SALON FOCUS: Blue Tit Portobello

The first time I visited a Blue Tit salon I was 9 months pregnant with my second child. Ready to pop I waddled my way to their Brixton salon, desperate for someone, anyone, to make me feel a little more attractive and little less like a beached whale.

Fast forward 3 years and I find myself 9 months pregnant with my third child, waddling through Notting Hill to visit their latest premises on Portobello. Coincidence? Who knows but what I find particularly amusing about the situation is that Blue Tit is famed for its hipster connotations and though even hipsters get pregnant, at 9 months pregnant and unable to see your toes, you’re feeling anything but!

Not that the staff at Blue Tit would ever make you feel it. Warm and welcoming (during both my experiences), I am ushered in by their receptionist and quickly offered a seat at their “on trend” green velvet sofa while I wait for my stylist Kamila Pruszek to arrive.

Interior wise, Blue Tit Portobello has strayed from the usual stripped back Scandi style of its forbearers and instead embraced the spirit of Notting hill, adopting an elective vibe of earthy reds, greyish blues and light peachy pinks, paired with a selection of monochrome prints and chevron flooring.

Following 5 minutes of some much-needed rest (at 9 months along, you got to take what you can get) Kamila made her appearance, enthusiastically ushering me through to my chair. Co-owner and head stylist, Kamila has rapidly become a favourite amongst influences and artists in need of a style refresh, which is exactly what I was in need of.

While discussing the plan in action, a member of the team returns from the shops armed with fresh fruit and offers to whiz me up a vegan smoothie. Cool and refreshing, you couldn’t get a better pre-lunch pick me-up, heavily pregnant or not.

After some “umming” and “ahhing” (mainly from myself as I am never more indecisive than when pregnant), we settle on a full head of creamy highlights, opting for two different shade to add depth and life to my colour. This is then followed by a toner to add a beautiful cool tone before everyone’s favourite hair saviour, an Olaplex treatment and finishing off with a refreshing washing using organic Italian haircare Oway.  

One of the things I have always been a fan of at Blue Tit is their commitment to being a sustainable and responsible business, believing great hair should not come at a cost to the environment. Alongside their latest collaboration with hair care brand Oway, Blue Tit uses 100% biodegradable towels, EcoHeads, recycles over 90% of its waste and use recycled or upcycled materials wherever possible in all their spaces. Something we strongly believe all salons should be doing in this trying climate.

 2 ½ hours and 2 cups of tea with oat-milk later (other beverages including the alcoholic variety are also on offer), it’s time to move on to the cut. Kamila recommends taking an inch or so off to take some weight out while still keeping the length and adding in a few longer layers to frame the face to allow for some natural movement.

Another hour later and I leave (or should I say “waddle out of”) the salon feeling refreshed and significantly better about myself than I had when I arrived. Not only is the colour on point, being the perfect blend of both current yet natural looking (not an easy feat) but the cut perfectly shapes my face helping to disguise my late pregnancy bloat. 

Overall verdict? Don’t let the Hipster reputation put you off. They may be connoisseurs of the pastel dye job but the team at Blue Tit Portobello are as equally as skilled at everyones favourite, balayage and a traditional head of foils, while their scissors skills are second to none.

To book your appointment at Blue Tit Portobello visit bluetitlondon.com