My Best Blow Dry London

In a saturated world of facials, massages, manicures and even tweakments, there’s one appointment that is guaranteed to give me an instant boost, and it doesn’t cost the earth. The humble blow-dry, or blow-out, depending on where you come from, is the ultimate quick fix.

To me, this is more than a beauty treatment. When you have found your person, that humble blow-dry is a transformation for both hair and mind.
Ashling, Contributing Style & Interiors Editor

Why I love it

Let me caveat this with the fact that, day-to-day, working from home, my hair is left to frizz, fluff, and do as it pleases. The mum bun is a regular occurrence. And I’m good with this. I adhere to our Fashion Ed’s messy girl mantra. But book me in for that blow-dry, and I’m ready to take on the world. It unleashes my alter ego. All that gloss and bounce is the key to owning a room. It’s a confidence boost like no other, so when I find the perfect one, I will be back.

But it’s more than just the finished swishiness; it’s the whole ritual. You’re often welcomed in like an old friend and offered a drink: “A glass of wine?” “Oh, go on then.” Guided to a seat that massages out the knots of the day, your hair is washed with the attention to detail that feels like an indulgent gift. And then the head massage. For those two minutes, the world melts away.

Finally, the key to the whole experience: the stylist. The one who works the magic, but also – very important – senses when you’re up for a natter, but equally when silence is all you’re craving.

Where I go

Like every great relationship history, because that’s kind of what it is, there are those who come and go and then those you’ll talk of for years to come. For me, over time, it’s been Hershesons for that quick boost, but pre-kids, for my in-town taste of luxury, it was always Daniel Fowler at Fowler35. Not just the loveliest man, but a true artist with hair. He made me feel beautiful, even when I didn’t. We shared work stories, behind-the-scenes goss and a general buzz for great plans to come. Each and every time I left his Fitzrovia salon, my hair was great, but my mood was even better.

Fast-forward to family life, and that treat had to be found closer to home. Insert Myla & Davis, an award-winning independent salon in South East London. Recommended by a stylish pal, and I’ve not looked back since. Season after season, the team have helped to revive my blonde and rediscover the bounce. First there was Polly, then Georgia and now Kate. A trio of confidence-boosting women who also happen to be friends.

Who I rely on for the feel-good beauty treatment

Kate Dangerfield at Myla & Davis has now been my go-to for that knock-out blow-dry for years. I once saw her before a weekend in Ibiza. Her golden touch meant those boho waves lasted the entire trip. Ok, so a dusting of dry shampoo may have been used, but still. Magic. Not just that, though, Kate has transformed my tresses before work events, presenting jobs, birthday parties and weddings. She’s heard all my family dramas, even picking me up after hearing about the passing of a family member while I sat with my hair in foils. Equally, I feel totally invested in the snippets of her world she shares. It feels like a privilege. Sitting in the salon chair, you’re privy to another’s life, all while that person gradually builds you up, too. To me, this is more than a beauty treatment. When you have found your person, that humble blow-dry is a transformation for both hair and mind.