natural look.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a customer?
My clients say they feel relaxed by having a nice talk and good advice in a warm and welcoming ambiance. When I’ve finished they feel young again!
Ask to have your hair done by me if…
You want to be advised on a haircut that will match your style, your hair type and your mind. It will be easy to manage from morning to evening, and never be boring!
Gents’ Hair Stylists, Beach Rotana (02 659 2971).
